THAILAND, the one direction

Thailand, a very unique country which is never colonize by any countries. In tourist perspective, Thailand is very famous country to visit around the world. Here, I would like to share how to get the direction to Thailand from Malaysia/Singapore by land.

Thailand  gateway (Sadao Boarder gate)

Sadao is a small ville in south Thai which is very near to Malaysia. a lot of tourist been there for night stop or waiting a van to continue to go to Hat Yai, Krabi or Hat Yai Station.

Directions to Hat Yai

From Singapore:

use any buses to Kuala Lumpur. There’s no direct bus to Hat Yai (Thailand)

From Kuala Lumpur: 

Go to KL central and catch the KTM to Bandar Tasik Selatan Station and go to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) and buy direct bus to Hat Yai.

Direction to Hat Yai (night stop / stopover at Boarder)  

From Penang:

Take a bus at bus station and catch the bus go to Changlun. Whenever you arrived in changlun bus station, You may used a taxi to go to Malaysia – Thai boarder. The taxi is available around of bus station. You may dropped at Malaysia Boarder (Bukit Kayu Hitam) to get exit stamp. Then you walked around 15 minutes to reach Thai Boarder (Sadao). If you feel tired or relax, they have Duty Free shops to buy any refreshment in between 2 boarders gate. Total cost is about around $30 (RM90) for bus and taxi.

From Langkawi Island:

You may use a ferry from Ferry terminal to Perlis Ferry terminal (Kuala Perlis). When you arrived, you may get a bus at the bus station to go to Changlun.  Whenever you arrived in Changlun bus station, You may used a taxi to go to Malaysia – Thai boarder. The taxi is available around of bus station. You may dropped at Malaysia Boarder (Bukit Kayu Hitam) to get exit stamp. Then you walked around 15 minutes to reach Thai Boarder (Sadao). If you feel tired or relax, they have Duty Free shops to buy any refreshment in between 2 boarders gate. Total cost is about around $25 (RM70) for ferry, bus & taxi.

From Kuala Terengganu & Kota Bharu:

The direction is the same from Penang but the duration from East Peninsular are timely to reach Changlun. K. Terengganu/ Kota Bharu -> Changlun -> Bukit Kayu Hitam (Malaysia boarder) -> Sadao (Thai border).

What to do in Sadao?

Sadao is not just a boarder. It is a small ville but have the entertainments for the visitors. They have budget hotels, massage shops, 7eleven, karaoke, mcDonald’s, souvenirs shops and so on. The van/ Tuk-tuk have available to go Hat Yai. Normally the price is $1.5 (50 Baht). The driver also willing to send you to Hat Yai airport or Hat Yai train station. They might be charge extra for you. $5 is more than enough. Ohh.. The Bureau De Change is available. In addition, Sadao boarder one of the place is Thailand accept Ringgit & Baht.    

Please take arrival form at the office (red arrow) which is blue color

I hope my explanation is helpful. I wish you enjoy your journey in Thailand

Points to Ponder:

 1.Sadao is a safest boarder. The police and the CCTV are around. No worry at all

 2.When you enter Thai Border, PLEASE fill the arrival form and put 20Baht or 2 Ringgit is a ‘tax’.

3.There is NO VOA (visa on arrival). If need to apply visa, you may go to Kuala Lumpur.

 4.They also provide sex service to satisfy the tourist. Ahaaaa!!

5.The Boarder will operate from 6AM to 12PM (Malaysia time) / 5AM to 11PM (Thai time)

 6.They are very good. No scammer during my experience here.

CAMBODIA, the great of angkor

Cambodia, the kingdom of Khmer in Indo-China. They are rich of culture and ancients since year 1300. The Angkor Watt had been choose as my attraction to discover the inside of this temple. 

How to Reach Siem Reap?

In order to avoid any trouble to apply visa, I decide to use aircraft. Whenever you arrived in airport, then it’s easily to apply visa on arrival. The payments are in USD (based on your nationality). You may choose low cost airlines such as Air Asia, Tiger Air, Jetstar Asia, Lion Air or VietJet Air. 

What to Do When Arrived?

The airport is a small airport. After you passing by the immigration counter, you may buy the local sim card or just directly get the taxi. There’re some of choices. For example:

Motorbike: $2/person

A Cab: $7/destination (Toyota Harrier)

suggestion to donate or whattt??? 

Currency

They are using USD and Khmer Riel (nouns: ree-yeal). For the foods or goods, the price are more in dollar. But, they will return in small amount in Riel (cents) because the value of Riel is low. You only get the Riel banknotes when you in Cambodia.

Here we gooooooo…SIEM REAP!

I choose Hak's House. the price just $3/night. It is located next to Build Bright University. Just show the University's logo to the driver. Or just show the location on map if the driver still unclear. 

