Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, MALAYSIA

July 24, 2008

The flight departure to KK was delayed a bit. It was typical of Air Asia flight. We were hardcore Air Asia passengers, mostly because of the cheap fares. Somehow, we arrived in KK on time. The pilot must have sped like hell to beat the delay. As usual, we went straight to our warehouse to check on the progress of the project. After a brief meeting, we stopped for brunch and headed to Karambunai Golf Club after our meals.

Karambunai Beautiful Course

Zack coming out from the water

I had played so many times at Karambunai before. I loved the beautiful resort course and during this trip it looked even more beautiful with greener then green fairways. Ayob, our branch manager and a good golfer joined us in our round. We decided to tee off from the black tees just for the heck of it. After a few holes I realized that I was playing exceptionally well. I even managed to post a birdie. I was hitting and putting the ball well. If not for a horrendous 9 at a par-5 hole…, I would have broken my own course record at Karambunai.

Trouble Looming

I was playing so well I hit the flag pole from this trouble spot

We played through the mid day sun and I was beginning to get that infamous headache. The hot sun normally kick-starts my migraine and this time was no exception. After the game, we left Karambunai in a hurry to catch another round in Dalit. It was around 2pm.

Chipping onto the Green

We stopped for lunch by the road side stall. I had an express bihun soup and coconut drink. I swallowed 2 panadol tablets and could only hope that the headache would be gone by the time we hit Dalit. Somehow, the back side of my head was still throbbing with that nagging pain. I decided to skip the round. Ayob, Shahrul and Zack proceeded in a 3-some flight. I had my shower and waited at the club house for what seemed like an eternity. After about 2 hours, my trouble seemed to have vanished. I joined my group at the 10th tee and drove the buggy for Ayob. That’s the least an incapacitated golfer could do!

This Par-5 Index 1 Hole has always been my jinx hole. A beautiful layout by the sea.

We had another seafood dinner or rather vegetarian dinner with 4 vegetable courses at Nelayan Seafood Restaurant. Two guests joined us. One, Shukri, was an old acquaintance who once played golf with us in Medan when he was working at the Consulate there.

One More for the Album.

We stayed at Radius hotel which is located in the Plaza Wawasan shopping area. It is more of a “generation Y” hotel, which defined a new segment called “lifestyle” hotels: chic, sociable and affordable. It took me a while just to figure out how to operate the shower. At least I got to sleep on bed that night. Unfortunately, sometimes past midnight, an alarm (could be from a parked car or a shop lot) went on and off through the wee hours into the morning. The air conditioning in the room was also faulty. By 4.30am I was ready to check out.

So much for a hip and chic hotel!

Miri, Sarawak, MALAYSIA

July 23, 2008

From Sibu, we moved on to Miri on our project tour schedule in Sarawak. After touching down at the airport, we made our way straight to our warehouse to check on the progress of the project. Then, we checked into Mega Hotel. We upgraded to a suite room for the night, big enough to accommodate all 3 of us. It had one big living room and 2 beds.

After a short rest, we went out for dinner. We had sea food by the sea and it was a good meal, at least to me. I enjoyed my buttered crabs very much. Zack hardly touched the stuffs because of medical reasons. He got gout. Shahrul did not fancy crabs much. So I had them mostly to myself.

I woke up early the next day. Sleeping on the hard floor for the whole night was a bit uncomfortable. We also had an early flight to catch. After breakfast at the hotel, we left for the airport to catch a flight to Kota Kinabalu.

Sibu, Sarawak, MALAYSIA

July 22, 2008

From Kuching, we flew into Sibu after our golf game. It was more of a trip down memory lane for me. I used to frequent Sibu when I was a banker and my sister, Liza was teaching in Durin. I remember Sibu for its umai (Sarawak version of sushi). The place had changed with time.

Sibu Golf Club House

First we went to visit our warehouse to check on the progress of a job we are working on in Sabah and Sarawak. Then, we checked into RH Hotel (part of a billion dollar conglomerate based in Sibu). After a short rest, we headed straight to Restoran Kasturi. Many years ago, I always had my meals of umai, deep fried terubok and midin veggie at the restaurant. They still served the same great food at the same place but at a much higher price. I was taken aback when I saw the bill. RM140 for 6 of us!

After Missing a Birdie on the First, I Drove into the Water on the Second Hole

It was early to bed for the 3 of us. I guess I was fast asleep by 10pm while Sharul was still going through the TV channels. Zack was way ahead in deep sleep. We had breakfast at the nearby Islamic Restaurant serving halal food. It was just like any other mamak restaurant. After breakfast we sent our manager, Philip back to the warehouse and Shahrul took the driver’s seat. Relying on my brand new portable GPS navigator, we headed to Sibu Golf Club.

Another Bad Shot?

