Thailand!

So I haven't been able to post anything since I got to Thailand 4 days ago because the internet here is sloooower than mud in January. Trying it now, and will give the highlights of the past couple of days.

Day 7.
Leave Penang by ferry around noon after a visit to the Chung Fat Tze mansion, which is an awesome restored mansion of an early 20th century Chinese industrialist/ financier, one of the last mandarins. Lots of cool antiques (though none are the original contents of the house - all those were sold by Chung's offspring), and the whole house is designed in accordance with feng shui. The center of the house is open, but reminded me more of aRoman atrium than a regular Chinese courtyard house. It started raining when I was there which was awesome. You can also stay in the guest rooms overnight, which I plan to do next time!!

Chung Fat Tze mansion. No pics allowed once inside unless you are a guest

I can read Malayu!

On ferry from Penang back to mainland

A short bus ride later I walk across the border to Thailand, and am bombarded with Thai hospitality - get a free ride from customs staff member to the bus station so I don't have to walk with my heavy (I weighed it on the ferry - in Malaysia they have scales everywhere with little signs on them reminding you to stay in shape - 14 kg) bag.

Scenery on bus up to Thai border

At border hop a shared minivan/bus with the naive notion of going all the way to Krabi that night (where I'd take a ferry to the legendary Ko Phi Phi), but it's getting dark so I hop off at the transport hub Hat Yai about an hour later. Rather uneventful night minus my first Thai noodles. Delicious!


Day 8. Hop another bus to Krabi. Bus ride takes forever, but the bus itself is classic. At one point a bird made it onto the bus and was flying around, but he got caught and I'm not sure what happened to him.

Bus from Hat Yai to Krabi. Notice the light fixtures on the top and the frilly curtains.

Am a little frustrated when I get to Krabi town at 3:30, too late to get the last ferry to Ko Phi Phi which left at 3. Enjoy the offerings of this little town instead with a trip to the night market, dinner there, and some mangosteen and rambutans for dessert later by the river. Nice!

Mangosteen city!

Candies at the night market. The guy said "peanut" when I asked him what they were. My guess is its something like marzipan. Was in dinner mode though so I didn't actually buy any. Hoping I come across them again.

Getting artistic by the river