"Where should we go for Songkran?" a friend messaged me on Line. They were looking for a place to go.

Hmm… a simple question, but a difficult answer.

Usually, I don't go anywhere for Songkran. Last year, I stayed in Bangkok and only went to RCA for a bit at night. 55+

"Let's go play Songkran…"

Let's go see the white… I mean, let's go see the girls… I mean, let's go play Songkran! Haha…

But going back home to the provinces? No way! There are too many people. And most importantly, the traffic is… terrible.

Going on a trip? There are too many people there too. (This guy is getting picky, what do you want? 55+)

There are just too many people. Everyone is fighting to eat, fighting to use things. During long holidays in our country, it's really not a good idea to travel in Thailand.

Wait a minute… not a good idea to travel in Thailand?

Yes, then let's go abroad! 55+

But which country should we go to? My friend said they wanted to go to Malaysia. Huh…

Malaysia…

What's there to do there? It's never been on my mind. I only know that it has tall twin towers that are a symbol. Anyone who goes to Malaysia has to take a selfie there.

I'm not really into sightseeing or bright lights. I prefer mountains, beaches, and nature. So I had to sit down and do some research, and then I came across this place:

"Cameron Highlands"

Yes, after doing some research, I found this place: Cameron Highlands. The first time I saw it, my heart told me this was the place.

Wow… what kind of tea plantation is this beautiful? It must be even more beautiful than Choui Fong in our country. Okay, let's go there!

From then on, I started gathering information. I had a little over a month to prepare and find members. There were only 2 of us.

As for my language skills, don't even ask. I'm not good… I'm terrible. 55+

Luckily, the friend who was going with me could speak a little bit, so I felt a little more at ease. 55+ I've been to Singapore before, so what's there to be afraid of? 55+

After that, I started planning the trip. If I only went to Cameron Highlands, it would be a waste of time. With such a long holiday, I tried to find other places to visit as well.

Then I stumbled upon Langkawi Island, the land of the cursed. Hmm, that sounds interesting. Plus, there's a cable car. Hmm, I have to do it. Hehe.

My rough plan came out like this:

Bangkok -> Satun -> Langkawi Island -> Penang -> Cameron -> Penang -> Hat Yai -> Bangkok

Once I had a plan, I started looking for more members. I ended up with 4 more people, making a total of 6.

From The Stars, searching for the sky and grabbing the stars… 55+

Pop… no, that's not it.

So I ended up with 6 members, which was just enough to fill the van. Now it's going to be fun, hehe.

Let's start our journey together. Fun, excitement, and unforgettable memories. I want to know what Malaysia has in store for us. Let's go explore! Yay…

April 11, 2016, First Destination: Langkawi Island

To get to Langkawi Island, we need to take a boat from Tamalang Pier in Satun Province. At Satun Transportation, there are vans that you can either rent or wait for a 2-row car in front.

I went with 6 people and rented a van for 50 baht each. The 2-row car was 30 baht each. Oh, and don't go to the bathroom at Satun Transportation.

It's hell, the water doesn't even flow. 55+

Plus, there's no food or anything to buy. I recommend that you come and wash your face, brush your teeth, and eat at Tamalang Pier instead.

For those who want to fly to Hat Yai, you can do that too. But check the times because there are 3 boat trips: 9:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 4:30 PM.

So, for those who want to take the 9:30 AM boat, manage your time well. You should take an early flight because it takes about 2 hours to get from Hat Yai to the pier.

Tamalang Pier has restaurants, convenience stores, and bathrooms, so you'll be comfortable.

Upon arrival, I joined the queue to purchase tickets. However, an agent, whose origin I was unsure of, approached me and offered to purchase tickets on my behalf.

They even proposed to complete my arrival and departure immigration forms. While this seemed convenient, I was hesitant to hand over my passport.

Nonetheless, the price remained the same. It appeared that they were simply offering a service for a potential commission. I am unsure of the exact details.

The ticket counter is located here.

The ferry ticket costs 300 baht. Seats are assigned, so you don't have to worry about finding a seat. The ferry is air-conditioned, so you can relax and enjoy the cool air. You might even fall asleep! 55+

After purchasing your ticket, you will need to queue to have your passport checked. Then, you can board the ferry.

