The haze has dissipated with the constant rain over the past few mornings and evenings, which is a relief. However, my mind still feels cloudy! Hahaha. I also missed my journal entry yesterday—boo.
I have, of course, been playing golf, but so badly that I am beyond comprehension of my disability. It is now confirmed that I have a phobia of my home course. Whatever the reason, I am not enjoying my golf game at my home club. And I don’t think it’s a downward trend because I fare better at other golf clubs.
Last weekend, I played in another tournament at my home club, and unfortunately, I caught the flu. We played in the rain, and the combination of heat and cold really took a toll on me. At one point, things got quite strange.
At Hole 16, my flightmates and I were ready to take our approach shots when we saw three stray dogs lounging lazily in front of the green. Yikes! What is this, a pack of Guardians of the Green protecting it? Do we even try to strike our balls? What if we hit them?
The dogs were so relaxed that our approach shots did not faze them. They were so nonchalant, like nothing happened. It was the first time I had seen animals on a golf green, not moving despite balls flying in. The Guardians of the Green were doing their job well, and I could only manage a double bogey. It was a surreal moment.
The dogs did not even move when I approached to take pictures!
The haze hasn’t let up, and I’m feeling hazy from it (pun intended). Honestly, I have lost track of time and forgotten what blue skies look like. It doesn’t help with my vision when everything looks so dull, devoid of color and clarity.
There are days when the sun looks like a bright orange salted egg in the sky. It’s quite a sight to behold, although not a healthy one. However, on Sunday when I participated in our club’s Interclub game, the sun was a pale version of itself. When will the situation improve? The haze seems to go on and on.
Hazy lazy days!
The home air purifier has been working overtime lately. On bad days, the purifier’s PM 2.5 gauge can range from an eye-popping low 100s to upwards! And this is indoors; what more being outside. Pretty mortifying. There’s nothing much we can do except wait it out patiently. Only time can tell. Sigh.
Last week, when I highlighted the various problems I encountered during the two-week hiatus, I missed two more. It is hard to recall so many problems when there were so many to begin with; it’s not fun to be reminded! Hahaha.
On top of the terrible golf and eyesight problem, I was experiencing unusual stomach cramps! For no reason, my tummy acted like a washing machine, churning and twisting; it was a horrible experience. And as if my misery was not enough with the tummy and eyesight issues—golf games aside—I felt a tooth aching terribly too! My goodness, why the sudden onslaught of so much physical pain? What did I do to deserve such top-notch agony?
Well, the week has passed, and some of the painful agony has subsided. I have also reduced my iPad addiction. The eyesight problem is persisting, though; likewise, the terrible golf. Maybe the haze is abetting my misery? Or reduce my iPad time even more? We have had some rain, and this has eased the stuffy discomfort somewhat. As for the terrible golf, I am sure it is just a passing downturn, and I should play better in my upcoming games.
After a two-week break from writing, I’m back! Did the break help me in any way, health-wise? Apparently, no. Hahahaha. There were so many problems!
During the self-imposed hiatus, I played some golf with the haze enveloping the atmosphere (a die-hard golfer can sometimes be an irrational human); I went away with friends for short breaks for more golf, and I acquired more physical pain.
There was only one good game, which was the highlight. During the past few weeks, we had some rain, and it washed the haze down, but not enough. So, while out on the golf course, my eyesight was blurry (definitely due to the haze), and my eyes hurt; this sensation affected my golf game. My eyes hurt so bad, I ended up seeing an eye specialist!
To top off the misery, I played horrible golf except for that one exceptional game. And I pulled a back muscle from goodness-knows-what I did. After a bout of anti-inflammatory medication, painkillers, and rest, thankfully I recovered from this problem.
Maybe taking a break from writing is not such a good idea after all. I felt brain rot as I spent more hours—too many—on my iPad Mini, mindlessly playing my games. They were addictive, and unfortunately, an activity that also contributes to my eye issues.
So, in conclusion, I should keep writing to keep my mind alert, be more disciplined to reduce my addiction to my iPad games, and also minimize my outdoor activities. My overall well-being and eyesight are very important, and I should take measures to ensure no further deterioration in all aspects of my health.
Spectacular sunrise at the Cameron Highlands golf course where we played two rounds over two days
The haze has worsened this week and is posing health issues for me throughout the day. I did not fully recover from my nasal congestion after the Bandung trip, as a tiny bit of phlegm seems to have taken up permanent residence at the back of my throat.
I blame the haze for giving the phlegm microscopic ammo to do me in, as the itty bitty sucker is bothering the heck out of me daily. At least I haven’t had a sore throat while trying to cough it out—thank goodness for that!
Then my eyes are the next target. They are constantly dry, blurry, or irritated, just like my mood. Ugh. This is another level of double-whammy compared to last week’s environmental double-whammy.
As such, I have decided to take a two-week break from writing because these health challenges are making me unable to think properly! The haze has gotten to my brain. Double ugh!
The hazy conditions have not improved, leaving visibility blurred and colorless, especially on the road. To make matters worse, Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia erupted last week, disrupting air travel and posing further health challenges on top of the haze.
