Ow.

What an unpleasant trip. The seven-hour bus ride from Phuket to Hat Yai was all fast and sharp turns. I actually don't think there were any straight patches. I felt like we were training for the Phuket bobsled team. Everybody lean left! Lean Right! Add to that the glacial air that was pouring out of the AC it was a fairly uncomfortable night.

At 4 am we reached Hat Yai a town near the Malaysian border. I had a very long wait at the bus station because the minivan that would take me to Penang wasn't until 830 am. After a few failed attempts I managed to figure out a reasonably secure and comfortable way to sleep with my bags. That was definitely a slow night. The minivan was a bit of a mystery. I was clearly the only one waiting to go to Malaysia. Finally, about 30 mins late, a minivan showed up. We didn't end up leaving Hat Yai until 10 am. By the time I reached my hostel in Penang it was 230pm and I couldn't have been happier to see that bunk bed.

That night I developped a really intense headache that has yet to go away. Also from the crazy bus in Thailand my neck became incredibly sore and stiff. So I haven't seen too much of Penang. This hostel is quite nice though and I plan to stick it out here until I feel human again.