（Krabi,Lanta,Mook,Lipe,Langkawi.Penang,Ayutthaya,Bankok) （Krabi,Lanta,Mook,Lipe,Langkawi.Penang,Ayutthaya,Bankok)
| Summary | Annual visit to Thailand in january, I escaped cold Japan this year.so
I scheduled about 3 weeks. From island of Thailand to island of Malaysia,I made plan of Island hopping,. Then return to Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur and visit Ayutthaya |
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| Usually I make a reservation about half a year before, but it will be due to the expiration of miles accumulated with ANA card from around this summer (Recently, I often use star alliance partner TG and SQ, but often miles are not accumulated on my card.) I thought that I save mainly at shopping at VISA. I took the award ticket operated by TG Kansai-Krabi via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok, and Bangkok-Kansai for 38,000miles (separately airport tax, expenses etc. about JPY11,000) From Krabi to Kuala Lumpur, I transfered via islands of Thailand, islands of Malaysia, by sea and land. |
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| Itinerary | 1st | TG flight to hotel in Krabi via Bangkok | Krab→ |  Route to Krabi-Langkawi Island *Lanta-Mook Island is an image In fact, between Yai Island and Noi Island *Muc Island-Lipe Island is an image In fact,stop in a port of Hat Yao Pier People who go to Koh Libong and so disembark People who come toward Trang embark |
| 2nd | Go Ao Nang, Railay, Phra Nang Beach | |||
| 3rd | From Aonang to Lanta by minibus | |||
| 4th | 2 dives from Koh Lanta on Koh Haa | Lanta→ | ||
| 5th | From Lanta to Mook island by boat | |||
| 6th | My diving canceled and spend on the island | Koh Mook→ | ||
| 7th | Spending at Koh Mook (Mook Island) | |||
| 8th | From Mook Island to Koh Lipe by boat | |||
| 9th | Go around Sunrise Beach to Lipe Island | |||
| 10th | Two dives from Koh Lipe | |||
| 11th | From Koh Lipe to Langkawi, in Malaysia | |||
| 12th | Island Hopping Tour in Langkawi Island | Koh Lipe→ | ||
| 13th | From Langkawi to Penang Island by boat | |||
| 14th | Go around George Town in Penang Island | Langkawi → | ||
| 15th | Go to Kek Lok Si Temple give up Penang Hill | |||
| 16th | Go to Kuala Lumpur from Butterworth | |||
| 17th | To Bangkok via Kuala Lumpur airport | |||
| 18th | Go to Ayutthaya in the afternoon by railway | |||
| 19th | Go around Ayutthaya by bicycle | |||
| 20th | From Ayutthaya to Bangkok by railway | |||
| 21st | Go to Wat Pho in Bangkok | |||
| 22nd | After checking out the hotel to the airport | |||
| 23rd | Return Kansai airpotl in the early morning |
| To Krabi | Arrival at Krabi Airport in the evening, heading for hotel by minivan(THB150) I took a minivan when the last trip to Krabi Town, but this time more than 30 people were riding on a large bus. Fortunately it was the first stop in Aonang beach. |
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| Aonang beach | I have been Chicken, Tap, and Poda Island on a day Krabi tour from Phuket. So this time, I was planning to go Ao Nang, Railay, Phra Nang, Nopparat. |
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| Krabi～Lanta | I staied Krabi twon the last time from Krabi to Lanta, there was a ferry
with a hotel pick-up(THB 350) But this time there was a minivan from Ao Nang to Lanta(THB400) ferry costs(THB650) I remember thata I was able to go to Krabi airport for THB200 from Lanta. why the fare is expensive, Lanta means whole Lanta island (as if there were no fare limited to Rasada) |
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| Serch for Hindeang Diving in Lanta |
I would like to go diving in Hin Deang, Hin Muang. Lanta diver that I dived last time in Lanta have monthly shejules, but the day I went diving,the dive center went other sites. Other center went the day before and the day after, but the day when I went diving went other sites. I deceded to go around the dive centers in the evening, as I knew that the dive centers displaied nextday dive sites in front of the shops. There was only one display going to Hin Deang, Hin Muang, but I asked the shop, they saied that they went other sites. I gave up to go Hin Deang, Hin Muang ,so I chose to to Koh Haa. Because I have been Bida area many times. |
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| Diving in Lanta | Koh Lanta Diving Center | 1 | Koh Haa #5 Cathedral | 2 | Koh Haa #3 Sam |
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| The northeast wind was so strong that We could not go to the lagoon. I could not take the beautiful photos in lagoon of Koh Haa. |
| Lanta ～ Mook |
I went to the reception of the Tiger Line Ferry, when I checked out at
12:00 on the day after diving. The diparture time was 13:30,but it was delied to 16:00. They explained the strong wind prevent them to sail,but it seemed doubtful. The boat took on boad about 20 pasennser. It was a high speed boat. I searched on the internet and made a reservation in Japan, but it might have been better to have a large boat that depart in the morning at the site. |
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| I thought that the boat would go through the open sea, but boat moved on
