Road trip to the south

I has been a long time since I did not undertake a long trip on my own in Thailand. The last ones were on a private car and with my boyfriend, with all the advantages and drawbacks involved. So relying only on public transportation, it had to be a little bit more constrained but at least I could go wherever I wanted. The aim was to go to Hat Yai and then slowly coming back to Bangkok with stopovers all along the way, and with the added bonus to increase the number of thai provinces where I have spent at last one night.

And so I arrive in Hat Yai which was a nice introduction to the south, being an always buzzing city full of hotel, restaurants and commercial centers. Unfortunately the same cannot be said about gay places and especially gay bars. From the four that were still there ten years ago, only one still remains open after the recent closure of Buddy Boys. City Man seems to do quite well as there were some customers every time I went there, and some boys were offed. There are six or seven manly lads working there, and on some evenings the bar even maintains the old format of the local bars ; a short gogo show where the most daring boys strip to their underwear and dance more or less energetically. The owner is a very playful and welcoming isan guy who will be more than happy to chat with you ; I was explained that the vanishing value of the malay currency had taken its toll on the businesses in Hat Yai and especially on the bars – a speech that we are used to hear to as far as euro or pound are concerned too.

Surprising cable car in the tropics

For the rest, I was curious try the newest tourist attraction in Hat Yai which is a cable car bringing you to the top of a hill (where in fact the view is less spectacular than from the foot …). I had dealt with ski resorts for most of my working life and so was curious to see how they had set this out … This cable car is part of a big park which lays a few kilometers away from downtown Hat Yai, and has also a huge standing Buddha and a nice viewpoint over the area.

After Hat Yai I visited Satun, a mostly moslim town which has however a nice atmosphere and a surprising fine French restaurant. Another day was for Phattalung where I climbed upon the Khao Ok Thalu, a steep ride to a hole in the mountain with one again nice views on the countryside ; unlike the Tham Sua Krabi, no one there except a couple of teens who seemed to be looking for a quiet place for whatever reason. And then it was one night in Trang, another welcoming with its night market and smiling locals.

Too handsome for me

Unfortunately I could not secure any contact through Facebook with any local lad before ; the only one was an isan boy lost in Hat Yai for his studies who was OK for having a meal with me (which in my mind could have lead to more). I must say he was so handsome that I finally did not contact him, and will only leave his beautiful face for you (and me) to dream about. I hope some more fun in Phuket where I will stay three nights.