The ferry looks like this:

We took a short nap... I mean, a journey... and arrived at Langkawi Island in about an hour. 55+

(With the cool air conditioning, who wouldn't take a nap? 55+)

Oh, I forgot to mention... I mean, I forgot to tell you. 55+ When you come to Malaysia, the time is 1 hour ahead of Thailand.

We left Thailand at 9:30 AM and arrived in Langkawi at 10:30 AM, but the time in Malaysia is 11:30 AM.

Don't forget to adjust your time accordingly.

We had to take a selfie when we arrived. Hehe

Let's continue. I forgot to mention that we can exchange money at the Tamalang Pier. The rate on the day I went was 1 RM = 8.59 baht.

When we arrived at the island, we followed the crowd after getting off the boat. We came across an immigration checkpoint.
We scanned our index fingers twice, our information was checked, and we were allowed to enter Malaysia.

When we arrived, we found a small shopping center.

We will exit through the right side. There will be a SIM card shop inside. Feel free to choose.

I chose Tune Talk because it was the most affordable. The promotions vary depending on when you go.

On the left side, next to 7-Eleven, you will find a car rental shop. There are many types and prices. I chose the Nissan Serena because it has 6 seats.

The price is 140 RM with a 100 RM deposit, which is about 24 RM per person, or about 216 baht. It's very cheap. A 4-seater sedan costs around 80 RM.

We got the car and are ready to go! 55+

After picking up your car, a short drive will bring you to the iconic Eagle Square, a symbol of Langkawi Island.

We decided to go sightseeing right away, as we had already booked and paid for our accommodation through Agoda.

Our accommodation was at Island Time Motel.

We got rooms for 566 baht each + breakfast. We booked 3 rooms, 2 with double beds and 1 with a single bed. We split the total cost evenly among the 6 of us.

This came out to 277 baht per person.

The first destination of our trip was the Cable Car, also known as the Skycab. It's basically a gondola lift.

We just followed the GPS to get there. Don't worry about getting lost, because you definitely will. Just kidding!

Seriously though, there are signs along the way to guide you.

Just head towards Langkawi Airport. As you get closer, you'll start seeing signs for the Cable Car.

The Cable Car boarding point is located within the Oriental Village. Free parking is available.

The cost of a Cable Cal or Skycab ride is RM 45 per person, which is approximately 405 baht.

This cable car is said to be one of the steepest in Asia. You should try it. If you ask me, it's a little scary. 55+

It's really high. It's starting to get steep. As we get closer to the top, we can start to hear the wind. It's really scary. 55+

The first viewpoint offers stunning panoramic views.

Let's take a selfie together. Hehe, I apologize for blurring the faces of the two people in the photo. They are not comfortable being in the media.

The person on the right is my brother. He is also an adventurer. He asked me to tell you that he is "single and ready to mingle." 55+ "

With such a beautiful view, how could I not take a solo photo? I had to! Hehe.

After taking photos to our heart's content (taking photos, not... 55+), let's move on to the second point, the highest point here.

It's not far, you can see it faintly.

At the summit, there are two viewing platforms, one offering a panoramic view of the sea and the other showcasing the Sky Bridge against a mountainous backdrop.

We opted not to visit these platforms as they required an additional entrance fee of RM8 per person. Instead, we chose to explore other areas.

The sea view platform boasts breathtaking vistas.

The Sky Bridge is equally beautiful.

After taking some photos and enjoying the view, we headed back down. We planned to pay respects to Phra Nang Mat Su Ree, but we didn't make it in time as it was already closed. We only paid our respects at the front.

We then checked into our accommodation, showered, and relaxed.

A peculiar and hilarious observation about toilets in Malaysia

One amusing peculiarity I encountered in Malaysia is the widespread presence of bidet hoses in bathrooms without bidet nozzles. Initially, I assumed the lack of nozzles was due to damage or oversight, even blaming the hotel for the "terrible" bathroom facilities.

However, after encountering the same situation in several other locations, I discovered through discussions with others that this is actually the preferred method of using bidets in Malaysia. The trick is to adjust the water pressure carefully to avoid splashing or excessive force.

