Have been wanting to do a road trip further north, and if possible to touch Thailand. We have 8 days before the girl comes back from Sydney, so this is a rather impulsive trip. This is how last minute it was – arrived at AA Amk office waiting to apply for the IDL, collection on the spot n we go! (Later we learn that the IDL isn’t necessary for driving in Thailand, though unsure if needed for car rental) We prepared the documents needed for crossing into Thailand (to print out local insurance and car ownership papers) just in case.
The plan is to drive along NS highway n make stops whenever needed, and making detours into towns nearby. The only must do is to turn back on day 4 wherever we are, 4 days to that point, and same number of days back. Not sure how far we would go. Thailand seems very far far away by land travel, and we aren’t ambitious. Really just go along with the flow. Fast forward few days later, we did, via Perak into Betong, but only stayed a night. In total we completed 2300km, same way in and out along the west coast of Malaysia.
Day 1
AA office in AMK to apply for IDL. Then into JB for lunch and car service. Officially started the trip around 3pm, rather uneventful drive initially – the usual stuff.
Was looking for the nearest R&R to reload the TnG card. Saw a huge truck with elephants on board, also on R&R mode I guess. They were cool about passers-by going near. First time feeding them too! When I had a second banana in my hand he kept extending his nose after eating the first. I thought it’s just a random gesture. but he’s asking for THAT banana in my hand!
Continued to Malacca, have craving for celop hence stopping here for the night.
Malacca has some really cool Airbnb. It’s our frequent destination and we have tried many! Apartments with infinity pool, comfortable rooms and the pool deck and offering amazing sunset views!!
Day 2
Next morning we headed to The Malacca Prison. Lots of exhibits from the “torture” equipment, to the various cell types, the gallow, and the places of the inmate’s daily activities. Was told that they show a video on caning, which wasn’t available when we visited. Definitely a place to visit when in Malacca.
Continued our journey up after lunch. We didn’t really feel like stopping in KL, so continued on. KKB is our next stop. It’s a small place but I remembered having good feel about it during one of the hiking trips.
Day 3
Today we spent the whole day on the road. It’s my big blunder! Didn’t research properly n headed towards Padang Besar, wrong border crossing for going to Betong! It’s only after reaching Alor Setar that I realized my mistake. But hey that’s not a bad mistake too. We set foot into the State of Kedah!
Retraced our steps back towards Perak, to Baling and Hulu Pengakan. As we get nearer, signs of Thailand is obvious. Besides the mountainous zig zag roads, the huge mountain ranges, one of which resemble Mt Fuji, Wats are seen along the roads too..
Pengakan Hulu is the last town before the border. Nearing the checkpoint, many insurance counters can be spotted. Just stop by one of them and let the agent help with the rest for a small fee – to get the Thai insurance n do the customs import paper work. For our car type it’s RM30 for 9 days. Here one can also purchase a Thai SIM card. I had bought an esim earlier, only to learn that esim is not supported in many areas of the Deep South. And no roaming too.
In our haste we had forgotten to bring any Thai currency, and had limited Malaysian Ringgit since we had now been using the TnG alot. Luckily for a kind couple who did a change for us! And once in Thailand we again realised that we had forgotten to pack a power adapter too.
Once the admin work is done and papers in hand, we are good to go! Pass the Malaysia customs, which is similar to causeway or Tuas checkpoint, and we are officially driving into Betong, Thailand! Couldn’t describe the excitement as we approach the “Welcome to Thailand” customs building! I got a bit emotional, I could feel the heat filling my body. I was trying to take videos secretly. Worth risking a warning for this “once in a lifetime” adventure!
After entering the checkpoint building, it got a little confusing. Where do we go? It’s not just drive through to a counter. We have to first park the car. Head to the first building for submission of car customs form, retaining the duplicate for submission on the return journey. This step is important or we won’t be able to go back to Thailand again in this vehicle! Then into the second building for immigration checks n get that “Betong” chop which I’m looking forward to! Please give me a nice clear stamp Officer!
Earlier today, I had booked a treehouse stay in Betong. But arriving at 7.30pm (remember we spent the whole day on the road because of my blunder) we thought it’s better off staying in town. Abandoned the booking, and started knocking door to door. If there’s one thing from the readings that I remembered, it’s “just stay near the clock tower, everything is around it”. Spotted the tower, found a parking lot, then walked down the road asking. “Sorry, we are full” .. “full!” … no one could take us! Coincidentally, it’s PH in Malaysia and many have also made the trip here for the weekend! It’s probably the 4th, or 5th accomodation down that same street before we got lucky!
