Week 9    26th February 1999

Last Leg -Hat Yai - Penang

Day 4: Hat Yai to Penang

Krabi

We woke up early that morning with no specific plans for the day. The only thing on our minds was a visit to the wet market. After a short drive and a few turns, we arrived. The market was housed in an enormous three-story building, though I didn’t venture inside to explore.

We parked nearby and began walking, hoping to find something unusual to eat. After passing block after block, we came across the familiar sight of noodle stalls. We made our choice and quickly polished off the meal. It was time to split up—FK and Zen headed off to shop, while I wandered around the township near the market.

Hat Yai

Hat Yai is a bustling hub of commerce, a mix of retail and wholesale activity conducted on a grand scale. Being the only "city" within a 100-kilometer radius, it draws shoppers from the surrounding rural areas. The market seemed to cater to two groups: locals seeking essentials and tourists on the hunt for souvenirs. In the plazas and bazaars, I noticed that many shoppers were Malaysians. They seemed drawn to something specific, though I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Was it the "Zebra" stainless steel wares or the plush toys?

This blend of local and foreign crowds keeps Hat Yai buzzing with energy.

Two hours later, FK and Zen found me, their shopping bags in tow. We loaded their haul into the car and decided to take another stroll. This time, we were drawn in by a persistent vendor selling baked coconut and baked beans. Their goods turned out to be surprisingly delicious.

Feeling satisfied, we agreed it was time to wrap up our time in Thailand. However, there was one final stop—a car accessories shop. I wanted to compare prices for a roof rack. The shop was impressively stocked, with options for nearly every car model. The prices were competitive, though not particularly tempting.

Empty-handed, we headed for the border. But before that, a quick reminder: “Don’t forget the seed pods!”

After crossing back into Malaysia, we made a stop at the duty-free complex to pick up some liquor. The place was almost deserted, as it was a weekday. The selection was limited to the most popular items, so it felt more like restocking essentials than browsing for unique finds.

From there, we made a beeline for Penang Island. FK and I were eager to show off our knowledge of the local food scene. For the next couple of hours, we drove from one food stall to another. Unfortunately, it was well past 3:00 PM, and many stalls had either closed for the afternoon or weren’t open until evening.

Though we didn’t manage to feast as planned, the day ended with lively exchanges of stories and tips, marking a satisfying conclusion to our four-day journey together.