Its Xmas morning!
We wanted to visit Samila beach, in Songkhla (some 40+ km away) for Xmas and decided to have a hearty breakfast (not the frightful spread at the hotel, thank you). Hopped on a tuk-tuk and off we went!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8COcO7Mk-xzQSZmOxTJaQo6zcIoTWoYm2N8zPnH7lWfLF0M6hBxJXAz1RRoL4OGc5A9uRcEGyQ-2v9lX9cGGSmbOpGFnipg1YAXqC7moe7P79G2qW-3I7w0Gt104gQ6N7zbYgCph8BxE/s320/2008-12-25_004.JPG) |
It was drizzling slightly |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LTDc1tWJRVJU9WRllL9r8Zuaq4wuoB7WQTLfp3Svpc8VRFWUzOzNoyXcnRQkCfnWWi05FwDBGxlPl0OaMoFcN0Q3VAHZNa_TzDi2cZyTb3C9kbxpoUrF769FDiWAth1zcWiK2CrBexuc/s320/2008-12-25_005.JPG) |
Despite the late night, they looked fresh |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxk15LGyXYOVnevJI6rGiSunxhVVL6d8_2dgS-0dL9j3_hDEt-nn7y6gZte-CAzTmL4WYBLAC_qSy5Jkzs6j7zeoM6eyWFGmbIDIbLVgUwTbxp5qVE-_7t3aiGUuMlO0t3_kWHNWA_9ZB/s320/2008-12-25_007.JPG) |
Paying for the fare (20Bt per person) |
The tuk-tuk driver recommended this heavily tourist-populated Bak Kut Teh shop (Coordinates: 7.002500, 100.475694).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPWB1dKGFHsZxg-61EJcCudOG-whGiPKFLsbLbl2OTihqPn_QCRUhXPZFMJuZxGYWWdpWkfjBidFvv0aML8OTzA32UdMyoP0RH4wGGlH9mqf4RXz2hNNCeK1jgd8I0rKIh-yJdHe_s5vn/s320/2008-12-25_009.JPG) |
Again, don't know the name of the shop (along Lamai Songkroh as well) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuaVfxZJbrYmKo6i7xENFpXgQ35OJAGPBT37SfQXlfCWwvx-pdfue1DmC2SyrLlelORFFwBXEYY_DZfVw26rzQ6BjS13eW0MLNIvwMAuwj31Sxv7XNbb9_84L1Sm57SkQaf-QUGoqNDcf/s320/2008-12-25_010.JPG) |
Both my darlings looking fresh and alert, thanks to the BKT |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENqEpIaRCXpYSgGzRdVP63XYQNP7xcTI7n_KYKSew1UI3EouQM9Bbs5OBU8nGvKaEgyv9nOHRhulrzccsI0BPLJdyewI-IvT5BPV7Cz6e2SoqE-PpUzsh8_vfybQOL7v4r76xXill4Qxc/s320/2008-12-25_011.JPG) |
If only you could smell the herbs! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ng0Y-CYwm2qVKcvKWCCnFsupF1LXV0TnEhnJv_-ASZkB6-uh6rbNz511Xqubq1RkQTPV4_wBEwRpddSJLZWnhyDHgjUUDXUXvLaS_yRDoZANMywKptm0Kkefu2EjC-iYajihdRyvTndG/s320/2008-12-25_012.JPG) |
It all cost about 300+Bt |
Then it was off to Samila beach to visit the bronze mermaid. Hopped on another tuk-tuk that took us to the Hat Yai's bus terminal (Coordinates: 6.994582, 100.481985). After some enquiring we figured out which bus to take to Songkhla.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIeMv7-n21F6eoSgxYPoBM1z5F12czRGHDpKmfRc54lQ9AbujFqN_oGM4imP8TgLVPsR5z0mhvz8R_LuNC7emkZ2_moJGF75JKQ4DArWqo6QfEx256ctECIkwfhaCjaH8eJaUPGwxcIHS/s320/2008-12-25_013.JPG) |