Day 4
Betong, not to be confused with Bentong, is such a congested place. It’s almost like JB! As what others have said, everything is around the clock tower. Tonnes of eateries, lots of dim sum shops. Betong is known for their steam chicken rice too. There’s even a huge chicken sculpture near the tunnel.
I enjoyed walking between houses into their back lane, taking a peep into their kitchen, garden, laundry area. The houses were built along a little stream, curved road, with crossing the many bridges in between.
By lunch we are done walking, plus the heat isn’t fun. We headed back to the hotel, checkout, collected the car and headed to a few other points for photo check in. 4pm we are ready to head South. It’s Day 4 today, and it wouldn’t make sense to go up and further. That’ll be for next time!
Back to the Betong check point. This time, we know that we can legitimately take “border crossing graduation” photos! Both for us and for our dear car too – we are here, in Betong! We got high with anything that says Thailand, Betong, border – probably spent a good half hour here! Nobody stopped us, nobody bothered with us.
The road out of Thailand is heavy, both directions, on a single lane carriage. 2hr+ later, we finally spotted Penang Bridge, and George Town marked clearly on the roads. Thanks for internet, while on the road, we managed to book an accommodation near McCalister area. We have not been to Penang since many years ago, definitely looking forward to eating a storm here! 2 nights for Penang.
Day 5
Day 5 starts early – for sunrise. So many jetties – we pick Tan jetty from the reviews, it being less touristic n less commercial, yet still having it’s own charm. Indeed so! Stepping into the long wooden planks, littered on two sides by little boats bobbing up and down, waves crashing loudly on the shore, and early birds already fishing at the other end of the wooden corridor. We arrived before 6am, just sitting, relaxing and waiting for the orange glow to surface.
After breakfast we took a ferry to Butterworth. Easy boarding, no booking needed – either via TnG or credit card. Motorbikes are allowed to board the ferry too, no cars though. This reminded me of another thing I wanted to do – car ferry into Thailand! When we have a bit more time for slow exploration. Butterworth ferry terminal is really an integrated transport hub – where the KTMB train and bus terminal meets too. Very good connectivity.
Heat was at the peak this afternoon, making my eyes drowsy, and mood dampening. Decided to return to Georgetown, and early Q for the popular CKT. We shy off last night from the snaking Q, today we must try! 4.30pm we are happily chomping away. Everything is add on – duck egg, lard.. I forgot what else. Now I know why people would Q for this!
After that we wanted an Aircon place to cool down, saw a pub with live band about 30min away. Decided to walk n let our senses take over on anything that catches our attention. Few shops away, again we spotted a long Q! What is it this time? Beef noodles, of course we should try! It isn’t a big shop, but people are willing to wait. We have to trust the locals. Watching the chef cooking off 6 sets of noodles at one time is eye opening! The dexterity, speed and teamwork and system is amazing! All in that little space outside the shop. So cute ..
一碗面，一张单
牛肉不迷路!
Grabbing in Penang takes time. I wonder if there is less demand here? We waited for almost 20min for our Grab driver.
Day 6
Started the day with dim sum again. Really huge restaurant near our homestay, mostly self service. Pretty good food but lacking the human touch. To me it’s like fastfood – fast order, fast eat, fast go. Next …
Checkout, then it’s Ipoh calling! It really did! Spotted so many “Ipoh ikut kiri” along the way! Signages shouting aloud too, if only they have hands I’m sure they would be waving excitedly! We came for lunch, and found a really yummy taugei chicken stall here. In none of the popular tourist places!
Also visited Kellie’s Castle, which we saw on the road signs when heading North. Made it a point to go on the return journey. Fortunately indeed! Now permanently closed
KL is usually not our preferred pit stop. Too congested and parking is a headache. Hotels are costly too. For today, it’s past mid day. And that’s what we generally do. Stop driving before sunset. We found a hotel, bonus – with the view of the Twin Towers. That’s not bad! View of the lit up towers at night, plus that against the sunrise next morning!!
Day 7
in KL, we relied on Grab and Metro to move around. I wasn’t familiar, but did find a teochew kuih shop in one of the market place. It’s the best! If we go to KL again, we must return!
Next to Malacca, a place we never get tired of, despite doing the usual things or eating the same food over and over. Today we did something different though – Cheng Ho ship. Double the fun because we had to keep turning our head to check for “safety”
Day 8
Last day is just heading towards Johor, collecting the winter clothes which we had sent to a laundry, and back home to welcome our girl who returns later today!
With this done, we are looking forward to the next Thailand road trip, in a more relaxing way