between of Lanta Yai and Noi like a rever. I do not know The boat move on this route everyday, or particularly that day First stop Ngai island and nesxt stop to Kuradan, but on the day there were no passengers on Kuradan and go directly to Mook. |
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| Mook | I arrived Mook island in the evening due to delayed departure. And again, it is difficult to understand with sloppy google map, A man took me to hotel on a vehicle like a rear car connected to the moped (the road of this island is narrow and the cars are no able to run.) |
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| I planed to go diving on first day in Mook and sent a e-mail from Japan
before leaving. I went to the luxury resort of Sivalai Beach Resort by walk. I waited for a while in the shop, but no one came when it was 9 o'clock. I went back to the hotel and got a camera, and go aroound the island. I arrived at a beautiful beach where I could see Kuradan island in less than 1 hour on foot. I thought about going to Kuradan Island by boat on the next day, but I decided to go around on the island because it seemed bothersome. |
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| Mook ～ Lipe |
Heading for Koh Lipe by boat for 3 nights from Mook Island. This time is also on the way with a speedboat by Tiger Line Ferry, with an hour delay <br> The boat stoped at Hat Yao Pier and drop off passengers of the island of Ribbon and other destinations. And take passengers for Koh Lipe coming from Trang. After that, the boat took passengers in Koh Laoliang and Koh Bulone. We encountered school of dolphins off the coast of Koh A Dang and the boat slowed for a while. Arrival is almost on time in spite of 1hour departure delay,was there a meeting on the way? On Koh Lipe, there was a floating jetty off the coast, there is an admission fee of THB200 (for Thais: 40) and a fee of 50 is paid to land on Pattaya Beach by long tail boat. |
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| Koh Lipe | I was lost again, but somehow I arrived at the hotel. The prices of hotel and others were expensive in Mook, then they were more expensive in Lipe. I compromised the hotel location off theWalking street and without refrigerator, but it still about boule price compared to others. There were so many tourists, almost same number of tourists of Krabi and so. As Pattaya Beach has boats coming in and out from various directions,The beach were not so beautiful. But Sunrise beach was the very beautiful. |
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| Diving in Lipe |
After taking a picture on Sunrise Beach, I was not able to go diving on
Mook Island, so go to diving next day. There was a notice that looked like interesting second and third dives near the beach. The price was affordabe, one dive costed THB1,200 with own equipments and no park fee. |
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| We took a ride of long tail boat from beach to the big boat moored offshore, with about 30 people and luggages. |
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| Diving | Forra Dive Resort | 1 | Koh Tarue | 2 | Stonehenge |
| The visibility was poor in some places, soft corals and sea anemones were beautiful. | |||||
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| Lipe ～ Langkawi |
I have booked a BUNDHAYA boad from Koh Lipe to Langkawi. I noticed that I made a mistake of booking afternoon shipping when I saw the voucher. I asked BUNDHAYA to change my booking to morning shipping by e-mail. They changed the booking for free and replied new one with attached file. I had a preliminary inspection the day before departure. I thought there might be special procedure, since it was first time to cross the border except airports. To reach the bording reception area was two ways, carring the heavy luggage on the sandy beach by walk, or drag the luggage on uneven road. I thought that there was no way but to use a taxi (united mopeds and rear cars, not cars) and I would like to know the market price of the hotel When I asked the staff market price, they sent me for free. On the day of the deperture, I submited my passport at immigration, it was reterned with stamp. It was the first experience of entering and leaving the country except the airport. The boat included long tail boat fee to the offshore floating pier. The ship was almost full, but the high-price seats in the front were vacant, unable to get out on the deck. After arriving at immigration of Langkawi, but the line did not move at all for about 30 minutes, I understood the reason later,the priority was given to the embarkation on board, after that the we were treated. |
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| There were a lot of people who went to Lipe island from Pakbara by boat from Hat Yai by land. | |||
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| Langkawi Island |
I found 2 dives for MYR300 in the island of Payar on the net, so I went to make a reservation on the day of arrival. I was told that MYR300 meant net price for Malaysian people, It costed MYR380 for forien people and plus 3% charge for credit cards. I didn't to diving, since the price was more expensive thana I expected. So I was heading around the port and look for a tour. I bought the island hopping tour for MYR45. |
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| The ways to there, alcohol is expensive everywhere becase of remote island. But alcohol in Langkawi is cheap. Canned beer is about MYR2-3 Heineken, Carlsberg, Tiger and many others. Sminoff Vodka 1 liter was about MYR32. I remember same feeling befor in Tioman island. |
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| Island Hoppingﾞ |
When I make the reservation, she told me pickup time was from 9 am to 9:30. I waited in the lobby from 9 am, but it didn't come even at 9:30 am. As I was not in Japan, I have been used to some delays but I was anxious at 9:45. So I asked a staff of front desk to call. Finally he arriveded around 10 o'clock. I knew the departure place of the boat was not the ferry terminal but near in Kua town where I could reach easily by walk.when the tour finished.. |
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| At first we landed in Pulau Boras Basah and stayed for less than 1 hour. The island is not so famous but fairly beautiful beach. A lot of small and medium boats came I could see the Star Cruise ship in the distance, there were some wild monkeys. And They were aiming to steal food and drink from tourist's backpack. Then stop for a while in between islands, we could see a some birds flying. I checked it later, it was Eagle Feeding. And then We went to a place like floating island, when entering at another fee of MYR 20. Many fish were swiming in the pool in the fish farm,thet showed us porcupine fish and sea turtle. A few people came there, So all tours might not stop at this place. The last stop was Pulau Dayang Bunting, landed and went to the big lake(MYR6 ), there were also many wild monkeys. |
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| Finding a Hotel | On the night before departure from Langkawi, there was an email from the hotel that I will stay in Kuala Lumpur. This said that I could not stay as the reson for urgent maintenance. It might be overbooking, I wasl looking for another hotel in Penang. |
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| Langkawi ～Penang |
I checked out around 9 o'clock, as I had booked a ship at half past 10
o'clock. I headed to the port on foot, and arrived around half past 9 o'clock. I could not go out again, I was able to see the outside view only through the window. |
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| Arrival to the Penang island | A cruise ship was nearby when I got off at Penang Island. Then the taxi drivers solicited loudlyl, but I ignored them, headed to the hotel on foot. I had Nasi Lemak for luch at cool and affordable restaurant near the park on the way. Rice of the meal had a beautiful purple color. I was lost again, as I was stranger there. The room key was card key after long absence, the floor was not wood or tile, but the carpet and ashtray in the room. |
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| Georgetown | I always check that the travels during this period does not overlap with
Chinese New Year holidays, but this time the travel had the long period, so it must overlap in some days. It might be New Year's Eve when I arrived Penang island. There were many decorations of New Year holidays everwhere all over the city. Georgetown is famou for murals, but I didn't like these very much. There are many murals in othe places all over the world. |
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| Kek Lok Temple and Penag Hill |
I planed to go to Kek Lok Temple and Penag Hill the next day. I walkde to Komtar and got on Rapid Penang bus (MYR2). When I got off the bus,there were many souvenir shopsare in a row. Since I came for the first time, I could not compare with others day, It was crowded very much. The cable car that can go to the top (MYR8 round trip) |
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| Abandon Penag Hill | I Returned from Kek Lok Temple and eat Laksa that is one of my favorite
food for lunch near the bus stop. I often eat it in Malaysia and Singapore.They didn't have it if I found a display or menu outside of the store. It was difficult to find a bus stop, I took a bus for Penang Hill. Getting the cable car ticket office for Penag Hill, there were so many people, It might take about an hour when I got the ticket. And it seemed to take 2 or 3 hours, when I could to get the cable car. Furthermore it might take same time on the way back. I guessed it will be night to come bac , so I abandoned to go to Penag Hill. |
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| I regreted that I needed to buy more alcohol in Langkawi, since alcohol was regular price in Penang. | |||
| To Kuala Lumpur | I compared with the way of ransfer from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, the railway operates only in the morning and evening. So I decided to take a bus. And I prefered the bus terminal at Butterworth to the bus terminal in Penang island. I could not predict the time when I arrive the bus terminal next day. So I was taking a ticket after arrival on the day without booking. |
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| Penang ～ Kuala Lumpur |
After checkeing out the hotel, I would try to get on the free bus (CAT).
but I didn't know when it will come, so I walked to the ferry terminal. It was easy to find it as there was a large bus terminal near by. It took about 20 minutes to reach at Butterworth after boarding. It was for free (the reverse route seems to be not free) I could go to a ticket counter directly from the port. Iit was past 9:00 when I could go to the ticket counter When I tried to buy it with a vending machine, there was only 11 o'clock departure. But there was a few a 10 o'clock departure on the board, I could not get the ticket of 10 o'clock departure at the counter. It costed MYR32.5 to TBS Termimal via KL Central operated byBillion Star. The bus had two stories and 2 seats and 1 seat, one row had 3 seats. It took about 6 hours and 15 minutes with a restroom break, thoug we met with traffic jam. |
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| They usually say as Butterworth, but the official name of the bus terminal is Penang Central. | |||
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| Kuala Lumpur | I arrived Kuala Lumpur in the evening and went to Bangkok around noon on
the next day, So to sleep just one night, and I went anywhere just dinner at Arrow Street nearby. The next morning I went to KL Central by monorail, then get on a bus to KL1. (MYR12) When I got on the train two years ago, it had costed MYR 55, The price was 4 or 5 times of the bus. |
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| Bangkok | After arriving at the airport, I got on the airport rail link to Phaya
Thai. I am planning to go to Ayutthaya by train, so I booked the hotel where I could walk to Hua Lamphong Station. I expected taxi fare might be within THB100 from Phaya Thai Station to the Hote. Onece going to a Khao San hotel, The driver had not known the location but had called the hotel directly. This time, Smartphone that was attached to a mirror in the car was used as a car navigation system. I did not know Thai, but the car turned when the smartphone speaked. I wondered what a smartphone is. I was surprised because I was ignorant of cars and smartphones. |
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| To Ayutthaya by train | I went to Hua Lamphong Station on foot and bought a ticket (Express THB
20) and there is no ticket gate but there is ticket inspection on board. The train arrive 30 minutes delay from estimated time. It was an Express, but all vehicles were third-class cars. I had a seat but people who got on later claimed that the seat I sat was her seat. I didn't know the seats was appointed. After leaving for a while, The train stopped in a place not a station. I could see cars run across the rail, because I got on the front vehicle. A train has top priority at railroad crossing in Japan, but that is not right in Thailand. There was no air conditioner for 3rd class cars. There was wind from outside and fans, I could put up with it while one and a half hours. I remembered that I have been riding on the Sobu line without air-con to univercity when I was a student. |
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| From Ayutthaya Station |
Arriving at Ayutthaya Station around noon,I was walking along the road
to the hotel. I knew It took long time to the hotel ,but many people crossed the road toward the river. Then I followed them, there was boading place of small boat across the river.(THB5) I knew later the bridge hangs not only the river but also the railway together. If I could find the boat staion, it would take 30 minutes or more to get on the other side of river. When I arrived on the other side there is a rental bicycle shop, I was told the way to the hotel there and cheked in within about 10 minutes. |
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| First day in Ayutthaya |
I rented a bicycle at the hotel. It was written as made in Japan when I
saw it. And then I found a registration seal of Saitama Prefecture in 2010. I wondered by what route did it get here. I ate noodles at a local restaurant nearby for THB20. According to the Thai Tourism Authority, there was a common ticket for famous 4 temples for THB 220. But the ticket said 6 tempkes ablable. So I bought it at Wat Mahathat and then went at Wat Phra Ram. I wanted to go more temples, but I could not since I got lost and it was late. There were some Japanes groups that might come from Bangkok by large bus. As I went straight to the hotel from the airport in Bangkok, I have seen few Japanese from I depared in Japan to the day in Ayuttahya except in Penang. |
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| The restaurant that I decided to take dinner when I was passing nearby
in daytime was closed. So I walked around there, The bright and lively place leaded me a festival. It seemed like the Chanese New Year Festival. There were many food stalls, and some shows on the stage . There were many youg ladies put on red cheongsam. I took some foods at stalls instead of dinner. |
| Second day in Ayutthaya |
