My Uneven Tan Lines

3 Sep

It’s amazing what a great getaway can do for a person. However my shoulder still ached but slowly and surely recovering, thanks to the comforts of my bed and pillow. I am definitely one of those who does not appreciate down pillows of five-star hotels and resorts.

The getaway also saw my uneven tan lines become even more pronounced. Although under cloudy skies, three rounds of golf while donning Bermuda shorts outdoors can lead to various shades. I cringe every time I look in the mirror and see the unevenness. 

Initially, I thought I could even them out, vegetating by the poolside after each game. But alas, we never had the opportunity. And although our private little plunge pool was nice, it was shaded and no sun even peeked through the covers of the patio. How to work on the tan?

I think the next vacation should not be a golf outing but one to the beach to really work on the tan. 

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Mountain Creek Golf Club

1 Sep

Mountain Creek is tough. I think among the three we played during this trip, this course is by far the most challenging. 

Narrow and a lot of blind holes, it didn’t help that my caddy was inexperienced as well. To the point of useless, I found myself in several dire situations upon tee off and she was incapable in every aspect. Oh well…

Can’t have it good all the time I guess. But overall, we had a good time. Will be doing lunch at the clubhouse before the three hour plus journey to the airport.

Thanks for the memories, Khao Yai. I think we can come back again.

   
   

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An Early Day

1 Sep

It’s a first to wake up at 5.15am for this trip. We check out of the lovely Botanica this morning and will play our last game at Mountain Creek Golf Club. The hotel has been excellent and very attentive to details; they will provide our breakfast box-to-go without us requesting for it.

Looking forward to the rest of the day.

  

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We’re Going Home Tomorrow?

31 Aug

Gosh, the thought that by tomorrow this time, we would have landed at KLIA and on our way home makes me realize how short the vacation has been, how fast time flies!

Yes, tomorrow will be our final game at Mountain Creek Golf Club with an early morning tee off.

The massage earlier helped worked out the kink in the shoulder and back in the room, the coolness of the aircon just lulled me to almost doze off. But we still have to get dinner. We sent the driver off because Concierge suggested for us to dine at the Thai restaurant located in Greenery Resort which is closeby instead of going out to search for one. We can just use the buggy service.

Definitely we will call it an early night because tomorrow will be a long day. But I am not complaining. It’s been an awesome anniversary getaway!

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Kirimaya

31 Aug

The lazy morning was just plain lazy. Breakfast was good and we had time to explore a little bit of Botanica. It is indeed beautiful from the architecture point of view, with the clever use of materials and space. Lots of infiniti pools here and there. 

Soon it was time to get ready for our second game. Kirimaya was just a short distance and within 15 minutes, we arrived. There were hardly any other golfers there and we could tee off earlier than our scheduled time.

Weather was excellent despite a slight shower, it did not spoil the game. 

For the second day, I played to my USGA handicap, so it feels good to be able to maintain the level. Hubby played his best game ever. All in all, the game ended all too soon. I must admit the greens were not as fast as yesterday. The course was not as sculpted like Toscana but nature played its role to shape the challenge.

A quick lunch again, this time at an eatery across the road from Kirimaya, I decided we need to go for a massage. Not so much from golf but I suspect this could be the pillows. Down pillows and I just do not do well together.

It’s been a good day!

   
    
    
 

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The Second Game

31 Aug

It was a lazy day yesterday after returning from Toscana Valley. A dip in the pool we did (Brr… The water was cold!), a snooze to recuperate and basically we just relaxed. Dinner was simple, pastas and a creme brûlée accompanied by Singha beer. Today we will play our second game at Kirimaya Golf Club.

I’ve been to Kirimaya once with the big group I mentioned earlier and really enjoyed the course. So it’s befitting to revisit and enjoy it again with hubby. I opted for an afternoon tee off for us so it’s an unhurried morning with a long heavy breakfast before we make our way there.

It should be a good game, the sun is not out and the surrounding cool. Being a Monday, I hope it won’t be crowded. We can probably finish quite fast. Yesterday, we clocked exactly four hours for our game. The front nine was very fast but when we crossed over, there was a flight in front of us. Every other hole, we had to wait which affected the momentum slightly. Even then with this hiccup, we completed in four hours, which was very good. 

Let’s see how we fare later.

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After the Golf

30 Aug

After our game and quick simple lunch at Toscana Valley Country Club, we decided to head towards Khao Yai Floating Market. As the attraction was not that far away, we might as well check it out simply to add on to the ‘been there, done that’ list.

The place was not as its name suggested like the other famed Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. There’s no boat on the water at all! It’s more like a mini zoo and a collection of little stalls, amusement park style. Also there seems to be a lot of foreign influence. Marilyn Monroe was everywhere!

I poked the tail of a sun-bathing alligator. It was gooey. I don’t know how else to describe it…

Well for 100THB per person for the entry fee, we covered the place in half an hour. By 3pm, both of us were tired out already and dreaming of the plunge pool. So we will spend the rest of the day enjoying a dip in our private pool before dining at Tempo Restaurant in Botanica itself.

Hopefully tonight I will sleep better and won’t be so tired for tomorrow’s game.

    
     
   
   

   

 

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Toscana Valley Country Club

30 Aug

It was a restless night; the bed was comfy but the pillows were not. Not my pillow type I guess. Every hour I woke up, in the end I gave up sleeping and got ready for breakfast.

Breakfast was good. My typical style, it was enough to fuel me for our impending game. By eight sharp, our driver came and we were on our way.

The drive to Toscana was like going through Europe. We pass places with names like Lucerne, Kensington, some chateau and even some winery towards Toscana.

The golf club setup is very European. Peppered with houses on its hilly terrain, it looked challenging. Great course, it was pleasant and with the strong wind and cloudy skies, the outing was indeed enjoyable.

   
   

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Not Typically Thai

29 Aug

Our first night in Khao Yai and where did we go for dinner? Khao Yai Cowboy Steak House! Hahahaha…

We picked all three choices from the recommended list. Although not the most authentic in Thai flavors save for the fish and Singha, dinner was actually good.

The accompanying chili was explosive. A little dip in it with the pork knuckle was enough to put the mouth on fire!

Glen Campbell was belting out the ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ over the speakers then Dolly and Kenny came on before the band members came on stage to prepare for their live performance. Hard to believe we are in Khao Yai.

We are calling in the night early. Tomorrow, let the golf begin!

   
   
  
  

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Yes, Thailand Again

29 Aug

I didn’t want to bore with the usual humdrums of the trip. Yes, we are in Thailand again but not in Bangkok city itself but at Khao Yai. I thought for a change, it would be nice to be away at a different destination that offered the same things we enjoy but a different surrounding.

This is my second time in Khao Yai, a first for hubby. The last I came here, I was with a big group of golfers and thoroughly enjoyed the several golf courses. I decided hubby should enjoy the area as well, hence the choice.

Unlike Bangkok, Khao Yai is less crowded but with equally excellent golf courses. My last two days at work was rather busy to the point I was semi-stressed while hubby is always stressed. So the timing of this trip is good for the soul and for us to destress.

There was a half hour delay in departure resulting in us arriving an hour late. But we cleared immigration and got our bags rather fast. The two plus hour journey from the airport to the hotel was rather smooth. Although the day started early, I am not that tired, I just can’t wait to tee off!

The hotel, Botanica Khao Yai is a five star resort. Lovely, intimate and totally indulgent, our room comes with a private plunge pool. A bit different from our usual golf trips, well, once in a while, we should reward ourselves. I live by the philosophy ‘work hard, play harder’.

We go for an early dinner tonight.

   
 

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