Singapore - Phuket - Singapore ........... by Daniel Ng (Aug 2001) Singapore - Penang
We have been driving from Singapore to Malaysia for our holidays since when our children were very young. So last June 2001, we decided to drive to two countries for a change - Malaysia and Thailand.
It's so convenient holidaying on wheels, no problem with excess lugguage, go just about anywhere we want.
"You serious????" - "It's too far" - "Is it safe?" - "Better have a thorough check on your car before you go" - These are some of the comments/advice I got when I asked some of our friends to join us. There were no takers not because of the long distance, but most have already planned their holidays. My brother and I have decided and we planned on a 10-day trip - two cars and two families - leaving Singapore on the 14th of June and returning on the 23rd of June - in time for the children to get back to school.
We drove from Singapore to Penang on our first day with only a stop over for lunch in Subang Jaya, Kuala Lumpur. Reason for our push directly to Penang was that we wanted to spent more time in Thailand and that we had only 10 days to do it before school re-opens. Basically its for the children. We knew we would be caught in the after office traffic if we were to go via the Penang Bridge, so we opted to take the ferry across to Penang Island and also for the children to experience a car ferry ride. The cost is the same, taking the ferry or paying the toll for using the Penang Bridge - MR7.00 for two ways. Using the ferry is advantageous in that you are right in the middle of Penang town when you disembark from the ferry. The first thing that we did was to look for the local food, so we stopped by Jalan Basawah. Take note of this place if you are planning a trip to Penang. As we had only one night we stayed at Evergreen Laurel Hotel which is right on Gurney Drive and only a short walk to the famous hawker stalls.
Penang - Krabi
Left Penang the next morning heading for the border town of Bukit Kayu Hitam. No problem checking out at the Malaysian Immigration, however do remember to get a blank Malaysian Immigration card for your return trip. Don't forget to get your duty free goods before getting across the Thai border. The duty free shop is vast and modern, just like any downtown departmental stores.
At the Sadao Thai border, the immigration officer will direct your car to a parking space while you fill your immigration cards, process the car custom documents and buy the Thai third party car insurance (MR29.00 for minumum of 9 days). The immigration clearance was smooth. The car custom processing was quick but had to queue for about 15 minutes. After clearing the customs, produce the custom papers to the car insurers nearby and pay the MR29.00 for the third party insurance which is a requirment in Thailand. The Thai Insurance disc wil have to be displayed on the windscreen, the same way we display our car road tax disc.
With the formalities over we continued our journey towards Krabi. What do you know, theres English written on the road signboards. These signboards are white , though the words are small, its readable. The roads are just as good as the Malaysian Highways. Only a word of caution here. Their dual carriage ways have turn offs on the extreme left and on the extreme right. So just watch out for turning traffic. They do not have viaducts for such traffic. At most uncrowded road junctions, traffic lights are either flashing amber or flashing red. It means that you cross these junctions with care at your own risks. Most sensible. Use highway no.4 all the way to Krabi and Phuket. By 1900 we were already in Krabi and checked in at the Krabi Meritime Hotel. It's a four star hotel away from the beach.
We spent two night here at Krabi. Though no golf courses here, the beach is sandy and beautiful. Certain beaches, such as Laem Phranang, can only be accessed by the longtail boats. These can be hired at Ao Nang Beach. The return trip for the whole boat cost 700 bahts. If you are lucky you can catch some climbers doing their thing and its a sight to see them sprawled against the near vertical limestone walls. For total relaxation, just soak up the sun at the beaches or go rock climbing or visit the caves and waterfalls.
Krabi - Phuket
Krabi to Phuket is only about two and a half hours, slightly longer than Singapore to Melaka. There is a stretch where we had to slow down due to road works where they are converting the roads to a dual carriage way. Once across the Sarasin Bridge, the bridge that connects Phuket Island to the Mainland, just follow highway 402, a dual carriageway. It's the backbone of Phuket which will take you all the way to Phuket Town. From the bridge all the way South to Phuket Town Centre is 42 km.
For your information, Phuket, 810 sq km,is about the size of Singapore, hilly and not as populated. Getting from place to place requires some form of transportation. So having your own "wheels" is an added advantage. Unlike if you happen to stay at a particular hotel at say Kata Beach, you would need to either hire a car, bike or pay as and when you take a "tuk tuk" for your transportation to areas of activities.
There are many beaches all over Phuket Island. So we parked ourselves at the Novotel Coralia Phuket, which is at the Northern end of Patong Beach. The view from here looks over the entire stretch of Patong Beach. However, the old favourite, Patong Beach is still where the action is - from shopping, dinning to bar hopping.
All the sandy beaches are on the west side of Phuket, facing the Andaman Sea. Stretching from the South to the North - theres Nai Harn where Le Royal Meridien is situated, while Club Med is at Kata Beach. Le Meridien is at Karon Beach. Halfway north towards Patong is the famous Simon Cabaret which is a "must see" if you are a first time visitor. So you see having your own car really gets you to all the beaches. North of Patong, over the hill is Kamala Beach where another "not to miss show" - Fantasea. Go see it for yourself when you are here. It's unique only to be found in Phuket - a sort of a Phuket style disneyland. The exclusice Banyan Tree, Allamanda, Sheraton Grande, Dusit Thani and Laguna Beach Hotels are all clustered at Laguna Bang Tao Beach.
The children enjoyed the beaches, Fantasea show, had their hair braided, arms and shoulders tattooed, go kart, while the adults - got to do their shopping and got their bargains. As there were two cars, we the golfers used one to drive to the golf courses for our games. As for directions, again no problems. There are lots of free maps of Phuket, easily available at any hotel or tourist information centres.
Phuket - Hatyai
After four days of sun, sand, sea, shopping and golf, its time to head homeward bound. This time we stopped over for the night at Hatyai. Our stay was at the Central Sukhontha Hotel. As the name implies, it is right in the middle of the shopping belt. Basement carpark is available. Food and shopping is comparatively cheaper than in Krabi and Phuket. Golf courses within half hour's drive. After a hefty dinner, which did not lighten out pockets too much, we shopped agan. By now we have to ration our shopping, keeping some space for Kuala Lumpur. No need to use the car as outside the hotel is already the busy shopping belt, Niphat Uthit 3, 2 & 1 roads. Thank goodness, theres no excess baggage charge.
Getting across the Thai-Malaysian border was a breeze. No hassle. At the Thai Immigration, just present your passport for stamping and show the car insurance papers at the customs booth. Thats it.
Hatyai - Kuala Lumpur - Singapore
The blank Malaysian Immigration form, if you have it, should have already been filled up ready for presentation at the Malaysian Border Immigration booth. Here again, no hiccups whatsoever.
Did I mentioned anything about speed traps on the way up here? Oh yes, do be aware that the speed limit is 90 kph for this stretch of the highway both South and North bound. Be patient, stay within the speed limit.
Bidor would be a nice stop for a short rest. Get off the highway and get into Bidor. The coffee shop provides good food and you can also top up your tidbits requirements here. Stayed in the Bukit Bintang area for the night and followed by more shopping at the Mega Mall at Mid-Valley before moving on to Singapore late in the afternoon the next day.
In total we drove over 3,500 km. Petrol cost just over S$200.00. The Malaysian Expressway toll from Johore 2nd Link right up to the Northern Border at Bukit Kayu Hitam was just under S$100.00. As it was the low season, our accommodation cost just over S$100.00 a day per room. ... |
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