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Jakarta Again! Part 4

31 May

On Sunday, our final day in Jakarta, we had our Interclub game against members of Jakarta Golf Club (JGC). It was my first time playing in such an old golf club, established in 1872. Matured trees lining the side of the fairways made the course narrow and quite challenging.

The hospitable host welcomed us with a hearty buffet breakfast before teeing off. JGC is a walking course – and almost everyone walked, save for a few who needed the buggy. The mode of play for the tournament was Texas Scramble, which was very enjoyable.

Awesome prize but no Hole-in-One that morning.

The halfway huts provided all sorts of beverages for all golfers to enjoy that morning, and everyone took advantage of it! Initially, I opted for lemon juice, but as the weather got hotter, I decided a cold Bintang beer would do me wonders. Two Bintangs later, I was teeing off further with my “Bintang power” – and it did feel like my ball flew further. Hahahaha.

My partner and I had many good opportunities approaching the greens and putting, as our partnership worked well together. And we returned with a much improved second-nine score compared to the first-nine. However, our opponents fizzled out due to tiredness when we crossed over.

When everyone completed their rounds and returned to the clubhouse, a sumptuous buffet lunch spread welcomed us. But our entourage had a plane to catch by six (the earliest batch), so the program went by quickly, and we could leave the club by 3.00 pm. There was no outright winning club for the Interclub Texas Scramble tournament, only winning pairs, which was enough to make everyone happy. We had a police outrider again to ensure our two buses arrived at the airport on time.

This trip did not start well for me but ended on a good note. Each day, the games improved. I played my personal best game during the duel with the hubbies. And I thoroughly enjoyed my time with my micro group of golf buddies.

As for food, opportunities to try different things were scarce due to time constraints and transport logistics. Nonetheless, I managed with all the chili and spicy offerings, and more importantly, I did not experience any tummy ache.

Hotel breakfast was standard choices, but the chili condiments caught my eye! Soto ayam (top right) was a must for dinner.

While there were some shortcomings in managing 60 golfers, it did not put a dampener, and I can file this trip away on a good note. I await the next Interclub trip organized by my golf club again.

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Jakarta Again! Part 3

28 May

On the third day in Karawang, we played our second game at Lotus Lakes Golf Club, and it was a late morning tee-off. The cloudy atmosphere was perfect for golf, so the umbrella did not come out. The company was enjoyable, but the game was challenging, whereby we ladies were battling with our husbands. Losers had to buy drinks.

There was much back and forth. We fought hard to narrow the gap from three down to one down, but running out of holes to win. That morning, my short game was sensational, likewise my putting. I was on fire! We had to win the last hole to call the duel a draw.

At the last hole, there was a lot of drama. You could tell the fight was very intense. My partner’s hubby sent his ball into the water on the right with his third shot. Then my partner sent her ball to the water on the left as well! Oh no.

Hubby and I were on the fairway, 60 meters from the green. It was a Par 5, and anything can happen. And it did! Hubby unexpectedly chunked his fourth shot to three feet in front. Gaining confidence from his misfortune, I sent my ball flying towards the pin and landed four feet from it! Yes, maybe we can still pull it off and win.

Soon after, the other two were on the green with their fifth shot. It was a do-or-die situation at this point. But I had a slight advantage over the rest, being the only one on the green with my fourth shot.

Hubby struck his ball but missed the cup, creating an opening for us!

My turn to putt. My line was perfect as my ball rolled towards the cup. But it stopped two inches from falling in. Nooooooooo. I tapped in for a bogey. What a bummer.

My partner two-putted for a seven, like hubby, but her spouse rammed his ball into the cup from six feet for a bogey to square the hole. And we lost.

The adrenaline was exhilarating! What a game, what a duel. I played my best game that morning. Golf can be arduous, but it can be rewarding as well, despite the circumstances sometimes.

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Jakarta Again! Part 2

27 May

Traveling with 58 other golfers is very challenging, especially for the organizer. There were, at times, miscommunications or ignorance that delayed everyone being on the two buses on time. We had a 7.15 am tee-off for the first game. The late check-in the night before did not help! 

I was constantly taking big and deep breaths to stay calm and take things in stride. I focused on my micro group of friends to make the most. I didn’t even drink! That’s how focused I was.

The first game in Karawang was terrible for me. I could not find the golf course on my Hole 19 app as the Palm Springs Golf & Country Club that appeared was a different one, located in Nongsa, not in Karawang. So, I played without the app and relied on the caddy instead. It worked out well, but I had so many three-putts–38 putts in total–it was rather demoralizing! Luckily, my flight mates made up for the putting yips; they were most entertaining, and we laughed more than golfed. 

Later, after requesting Hole 19 for a mapping update, I discovered that the course was previously known as Sedana Golf & Country Club. No wonder I could not find the golf course! This info is now updated, thanks to me!

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Jakarta Again!

27 May

Last Thursday, hubby and I flew to Jakarta with 58 other golfers from our club for an Interclub golf game hosted by Jakarta Golf Club. It was fun returning to Jakarta again for golf, having been there only last year in August. However, the experience this time from the beginning was not so fun.

It started with a retimed flight from 1.00 pm to 1.40 pm. We did not reschedule our transport pick-up time since it was only a forty-minute delay. However, when we were on our way to KLIA2, messages in the group chat alerted us that the flight had been retimed again to a 5.00 pm departure! Oh no.

Thankfully, a friend who arrived early managed to negotiate for eight of us to take the earlier flight. Phew, all worked out well, and before we knew it, we arrived safely in Jakarta. And this was when the logistics became a nightmare.

