Day 2, Tuesday, 5th March - Hat Yai

Back on Track....... Last night's sleep wasn't the best. I woke several times influenced by the traffic noise. I had expected it and for that reason only I would not want stay here in the future. As regards the plan today we have a drive of less than five hours to Hat Yai where this tour really starts but I need to reconnect with the railway too. Yesterday I gave up many chances. We had followed the southern line for most of the way and today will be the same but with no excuse not to stop by at least one station. If we arrive in Hat Yai early enough there may be the chance to visit some of the attractions there too. It's time to see what that curious breakfast consists of.
Airline Food....... In a warming cabinet near reception there are eight choices of flavours of wraps and yes, that's what you're given on airlines in between meals. Coffee is provided in a vending machine. All I need now is wings to fly up to level 3. We should have words with those who provide you with food at 7-Eleven instead. I think we will be calling in on one of their branches well before lunch.
Well, I thought I was joking but not long after we depart for Hat Yai we decide to fill the tank and that gives me the chance to fill my belly as well, I'm just that hungry. Now let's make some progress.
Thung Song Railway Junction....... This is another railway station I've visited before, and we arrive just before lunch. Realising there won't be a service due for the best part of an hour we decide to take lunch in Thung Song, which turns out to be a more substantial meal than we are used to while in transit. The time is just about right as I head back at the station with some 10 minutes before the next service is due. This service is a local train from Chumphon to Hat Yai which soon arrives. The curious thing is that there is a delay of some 10 minutes before departure of this train. This is due to the locomotive detaching from the train, retrieving an additional coach and reattaching to the train. The delay has helped me record extra content for my YouTube channel but this is the only new content on this tour so far.
The remaining distance to Hat Yai proves uneventful, and we complete this leg of the tour in around 5 hours heading directly to our pre booked accommodation.
Levant Hotel....... Levant Hotel is located in the northern part of Hat Yai and arriving at 3.30 pm allows us some rest before we go out again. The price of this hotel is higher than I normally pay but it does include a breakfast which can be called a breakfast which is unlike the one we had this morning. Early impressions indicate that the price of this hotel is about right, and we have no issues checking in. So far we have been pre booked accommodation and it seems to be working as long as we make a decision on where we will be the following night. I'm happy to stay in Hat Yai at least another night but at another hotel which I found to be cheaper.
I did mention that I'd like to go out before dark and start ticking some boxes but there hasn't really been enough time for us to put our heads together, and we come up with two options both time limited. Katoon would like to head for a viewpoint to see the sunset but this time of evening is especially good for recording departures at the railway station with trains leaving for the overnight services to Bangkok. We have to make a choice and settle on the latter which is easier to reach.
Hat Yai Railway Station....... At the station there is a lot happening with two trains about to depart from Bangkok and the third arriving from Yala will be joining them. However I really have to balance things out. I can't spend all my time on the railway as I have today. We return to Leevana Hotel and head for a restaurant nearby and Katoon is rewarded for getting us here with a more extravagant meal.
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