The 'minibus' to Songkhla |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVrR7iAYUXNWEjJkMhBquW2Gu1GQp6Zqy61WUVFasRVM655SGv1kH5fFzrPH8-mH9iTSEg8-808XxsNFohMWhuV9rp4BQLN4_VdUYKZdyebzgc0yfeZSM1h5jI_vjN2RTcjog0NbqjAQA/s320/2008-12-25_015.JPG) |
Enjoying the music blaring at us |
Upon arriving at Songkhla, this sculpture caught my eye.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3IvF-6G8vEpE9VWhc6uOEtiL835GZlV1hCn0Hvo8INVxA9EciJvsMZky3qd2ZUDNLXNcMUb4VYv5Ffd0ZFvU3AVYfQKZWl-yLH5Z1gzpx00fuFhKbiI37-FBrfljfF5FhTdAe_4NhwW-/s320/2008-12-25_016.JPG) |
Can anyone tell us what this means? |
Then it was a hop on a tuk-tuk to Samila Beach (Coordinates: 7.215499, 100.595785), can hardly wait!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsayKFMnXXCdObVoN3M5kKPAYbLdmPvJjepmHaN9uiWkKIBMpcLuvEDbO3CU856OOj-tDplAdvgAh_gvdpyNCi2WSdUV7GumD_lxGHXSZ_mboqTkYWmPbRD2_U_LyhtiEE2qsgUMp9bYRG/s320/2008-12-25_017.JPG) |
The Mermaid's plaque explaining her history |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaT-aS2lcXMVay1XMInmCwGuKjg34rqSHS_3c5C5uBUbTsSd_ElHECdk_ED-3zZyldAogaZSS6MShSgzKtzW8Lsv3vBDyT2uGxkBGnIw5ssQJOjliiL0N5Ri95kNakkhkLLgLb1Zl9Ij9/s320/2008-12-25_019.JPG) |
We've only ever seen her in magazines |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6ZxnQceC9D54GDp6MX2YTaVwEDuUgs8aEcX6j8VeHmyTUJDs_IQkIMGIsnZezXAiRKaTdUPqonXNn7s8cZOzmFl9OuED8ll_qbrx9BKHlbxsX8P2PNpvdjJAj0-KxAQhARI0OBh8pKVn/s320/2008-12-25_020.JPG) |
and here she is in the 'flesh'! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgckVldkMp5EWW0N_UPxsysAKO385V0E3QHFsiLw23NeaXwZKh9S4bX3lUNb2vqnq_uMPCCl4pSj9c0NbO0AlRWUsPD7AuUOm6pNV084fZbww3kTORUeHDhqdAAbJb1h2RknhSZlMRLEd/s320/2008-12-25_022.JPG) |
Brendan looking pretty smug |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hYoJVHqK98QHdfQ0As8dHDt6nowP6m8kt14L9KUP1O4vVH3aF6n_Lh3BIVDsyX3auA39XfNSBk09hXwqQ_1EsqkKCGQj3yjCTfIIphDB44JED23Suzg3eiK1HmFN3ROWc42zpHQEg0z7/s320/2008-12-25_026.JPG) |
At the other end of the beach was another cluster of bronze statues |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx2kdXuHKL0M2bQt4w3zwwIXfwXFdA3LJzN00uNTOU6sdNi786MV2SRTaW6whQDFEoHRTFHa2zvWn9bLEUSBPWEZe4nf2lax4VWbB5bQyuK_B2CSsKlPTw319d4CMpgBUpWy9iNTFRLn_/s320/2008-12-25_028.JPG) |
The Cat and the Mouse |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxqs4Xl8WJRFIXsuZzHZiwMq2Ywg5JfVMHveGAb75OncyyXMIcYJA9DxW9fSbRXP03xx6Z09ItuSc11KBEMn1dnna6f1MEReLAi7XjWc5jllYgulG_Roa2NLSyyhOCizHmB6ZThHwo5Qb/s320/2008-12-25_029.JPG) |
