DAY 9 - Thale Noi to Songkhla
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| Chaloem Phrakiat Bridge |
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| The Team at breakfast |
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| The Team at breakfast |
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| The Team at breakfast |
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| The Team at breakfast |
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| On Route 4007 |
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| There was major roadworks on Route 4007. Look at the cloud of dust stirred up by passing cars |
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| On Route 5050 which is part of Chaloem Phrakiat's Bridge |
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| Fish farm along Route 5050 |
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| Lots of uncultivated land along Route 5050 |
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| Peace to the world |
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| Route 5050's which is part of Chaloem Phrakiat's Bridge |
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| Note the fisherman getting ready to cast his net |
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| The Team approaching the Chaloem Phrakiat Bridge which spans the Ban Klang River |
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| The Team approaching the Chaloem Phrakiat Bridge which spans the Ban Klang River |
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| Vast wetlands around the Ban Klang River |
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| It was a mighty hot day on the bridge with no tree covers |
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| Chinese fishing nets by Nang Riang River |
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| Drying fish on a hot day |
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| Local produce sold along Route 5050 |
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| Local produce sold along Route 5050 |
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| Floating Canal Ranot @ Mahaathai 1 Rd |
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| Ranot |
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| Leaving Route 408 |
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| Riding along the inner route which runs parallel to Route 408 |
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| Riding along the inner route which runs parallel to Route 408 |
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| Riding along the inner route which runs parallel to Route 408 |
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| Riding along the inner route which runs parallel to Route 408 |
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| Riding along the inner route which runs parallel to Route 408 |
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| Riding along the inner route which runs parallel to Route 408 |
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| Wat Nang Lao, along route 408 |
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| Leaving Route 408 again and heading towards the beach near Wat Nang Lao |
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| Heading to the beach |
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| Beach is sighted! |
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| Beach!!! |
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| Rustic signboard in Thai. https://goo.gl/maps/NEeufVxjnQiATyiS6?coh=178572&entry=tt |
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| Local stall selling drinks and snacks |
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| Crazy hot at 11.20 am |
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| Taking cover under the shades |
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| Village road along the beach |
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| Riding to lunch; on road which runs parallel to Rout 408 |
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| Family run stall. https://goo.gl/maps/XRWMQcV8rVsjmMyU6?coh=178572&entry=tt |
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| Stall is by a stream |
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| Little huts with table is nice and cooling to sit under |
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| Hut is thoughtfully constructed with side tables too |
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| Shaded by palm trees |
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| The rest of the gang preferred to sit at the main stall which is shaded by a big tree |
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| Photo with the stall owner's daughter who is back from University. She helped to take our orders since she understood English |
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| After brunch, riding on road which runs parallel to Route 408 |
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| Turned left and heading towards the beach near Di Luang |
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| Di Luang. https://goo.gl/maps/FSw22k4YAa7GXJTX8 |
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| Like a mermaid but cycling out of the sea! |
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| Di Luang |
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| Beautiful road by the sea |
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| Another one who likes to play ball...or swing? |
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| Beautiful road by the sea |
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| https://goo.gl/maps/ohWTc6JWXyaGH2yM9 |
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| Sanam Chai |
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| Sanam Chai |
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| Fisherman jetty near Wat Pradit Samosorn. https://goo.gl/maps/XVkxQJE77BGCSwJi6 |
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| Photo bombed! |
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| Sanam Chai, near Wat Don Khet |
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| https://goo.gl/maps/q2snr5npWce51ZFp9 |
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| Waiting for tyre change team @ Sanam Chai |
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| Waiting for tyre change team @ Sanam Chai |
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| Kradang-nga |
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| Kradang-nga |
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| Kradang-nga |
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| Maharat Beach |
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| Maharat Beach |
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| Maharat Beach |
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| Maharat Beach |
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| Approaching the PEA (Wind Turbine, Songkhla) |
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| PEA (Wind Turbine, Songkhla) |
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| Instagram-able set ups to attract tourists like us |
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| Instagram-able set ups to attract tourists like us |
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| Traditional bamboo huts is our choice! |
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| Another tea break to get out from the sun |
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| Back on route 408 |
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| Road works and many more heavily decorated pedestrian walkways to honour the King... |
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| ...we finally reach Sultan Sulaiman Mosque which near the pier @ https://goo.gl/maps/PtjXvLpMwFQgX4pa6 |
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| Circling Hua Khao. Above is the Old Fortress of Singora aka Fortress No 8. |
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| Long queue of cars waiting at the pier |
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| On the motorcycle lane |
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| Smiling gleefully as cyclists get free rides on the ferry |
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| Sailing |
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| Take as many photos as you can... |
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| ...click fast... |
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| ...it's a short 10 minutes ride including loading and unloading!!! |
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| Mr Lim with the Thai naval ship in the background |
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| Songkhla Naval Base right next to the ferry terminal |
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| Taking photo with the new mermaid at Samila Beach. The old one was bombed in Dec 2018. |
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| Songkhla Old Town |
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| Songkhla Old Town |
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| Songkhla Old Town |
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| Songkhla Old Town |
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| Songkhla Old Town |
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| Filming of traditional dance at the Art Gallery, Nakhornok St |
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| For some reasons, the performers were in traditional Malay dress and singing Rasa Sayang! |
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| Thai fishing boats |
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| At rear end of the Art Gallery |
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| Coffee time @ Studio 55, right next to the Art Gallery |
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| Appreciation Get Together for Pastor Cheah @ Club Tree Hotel |
As early as 6.30 am, the team were already out of their rooms enjoying a glorious breaking of dawn at Sri Pakpra Resort. It was a cloudless day and with a horizon of sky and lake, the sun hit us fast and bright.
