It was supposed to be a farewell trip to a golfing friend, Datuk Iskandar. Unfortunately he had to report for duty as the new Malaysian Ambassador to China on the 11th. Since we had already bought tickets, we did not let it come to waste. So, another trip to Medan.
Two days after coming back from Shanghai and still nursing the cold I caught there, I was back to hitting balls. This time in Medan. First on our Medan Tour, right after arrival, was Royal Sumatera GC.
Flight mates @ Royal Sumatera GC. From left, Datuk Puad, Datuk Rosli, me, Not Yet Datuk Haji Amir, Datuk Mohd Noor. Datuk Rosli was the Tiger Wood of the group sweeping the top spot and the purse money almost everyday.
Royal's last hole. Of all the golf courses in Medan, Royal Sumatera came up top in my list. It has character and there are buggies for spoilt golfers like us.
We had lunch at this restaurant before a golf round at Graha. This place is famous for its soup and daging bakar (grilled beef). It was palatable.
On the second day we played at Graha Metropolitan Golf Club. It is a walking course. Perhaps it is a bit too much for a group of old men. Haji Amir taking a rest under the shade of the palm trees. I guess I was the fittest in the group. I also won the pool.
My caddy, Armayanti. She was such a good caddy that I played my best game ever in one nine. I got 6 pars. Unfortunately, for the second nine, I was back to my normal game of being consistently inconsistent. I blame it on walking in the mid day heat.
Queuing for the Huangpo River cruise. There was a big crowd pushing us. I let out a big, very smelly fart. The Japanese lady behind me had to back out for fresh air. Anas had a big laugh out of this. Anyway, it was unintentional. I was having problems with my tummy. It could be due to the tea I was taking in big quantity. A new experience for a coffee drinker.
Male Sailors on Deck. Against the backdrop of New Shanghai.
Pearl Shopping Time
It was Chinese Traditional Medicines' turn. We were given a good leg massage while the doctors, professors and experts tried very hard to sell their medicines. I was diagnosed with liver problems and recommended to buy some medicines. The last time in Beijing, there was something to do with my lungs. I fell for it and bought about 4000 Yuan worth of medicines which I ended up not taking. This time I was wiser. Somehow, the person who massaged my legs lost interest in me when I told her I did not have that kind of money. No money no honey, I guess! 
Our bus driver got loss looking for this Muslim Restaurant. Bob, our guide called the restaurant owner to come and fetch us.
Dinner Time
Nanjing Road, where all the branded names are.
Shanghai Airlines Travel Hotel (SAL Travel Hotel), our hotel in Shanghai. When we booked the tour, we were promised in writings of staying in Holiday Inn Express Wujiaochang or similar hotel. SAL Travel Hotel was obviously not Holiday Inn. I am not sure whether it was similar. On our last day, there was little chance of last minute shopping or any other activity since we were in the city's outskirt.
Our Big Group leaving for home. Pudong Airport
Phoenix Mosque. Also known as Hangzhou Phoenix Temple. It was established in middle Tang Dynasty, destroyed in late Song Dynasty and rebuilt in Yuan Dynasty.
Look who's coming to dinner? My favourite agenda on the tour itinerary
Spring Time
Show Time at the Song Dynasty Theater. My Tea Lady.
Xin Xi Lai Hotel, Hangzhou
Good spring experience
A stroll around the West lake in the cold.
West Lake is a very picturesque location.
The boat cruise on West Lake. It was cold and damp. Not a good day for photo outings.
West lake, the next day. It was bright and sunny. We decided to visit West Lake again for photo opportunities that we didn't have the day earlier due to the weather.
West Lake on a clearer day
Lunch time. Another Muslim Restaurant with good, authentic Chinese foods.
At the Tea Plantation
Green tea. Good for health. Good anti oxidant.
Tea picking. Here I learned that they picked only the shoots of the tea leaves. Early spring gives the best tea quality and we were there in early spring. Price could reach as high as 2000 Yuan a kilo. We bought half a kilo. The sales lady managed to convince us, coffee drinkers, to drink tea instead. More healthy, so she said. 
Travelling mates. Some were above 70 years old. Most were from Seremban. It was quite a big group of more than 20 people! Seen here with Razak, 71 years old strong (left). He is the father of our Tour Manager from Reliance, Aniza. Goh, the only Chinese in our Muslim Tour group is second from left.
Suzhou's only mosque, Tai Ping Fang Mosque. No Muslim tour to China is complete without a visit to a mosque.
Lion Grove Garden. It belonged to a rich family but taken over by the communist government. It is one of the four most famous gardens of ancient classical style in Suzhou. It survived from the end of Yuan Dynasty. It is a combination of Chinese architecture, rock and plant garden.
Anas in the Garden
Me in Circle
One for the album. At a canal in Qili Shantang River town.
One of Suzhou's many canals
Snowy Sea Hotel, our hotel in Suzhou. It was like a commune hotel.
Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory. It is a one stop centre for silk complete with fashion show to showcase silk clothings. The models were a bit over the age limit. Ton went on a shopping spree assisted by the local guide Amy. She bought silk beddings that were supposed to be good for rheumatism and arthritis. They came with heavy price tags but Amy kept reminding the group that in KLCC one bed cover alone costs RM752. We blew a few thousands Yuans.
Bob and the bus that ferried us around the places during our tour.
Starbuck, Chinese style. It was a bit too cold outside. We went in for a cuppa. A typical latte cost RMB24.
The family in Old Shanghai.
It was meal time. The lunch, as with the rest of the meals during the trip, was a sumptuous affair, with eight to ten courses. It was quite a feast and the meals were halal, good and plentiful. It was really something that I looked forward to and enjoyed very much.
The Ship
Up
Up
And Away
Putting on the truck
Ready to be taken to the railways.