This experience highlights the importance of cultural awareness and adaptability when traveling. What may seem unusual or inconvenient to one person can be perfectly normal and even preferred by others.

As for the other planned tourist attractions in Langkawi, I was unable to visit them all due to time constraints. The attached image shows the itinerary I had planned.

1. Eagle Square: Located near the pier, just a short walk away.

2. Awana Porto or Former Malaysian Prime Minister's Museum: Didn't visit due to time constraints.

3. Makam Mahsuri: Arrived 30 minutes before closing and was denied entry due to mandatory guided tour and insufficient time.

4. Resorts World Langkawi: Beautiful beachfront hotel. Got lost due to forgetting to turn on GPS.

5. Petronas Quay: The most scenic gas station on the island. Passed by but didn't stop due to needing to refuel the rental car at a nearby station.

6. Panorama Langkawi or Skycab: Cable car ride offering panoramic views.

7. Seven Wells Waterfall: Visible from the cable car but lacked water, so skipped visiting.

Fortuitously, one of our group members knew a local who informed us that Langkawi offers a relaxed, seaside atmosphere similar to other islands. We couldn't resist checking it out!

On the way, our friend recommended shopping at a late-closing mall, a duty-free haven. We picked up some souvenirs there.

We then continued our journey to the aforementioned beach zone.

Along the streets, there are hotels, pubs, bars, and shops everywhere, just like Pattaya in Thailand.

Along the beach, there are many restaurants where you can relax and enjoy the view. Since we were already there, we had to try it! 55+

We found this restaurant and had to stop by.

Some bars even have fire shows, just like a full moon party. Choose whatever you like.

But if I have the chance, I'll come back and hang out here again. Hehe.

Day 1 Expenses in Langkawi

Transportation:

• Van from Satun to Tamalang Pier: 50 Baht per person
• Ferry from Tamalang to Langkawi: 300 Baht per person
• Car rental: 24 RM per person (217 Baht)
• Petrol for 2 days: 50 RM total (8.3 RM per person, 72 Baht)
• Skycab: 45 RM per person (407 Baht)

Accommodation:

• Hotel: 277 Baht per person

Total expenses for Day 1 (excluding food): 1,623 Baht

Overall Impression:

Langkawi is a beautiful island with a variety of attractions. Food is plentiful and affordable, with prices starting from 6 RM (around 40 Baht). Water is also cheap, with bottles costing 1.5 RM (around 10 Baht).

Langkawi is a duty-free zone with many shops selling goods at low prices. I found beer for as low as 1.5 RM (around 10 Baht) per can.

I had a great time in Langkawi and would definitely recommend it to others. I plan to return in the future to explore more of the island.

Next Stop:

Cameron Highlands

Highlights:

The journey to Cameron Highlands and the beautiful scenery.

It's time to head to Cameron Highlands!

To get to Cameron Highlands from Langkawi, you'll need to start in Penang. From there, you can take a bus, rent a car, or hire a private car. You can also travel to Kuala Lumpur and catch a bus to Cameron Highlands from there.

If you're starting from Hat Yai, there are many tour and van rental options available.

Renting a van for two days typically costs between 9,000 and 12,000 baht. It's cheaper if you have a large group, and it's also more comfortable as you'll have a driver to take you around. However, I opted for a more adventurous option and drove myself.

You can check and book bus schedules on these two websites:

• http://www.easybook.com/
• http://www.busonlineticket.com/

In Penang, there are two bus departure points: Komtar, which is near Georgetown, and Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal, which is closer to Penang Airport. The bus fare is around 40-43 RM (360-387 baht).

We chose to travel from Langkawi to Penang by plane. It's much faster than taking a boat and not much more expensive. The flight from Langkawi to Penang takes about 35 minutes and costs around 49-59 RM (441-531 baht).

Time to hit the road! Let's go!

10:45 AM (Malaysia Time), we arrived in Penang. For this trip, there were six of us, so we decided to rent a car and drive ourselves.

At Penang Airport, there are many car rental companies. Just walk down the exit path.

Before reaching the exit, you will find many car rental counters, more than 10. You can choose whichever one you like.

As for me, I was lucky again (haha). One of our friends can speak English (haha).

(If I had come alone, what would I have done? Haha). He tried to negotiate the price for us.

In the end, we got a car from this company. I highly recommend Speedmex. They have excellent service and are very friendly.

Especially the girls, they can get anything they want (haha). They even delivered the car to our hotel when we returned it (haha). They are really nice people.

We rented a 6-seater car for 2 days for 240 RM with a 100 RM deposit, which comes out to 40 RM or 362 baht per person. This is very cheap!

The bus fare is 40 RM one way, not including the return trip or the taxi fare to Cameron Highlands.

You can use your Thai driver's license, but it must be a hard card. When you pay, they will ask for the driver's license.

There is also insurance included. In the event of an accident, we will pay for any damages up to 1,000 RM.

If the damages exceed 1,000 RM, they will pay us. It's best not to have any accidents, though!

We got this 6-seater car, which was perfect for us.

After leaving Penang Airport, we had to cross this bridge, one of the longest bridges in the world. The Penang Bridge 2 is over 13.5 kilometers long.

It's sooooooo long... and the view is amazing. The best part about renting a car is...

We got to take selfies! 55+ We went all out, haha.

From Penang to Cameron Highlands

The first leg of the journey from Penang to Ipoh is on a well-maintained highway, similar to our own motorways. Simply follow the signs for Ipoh on the AH2 highway.

The toll system is similar to ours, with a card issued at the entry point and payment made upon exit. The cost varies depending on the distance traveled, and for the round trip, I paid approximately 16 RM.

A Funny Incident and a Word of Caution

On the return journey to Penang, ensure you use the same route, the Penang Bridge 2. The older Penang Bridge 1 requires a prepaid card similar to our Easy Pass.

We encountered this firsthand. Returning to Georgetown, we mistakenly took the old Penang Bridge instead of retracing our original route. At the toll booth, we expected to receive a card as before.

However, we were required to pay immediately and use a card. Confused, we attempted to communicate in English, but the officer did not understand. He continued speaking in his language, growing increasingly frustrated.

Fortunately, we remembered that the car rental company had provided an Easy Pass card as a precaution. We presented it to the officer, who scanned it and discovered a remaining balance of only 1 RM. He then requested a top-up, and we provided 20 RM.

The actual toll fee was only 7 RM, but the officer did not return the change. We decided to consider it a service charge for the loan of the card, as we were unsure how else we would have navigated the situation.

The car behind us added to the pressure, continuously honking their horn. It was a rather exciting experience.

In hindsight, it seems the card could have been purchased directly at the toll booth for around 10 RM, followed by a top-up. However, the officer's lack of English comprehension complicated the situation.

This was a humorous example of the unexpected challenges one can encounter when driving in a foreign country. While we assumed things would be similar to our own systems, this proved not to be the case. And sometimes, language barriers can add an extra layer of amusement to the experience.

Continuing the Journey

The total distance from Penang to Cameron Highlands is 240 km, taking approximately 3 to 4 hours to cover.

The section from Ipoh to Cameron Highlands is a two-lane uphill road, but the road is in good condition and not too steep. I was able to drive in D gear the whole way.

There are many curves, but they are not steep. It's a gradual uphill climb.

The view on the way up the mountain is breathtaking. We had to stop and take some photos.

Let's get to know Cameron Highlands first.

Cameron Highlands is a mountain peak with an altitude of 4,500 feet or 1,500 meters above sea level in Pattaya.

Oops, I meant above sea level in the middle of the forest. 55+
This makes the weather here cool all year round, so it's like a resort town for Malaysians.

There are so many hotels, condos, and accommodations...

Even during the hot season, when I went during Songkran, the temperature in the middle of the day was still in the early 20s. It was cool and comfortable, with just a little sunshine.
At night, it gets even cooler, with temperatures in the low 10s. So, the accommodations here don't have air conditioning, and there's no captain. Oops, I meant air conditioning. 55+
Even though there's no air conditioning or fans, you can open the windows and sleep comfortably. It's true, I can confirm it.

Cameron Highlands is home to three major towns: Ringlet, Tanah Rata, and Brinchang. We chose to stay in Brinchang due to its abundance of hotels and restaurants. Additionally, Brinchang is conveniently located near the renowned BOH Tea Center, which is approximately 7 kilometers away. Other tourist attractions are also situated in the vicinity. As we had not planned or booked accommodation in advance, we decided to find a hotel upon arrival. After exploring Brinchang, we opted to stay there due to the wide selection of hotels and restaurants. The other two towns are known for their tranquility, according to reviews. Those seeking a peaceful retreat may consider exploring the other towns. The towns are situated within a close proximity of 4-5 kilometers. As shown on the map of Cameron Highlands, Brinchang is the first town encountered when traveling from Ipoh. Tanah Rata is the subsequent town, followed by Ringlet. Travelers arriving from Kuala Lumpur will enter via Ringlet.

On the way to Brinchang, there are many tourist attractions, including strawberry farms and flower farms.

We also came across a tea plantation on the way, which was free to enter and quite beautiful.

With such beautiful views, we couldn't resist taking a few selfies.

Single photo please, what are you waiting for? Hehe.

This is just a stopover, not the main destination. Have fun. Hehe.

We drove until we reached Brinchang. There were many hotels and restaurants, as well as convenience stores. We decided to find accommodation here.

As we drove, we saw this view. We had arrived in Brinchang. I personally like this place. The city is beautiful, with buildings that look like they are from Europe.

After searching for a while, we decided to stay at Hotel Green Garden. The price was 480 baht per person, which was reasonable. The room had a TV, a water heater, and an elevator.

There was Wi-Fi, but it was slow. Using data from my SIM card was actually faster. The hotel is on the left-hand side of the road.

The view from the room is magnificent, especially with the cool weather. It's truly a blissful experience.

On the left, you can see clouds drifting past the mountain peaks, adding to the breathtaking scenery.

Their city will be like the picture. I think it's beautiful.

The weather here is starting to get chilly in the evening, with a slight shiver. It's hard to believe that this is April; I wonder how cold it will be in the winter.

For dinner today, I was told that the must-try dish here is Steamboat. It's charged per person, at around 18 RM each.

The pot has two compartments, and we can choose the soup base. There are options like tom yum, pork, chicken, and herbal and mushroom broths.

Is it delicious? At first, I didn't prepare the dipping sauce. 55+ I didn't know it came with chili and garlic.

After eating for a while, another friend went to get it, and I realized it was there. 55+ But after seasoning, it was delicious. It was really good.

I like spicy food.

I'll continue with the next episode tomorrow with the highlight of Cameron Highlands and the BOH Tea Center tea plantation.

Summary of expenses on the 2nd

1. Flight from Langkawi to Penang: 442 THB per person
2. Car rental for 2 days (6-seater): 362 THB per person
3. Fuel (first fill-up, 79 RM): 120 THB per person
4. Accommodation: 480 THB per person
Total expenses for Day 2 (excluding food): 1,404 THB

April 13, 2016: BOH Tea Center

On the morning of the 3rd day, the highlight of the trip was a visit to the BOH Tea Center.
We decided to go early in the morning to watch the sunrise.

For those who bought the tour, they will pick us up at 8.00 AM. Or if you want to hire a taxi, you can arrange the time with them.
Because the morning light at the tea plantation is very beautiful.

Those who bought the tour will be taken to many places, depending on our choice. There are many prices.
But we want to focus on the tea plantation. On the way back, we will stop by any beautiful places.

Let's take a look at the map showing the interesting tea plantations and other attractions.

According to the map, there are two main tea plantation areas:

1. The Sungai Palas Tea Centre, also known as the BOH Tea Centre, is located above the town of Brinchang.

2. Cameron Valley Tea House is located at the bottom of Brinchang town, on the opposite side of the valley.

Those staying in Tanah Rata can visit this place first, or you can choose to watch the sunrise with us.

We chose to go to only one place because we thought it was enough. It was worth it. It was very beautiful.

And with the limited time, we chose to go to only one place so that we could enjoy it to the fullest.

We gathered at 7.00 AM and it was time to leave. If you rented a car, turn on your GPS or make sure you know the way.

Because there are some areas where there is no phone signal. So the GPS won't work. I got lost once. I drove past it. 55+

The distance to BOH Tea Center is only 7.4 kilometers. Be careful at the point where the arrow is pointing.

Because it is a very small entrance and the sign is very difficult to see. You can hardly see it at all.

