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Day 5: Last Day in Ho Chi Minh

30 Jun

We had a long day yesterday. The journey to the golf club took rather long or rather it felt like it. First, we had to wait for the water and fruits (for our golf game) to be delivered, then it was the slow traffic crawl. But I think we got there on time considering the golf club is 20km less and closer than the first two.

Vietnam Golf and Country Club was very crowded and our tee off was very haphazardly arranged. Everyone was ushered to different tee boxes rather than starting on the first tee or the tenth tee. My flight started on the 12th tee. Pace was slow, every hole we had to wait. The sun came out, it became hot. Then it rained. On our last two holes, the skies opened up. I had to take out my rain jacket only to keep it after the super quick downpour before we got to the last hole.

We didn’t lunch at the club but came back to the hotel and had a quick bite during the complimentary high tea session. It was unsatisfactory so we ended up going to the Street Food Market again for lunch. Yesterday was a day of shopping on top of golf. I certainly exceeded my walking quota.

Today is our last day and we check out shortly, have a good breakfast before heading to Tan Son Nhat Golf Club for our last round. It was be another long day.

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Day 4: Not 5.00am

29 Jun

It’s nice when we don’t have to wake up in the wee hours of the morning for golf. I had a late night somewhat. It was fun.

The Sky Deck gave us an awesome all round view of the city. And after that, we went to the Helibar on the 52nd Floor for a nice cold beer. There was even live music but was too loud for us to chatter. We left shortly to head to Bui Vien Street.

The place is booming with people, both locals and tourists. We didn’t walk as much but chose to sit at Crazy Buffalo, a prime junction bar and restaurant to have another drink. This time a mojito and snacked on some appetizers.

There was satisfaction after this, maybe it was the food and walked back to the hotel which wasn’t that far.

Today we play at Vietnam Golf and Country Club. I looked out the room window and the skies looked good. It will be another good day today!

   
    
   

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Day 3: Excellent Weather

28 Jun

Although Royal Island is closer to the hotel than Jeongsan Golf Club, it felt as though we took longer to get there. Maybe because the road en route had a lot of trucks and big vehicles, we just couldn’t go any faster. Plus the fact that our tour guide came late, we lost a good 20 minutes before the journey started.

When we arrived, it was pass our tee off time so this had to be resolved quickly. Thank goodness it wasn’t crowded and soon, everyone was off!

Today my flight mates were new friends (having just met them on this trip) except for one whom I know prior. I had a really good time because the company was good and the weather excellent. Not once did I take out my umbrella. The wind posed a much stronger challenge but I took it in stride. Yes, I played slightly better today. Although the caddies today lacked course knowledge, it was the language barrier that cause more frustration. Sigh…

After the game, everyone had a quick bite at the clubhouse before heading back to the hotel to enjoy the complimentary high tea spread. And from here on, the group decided to split the activities.

The majority has opted for the river cruise with dinner thrown in while myself together with three others are planning to check out the Sky Deck. It should be interesting.
   

    
 

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Day 3: Golf Again

28 Jun

Woke up on time and was ready quickly. Was downstairs by 5.40am but the hotel staff didn’t allow us to start until six! 

So we wait.

This is the first time I find hospitality staff bordering on rudeness. From all my travels, I have never encountered such behavior. I could see the frown and disbelief on his face when we told him we were allowed to start earlier as our golf group has a schedule to follow.

Oh well. Royal Island Golf Club… Here we come.

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Day 2: 5.00am

27 Jun

I got to face it, when off for golf trips, waking up at 5.00am is a must.

Groan… The bed was too soft, the pillows were not comfortable, there were noises and my bedside light could not switch off. But I am on a golf holiday so does it matter? Sigh…

The breakfast spread was good. By 6.30am after the usual golfer’s breakfast, we made our way to Jeongsan Golf Club, a good 60km away and we had to beat the morning Monday traffic. 

It was cloudy and I would say the weather was perfect and we managed to finish our game just before the first drop of rain came down.

A quick lunch at the clubhouse and a hot shower after that, I think the plan is to head back for a massage.

Life is good.

   
    
 

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Dinner Time

26 Jun

We were recommended to go to Ngon 138 Restaurant, which was kinda like a food court. With little stalls within the place, you walk around to see what appeals to you and order to your liking. They also have a menu for you to order dishes.

We decided to order one of everything to share and this worked out well. With so many of us, we get to try a little bit of everything. Yum… Delicious.

Vietnamese food is very flavorful but because I avoided the chili bombs, tonight’s choices don’t feel as spicy as Thai food . After the meal, we are headed to the Ben Tanh market to look see. It’s amazing that the bus has wifi, that’s why I could post my stories.

  
   
 

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Hello Vietnam!

26 Jun

The last time I visited Ho Chi Minh City, I wasn’t such a golf freak and coming here for golf. It was many years ago when I came with my office staff, rewarding the team with an incentive trip for working so hard. It was a good time then.

This time around, I am here for golf with 15 others! 

Although MH758 departed ten minutes late from KLIA, it was on time upon arrival. The chicken murtabak wasn’t too bad and soon we arrived to humid and drizzling conditions – weather that golfers don’t like. Ugh. But better to rain today than tomorrow when we play our first game.

With a boisterous bus load of 16 adults behaving like kids on a school excursion, we made our way through the busy streets to the hotel, Grand Silverland Hotel & Spa.

Checked in and freshened, the group decided to an early dinner and most likely an early night because tomorrow, we have to wake up early for our first game.

The fun begins now…

 

Raining – view from our room

 
 

Home for the next four nights

  
 

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And Off I Go!

26 Jun

It was unplanned and the next thing I know, here I am at the airport with the usual suspects for yet another golf escapade! Unfortunately this time, it is without hubby. Maybe next trip, he will come along.

Where are we off to? Not to Bangkok this time but to Ho Chi Minh City instead. At the airport’s Premium Lounge now and having a cold Carlsberg before our flight at 2.45pm. Looking forward to it!

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Day Three: Last Game Then Home

1 May

Without fail, a 5.00am wake up call. Gawg… I feel so sleepy this time and it wasn’t even a late night last night. Slept early knowing this would happen. It is our last day for this golf trip. So have to pack up, have a quick bite and we depart by six as the golf course is an hour away.

I will nap in the bus dreaming of having a good game later!

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Washout!

30 Apr

We thought we had it good, teeing off on time. But after 13 holes, the siren came on and game was abandoned. Pity. Mother Nature decided the rest of the day for us. A hot soothing shower beckoned then and it felt good.

The Chempaka course allowed buggies on the fairway so it was easier on the legs. Yesterday and today, I have exceeded my walking quota – yesterday 17,844 steps, covering 10.7km and burning 792 calories according to my MiBand. Today, up till we boarded the bus, it’s a little over 11 thousand steps.

Day two draws to an end with a good dinner in mind. Tomorrow is our last day in Johore, playing Orchard Golf and Country Club before we head back to KL.

How did I play today? All in or nothing. Much better in other words; maybe because the body was rested and we were not chasing time. So I hope after tonight’s dinner, will have a good rest and have another enjoyable golf game tomorrow.

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