Just walked a bit to find a shop that provide the bike for rent. It just $1/day. She want to keep my passport and strictly NO I'm not willing to go to you! Either give the driving licence or inform her/his that I'm staying at Hak's house. 
Cycling in Siem Reap City is Fun :) 

tadaaaa..... the place i am really want to to! A day entrance just $20. The ticket counter to the temple is a bit far. cannot walk and bring a cap due the temp a bit high. chill.. ^^

at the top..whenever we want to go down.. down down here we go ohhh.. 

                                  

the entrance...maybe not the main entrance 

warming in the Angkor is not an excuse for photo session! LOL

actually, i been a lot of places in Siem reap such as museum war, cultural village and so on. if you are not confident to use a bicycle, you may rent a tuk-tuk ( not sure the price. please inform to your hostel to manage it). The tuk-tuk in siem reap and Bangkok is different. try itself. ahaa... 

Points to Ponder:

1. The local people are very helpful. They are trying to help you event can’t speak English well.

2.  The situation mostly dusted because of sands. So, don’t forget to buy a mask.

3. A bottle of local beer just $1. Don’t drink too much.LOL

4.  May get the entertainment at pub street at night

5. Mostly the grand hotel belongs to the foreigner. Normally have 2 flags (including local flag)

6. A lot of Korean tourist came here by grouping. Even the Korean shops also have a lot.

7. The scammers are not too much like their “neighborhood”. Opppss….

8. Please avoid wearing miniskirts when visited at temples. Need respect as well. 

9. Please inform or asking to your guesthouse to arrange the bus to go another place. 

MACAU, a gift from portugal

Macau is a Special Admin Region in China. They have the authorities in development. Macau is one of country colonized by Portugal in East Asia. Even Macau is a small and crowded, they can developed their state by providing casino and tourism (by the Portuguese-Chinese heritage)

How to Reach Macau?

By Land:

1.By bus, taxi or train from China mainland. They will drop you at Gongbei Port. Just walked & 

filled the arrival form (yellow color at immigration gate) or asked the police or information center.

Aircraft:

You may use Air Macau or any airlines. The connecting routes are not too much as Hong Kong

Ferry:

You may get it from Hong Kong. The price is around HK$200/way. Please Find on Google

What to do When Arrived?

From Gongbei Gate:

When you enter Macau, just reach to Bust Station. You may see the escalator/steps to underground. BUT, first of all, you MUST get the map at any tourist information nearby Gongbei Gate. Every single place has already put the number of buses. In fact, the bus is the main public transport. THERE IS NO SUBWAY OR TRAIN.

From Airport / Ferry port:

The airport and ferry port are located closely. Either from airport or ferry port, you can wait you Bus with the code “API”, which is connecting you to macau Peninsular. Remember, the airport or ferry port is locating another island. The price just MOP4.50 (less $1)

having my meals while reading the map..

Even Macau is small like your hometown, but remembers, you may lose when you walked one place to another. Because the building are much closed. Even the official language is Portuguese, but they are speaking in Chinese.

Currency for Spending

They are using Macau Pataca (MOP). Hong Kong Dollar (HK$) and China Yuan (Y) are accepted but worthless. The value of Pataca are less than HK$ and Yuan. So, u may changed it at Bureau De Change. The prices are the same.. not too cheap or expensive. 

Here we go……..

made from Portugal

so this is...... the icon of Macau!

Don't feel lose. This is the place where the center of bus stop.
All the buses will stop here either from Taipa or Colone. 

Bank of China...tadaaaa

the situation when im queue for the bus. going to main terminal bus exchange to Taipa.

Good night Macau..

you may sleep here and you are not alone...

this is bus No.36. You need to wait the bus API for Airport - Peninsular route

ALERT! whenever you want to moved out from Macau and go to China mainland or else, please change to US Dollar or China Yuan . Firstly, there is no bureau De Change in China. however, you need to go to bank to exchange the banknotes. The banks in China operating everyday. The Macau Pataca are 'priceless' in China. They will give you 5 Yuans for 40 Patacas. Its totally worst.

my Pataca cannot be change in ABC (Agriculture Bank of China).
So, I decide to change SGD to RMB. Phewhhhh... 

Points to Ponder:

1. The signboard mostly in Chinese - Portuguese – English. But they speak Chinese widely

2. 3 different banks providing the banknotes. Don’t confuse. The value is based on banknote colors.

