[Trip Report] Virgin ride to Thailand solo (sharing session)

[hondawavefan]

My last virgin ride solo was to Cameron Highlands. I do not know what was I thinking on Tuesday morning 24/4/12 that I want to go to Krabi, probably I had came back from Phuket by air on Sunday and kinda fell in love with Thailand. I booked 3 hotels in Alor Setar, Krabi and Hat Yai through Agoda.com. Found some good deals through that website. I wanna share my experience with aspiring Thai tourers out there! Didnt find myself touring to Thailand earlier than I had expected.

 

Why Alor Setar because by the time I ride there, its going to be about 9pm. I do not want to go Hat Yai blindly in the night as I have not been there before.

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/Mapoverview.jpg

 

Day 1

So I left GP Esso at 1320hrs,it was raining all the way from Melaka to Kedah except for KL, the rain was so heavy in some parts that I cant see sh!t. So scary~ Arrived at Sentosa Regency Hotel at 2120hrs. Room cost S$57, no pictures to show. Room looks dated with old looking sheets and carpets. The only plus is the buffet breakfast in the morning.

 

Day 2

Could not sleep in the night, probably had too much red bull the previous day. Woke up, showered, packed and ate the buffet breakfast. Left the hotel at about 0750hrs. Arrived at Bt Kayu Hitam customs at about 0840hrs. Very nice scene along the way, rice fields and stuff like that.

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0715.jpg

 

The place where most take the picture at:

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0719.jpg

 

I was super blur as to the procedures there. So after asking and observing others, I

1) Take the white card from the office and fill it up

2) Proceed to one of the booth to get ur passport chopped

3) Proceed to the Customs booth in front of the chopping booth

4) Hand your passport and vehicle log card to the clerk at the 1st window of the booth for her to do up the papers

5) Take the paper from her once she printed it, head over to the 2nd window where the customs officers is. Sign the paper and hand it over to him for him to check and get the paper chopped. It will look something like this:

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0769.jpg

 

So once done, you can enter the kingdom. Just after the checkpoint, I looked around to get a Thai insurance for the bike. Approached one of the booth which was unmanned, I was informed that the person is still asleep and will wake up at 0900 (thai time), by then it was 0815hrs. Another booth I approached, the lady says they dont do bike. I was thinking as to whether to wait or not. So not wanting to wait, I took the risk of not getting it. I just prayed and hoped that I will not get into any accident.

 

The route to Hat Yai was full of smell; dung and smell of live poultry I think. So I went through the same route; towards Hat Yai then towards Patthalung then Trang then Wang Wiset then Krabi.

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0720.jpg

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0722.jpg

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0723.jpg

 

A bit of "off road" due to road/bridge construction along the route to Krabi:

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0766.jpg

 

 

After what it seems like eternity, I finally reached Aonang Buri Resort, Krabi. S$45 one night w/o breakfast and I can park my bike 'inside' (its an open concept resort anyway).

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0724.jpg

 

The beach in the background is Nopparat Thara Beach

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0725.jpg

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0726.jpg

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0727.jpg

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0736.jpg

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0735.jpg

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0730.jpg

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0733.jpg

 

Comes with a pool too:

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0732.jpg

 

What I think is kinda cool:

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0734.jpg

Edited April 27, 2012 by hondawavefan

[hondawavefan]

The room is super nice, how I wish my partner is with me right now. I realised that I have not eaten anything since in Kedah, so off I went to find some food.

 

Took some pictures of the beach I walked at.

 

Nopparat Thara Beach

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0739.jpg

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0738.jpg

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0740.jpg

 

Ao nang Beach

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0747.jpg

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0746.jpg

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0749.jpg

 

 

Plenty of street vendors like these around, all if not most are Halal. And its cheap.

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0750.jpg

 

Found McDonalds, Swensens and Burger King at Aonang beach area.

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0751.jpg

 

Plenty of these limestone outcrops out there, quite immense I would say. Fascinating.

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0752.jpg

 

Walked back after getting my food hoping to see the sunset.

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0754.jpg

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0756.jpg

 

Bought my lunch cum dinner for 80baht ~S$3.20

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0759.jpg

 

Ate my dinner at the balcony with the sun setting and the tranquil surroundings. Love that moment!

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0768.jpg

 

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0762.jpg

 

So after eating, watch some shows on TV, rest my tired body and slept early. Setting off for Hat Yai in the morning.

 

 

Day 3

 

Woke up and had breakfast (potato chips I bought last night, too lazy to find some food) and make myself some coffee. Left Krabi at about 0730hrs. So double backed the same route to Hat Yai. Reached there at about 1150hrs. Kinda surprised that I reached early. Check in was a breeze.

 

Room cost S$28 per night. Comes with free wifi (ask from reception the password) which is very strong. No vault though.

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0763.jpg

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0764.jpg

 

Bike parking within my room view, which is a plus.

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0767.jpg

 

No flask to make hot water. Didnt ask the receptionist though, haha.

 

 

Walked nearby to a Muslim shop for lunch. Had a hard time telling them what I wanted. So after some sign language, managed to get these:

http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/yy179/PCMujahideen/IMG_0765.jpg

115baht ~S$4.60

 

Time to learn some basic Thai.

 

After lunch, decided what to do next. Want to go sightseeing but seeing it was scorching hot and the traffic kinda heavy, I wait out for it to be cooler in the evening. So when evening comes, it was raining! what luck. Decided to stay indoors and wash some clothes, haha! Learned some basic Thai through the web. Bought some goodies from the convenience store at the hotel lobby.

 

 

Day 4

Woke up at about 0530hrs (SG time) washed up and packed. Left Hatyai at 0630hrs for Singapore.

