Amoi rides in the kampungs: Amazing Race (23 - 25 December 2023), Day 1

Just out of Sadao CIQ. Do not be mistaken with the "Welcome to Songkhla" Gateway. This border town is Dannok, in the district of Sadao, in the province of Songkhla. The capital of Songkhla district carries the same name ie Songkhla, which is a favourite tourist destination.

I am now hooked to this wantan mee at Casual Market

Thank goodness they were opened by 6 am

All smiles and waiting for our 7.12 am train for Butterworth

It was a crazy logistic feat to get here on time. After a hurried breakfast, Rygel and Claudine were dropped off at KTM Taiping. They were tasked secure the train tickets and to move 3 bikes and panniers to Platform 2 which is across the tracks. Meanwhile, VT and May returned home to park the big car. They then drove May's Perodua Kancil to the station so that VT can be dropped off as May was too frightened to drive the big car! Luckily, all was well and VT managed to join the duo with ample time to spare.

Here comes our train

Passing by Bukit Merah Lake at 7.27 am. Note the old abandoned railway tracks

Village homes by the lake which is also the access to the abandoned railway line. Click link for access road https://maps.app.goo.gl/5ufRtYq7zwz1iJU87

Photo from the past, Oct 23, 2021. Click blog link for more visuals on how to get to this old railway track https://amoithekampunggirl.blogspot.com/2021/11/4321up-up-and-away-day-1-taiping-to.html

Alor Pongsu's green paddy fields

Idyllic

When bored, take photos!

...and more!!!

As the train approaches Bukit Mertajam, Claudine realizes they have an option to hop down at this station which buys them some toilet time. The train will then continue its journey to Butterworth.

The train for Padang Besar will depart Butterworth (1st station) and trundle down the same tracks to Bukit Mertajam before proceeding up north

Above photo is a goods train passing by Bukit Mertajam station

No seats if you board from Bukit Mertajam station as it gets filled up, coming from Butterworth. Toilet vs Seat decisions....

This man boarded the lady's coach with his wife but took 1.5 seats. Even as the train picks up more and more passengers, he refused to make way for others to sit. When this little boy came on the train, Claudine pointed out the half empty seat to his family, telling them he should have priority to sit. Little boy was then told to sit next to the man but the man still refused to budge and give him more space. After a 5 minute squeeze, the little boy felt uncomfortable and stood up instead.

Kodiang station @ 10 am

10.30 am, all ready for our ride. It was raining when we disembarked but by the time we suit up, the sky had dried up.

On K102's Jalan Kodiang - Sanglang, overlooking Kodiang's railway station

Just like Ipoh, Kodiang is also host to many karst hills and limestone caves.

A line of factories to the left produces rice grains for the nearby paddy fields

Irrigation canals run parallel to Route K102

Bukit Kodiang and its surrounding paddy fields.

The epicenter of Kodiang

Great brunch at Hao Seh Kopitiam @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/PXxLwMP35xgqELkj7

Will come here for curry mee again!

Bukit Mulong, famous for its Gua Kerbau, an ancient sea cave where one can easily spot fossils. This entire area was once under the sea!

Off Route K102 @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/jXiTePCScUJwLvFy6

Single track, kampung road

This place is very near the borders between Kedah and Perlis @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/pURWomhS2NWJpzmp7

Still in Kedah...

...suddenly we are in Perlis!

Oops! Perlis don't welcome us

The tree must have fell recently as the leaves are still green

Smile first...

...then dive in!

Obstacle course

It's a success!

Small inconveniences just to get here, Route R 173

On Route 194's Changlun - Kuala Perlis Highway. On our left is Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMap)

Here we are leaving Perlis, a bit too quickly!

In a matter of seconds, we have re-entered Kedah. Here we are in Kubang Pasu

Follow the signboard

In case you change your mind or forgot your passport, use the bridge!

Approaching the last junction before Thailand

The last set of traffic lights before Thailand

At the last set of traffic lights

Entering Bukit Kayu Hitam CIQ

Bicycles follow the motorcycle lane

Passport Controls

The car queue starts from Malaysian CIQ all the way to Thai CIQ

Bumper to bumper jam

The flat roof structure ahead is Thailand. Trucks go straight ahead

But all buses, cars and 2 wheelers had to turn left to get their passports stamped

Initially, we were dismayed by the long queue here. But thankfully, Thai police noticed we were on two wheelers and directed us to follow the motorcycle lane. Motorcycle lane is Door No 4 @ 1.15 pm (Malaysian time)