There's an interesting story behind the monument |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ryCPn3Dis2KzCDLAI-KtC7iE92ksWRABO29AH_pE7OcxjL_4-0uqc9ZSjzd58f6v5fzWf-XOj9EeeVMAiOHPJKN3r_KwXlXFGsvLtPdjcsxd8Bm7AooxiAZCf1eerWXAXrYa6MusBRsA/s320/2008-12-25_032.JPG) |
Ahh.. like father, like son! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9ubKOO-16D3LE_sq05FGlidvzdCqBwPOYRaN_UAOwTarFI6CSo3DOoq2ddaYKnsA4RsiFuFRQykr7-Gz3yun-4Bo71u6WsarxmVY7KBUHnkYc0pde0o0emzQY9rjndHzjqGGNsrS_Fhl/s320/2008-12-25_033.JPG) |
Buying some tid-bits |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2rATY42L5qmLiz0rAsWvRLepJtnOsqyHimaF01uiFF5wFqEy4wvOeQhucTsiyJ8fglcqNvtQnFPbh3gzNBr64xM98_g3JdlebxnSKl2d4o7wqH3xlg3fQtYd_Qnf2U9aI-ElMzn0K0q2/s320/2008-12-25_034.JPG) |
Leaving Samila beach |
On our return to Hat Yai, we managed to squeeze a spot of shopping at the Plaza market.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWN2qoc5APWyruHmh8DdWMOADVwu7VoZpaHa34hpISf6cw9yaZrlk5izGNIOlpIqq7xrEuWHKyOwUTKndu6sRnrjK2yVPoEacMmmGkR_ubofa8BCIFq_553RMU7e1YP_pcKuZDTl_hQ6Z/s320/2008-12-25_036.JPG) |
Clothes here were decidedly cheaper |
Then it was back to the hotel, we went to a cafe at Lee Gardens Plaza for lunch.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT6BtxVzwd0t-yErelVZ4q2P-ynOwb_TbKBuxkXnKD5ChzmjnJukpZZmzyWvrgPbQSweQPE_wm86zqxu4vjs_jGZheaxvx40yMzXhm5FSWtS1XJKlL-MqJ4iQ2DU0ZQYybT4O1HwYpseRK/s320/2008-12-25_037.JPG) |
No prizes for guessing the name of the cafe, eh? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdnBvsraEWfXsmRHAGi-Jaa6MhNbmTNNsk-LxofQL4IGsSfRnz95OZHiLlFFS0yELw-kwWV3A5E3UQ-E3yikskXokkqm-jsseTxpXMoAVgbsO6GrOMiw8cbnDBb77OTcBiytP4EgSH60b/s320/2008-12-25_038.JPG) |
We were absolutely famished |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLyL943cOeyHIiJ9FNfJGqStApOq1VVfQlfRKEqtuymdChfFu7wxYboUaVFgk1NFRDzSeFxnSA8PSnE77bSFJkj6KOyRwtof0cXqecVM-xjONeqqqUmquz0kWouuZnBfx6ij8q5mpT6Ud/s320/2008-12-25_039.JPG) |
Wonder why Cat had such a devilish look |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapDXa_w4TyG4DpCLyxB-wMvLAevV_2J6VZJcB6AgY19NKscpEiSEmBnCo_8hiClEO1UMwV6kqRD5fNRt2qdAED6eKBMUGnUyzXFAVZHZDmJT7F7UdbHd0XPq7PFOj0rKw45Y9SPD-HTJ5/s320/2008-12-25_040.JPG) |
and the cafe mocha was to die for (only 55Bt) |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1bcT004-gZ3xyebTtm0NHVkpKfQlleMk7GZilR4A2PAEkoVM9Od-aohF1wGTIewbxEBbSQaZ7532HaqawM781y9DQCNaUKzZHbPOkRjnjQPDRFLcGCxukkgvSgDiHZ20YcdO4soT_-cO/s320/2008-12-25_041.JPG) |
Waiting for our orders to arrive |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwLFu-RP7uA-OAmHnXZtViNyqY6EKDEliMvewbhEw0eyg-l9wSbA4hlHhwgY-bZaKXSUFshPhYh80bnv3PwzzjB7_yVhxP3aVIgw4cXGv75VSAOFtZS81_Hri-E08BpO4-qtVtFSnJjnb/s320/2008-12-25_042.JPG) |