 

Stopped at a police roadblock somewhere near Ipoh, was caught speeding at 146km/h. Decided to ride slower for the rest of the journey back.

 

Those Malaysian superbikers are friendly! A couple of them waved when passing by. Butt ached like crazy, weather was scorching, had to stop a few times for water and butt rest. Reached Skudai Mcdonalds (Petronas Gas Station there) after 10 hours of ride.

 

Phew~ what a ride!

Edited April 27, 2012 by hondawavefan

[hondawavefan]

Total distance covered: 2500km

Total expenditure: 2500baht~ and 250RM~ (food, gas and tips)

Hotel cost: S$57 (Sentosa Regency)

S$45 (Ao Nang Buri)

S$28 (Hi Season Hotel)

S$130~

 

I kinda play cheat, I have a TomTom Satnav App on my Iphone which aides me tremendously in planning and travelling the route.

Edited April 27, 2012 by hondawavefan

[pipipapipu]

Nice trip report ^^

A pity you didn't cross the thai border on the 1st night coz Dannok is PARTY PARADISE!!

[hondawavefan]

im not the party-goer type..haha!

[wait4me]

ups for field report

[danielling1981]

Amazing!!! E picture u took with e tree directly beside ur bike looks great!!!

 

Wat is e rear camera/video-cam u using?

[hondawavefan]

ups for field report

 

Thanks dude!

 

 

 

 

Amazing!!! E picture u took with e tree directly beside ur bike looks great!!!

 

Wat is e rear camera/video-cam u using?

 

I lurve that particular photo too!

 

The camera u referring to is GoPro Hero Hd..

[nabil15]

excellent bro!! (:

[bunny_hui]

Thanks for sharing !! Nice want !!

[hondawavefan]

excellent bro!! (:

 

Thanks bro!

 

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing !! Nice want !!

 

Welcome!

[superspeed123]

Upps for u bro !! Not everyone dare to ride alone all the way to Thailand including me . Good experience for u I believe . Ride safe . 

[ticks]

Upsss

 

 

Ride safe people!!

[HaiR1]

Gooood ride up...

 

 

 

wanted to go north, but cnfrm i smell smoke if follow your bike....

[tabung]

Wow what a good ride...... I wish to ride my scoot.....

SG--MY--TH...

One Day

[wait4me]

Thanks dude!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I lurve that particular photo too!

 

The camera u referring to is GoPro Hero Hd..

btw why didint u wan to go in to hatyai and stay for the night but instead opt for kedah ??

[hondawavefan]

Upps for u bro !! Not everyone dare to ride alone all the way to Thailand including me . Good experience for u I believe . Ride safe . 

 

Yeap it was really a good and worthwhile experience..

 

 

 

 

 

Upsss

 

 

Ride safe people!!

 

 

uppps!

 

 

 

 

Gooood ride up...

 

 

 

wanted to go north, but cnfrm i smell smoke if follow your bike....

 

 

speed is not a factor bro...i travelled at 110-150 only, most of time 110kmh..speed is not a problem...

 

 

 

 

Wow what a good ride...... I wish to ride my scoot.....

SG--MY--TH...

One Day

 

 

you just need that feeling one day where u just wanna ride and ride and ride...

 

 

 

 

btw why didint u wan to go in to hatyai and stay for the night but instead opt for kedah ??

 

Im not familiar with thailand so its easier for me to look around when i cross into thailand in the day... thats the reason...

[wait4me]

ok now i get it , but ups for u as u manage to go pass the thai mayhem custom

[Yatz86]

nice solo trip report!=D

 

i will take down notes of the stops, just in case i have the idea of doing it too:cheeky:

[hondawavefan]

ok now i get it , but ups for u as u manage to go pass the thai mayhem custom

 

Yeah I was lucky it wasn't crowded..

 

 

 

 

nice solo trip report!=D

 

i will take down notes of the stops, just in case i have the idea of doing it too:cheeky:

 

All the best bro!

[ZZR600]

just came back from the same destination today except on the return trip after hat yai i went to cameron and malacca 1 night each then i came back. was riding 110-140 most of the time. food at alor setar was good. it was hot like crazy.

[hondawavefan]

just came back from the same destination today except on the return trip after hat yai i went to cameron and malacca 1 night each then i came back. was riding 110-140 most of the time. food at alor setar was good. it was hot like crazy.

 

I assume it is not that tiring breaking up the return trip like tht?

 

Its a shame I didnt manage to look around at alor setar during my trip though..

[ZZR600]

yes thats right it was due to the 1st day ride that was killing me so i decided to take it easy on the way back.alor setar is a nice town with good food. the people there are friendly and honest bunch. they don't over charge tourist unlike hat yai they find ways and means to wack if you are new there.one thing is that i find the beaches at east coast of malaysia nicer than krabi. what spoils it is the metal wires wrapping the rocks placed at all entry point to the beach in front of aonang buri.looks like you got room 411 at aonang buri.

Edited May 21, 2012 by ZZR600

[hondawavefan]

yes thats right it was due to the 1st day ride that was killing me so i decided to take it easy on the way back.alor setar is a nice town with good food. the people there are friendly and honest bunch. they don't over charge tourist unlike hat yai they find ways and means to wack if you are new there.one thing is that i find the beaches at east coast of malaysia nicer than krabi. what spoils it is the metal wires wrapping the rocks placed at all entry point to the beach in front of aonang buri.looks like you got room 411 at aonang buri.

 

Hmm not sure 411 or 412..forget already..

 

Yeah kinda too many trees blocking the seaview if looking from the road.

[jamesboyan007]

Great Bro...... Thank You for the lovely solo experienced trip :thumb: