I was not supposed to go; we were not supposed to especially having just returned from Chiangmai not too long ago. But the lure of another golf outing was too strong to resist so here we are again, with the same people albeit a couple less, going off for another trip!
Wheeee……
A break from the pattern, I don’t usually post on Sundays but today’s special. It’s my birthday and I thought I’d share this…
For the pass several birthdays, I have been getting birthday presents relating to my other passion, golf. From a gorilla cover for my driver and Hello Kitty for the putter to golf shoes, it’s all about golf. I even received a Snoopy golf-theme birthday card once.
Every now and then, M1 will tell me, “Mummy, you are 38 years old and will forever be 38 in our eyes!”
“You know, whenever my teacher asks how old my Mummy is, I tell them you’re 38!” M2 added. Chuckle, mind you this would go on for years!
They feel age is not necessary and is just a number, like the house unit. How my heart would flutter and I would break into a silly grin whenever this topic of conversation comes around.
There was one year I did not receive any golf related presents; instead each made me a card. I am still 38 years old in their eyes but the details in which both inked down on their designs, highlighting all my favorite things brought sniffles and tears. It’s so sweet. I basked in their creative efforts for me. Sniffle (again)…
The home-made cards by M1 & M2.
Somehow this year’s birthday, things are a bit different. No golf presents but a three-day celebration with my favorite things! A day before, I had a tremendously good time with all my golfing lady friends at the golf club, followed with drinks and merry-making thereafter; the big day itself precious quiet time with some friends and then with the family and a sumptuous crab dinner; and the day after, a little treat to myself at the spa with a massage and a facial. This is on top of the necessary iPhone5S from hubby dearest.
The salted egg crab dinner!
A red velvet birthday cake.
Thank you from your forever 38 significant other half for the wonderful gift; thank you my M1 and M2 for being wonderful girls that you are and giving me lots of inspiration to write and thank you to all who wished me in one way or another via phone & Facebook, and thank you to all my friends and family for being part of the now good memories forever held in the heart.
I look forward to the year ahead with zest but will stay forever 38!
The phrase ‘time flies when you’re having fun’ is so apt. I find the outing this time filled with so much laughter and intimacy, it’s amazing. The group is just hilarious beyond belief and have clicked so well.
What we have shared the last few days are so priceless and I laughed as much as I golfed. Such treasured moments. Thank you all…
Tonight we had dinner at Thanum Restaurant, by the riverside and the final bottle of Aberfeldy was finished, complementing another sumptuous spread. I can’t believe tomorrow we head home! Didn’t we just got here?
We left the restaurant high and happy and decided to call it a day. Salute to all of us on covering 54 holes: walking twenty thousand or more steps, about 10km or so each day and burning close to 600kcal each time. Some may think it’s crazy what golfers do but are we complaining?
Rockin’ the golf course!
Good whiskey!
By the time we got done with our game, we waited briefly for the hubbies to finish their game and like yesterday, we had lunch at the clubhouse. We must be ravenous for this time we forgot to take pictures of what we ate.
So busy we were calculating our scores, I hardly ate and had only chicken wings and Singha beer. Today’s lunch was such a noisy affair. I think our table was the noisiest there.
Satisfied with all our golf outings, we leave Chiangmai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort with good memories. Our next stop was a two-hour stopover at Central Festival Shopping Mall.
After breakfast, we hurtled across the apocalyptic horizon to Chiangmai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort. Unsure of what to expect, I just pray my breakfast stays in me especially with such a bumpy journey.
I must say Highlands is an in between Inthanon and Alpine. Colors in brown and green, I would rate it in between in terms of scenery.
Weather-wise it was bearable. The walk today cover slightly over 19 thousand steps, 9.98km and 500 odd kcal. All in all, the ladies played better today. Can’t say for the men though. To say the course is easy is an understatement. Then again after three days, if we don’t improve, then I don’t know what to say.
The happy breakfast.
The bumpy journey!
The bed was not comfortable. It just didn’t have the support especially for the back. So I did not slumber into a good sleep. But then again, I never sleep well whenever I travel.
Anyway, the hotel’s wake up call was decent, not like Inthanon’s shrill yesterday. Groaning, I pushed myself to wake up. I think the massage yesterday did my body in; I can feel kinks here and there which were not felt after two days of golf and intense walking. Not wanting to let this spoil things, the spirits are still high as we are all having a good time. The group is fun and we click well together.
So we get ready to go have a hearty breakfast again and journey to Chiangmai Highlands for our final round of golf.
When one wakes up at 5.30am, it is definitely a long day ahead. Statistically, today I walked 13.02 km, 23,842 steps and burnt 659 kcal. No wonder my legs were calling for mercy!
The massage was good, dinner was good at Jia Tong Heng, a Teochew restaurant and an hour or so at the night bazaar to cap the day. I better sleep early tonight as tomorrow, we wake up early again and head to Chiangmai Highlands Golf & Spa Resort for our next game.
Oh Chien (oyster omelette).
Fried Chai Thou Kueh… really good!
Pig’s Stomach with Salted Vegetables soup.
Suckling Pig.
Oh Nee Pek Kueh (Taro paste with Gingko Nuts)… very sweet.
Despite the early wake up call, the energy and spirits were high. Breakfast was sumptuous and satisfying. Onwards then to the next golf course! Alpine Golf Club was a pleasant surprise from Inthanon. Lush and green, there was no indication of drought and lack of water. It was literally green everywhere.
We had plenty of fun on top of an enjoyable round of golf. Well, with a chip in for a birdie for a highlight of my game (and there were two other birdies today from the others), the game ended in good spirits for all. Totally deserved the Singha beer at the clubhouse during lunch!
After lunch at Alpine, we head on to check in at Holiday Inn. A quick rest and a massage awaits us all…
The morning call from the front desk was a horrible shrill. Yes, 5.30am… Wakey, wakey! Yawn… It is Day 2 and today we will leave the Resort and head to Alpine Golf Club.
I will continue my sleep in the van.
I managed to catch 20 winks probably instead of 40. We arrived on time. CHX Airport looks new and within a short time, the luggages were out and our tour guide greeted us. We are using cuegolf.com again as we find their packages well-planned. Deciding breakfast was needed, we headed for fish ball flat noodles at a local coffee shop. Then an hour’s journey through the haze. I thought we were escaping the haze back home but it looks worse here.
Inthanon Golf and Natural Resort look nice but not as lush as Kirimaya (which we went to last November). Maybe it’s because of the heat and the dry looking grounds that it does not look appealing. But the resort has amusing signages and statues playfully placed here and there that makes up what it lacks.
The heat was unbearable. Thank goodness I had my umbrella. The golf course was dry and fast. Our ladies group was fairly matched; we had fun and a good fight despite the heat. Walking the whole five hours, I have definitely surpassed the walking quota for the day: 19,819 steps, 575 kcal burnt and covering 10.85km and the day has not even ended. Mind you, this stats does not include our adventure from 3.00am this morning!
All in all, it’s a good start.
Can’t help but grin when greeted by these two at the Reception.
Angieneering 
Remarks