The reported 25-hour continuous eruption sent massive ash clouds and lava fountains into the air. Ash plumes were recorded reaching heights of 50,000 feet. As a result, airports in Indonesia and surrounding ASEAN countries had to close or delay flights until the situation improved.
I can’t help but feel incredibly thankful that we returned from Jakarta just a week before the eruption! Imagine if we had been stranded there. We would have likely been worried sick, wondering when we could safely depart for home.
I seem to have lost track of time! Suddenly, September is here, but I am still in August, reminiscing about my recent golf heroics in Bandung. We have an impromptu public holiday today (in the state of Selangor and not the whole country), on top of yesterday’s Merdeka public holiday, resulting in an extended weekend; that’s why I have lost track of time.
Monday was a significant day for us too as it’s our wedding anniversary; I feel like a dinosaur many times over. Typically, every year, we would go away, just the two of us. However, this year, the Bandung golf trip with friends—not just the two of us—counts as our annual going-away anniversary celebration. It was a fun time except for the nasal congestion.
We decided to mark our anniversary with a hearty dinner at Hard Rock Cafe in the city centre, and had a good time listening to the live band. The evening culminated with us driving around the city to enjoy the sights of landmark buildings lit up to mark the Merdeka celebration.
Happy anniversary to us, and a toast to good health, more golf trips, and playing better golf! Cheers.
This time last week, hubby and I flew to Bandung, Indonesia, with our golf buddies for a 5-day, 4-night golf trip. How time flies; a week has passed already, and we are back home!
Unfortunately, during the trip, I felt a little under the weather with terrible nasal congestion. I was so out of sorts that I didn’t have the energy to write on the blog for the whole trip until now. Each day, I slept early after returning to the hotel, passing up the opportunity to explore Bandung.
When we arrived in Jakarta, our little group took the Whoosh high-speed train to Bandung. The train ride reduced a typical two-and-a-half-hour road journey to 40 minutes, saving us time to do and see much more upon arrival in Bandung.
The speed peaked at 333km to Bandung; the return trip to Jakarta was faster at 348km.
I played three rounds of golf with my nose stuffed, ears blocked, and a slight throbbing headache that came bundled with the discomfort. Despite the health setback, I played better golf during all three rounds than ever before! I thought the congestion would derail my golf ability and enjoyment. Perhaps the cool weather helped, and I was not sweating too much. However, I didn’t want to incur a further setback, and I drank almost three liters of water for the first game and two liters thereafter for the next two games.
It was so dry in Bandung that the ponds dried up and posed no threat for the Par 3 (top left photo, at Jatinagor).
Our first round was at Jatinagor National Golf & Resort, the second round at Mountain View Golf Club, and the third round at Parahyangan Golf Bandung. Mountain View was the most challenging course, being very narrow and tight, and I lost three balls there. However, I played my best round on record, nearly breaking 90!
The three golf courses.
Typically, whenever I am overseas for three games, I expect to have one good game, one decent game, and one terrible game. This time, all three were good! Funny how things can work out. My golf buddy laughed at me and lamented that the handicapped one played the best golf! Hahaha.
After the second game, we agreed to experience the Saung Angklung Udjo performance. It was quite enjoyable, and everyone in the crowd participated with their angklung to perform when prompted. Good fun!
As always, my breakfast meals at the hotel are predictable and the same. I guess I am a creature of habit. But I refrained from drinking coffee or having fruits the whole time, as I tried to manage the nasal congestion.
Same same but different everyday for breakfast.
All in all, it was a fun trip because the weather played a big part in easing my discomfort. Weather aside, the group was fun to be with, and the food choices were delicious, but sadly, I did not have much of an appetite to savor it all. Would I return to Bandung? Definitely, I would say.
Batik Air was on time, and flying out from Subang Airport was a delight because the airport is so small and convenient, unlike KLIA, which is much bigger and further away. I’m taking a break from golf now to recover from my nasal congestion and look forward to my next golf escapade!
The weather has been dreary because the haze is back. Do not be fooled by a sunny horizon only to be greeted with a dull, pale sky upon reaching your destination. Being out on the golf course in such conditions has been a blessing of sorts.
While there is no sun to contend with, the stillness can sometimes feel stifling and unbearable. I am amazed that I am golfing in such conditions when I should be staying indoors. Then again, as a diehard golfer, I take the lack of sun over the prospect of rain anytime!
As I navigate these conditions for my weekly sport activities, I cannot help but wonder how long they will last. I wonder because the environmental situation may affect where I am headed next week for another golf trip. Yay for the trip, boo for the environmental conditions.
Pray tell, where am I headed? Find out next week; we leave on Sunday morning, so I’m crossing my fingers for clear skies and improved air quality.
It’s an annual thing – the haze is back! This morning’s last-minute golf game was played in a hazy environment. I was not supposed to play, but my original appointment was canceled. And since there’s nothing on the plate, why not just go for a round of golf?
The sky was pale and almost colorless; not a spec of blue could be seen. Thankfully, it was breezy, and this helped with the biting humidity and heatwave. I hope this hazy situation won’t drag on. Then again, having constant rain is no better for ardent golfers! I guess we have to deal with it in stride.
Perhaps I should focus more on pickleball, an indoor activity, for the time being, over golf, outdoors and under the heat, and now with the haze back in town. We shall see.
Remarks