Sibu Goolf Club is the only 18-hole golf course in Sibu. I remember having played here once many years ago. This cow grass course was wet and soggy from heavy downpour the night before. We came during the wet season. This short 5,733 yard par 70 course meanders through many ponds that make up its character. Wooden walkways were built crossing the ponds in between holes. This is also a good place to lose balls. Water is in play through most holes.

Another Daunting Task of Crossing Water

I started extremely well hitting the green in 2 for a possible birdie. However, I only managed a par. It was a walking course, a rarity in Malaysian golf. We did enjoy walking very much as it was a good exercise while playing a round of golf. Whenever we had a chance we would walk.

Sibu's flat terrain with waters every where. This is a walking course.

Shahrul on one of the bridges criss-crossing the ponds

Zack played rather well with consistent score. Shahrul had a slow start but managed to post a better second 9. I had my usual yo-yo game except this time I was consistently bad. Anyway, we had a good round.

Finishing in Style.

After the game and shower, we drove into town for lunch. Again, the GPS came in handy. Unfortunately Sibu was partly under water when we arrived in town. The roads were flooded from rising water and we decided to head back to the airport even though we still had more than 4 hours before our flight to Miri. The roads were getting congested with traffic caught in the flood. We did not want to miss our flight.


Flooded Streets of Sibu


The water was rising fast, we headed back to the airport

Kuching, Sarawak, MALAYSIA

July 22, 2008

Sarawak Golf Club: Zack, Lani, Shahrul, yours truly


Shahrul, Zack and I flew into Kuching the night before on our tour of duty around Borneo. We were met at the airport by Awang, one of our vendors. We checked into Holiday Inn Kuching, a preferred hotel by the river front. Then we left for dinner with the other vendors at the famous Top Spot. It was less crowded than before when I used to frequent Kuching.

Getting the game rolling with the club house in the background.

We checked out from our hotel at the wee hours in the morning. We took a cab to the golf course, cramming all our bags into the taxi. We were joined in our flight by Haji Awang Zailani (Lani for Short) for our golf round. He proved to be a better golfer playing a solid 36 in the first nine and 40 in the second. We were struggling as usual.

Shahrul has the more graceful swing amongst the 3 of us.

Lani was in top form

Zack with his swing

My practice swing is always better than the real one.

A not so graceful real shot!

Kelab Golf Sarawak is a 36-hole course located within the city. It has four 9s, Siol, Demak,Matang and Santubong. We played at Demak(3135 metre from blue tee) and Matang (3029 metre). It was rainy season and we were told it rained almost every evening. The fairways were soggy from rain the night before. The weather was golfer’s friendly, with heavy overcast throughout the 18 holes.

Lani continued to play good golf. The 3 of us managed to shoot a birdie each. Zack and I birdied the second Matang hole, a 366 metre par 4. My second shot landed almost within a putter length for an easy birdie. Shahrul got it on the last hole after having a not so good round earlier.

Durian Fiesta, Seremban, N 9, MALAYSIA

July 19, 2008

We were invited by Datuk Iskandar (DI) to a barbecue party inside his durian orchard. It was a late affair, around 10pm, because the idea was to wait for durians to fall while barbecuing. It was a rare opportunity for me to be at a durian orchard considering that I came from a rice farming background up north where fruit orchards were alien to us.

Durian in the Dark

We left office around 8pm. There were 4 of us, Anas, Zack and his son, Maizad. Zack brought along some cut marinated chicken prepared by his wife for the barbecue. I chipped in mineral water.

Raof & his son

When we arrived, we were met by his brother, who told me to move my parked car as it was sitting right under a durian tree. I could not tell as it was too dark to see. When I directed my torchlight toward the tree top I saw a big bunch of big fruits hanging directly above my car. Had they dropped on the car, they would make a big mess of it! A costly aftermath!

Anas & Maizad

From where we parked our car, we walked along a very dark path to a hut in the middle of the 4-acre plus orchard. We had to cross a makeshift bridge over a stream before reaching the hut. Obviously we had to mind our heads for any falling durians! There was already a group of Sri Lankan friends of DI helping themselves to a pile of durians.

DI's Sri Lankan Friends

Faizi, the organizer, was busy getting things ready. Zack, Faizi and DI’s brother started fire for the barbecue. Once the fire was ready, we started our barbecue. We had fish, chicken and otak-otak. Somebody brought nasi lemak. No one would go hungry during our stay at the orchard. Occasionally we would send out a search party to look for fallen durian. Anas and Maizad followed Faizi’s uncle and came back with a handful. I tried my luck but with no success. Anyway we had enough durian to feast on.

Zack & DI's Brother getting the fire going

Anas & Maizad fooling around the "camp fire"

DI, Zack & Faizi. Sharing stories (golf stories most probably)

Camp DI

DI came a bit later after we had our meals. My tummy was already bloated with fermenting durian. We bid DI good bye and headed for home. It was a good outing for us and the kids.