HATYAI HOLIDAYS: A FLOATING FEAST

A floating market in Hatyai? Most people have heard about Bangkok's famous floating market but not the market here in Hatyai. It a place a little outside the city limits on the way to the Big C Hypermarket. You can drive here like I did or take a tuk-tuk from the city center but be sure to negotiate the price first.

The market itself can be divided into to unique areas, by the river and riverside jetty. While the riverside area feels like a flea market with makeshift stalls and tents, the jetty, on the other hand is a virtual buffet table by the river.

(by river with stalls in the background)

To get to the "floating buffet", you must go down a flight of makeshift stairs to get down to the riverside jetty. Be careful, some of the boards on thwwere loose.

(riverside jetty)

Once down there, you are spolied for choice with boats selling many Thai treats from Mango Rice, Satay, Noodle Soup to Pancakes, Local delicacies and more.


It was really hard to choose from the many variety of food that were on sale from these "sampans" or small boats. Unlike in Bangkok where the small boats go from place to place to ply their trade, these small boats are permenantly moored and just a place to do business from. One of the "hot" sellers was the drinks in special clay containers.

The drink conatiners was particularly a hit among the children visitng and your teacher, of course. You can watch me in action buying the drink from the lady in the sampan. All in all, it was an interesting outinng to the market. An experience to cherish and I would certainly come visiting again the next time I am in Hatyai.

Hope you enjoyed the news about the market.

HATYAI HOLIDAYS: SNAPPING AWAY HAPPILY

I always think of Hatyai during the Chinese New Year and this year is no different. It's like a tradition for my family to spend our CNY holidays here. In contrast to Penang during the festive season, Hatyai is a picture of calm despite the chinese influence on its local Thai culture, it's buisness as usual. That is until the 2nd or 3rd day of CNY rolls around. It's time for the traders gear up to meet the tourist swarm head on.

Lo and behold, busses, vans and an assortment of cars of all shape and sizes descend onto this quiet town. Malaysians and Singaporeans alike cameras a snapping and people a buzzing, buying, eating and taking pictures of everything in sight. I even saw a girl posing with a traffic light! No kidding, it was outside Rama Hotel opposite a 7-Eleven.

I must confess that I am no better, I have picutres of me outside 7-11... with coffee in my hand. :P In my defence, don't you think taking a picture with a traffic-light is kind of .... weird? If not, my bad. Hopefully you see the humour in it as I do. Here are some strange shots from my camera, hope you like them.

a trio of terrific trees (near Changlun)

a "sweet" picture (in a 7-11)a drink with a difference (from the floating market)

Well, that's it for this posting. Do lookout for more. To my international readers, a warm welcome to my blog and thank you for taking the time to read. I hope it puts a smile on your face. Please do add me or send me your links to your blog. I am interested in meeting people from around the world too.

Cheers.

HATYAI HOLIDAYS : I DON'T LIKE COFFEE BUT .....

Hi guys and gals,

You know your teacher likes drinking tea mostly but here in Hatyai, you have to pardon me for wanting to drink coffee! Why? Why? Check this out. The price of coffee here is mind-blowingly cheap.


Starting from B$23 or RM2.50 for a regular , B$28 (RM3) for iced coffee and B$33 (RM3.50) for a Frappe!!!! As far as I can tell the coffee tastes exactly like those in higher priced cafes like Starbucks or Coffeebean. If you are a coffee lover or coffee addict, Hatyai is the place to come. Not convinced? Here have a taste of my Mocha.

Hope you all had a good Chinese New Year, collecting angpows and stuff! Lookout for more stories from my trip to Hatyai.


NOTE: To know more about Hatyai, please drop me a comment or send me an email.

LATEST BOOKMARKS FOR FEBRUARY

Hi guys and gals,

My bookmarks are going to be out on the 6th of February which is a Saturday. Each person is limited to ONE only. Please be fair for the others as well.



Here's what you have to do to get it.

1. Write a comment in myblogspot.
2. Tell me your name and choice of bookmark.
3. Collect it from me on Saturday.
4. If you are not from Malaysia, you can send me your address.

Cheers.

Teacher Jason

One morning at the beach

I love being at the beach. Something about the crisp salty morning air just refreshes me. So last week I decided to drop by my favourite beach spot, an impromptu visit. I wanted to collect some shells too. Here is the video I took.

A little reminder, the beach is a nice place to visit but it can be dangerous too. If it is lowtide, don't wonder to far onto the sand banks. Keep a lookout of the water rising. Don't be trapped!

Hope you like the video, I'll make more. Please leave a comment or two. Thanks.

THE DINOSAURS DIDN'T SEE IT COMING

this is no chicken ball

Scientists in Russia are warning of a threat from space. An asteroid by the name of Apophis their concern. This whopper of a rock, measures 1,000 feet across, is about the size of a stadium! The asteroid will appear in our part of space in 2029. It will be making its first pass around the earth. It will be so close that it will travel beneath our communication satellites. In fact, you might see it whiz by overhead with binoculars.

In 1908, one asteroid hit hit Tunguska, Siberia flattening about a thousand square miles of forest, destroying about 100 million trees, and leaving a huge scar in the Earth. The object that struck Siberia was probably only 100 feet across, yet it created a blast about 1,000 times greater than the Hiroshima bomb. Now the one that is headed our way is 1000 feet across, do the math!

Preliminary calculations by scientist show that there is a slight chance it might actually hit the earth when it returns in 2036 but the latest calculations only show a one in a hundred thousand chance of impact. Phew! What a relief.

SO LONG 2009, HELLO 2010

Hi all,

I am sure all of you must be excited with the New Year's celebration. I want to wish all of you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR! Another year is coming to an end with the new one waiting to burst on to the scene. For most of us, there will be changes. Changes are not all bad. The Standard 1 will be Standard 2, the Standard 6 goes to Form 1 and so on. Whatever the changes may bring, keep an open mind.

For those who still remain where they are, fine. I hope the year will bring all the joy and happiness to you too. I have many things planned this year and I am looking forward to teaching all of you the best that I can. I hear there will be a lot of changes at the centre as well. Lookout for new teachers, classes and books. I will still remain same old teacher Jason but maybe with a little change. LOL.

I will also know my new timetable for 2010 soon, some of you maybe happy and some may not. Any which way, if you need my help just write to me or come and see me. I will be happy to spend my time with you. Remember, for those who can draw, write poetry or essays or take pictures please submit it to me so I can publish it to my Student Life Newsletter.

Now, I am sitting in front of my computer enjoying the last moments of 2009. It has been a eventful year for me and maybe for some of you as well. As the minutes tick away, I just want to thank god for the blessings he has showered on my family and I. Also to the people who helped us in our time of need. I look forward to 2010 as it is a brand new start.

Let's great the new year with a positive mindset and a healthy appetite for work!