One group was flying in at a different time on Batik Air, the same terminal, but another group on Malaysia Airlines arrived later and at a different terminal. The final group on AirAsia (the flight we were supposed to be on) arrived at the latest, but we did not have to wait for them.

The long wait we had to endure was not the end when everyone from the Batik Air and Malaysia Airlines flights came on board, save the last batch, but the bus ride to Karawang for our first two games was another long journey before arriving for a late dinner and check-in. 

Spicy, spicy dinner

There are plus sides, however. We had a police outrider to ensure we didn’t get caught in traffic, dinner at Cabe Ijio was spicy but delicious, and the hot shower made up for all the missteps. What a start to golfing in Jakarta!

Our police escort on a mean machine!

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The Curry Puff Hole

17 May

At my golf club at the Lakes course, there is a hole that I now call the Curry Puff Hole fondly. It is a Par 3, Hole number 5, near the drink hut. So, being a Par 3, we try all sorts of incentives to reward a good outcome.

Whenever we play together, our regular golfer friend would buy curry puffs for everyone to share if he holes out for a par. In other words, everyone gets half a curry puff. Isn’t it nice of him? 

Not too long ago, I improvised his incentive and modified the on-the-spot curry puff on top of drinks after the game during lunch whenever I play with my group of lady golfers.

Like my friend, everyone gets half a curry puff for a par by me. However, if I struck a birdie, everyone would get one curry puff each! It has been rewarding.

A delicious chunky curry puff.

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Reversing the Fat Week

3 May

With April over, I sigh with relief, knowing the big birthday month is over. So, it is time to reverse the Fat Week. We are into May, and there are fewer birthdays to celebrate within my circle of friends and family. And when there’s no birthday gathering, this means no big meals or sinful cakes!

Golf has resumed full swing upon our return from the recent Singapore Escapade. And I give myself a month to shape up! Perhaps I should also consider doing some morning walks within the estate on non-golfing days to shed the fat and stay fit. Hmm, something to think about. One month to see the results! Yes, I can do it.

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A Day of Reflection

26 Apr

One year older, five pounds heavier is the reality this year. I stood on the bathroom scale this morning, and I was a pound off, small consolation, I guess.

Impending birthdays are a day of reflection. I try not to be too wordy and will keep it simple. So here goes. I am thankful for my life, my family, and my friends.

And I look forward to spending more time with family, hanging out with friends, and playing better golf! I hope to achieve my Hole-in-One this year. Who knows? After all, I had my Eagle Achievement last year.

I will make the most of my special day tomorrow.

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Fat Week

23 Apr

April is the birthday month of several family members and friends besides myself. And year in and year out, it’s the same situation, especially during the week leading up to my birthday. I call it the Fat Week because there are so many dinners to usher in the good day. 

There are dinners with family and then with friends. On top of this, there are friends whose birthdays are around the same time, so all the more reason for the feasts and merry-making. And of course, when the occasion is a birthday, there is cake after the meal! So many cakes, mind you. That’s extra calories so many times over. Seriously, how often does one eat cake regularly? The sinful dessert is only on birthday occasions, thankfully.

You would think the saying – a year older, a year wiser applies, but it has not been so as far as birthday celebrations are concerned this year. So it’s more of a year older, five pounds heavier. Hahahaha.

It is only Tuesday, and there are several more birthday dinner celebrations to come before the actual day of my birthday. I shouldn’t stand on the bathroom scale every morning to feel guilty. After all, I have accepted that it is Fat Week. But I vow to start dieting right after my birthday, and keeping my fingers crossed, I can follow through on this vow.

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The Gaming Sloth

12 Apr

We had two days of public holiday on Wednesday and Thursday because of Hari Raya celebrations. And this threw off the weekday routine. I was the ultimate sloth on Wednesday as I opted not to play golf. Instead, we stayed put to enjoy the coziness of the home.

I hardly moved and was on my iPad Mini the whole day. What made it worse was I downloaded a new game and was on it from sunrise until sundown. By the end of the day, I clocked 11 hours and 30 minutes on the iPad, playing this new game! I think a real sloth would not be so diligent at gaming.

The next day, thank goodness, I had a game with friends. Otherwise, the addiction to the new game continues.

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Meeting in Hanoi

19 Mar

Hanoi is fast becoming a preferred destination. Not only my recent golf trip there was memorable, but it was there that I managed to meet up with an old friend from my college days! It was not coincidental but planned.

More than three decades have flown by since leaving Northern Arizona University. We were both pursuing the same degree, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design then. We had the same classes, the same lecturers, and all. Upon graduation, we parted ways, each following her career paths and dreams. Years flew by, and we lost touch.

Thanks to technology and social media, specifically Facebook, we reconnected and kept in touch now and then online. It was recently when my dear friend talked about her bucket list trip to Asia that mooted the meeting in-person idea.

Bangkok was the initial city to meet, but the timing clashed with Chinese New Year and the Reunion Dinner occasions for me. However, all was not lost, as I had a golf trip to Hanoi and decided to adjust the dates to coincide with her arrival. And after some changes, she swapped her hotel choice to my hotel to save commuting time because we found a window! Isn’t it wonderful?

Words cannot describe the feeling when we finally met on the second last day of both our trips. It was an emotional moment when the hotel elevator doors opened, and I saw this towering person with a familiar face inside! I had tears of joy upon the bear hug.

We had five precious hours together and couldn’t stretch it any longer because both had flights to catch home the next day. Friendship is beautiful and precious only if we put our hearts into it. These days, distance or time differences are not an issue because we can connect online, on the phone, or eventually, in person.

Let’s not wait decades-long again to catch up with old friends. We can meet in my country, your country, or any country mid-way!

My towering American friend!

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