Solo Overland Backpacking Trip To Thailand & Laos – Chapter 2: Part 7

Day 10: Wednesday, 4 September 2013

The bus stopped at midnight for toilet break and supper break. I got out of the bus and headed towards the rest area. It would be a waste if I did not eat the supper since everything is included in the ticket price. As per the other Thai’s roads rest areas, there are two rest areas; for Muslims and non-Muslims. I went to the Halal side and saw porridge (nasi bubur) already being served. The hot steam from the porridge was calling me, who was standing in the cold midnight air.

I finished a bowl of the porridge and even added another bowl just to keep myself warm. Or was I too hungry then?

Soon, the bus continued its journey southwards.

I woke up early in the morning when the blanket given could not protect me from the insanely cold air-condition. It was 7.00 in the morning but the view outside of the bus was blurry, full with morning fog. I wonder how cold it was outside? As cold as inside the bus?

The bus reached Hat Yai bus station at around 11.30 am. It was hot and sunny. Before arriving, what I had in mind was to buy a bus ticket or a train ticket back to Malaysia since I have already been away, solo, for 10 days. But that was not quite what happened. Instead, I asked around for Cathay Guest House, which I have already researched earlier, to be one of the cheapest guesthouse available in town.

After several twists and turns asking around for direction, I arrived at the guesthouse. My first impression: The Beach! Remember the Leonardo diCaprio’s movie where he went backpacking in Thailand and stayed in this one guesthouse in Bangkok (though the real location was not in Bangkok but in Phuket). Yup, that one! The guesthouse looks exactly identical to the one in the movie.

It was really cheap – 240 Baht for a queen size bed room and it was not fancy at all. No interior deco or air-conditioning but when I entered into the room, I smiled. This was what I signed up for. This was what I had in mind when I started the trip. To backpack alone and experience all this first hand. And this is what I got.

Postscript:

Thank you to Jazreen Tahir for the ‘twist and turns’. :D

The walls start breathing
My mind’s unweaving
Maybe it’s best you leave me alone.
A weight is lifted
On this evening
I give the final blow.

-It Ends Tonight, The All-American Rejects.

Part 8