I decided to go around a lot of temples, but I was lost on the first day. So I selected the main place on the second day. Wat Ratchaburana, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Chaiwatthaanaram, Ayutthaya Floating Market, Wat Yai Chaimongkhon. It needed to go inside of the floating market for THB200. but it seemed no worth to go in, so only from the outside. I could not use the common ticket at Wat Yai Chaimongkhon, needed more THB20. Bicycle lanes were convenient in some places, but there were many cars and it was very difficult to cross the road. |
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| I went to see New Year's festival, and I had a dinner at stalls same as the day before. |
| Ayutthaya～ Bangkok |
As I moved to Bangkok in the morning, and there were several trains at around 1 pm in the timetable. Checked out at 12 o'clock, walked to the station and take ORD (each stop) at THB 15. There are various divisions (ORD,RAP,EXP), but all take 1 hour and a half between Bangkok and Ayutthaya. It was 3rd class in EXP with four-car train in the way forward. It was 3rd class in ORD that had many-car in return rout. When the trains stop at the station, peoples who sell foods and drinks get inside. Trains started so smothly without vibration though they looked like old and dirty on both way. |
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| Exchange | I could exchange money in many places even at night since I have been stayed around Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok. But I could not exhange money this time in Chinatown. It might be the reason of the Chinese New Year, even if I found banks, all were closed around 6PM and I could not be exchange. if it goes around 6 pm Airports in Thailand are <br> We can exhange the money almost equal to the rate of exchange except airports in Bangkok. It costs fee to make money with ATM, I always take cash and exchange to go to Thailand. |
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| As the home was almost as high as the ground, it was quite hard to climb the train with heavy luggage. |
| Bangkok | The place where I stayed was far from the train station, so I was planning
to go to Wat Pho by boat. There was a boat station near the hotel, I took a ticket for THB15. Four or five boats to the south have come, but the boat to the north didn't come. Finally waiting for about 30 minutes, I got on the boat. I got off the boat at Tha Chang, and headed towards royal palace There is tremendously long line from the entrance of Wat Pra Kaeo that wind up to several folds like snakes. And many big buses, Tourist routes in the same order. It had disappeared on the way back. According to the documents of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, an entrance fee of Wat Pho for THB100, but it was actually THB200. |
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| Purchase | I was get back by water bus, and I always buy Five Spices and other retort
foods in Thailand. I also bought Jasmine Rice this time, I like Jasmine Rice very muh, as it smells like popcorn when it was cooked. About 15 years ago, There have been the Thai Festival in Yoyogi Park. I remember having bought two small bags for JPY500, But it was geting so crowded year by year like I was unable to move. It keeped me going the Thai Festival. Since I moved to Osaka, I didn't go the Thai Festival. I have traveled in later of May almost of every year, the Thai Festival also later of May. |
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| Last day |
I will go to my neighborhood (Wat Trimit) in the morning. The travel has
lasted for almost three weeks, the weather has been almost fine. After coming to Bangkok, As it was cloudy I was disappointed so beautiful golden color didn't appear from temples. |
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| Back to Japan |
I thought it would be good to leave the luggage at the hotel and went around as the airplane departs at night, but it seemed waste to come back to the hoteo for the luggage. After checkout, I had Tom Yam Kung for the last lunch, I really like it because smell of lemongrass and ginger. Half of the meals I have in Thailand are Tom Yam. Then took a water bus to Sapan Takshin to the BTS station. There was no rift and escalator, and the luggage after shopping became almost 30 kg. I used to weitht of 25 kg, but 30 kg was quite hard. A lady helped me to bring up luggage on the stirs. After that, I went to the MBK and spent the time by massage on the way to the airport link. Arrived at the airport around 7 o'clock, I had dinner at the food court on the 1st floor, Then checked in, took flight and returned to the kansai airport. |
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| Finish the travel | I stayed in 8 hotels(one hotel twice in Bangkok) this travel, and it was so hard to puck up 9 times when I checked out. |
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