Day 29 Sat 30 September 2006 Penang, Malaysia – Pak Meng, Thailand

After breakfast at the E&O, we set off in the rain across the bridge to Butterworth and north towards the Thai border. Stopping to buy insurance (AUD7 for 9 days) we chose the westerly route via Wang Kelian and Satun avoiding Hat Yai. There was some debate as to whether to use this route as LP (aka the bible) didn’t mention it as a permitted crossing and our maps didn’t show the roads beyond the border. Nevertheless it was an interesting and well signposted route on quiet back roads and through the Perlis State Park where there were splendid views back over the countryside and limestone mountains with monkeys in the trees at the side of the road.

The border crossing point was the scene of a thriving weekend market on both sides with locals passing to and fro without any apparent formalities. We were similarly waved thru but decided to park in no mans land and get our passports and carnet stamped. The border officials on both sides were very jolly and helpful although I don’t think they had dealt with too many Australian cars passing thru’ their check points. However the paper work was completed in short order and we were on our way exercising “extreme care” as advised by DFAT and stopping to visit waterfalls and buy lunch at foodstalls, (fried noodles chicken and veggies for $1 each) not advised by DFAT.

We decided not to press on to Krabi but stopped at Pak Mang, a beach area near Trang which had interesting soaring limestone islands just off shore. It had just started to be developed but had been badly affected by the tsunami, much more so than Koh Lanta, with a large number of huts and basic restaurants lining the road extensively damaged, interspersed by others which had been or were being rebuilt. After checking out a very upmarket resort at one end which despite being empty wanted US$168 we found a place with chalets at the sheltered north end with a pleasant garden restaurant. Although at the other end of the scale from the first place we tried, it was clean and airconditioned but pretty basic. During dinner we were entertained by 40members of the local sea rescue squad on the brandy and karaoke. Fortunately the pouring rain drumming on the roof drowned them out when we retired.

Weather – rainy 28,
Distance today 459km
Distance total 6251km
X5s today 1,