It’s amazing what an extra hour of sleep can do! I woke up at six this morning. Can’t believe how fast time has gone by. What started out as a 50-odd day wait has gone by already.
Although it’s the last day for us in Bangkok today, it is still packed with sight-seeing and shopping. We depart from Palazzo Bangkok for the Floating Market, a three-hour journey away. Looking forward to beautiful colors, sights and smells.
Amazingly, I survived three hours at Thaniya Plaza. I even bought some stuff, mostly golf related things but I must admit by 5.30pm, I was thirsty for a cold drink and joined the two gentlemen from our group for several refreshing Singha draught.
By seven, everyone had a bag or two or more in their hands. With purchases made and hearts contented, we wanted to make our way to Mango Tree. But a wrong turn led us to the Boys of Bangkok street. Mmm…
Bars and pretty boys await. Uh-huh, I think it’s not the place in mind!
Finally we found Mango Tree. Too tired and hungry, I did not take any pictures of the food.
After dinner, fueled and reenergized, the big debate was whether to have a massage before a shower or vice versa. Yes, we are all having a good time to cap the day.
In the end, I think nobody went for a massage. Too tired and contented, it’s time to pack and reset the mind to go home.
Weaving through the local road and traffic, we find ourselves at the entrance of Amata Spring Country Club, a very Spanish decor clubhouse. Everyone’s excitement was evident right at the very first hole, taking tons of pictures, laughing and even monkeying around with silly poses.
The golf course was excellent. The greens impeccable, creating a whole new golfing experience. Our caddies were very attentive and overall, all agreed it was worth the cost. I decided to walk more as it was a buggy on-track course. Despite this intention, the numbers are not as impressive as the other courses: 10,936 steps, 293kcal and only 5.52km.
The strong wind at the golf course makes playing a whole new experience. You have to factor in the wind when teeing off, to carry the ball to where you want it to land.
The big highlight was the signature 17th Hole, Par 3 island. The surrounding water was quite an intimidating factor! Happy to say I made par on that hole!
We finished our game by one and after showering, the rain came down right after we loaded up the van. We have been very fortunate with the weather thus far for all our games. Not once I took out my sunblock to apply although some people will say, one should apply regardless when outdoors.
We are headed for lunch and shopping at Thaniya Plaza to continue day five.
Three days in a row waking up at this ungodly hour is an achievement for me. I feel as though I am in some touring pro league on the Asian swing.
Palazzo Bangkok does not have free wifi, so for once, my Zookeeper Battle has been neglected. As for my Candy Crush, I had accepted the fact, prior to trip that it has to be on hold.
Eating a hearty breakfast within a short time, three days in a row is also an achievement for me. The group is amazing to chow down in preparation to channel all the food to energy for their golf game. I just cannot do that.
Our van came at 6.30am sharp and we are to battle traffic to head to Amata Spring Country Club. However, rain and gloomy skies greeted us outside. Oh dear.
I hope the journey to the club, outside of Bangkok, would have better weather and perhaps, clearer skies.
An hour into the bumpy ride, I worried if my breakfast would come out! The driver sped along the elevated highway at a speed that would curl your tummy.
The skies are still grey but the rain has lessen. We have gotten off the highway by now and apparently another 15 minutes before we arrive.
This golf club is the highlight of the trip. We look forward to the experience.
In a blink of an eye, we arrived in Bangkok. Heavy with traffic, smog and full of people, welcome to the city!
Our hotel, Palazzo is off the beaten track. At least for me because it is not the usual place hubby and I stay whenever we come here.
But it’s a new place to explore, see and experience. After checking in, the group split into two and my group went in search for food.
Street food are always a welcome in terms of taste, smell and color. Contented we trotted back to the hotel for a quick shower and next on the agenda, massage!
The four of them in my group opted for the aromatherapy while I chose a foot and shoulder treatment. Everyone felt two hours should suffice.
So here I am, enjoying a two hour relaxing treatment on my tired legs.
By 12.45pm we were done with lunch and boarded the vans for our next stop, Bangkok.
It will be a two and a half hour ride as advised but we doubted it. Generally, I think the whole group agrees that the place is nice and highly recommends it. Trust us, cuegolf.com did a good job on this leg so far.
We are head to Bangkok now. Stay tuned…
One hour into the journey, we stopped at the Khao Yai Premium Outlet for some shopping. As you know, shopping is not my cup of tea but as we all agreed to an hour here, I did the obligatory browse through. Nothing caught my fancy. Oh well. But I did take some pretty pictures of trees.
It was cool and cloudy when my three ball flight teed off. The golf course was very serene and ours to play.
The greens were very slow with the morning dew. Some holes were challenging with intimidating ponds filled with lotuses to cross, some were beautiful with big houses in the midst.
It rained in the early stages so raincoats and umbrellas came out. Thankfully there was no lightning charge in the skies, so we continued on.
As we were the first flight out and being three balls, we finished our game by 10.45am.
All in all, today’s efforts saw 392 kcal burnt, 7.41km distance covered and
13,906 steps taken.
I like Kirimaya and I think the whole group agrees to. Good plan to stay two nights here instead of just one night and being rushed.
We say goodbye to Khao Yai area now as we prepare to leave for Bangkok.
I realize the only two times I wake up before the sun comes up is when I have a plane to catch or when I have a golf game to play.
Good morning!
Another early day has started. Day three in Khao Yai has begun. Today will be a long day, with a round of golf in Kirimaya golf resort then we journey into Bangkok in the afternoon.
It’s not even ten and all of us are calling it a day. No bonding session tonight and the second bottle of whiskey is still around. Amazing…
Pooped from the early wake up this morning, add in the golf game plus a two hour or so of frolicking in the cold pool and coming out pruned, we are done for day two.
Day 3 will start equally early and the game will be at Kirimaya itself. Let’s hope a good night’s sleep will restore our energy for tomorrow!
Done with our game by 12.45pm, everyone agreed that the golf course was very pretty.
We opted to all go back to the resort and jump into the pool.
Ahh… bliss.
After the complimentary high tea, half the group jumped into the cold water to be refreshed. It was nice.
But after a while, we were pruned to the core. So plans changed again. A quick shower and another bonding session with whiskey and snacks before dinner.
Dinner plans were changed from Khao Yai Kitchen to Chokchai Steakhouse.
Angieneering 
Remarks