Songkhla Lake tour

Songkhla -  We arranged for the same driver to take us to Songkhla Lake, Thailand’s largest natural lake. Also known as Thale Sap Songkhla, the lake spans several provinces and offers a serene, picturesque escape from the city’s energy.   Along the way, we stop for a nice good Thai-Chinese timsum breakfast.

Donny wanted to stop at his Buddhist temple to pray and he set off a huge firecrackers the largest amongst many tourist that were there.  This temple sits high up on the mountain and the view was spectacular.

The worker setting up the rolls of firecracker

Donny setting it off -

It was so loud !

Samila Beach - 

The viewpoint with beautiful scenery, with a mermaid statue sitting on the rocks, called the "Golden Mermaid". The golden mermaid was created according to an ancient Thai novel. It is considered to be the symbol of Songkhla located at the end of the Samila Peninsula. 

Legends of the cat and mouse

Songkhla Lake is serene and charming. Even though it is called "lake", it is actually a lagoon. Its water is brackish with decreasing salinity as we travel up the lagoon away from the mouth of the lagoon where the dragon fountain is located. 

Fisherman catch of the day

Songkla City

We had lunch at a mountain top restaurant and the food was fresh and delicious.

Tom Yum Kun

Pork knuckles

One of the highlights was visiting Ko Yo island to this coffee shop and the view of the lake was mesmerising.  Visiting the island of Ko Yo in the middle of the lake, just a short drive from Songkhla City with bridges connecting the island to the mainland was beautiful.

Good Mountain Coffee

We came back to Hatyai and had noodles, I was already feeling under the weather and we later went to had some bird's nest soup. 

Bird's Nest soup with gingkos and red dates

Onward to Hatyai

 Hatyai - Traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Hatyai is an adventure in itself, but doing it aboard Malaysia’s Electric Train Service (ETS) adds an extra layer of comfort and excitement. With speeds reaching 140 km/h, the ETS offers a smooth, efficient, and scenic journey, making it one of the best ways to reach Thailand’s southern city from Malaysia.  A journey of 5hrs and 30 minutes in first class.

Donny and me in first class seats

Our trip began at Kuala Lumpur Sentral, Malaysia’s main transportation hub. Boarding the ETS was a breeze, with its modern, well-maintained coaches and comfortable seating. As the train sped northward, we enjoyed panoramic views of lush greenery, small towns, and distant mountains—a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Donny arranged for a Thai driver to pick us up from Padang Besar, our journey to Hatyai became even more seamless.  

Welcome to Hatyai: A Vibrant Thai City

Hatyai is a bustling city in southern Thailand, known for its lively markets, vibrant street food culture, and welcoming locals. The city offers a blend of modern shopping malls, traditional temples, and unique cultural experiences.

For lunch, we had burger at this Thai burger chain and the beef patty was so juicy and delicious.

Truffle burger

For dinner, we indulged in a seafood feast at one of Hatyai’s most renowned seafood restaurants. The spread was impressive—fresh prawns, crabs, squid, and fish, all prepared with signature Thai spices and sauces. The aroma of grilled seafood filled the air, and each dish was a delightful explosion of flavors, from the spicy tang of Tom Yum Goong to the savory richness of stir-fried clams with basil.

This seafood buffet restaurant is huge with so many fresh fish, crabs and seafood to choose from.   

Salted baked fish

Sotong in curry

So many different types of fishes

Horseshoe crabs, not true crabs but ancient arthropods, have bright blue blood due to a copper-based respiratory pigment called hemocyanin, which is used to transport oxygen. This unique blood is also used in medical testing to ensure the safety of vaccines and other medical products. 

Salted baked fish

steamed red snapper

Walking hike through Hougang to Punggol Park and back - 12km

 Singapore - I started my walking hike at 8:30am and only came back home at 11:30am - 3hrs of walking.  Started my walk to Hougang HDB estate and is the largest housing estate based on land area.  In the Hokkien and Teochew name meaning "river's end", as Hougang is located upstream or at the back of Sungei Serangoon. 

Lots of trees around this Hougang estate.   I found many churches and other faiths all within close proximity to each other.

Church of the Nativity

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Mary, the oldest place of worship in the area and a national monument featured on the heritage tour. It continues to provide religious services in Teochew today.  

For breakfast, I had typically Teochew dish

Teochew soon kueh - steam turnip and bamboo shoot dumplings.  Png Kueh comes in red and white types which is actually glutinous rice filling where the skin as sticky and tender.  The filling comes with  mushroom, peanuts and dried shrimp. Add some sweet soy sauce and chilli sauce makes a delicious breakfast. 

I finally reach Punggol park exhausted but fulfilled, many people at this park exercising, jogging and doing their Tai Chi.  

The 5-hectare lake at the centre of the park

After 2 rounds the Lake with some light jogging around the lake; I headed back home.