Finally.. feed me! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8PHZrI0Uskj_6PFkReYn16dUH_ZGixjIJm0Hp1bx2znqmriNyTiIB-L-_Oi20GwSuFgtTQ8rWNHQQWjEmNrtsT5dvFS1K6XrAqZ7lFySpzocj-xGSp9aPY4JlcaCuekAn4ILAMyaNkoY/s320/2008-12-25_043.JPG) |
How we wished Chesters would set up shop in Malaysia |
We went back to our hotel room to rest, we were absolutely knackered that we slept for a few hours. That night, due partly to exhaustion and Brendan's insistance, we had dinner at McDonalds.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdckBDmQqVd4kQnfMmVF010VBbYxNCokAdtQjjdW0eLcJ-JbnABrZ5OxyyJiAzj_Tv29uGA-EUTKftj5ulH9vGOz8msDM6EDXcnfdV_DbuSkQB6FvVvU7hA_l-Ro-XHO2Sdarzp7tPGe8/s320/2008-12-25_050.JPG) |
Burgers again? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81aPEW1ZP9f3M7IVbxY0lrWNuBwhvTDP7HcnoJJjrJoz2oJH85pwJZ7gfQqURet6u651UXpj5PY4q22_-OsPUhMpZPykjLnlyEmVcwsL7MpwcyUajid5TcHhpH34dAM46qo4NudBX83op/s320/2008-12-25_051.JPG) |
Brendan had fried chicken instead, smart boy |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8F0qs7uRmBA2h8wLK6P0b5rpeqqWgAT40PZDucohSUQm4jc05DYu6YOI3w73u1YTLP98ebwYx3f3l1EmTLRBeZ9pYsw29OOHfKUGCZun0QmkLLJqVr03NjHrzBUdVe5P8Fqenh-4C8iyT/s320/2008-12-25_052.JPG) |
We had a Santarina serve us, merry Xmas! |
Outside McDonalds, Xmas was very much in the air and the mood was festive.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAp5giMKd9fTHSiUVt56igxySYcw1LVtl8XwsB5ioiuWopXB41DvFLxXMHAd9zNPInnTyYgU1YL4M2ldqPXtqbtMRL0j8RXIH4vWwi-4Q8_3ZNrk-UpoQZu93VRndMzQvX35h_6aC3FxLc/s320/2008-12-25_044.JPG) |
Hello St Nick! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdbH-RRv2H2ZsZxffAiTHZFZxbep33UbwYdPUv4_65u2Gh1-Aa3tnnyTGdXw3zU9Z31EL3QAnoRo5Po1acV4gnnO2vgDer-39ZvUN73GU5oDAWR_hHOl0rhCx4G3z3lUfX3htdLSFfOFS/s320/2008-12-25_045.JPG) |
Brendan said this Santa Claus wasn't 'round' enough |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQAZm_L0jXyWLtoeyy998uG7YgDr43RkSvs763mtnkWzAgdQw-qMHcLn19QP-k6JfkeQPVNj8i2KV3_RhLwqzaJs4Qm8WH-abcW48aJHSVRH9qA10fN73DbEC6RACqs1HS0L7zxJ0uDaI/s320/2008-12-25_047.JPG) |
Merry Xmas! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4qkb2uluBlBANV_Zon4o9msfTijEp1J_adw1xqYyRHY79g_qzEhyphenhyphenIQARpHLU-JfVkyhvMbQJkxrzITdPrlas8I91syo0c-A-8XaKxj6m-HqWwhrRFJXAkcVjw09Ed-f051svxheIhhZuP/s320/2008-12-25_049.JPG) |
There were even Xmas carollers adding to the merry making |
We went to bed pretty early, determined to make tomorrow an all out gallivanting day.
No comments:
Post a Comment