3. Inform to the bus driver and show the picture of places to go. He will inform you later.

4. Be ready the coins or small amount of money when u used a bus.

5. THERE IS NO Visa on Arrival (VOA) whenever you want to go to Zhuhai / Guagdong.

6.  There is no backpack guesthouse except luxury hotels. Sleeping in the airport are welcomes

7. They attract the rich people to play Casino& provide luxury suites as their income

8.  Please bring the map. If not, possible you will lose. Ahaa…

9. The only one places you can see the combination of Chinese and western concrete.

10. unlike Hong Kong and China, i can still feel in Portugal. the arts, signboard, architecture

BRUNEI, the hidden rich country

Brunei Flag

Brunei, the name was given. a small country which is rich by oil and gases. Maybe a lot of people don't know about this country. But, Brunei have a something special to discover.

Location & How To Reach?

Brunei in north Borneo island

Brunei are located between Sarawak, Sabah. The cheapest way to reach is fly to Miri (flight from Kuala Lumpur / Singapore) . Staying at cheap hotel (Venice Inn) with $25/night. Rent a car (Perodua Viva) only $30/day. You may get the contact number on Google. No worry.. the reason is in Brunei there is no backpack guesthouse except home-stay which is a bit far from the city center. 

Make a day trip is more fun. 

Let's Start The Journey!

  

You will checked at Malaysia and Brunei boarder. Make sure you check your nationality either visa are required or not to enter Brunei except Commonwealth & ASEAN countries. No need to apply arrival form even no fingerprint or eyes scanning. It's kinda drive-thru!The journey from Miri to Brunei will take 2 hours. 

The Brunei custom will asking for this form. Just tell them that you are using a rent car. Then they will give this form. dropped your car next to the counter, filled it and send to the customs. BUT, make sure the owner of that vehicle leave a copy of vehicle document. or you just notice to the owner first that you are going to Brunei. 

A few kilometer from the boarder, you will passing by a toll. For the non Brunei vehicle (a car), they will charged you B$3. You must prepare the Brunei notes because Malaysia Ringgit (RM) are NOT accepted. However, the Bruneian accept in Singapore Dollar because the value are the same.

When you on your way to the capital city, you just go straight within 2 hours or you just following the direction of "Bandaraya" on the signboard. Don't worry. No internet no problem. i can discover Brunei without a map except asking the local to get the direction or showing the picture.

when you arrived and wanna reach to the city center. you just find a GOLD dome mosque like this:

Add info for you, all the shops are closed include Starbucks, shopping mall or KFC on every Friday starting at 12 noon until 2 PM. this is because to respect the Muslims during Friday praying. In addition, the weekend in Brunei is on Friday and Sunday. Mean, they are working on Saturday. Kinda freak? absolutely no..this is how unique they are...concern the Muslims and Christians praying on Friday and Sunday. 

the only one mall maybe..or there's another mall besides this.. 

only one and the only of McDonald in Brunei. maybe less of customer's demand..

whenever the Muslims done their Friday praying and I'm waiting the shops open...I'm hungry!
I saw some of the tourist also feel the same thing..

Brunei airport have a less of routes but they have direct flight to Jeddah, Melbourne and London (via Dubai).
Amazingly, the structure of airport (BWN) is superb nice with Islamic arts. I saw a lot of foreign worker esp oil and gases industry besides the local pessangers.

well, I came here to see their culture, lifestyles and wanna see the gold at the dome of mosque. so, somebody informed me that i am able to see the gold dome at Masjid Jame'. So let's gooooooo... 

so this is.... the Imam (the head of mosque) telling me there's a lot of gold to put inside (i can't remember the amount but for sure toooo much). However, the tourist have a limitation of time to visit. and NO PHOTO inside of Masjid.

some of the foreign tourist also around of me with their agent. when they wearing a short pant or mini skirt, the Masjid will provide their trousers in order to respect the holy of Masjid. 

Points to Ponder

1. The boarder gate will closed at 10 PM. Make sure u leave least 7 PM to avoid traffic jammed.
2. Peoples say the Masjid is the highest concrete. But i saw some building is higher than Masjid
3. No alcoholic drinks at the shops. Hudud (Islamic law) had already implemented
4. A lot of South Asians & Pinoy (The Philippines) working in Brunei
5. Besides Swiss, Brunei also received another banknotes (Singapore) B$1= S$1
6. The cost living is low.. a cane just 80 cents. The Petrol just  0.53/liter
7. The local bank (owned by Sultan) provide less interest. the foreign banking very hard to compete
8. Clean and Peaceful. Train are unavailable.. the motorbike are rarely to see
9. Because less of entertainment (maybe) they like to spend their weekend in Sarawak & Sabah.
10. Mostly the Caucasians are working here as a employer in Oil & Gas industry.
11. The customs at the counter playing their phones during on duty...maybe a few. BINGO!
12. The housing area at the river also known as "vanice of the east". sightseeing just $10/person
13. Overall, they are friendly and welcomes me as a visitor.