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| Resort's View Yor Restaurant overlooks this deck. Our chalets are situated close to this area |
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| Riding into Zone 1 |
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| Zone 1 comes with a pool |
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| Poolside |
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| Pool overlooks the restaurant where breakfast is served |
Strangely, breakfast is served at the Resort's Zone 1 which is a separate wing, 300 m away from us. As we came with our bicycles, we did not have to wait for their shuttle service but rolled into their breakfast venue in no time at all.
We started rolling on Route 4007 at 8 am, leaving Jessica and Tommy to hitch a ride in Pastor Cheah's van. As we did so, "someone" was taking an early morning swim by the resort's pool. She will ride to Songkhla by herself as conveyed by her roommate.
Before long, we left Route 4007 and turned right onto Route 5050 to meet with Chaloem Phrakiat Bridge, the longest overland bridge in Thailand. Spanning 5.5 km, the bridge is supported by concrete pillars which elevates it, high above the wetlands.
In the middle section of the bridge, we can view both Thale Noi and Thale Luang lakes at the same time. Fish and vegetation thrive in these freshwater lakes which attracts many species of birds making it an ideal place for birdwatching.
Both Thale Noi and Thale Luang are connected by 2 thin body of waters. Ban Klang and Nang Riam allows water from both lakes to flow into each other, governed by the tides in the Gulf of Thailand.
At the end of Route 5050, we joined Ranot's Route 3053. Once in a while, we could still catch glimpses of Thale Luang.
Even though Route 3053 is a wide open road, there were not many cars and the area appeared undeveloped. Soon, we got bored of the monotony and knew it was time to hit the coastal road. After that, it was a matter of weaving in and out of gorgeous beach fronts!
While Pastor Cheah took the Tinsulanonda Bridge, the longest concrete bridge in Thailand at 2.6 km, we preferred the free ferry service which took us right into Samila Beach. Thereon, we visited the old Songkhla Town before finally checking into our hotel for the night.
We started rolling on Route 4007 at 8 am, leaving Jessica and Tommy to hitch a ride in Pastor Cheah's van. As we did so, "someone" was taking an early morning swim by the resort's pool. She will ride to Songkhla by herself as conveyed by her roommate.
Before long, we left Route 4007 and turned right onto Route 5050 to meet with Chaloem Phrakiat Bridge, the longest overland bridge in Thailand. Spanning 5.5 km, the bridge is supported by concrete pillars which elevates it, high above the wetlands.
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| Thale Noi Lake |
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| Thale Luang |
In the middle section of the bridge, we can view both Thale Noi and Thale Luang lakes at the same time. Fish and vegetation thrive in these freshwater lakes which attracts many species of birds making it an ideal place for birdwatching.
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| Small huts on stilts for fishing by Nang Riam River |
Both Thale Noi and Thale Luang are connected by 2 thin body of waters. Ban Klang and Nang Riam allows water from both lakes to flow into each other, governed by the tides in the Gulf of Thailand.
At the end of Route 5050, we joined Ranot's Route 3053. Once in a while, we could still catch glimpses of Thale Luang.
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| Eggs sold at the turn off from Route 5050 to Route 3053. We stopped for drinks and fried banana fritters by this junction |
Even though Route 3053 is a wide open road, there were not many cars and the area appeared undeveloped. Soon, we got bored of the monotony and knew it was time to hit the coastal road. After that, it was a matter of weaving in and out of gorgeous beach fronts!
While Pastor Cheah took the Tinsulanonda Bridge, the longest concrete bridge in Thailand at 2.6 km, we preferred the free ferry service which took us right into Samila Beach. Thereon, we visited the old Songkhla Town before finally checking into our hotel for the night.
Thai Stall near Wat Nang Lao
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Club Tree Hotel, Songkhla
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DAY 10 - Songkhla to Home
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| Khao Tum breakfast opposite Club Tree Hotel |
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| We parked our bikes and queued at the vehicle lane to get our passports stamped |
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| Waiting for our Singaporean team members who had to go inside the immigration office to get their passports stamped. They were told Malaysians are Thai's neighbours so the processing is simplified |
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| As it was a Sunday and the immigration officer had to come to work, we had to pay their overtime fees |
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| Waiting at the Malaysian CIQ |
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| Malaysian CIQ |
