Domain of WH

417. Juggling work and play!

More play than work of course. Basically with Ando san and Mori san around, it's been busy rushing all over the place and the only time i have left, is spent sleeping (even then it's very little). Therefore has been behind in blogging.

This has been a rather relaxed trip for Ando san. Basically there's few cars to work on and more time is spent just chillin than his previous trips. Some of the highlights includes taking them to Kek Lok Si temple and also our trip to Hatyai. :)

We took them to Kek Lok Si temple on the 8th, was pleasantly surprised it wasn't crowded as it was a public holiday for Penang. Zakri & Tony showed up later in the afternoon. Tony's gonna be our official SS.Crazy Hatyai Tour guide tomorrow. :)

The current state; What it'll look like when completed


The columns are fabricated in China and shipped here


The garden where the columns are stored


Ando san, Chong san & Mori san; The dragon chasing the rabbit

9th July
Looking forward to this Hatyai as it's been a while since I had a break. Our plan is to drive to Tony's house in Chang Lun and leave our cars there. Then take a cab across the border from there.

Us posing at Tony's house; Chong, myself & Tsuiki on the way to the border


Border checkpoint Malaysian side; Headed to the Thai side of the border

We reached Hatyai late in the afternoon. Checked into our hotel. Was pleasantly surprised that it's a pretty decent hotel (The Novotel in Penang isn't really nice). We decided to grab a quick makan at McDs (the samurai pork burger was really delicious) across the road before heading out for massage and shopping. The world cup finals is on tonite as well between France and Italy, so Tony reserved us a spot at a local pub/club to watch it.

Us waiting at the hotel lobby for our rooms

We had dinner at Chongkhao Seafood. I think the food is so so only, but it's cheap, so can't complain. After dinner, it's off to watch the world cup and have a couple of drinks. After that, had supper by the roadside infront of the hotel.

In the tut tut, on the way to dinner


Chongkhao Seafood; After the meal

10th July
We wandered around town a bit after checking out of our hotel. Decided to grab a makan at on of the local shops. Had their version of Bah Kut Teh which I think had too much pepper in it. The Wan Tan Mee also isn't that good. I can't believe people actually tell me the food in Hatyai is cheap and good. :P Maybe Tony took us to all the wrong places.

On the way to our rendevouz point with the van, Tony stopped and freed some birds. Apparently, for 170Baht, you can buy the freedom of a cage of birds. I think the more we pay to "free" the birds, the more it'll encourage them to catch them birds. It's a vicious cycle. U know what, I think i'm gonna move to Hatyai, sit by the road side and charge people 100 Baht to free pigeons (They're cuter). I'll train them pigeons to fly back home. Next day, it's back into the cage. Easy money.

"Free the bird" vendors; A shot of our hotel


Tony staking out the Central shopping center; His view

The rest of the trip back was pretty mundane as I contemplate having to go back into my kandang (cage) tomorrow.

A very big dog & cat at Tony's house after the trip

11th July
Ando san and Mori san will be leaving tonite while Tsuiki will only leave tomorrow evening. Ando san will probably be back again in 2 weeks time. He has some unfinished business.

Watching these people build engines has been an enlightening experience. I am still a bit frustrated that we have communication problems. It would've been perfect if I learnt Japanese while I was in the States. Darn.

Jack struggling with Tsuiki; Mori san & Ando san saying their goodbyes

12th July
Tsuiki is leaving tonite and Yippie will be a happy boy today as Tomoko is arriving :) After dropping Tsuiki off at the airport, it's off to Chef & Brew to meet up with Andrew, CP & Khai.