Satun Bound!

My feet need to move, to travel, to explore. It’s not for everyone and I admire those who find home and hearth their comfort, the steadfastness that they
need. It just doesn’t work for me, maybe it’s in my genes. My parents were consummate travelers and out of us three siblings I seemed to have inherited
the traveler genes like a favorite pair of old Levi’s.

SATUN WELCOME WAGON

QUIET BEACH IN SATUN

Now my traveling pants have lured me off to Thailand for a short visit. Just 4 or 5 days. A quick fix for my wanderlust. Destination: Satun, Thailand. Not an entirely new destination, having been there before on a short day trips looking for boat parts with some yachty friends.

To be honest I hadn’t given Satun much of glance as we sought out parts and had a quick lunch before heading back to Langkawi. This time I planned to see what Satun was really like.

LANGKAWI FERRY, SATUN BOUND!

I caught the Langkawi to Satun Ferry in the morning from the Ferry Terminal in Kuah. There are 6 ferries a day offered by 2 ferry companies. The short ferry trip takes you in amongst some of Langkawi’s eastern most islands before hitting open water.

SATUN FERRY BUILDING

As Langkawi slips behind the Thailand coast immediately comes into view. Once you arrive at the Satun Ferry Building you clear immigrations and customs. The next task is getting the 15 km or so into the town of Satun.

JAEBILANG TOWN SOUTH OF SATUN

There are taxis, motorcycle taxis and the bus. Traveling alone I chose a motorcycle taxi. The official motorcycle taxi drivers can be identified by their orange numbered vests. For 60 baht or about 6 ringgit I was dropped off at my hotel, the Wang Mai, a little past the town center. It’s very reasonable with clean rooms, all with new air cons and nice views.

I set off on foot for the town center past the Polis Station, the colonial style Governor’s Mansion and towards the central mosque. I immediately noticed how clean and orderly the town is, indeed a sign of community pride.

DOWNTOWN

Coming down the main road through town I recognized On’s Living Room, a small restaurant and bar that I’d had lunch at on my previous trip. It was closed but just down the street a new On’s had opened.

ORIGINAL ON’S

ON

More of a Bistro with live music Thursday through Saturdays it also has 3 guest rooms available upstairs, all with aircon. On and Trevor are repairing the roof on the original On’s Living Room and it’ll soon be reopened. On and Trevor are just 2 of the great people you’ll meet on a visit to Satun.

ANGYEE GUEST HOUSE

I stayed 2 nights at the AngYee Guest House later in the week. This art café and guest house is absolutely beautiful and comfortable and you soon feel right at home. Mam and Cheah treat their guests as old friends and garden is a cool and relaxing place to hang out on a hot day.

MAM AND FRIENDS

MY HOST CHEAH

There’s so much to see and do in and around Satun that I’ll be back to explore some more. There’s a local beach, Spirit Rock, the central market, the Satun National Museum, 2 wildlife reserves, waterfalls , hot springs and even a National Park all within an hour of Satun!

SATUN NATIONAL MUSEUM

SPIRIT ROCK TEMPLE

I hired a scooter from Cheah and spent two relaxing days exploring only part of the surrounding area. Beautiful Thai countryside, beaches and villages to stop and check out. And of course there’s the Satun night market that offers all sorts of Thai treats to eat.

SEAFOOD RESTAURANT AT THE BEACH

JUST A GLIMPSE OF SATUN NIGHT MARKET!

 Satun is a beautiful and quiet town just across the sea from Langkawi. It’s a great place to spend a few days but I’d recommend a week. The slow pace of life, friendly people, great food and lots to explore make it a true destination town.

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