Drive about 4 kilometers from Brinchang. Look for the Nova Highlands Resort and Residence, which will be opposite the entrance.

Alternatively, you can refer to the picture. The entrance is as indicated by the arrow. The sign is very small, and I drove past it for several kilometers. I didn't realize it was so close.

As soon as you drive in, this is very important. You have to turn right because I drove straight up and it was a construction zone. It's the wrong way.

The road from here is very narrow. In some sections, you have to stop for oncoming traffic, but it is a paved road. Please be careful.

Normally, you don't go up any hills or slopes. You will only go up a slope at the vineyard over there.

After driving for a while, we will see this view first. We have to stop here. The light is beautiful.

Continue driving straight ahead. You will come across a three-way intersection. Turn right to enter the BOH Tea Center.

We turned in, but... it wasn't open yet. It opens at 8:00 AM. 555+

But luckily for us, we arrived early and got to see another beautiful spot at the tea plantation center. Just turn left there.

How beautiful is it? Let's see the pictures.

The beauty of this place is breathtaking. No words can describe it.

Beautiful from every angle.

Or you can watch the video, it's also beautiful.

Watch the video

Let's continue. We encountered such beautiful scenery that we took a lot of photos, almost draining our batteries and filling up our memory cards. 55+

However, I will only share a few photos here, as sharing all of them would be overwhelming. 55+

I personally like this angle of the view. It's beautiful.

After taking photos to our heart's content, we returned to the BOH Tea Centre.

Driving a little further, there is a parking lot. Then you have to walk another 200 meters or so.

Walking along, we came across this view. It's quite beautiful.

Stepping inside, you'll be greeted by this view.

After enjoying tea and snacks for a while, we checked out and headed back. We planned to visit another place, the Lavender Garden.

We drove in the same direction as the tea plantation we visited earlier, and it took about 4-5 kilometers to reach the Lavender Garden.

The entrance fee was RM8 per person. At first, we thought it was just a small flower field, but when we entered, we were surprised by its size.

There were many gardens and zones, and it was definitely worth the visit.

Interior ambiance.

After that, we drove back to Penang and stayed there for one night. The next day, we traveled back to Hat Yai.

We booked a van from the hotel for 45 RM per person.

We stayed at Tune Hotel, which cost 480 baht per person. I will not review Penang as many people have already been there.

Summary of expenses on the 3rd

1. Lavender garden entrance fee: 72 baht per person
2. Petrol cost: 60 RM, 90 baht per person
3. Penang accommodation: 480 baht per person
4. Penang - Hat Yai van: 45 RM, 407 baht per person
Total expenses for Day 3, excluding food: 1,049 baht

Total trip expenses, excluding round-trip transportation and food: approximately 4,076 baht

Personally, I spent about 1,500 baht on food and about 1,600 baht on round-trip bus fare.
In total, the trip from April 10-14, 2016 cost approximately 7,176 baht.

The trip didn't end there. Three of us returned on the 14th, but three others continued their journey.

My friends and I (3 people in total) went on a one-day trip to Koh Lipe. The cost was 2,150 baht per person.

The round-trip van fare from Hat Yai to Pak Bara Pier is included, with two additional nights in Hat Yai, for a total of 780 baht per person.

The return trip required a bus ride back to Surat Thani, as all buses from Hat Yai on the 16th were fully booked. This necessitated a van ride from Hat Yai to Surat Thani, costing 320 baht per person.

This trip cost me a total of 3,750 baht. This includes 2,150 baht for the trip itself, 780 baht for additional expenses, 320 baht for food, and an estimated 500 baht for other miscellaneous expenses.

During my trip from April 10th to 17th, 2016, I spent 10,926 baht, which is roughly 11,000 baht. It left me completely broke!

The trip was well worth it, offering a variety of travel experiences, including boat rides, plane flights, car rentals, bus rides, songthaews, tuk-tuks, and bicycles.

This would be the perfect ending if we could all get on the train together. 55+

This concludes our review of this trip. We hope it has been helpful for those of you who are interested in visiting Cameron Highlands.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. You can reach me through Pantip or Facebook. My username is Alek Tawatchai.

Thank you for following. See you in the next review. ... Bye.