Last day in Malaysia

Had a lovely long sleep in today, then a leisurely buffet breakfast . Caught the hotel shuttle bus at 10:30am which dropped us off at KLCC. We walked from there over to Pavilion where I wanted to go into Bata shoes again. They didn't have what I wanted so we made our way back through all the centres again. They are so big there is even a BMW outlet!



We walked down to the Irish Pub we had found on the Internet to make sure they were showing the Rugby later, then headed back upto Bukit Bintang shopping centre. Sean was the shopping demon this trip, he got heaps. I found another Bata shop and got 2 pairs of shoes and also managed to find a matching wallet for my bag :-)


Walked back to the pub to watch NZ v. Argentina then Australia v. South Africa . Had a lovely late pub lunch. Taxi to KLCC to pick up return shuttle, last wander around shops and a yummy ice cream to finish off. Interesting to watch the ladies in full burqa eating and drinking when out, there is a big world out here with so much to learn and observe.

Well, I have thoroughly enjoyed our holiday. KL is very nice but really only for a 1-3 day stop over, unless like us you are able to indulge in a specific interest like golf, then it is amazing :-) Everything is very cheap here, food especially. The shopping is great, something for everyone - multiple sizes too unlike China. Particularly good for shoes. Even the stuff in the high end shopping malls is still way cheaper than at home. Kota Kinabalu was definitely the spot for a "holiday", also very affordable and heaps for everyone to do.

Back at the hotel, All Blacks won, Wallabies lost (again) and we have a new Liberal Prime Minister - a lot has happened today. Watching Sean trying to stuff our cases full (mostly his shopping I must add!!!!) - I think we will have to sit on them - lol :-)

Bye bye Malaysia
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Location:Changkat Bukit Bintang,Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Day 9 - The Mines

Up early again, quick breakfast then caught a taxi to The Mines. It was only a short 20 min drive but sometimes the traffic can be pretty bad so we left extra time. Murphy's law though, no traffic at all today so we arrived early :-) left our bags at the hotel (The Palace of the Dancing Horse) and got the shuttle over to the golf course.










This was the course that Karrie Webb and Rachel Hetherington won their World Cup event at in 1999. The Malaysian Open has been moved to KLGCC as well, but it is very beautiful, with both 9's being quite different.



Our caddy was great, very good at reading the greens. We both played ok, Sean ended up with 30 points and I had 28, including a Par on a Par 5 where the club flew out of my hands on the 4th shot, but the ball amazingly finished 3 feet from the pin or an easy par putt!!!










We stayed after and had some lunch then checked in to the hotel officially, we upgraded to the "Dignitaries Floor" - whatever that means! Planned to have a quiet afternoon by the pool. The pool area was not as good as the previous 2 hotels so we only stayed an hour or so then went back to our room for a bit of a rest - we have been on the go since we arrived so it was nice to sit and read a book for a change.




Dinner was a buffet which was ok, then we sat in the lobby bar for a drink and listened to some live music. Off to bed now, sleep in tomorrow, into KL in afternoon to watch the Rugby.

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Location:Lebuhraya Sungai Besi,Petaling,Malaysia

Day 8 - rain and shopping

Up early to get a taxi out to the golf course, looked overcast but was not raining when we left. By the time we arrived half an hour later it was pouring rain, and there was thunder and lightening too.



The siren was sounded and the course was closed. We sat around until 10am but it was still raining (less heavily) and they planned to reopen the course once the green keepers had been out and attended to the greens. However, there were still loads of members to tee off before us so we decided to give it a miss and return to KL.

Dropped off the clubs and caught the light rail to Central Markets (waste of time, full of cheap souvenir's and rubbish). Moved on to China Town, which could easily have been the Ladies Market in Hong Kong just picked up and moved here. Same stuff, same annoying stall holders trying to get you to buy their stuff etc..



After there we caught the train to KLCC - it takes you to the huge shopping mall under the Petronas Twin Towers. Very very high end shops in there, from Rolex to Miu Miu to Burberry, Versace, Tiffany's etc... There were also all the other shops that we had seen in the other mall's too. Had lunch there then walked through the park to the Traders Hotel. Went upto 33rd floor to the pool area where we had a great view of the Towers.





Had a drink there then walked to Monorail and went 2 stops to Times Square Mall. There is an amusement park in the middle of it! Went to look at a couple of specific shops. I did manage to find a beautiful handbag (of course), it was calling for me to buy it, so it is now packed in my case ready to bring home to a new loving family of fellow bags :-)))))))

Back to the hotel, down to the pool area for a swim and a drink before dinner. Showered and off to one of the hotel restaurants - Italian food which was absolutely lovely. The tiramisu for dessert was divine!



Back to our room to pack our bags as we are heading to The Mines resort for our last 2 nights. You can only play golf there if you stay there. Looking forward to it :-)
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Location:Jalan Stesen Sentral,Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Day 7 - Kuala Lumpur

Up early, left hotel at 6:30am to play golf with Linda and Rick at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. Rick kindly picked us up. Had breakfast there then made our way to the tee for a 7:40am start.



Wow, this has to be one of the most beautiful golf courses I have ever played. It was also one of the most challenging, just about every shot you play is from an uneven lie, either uphill, downhill or sideways and the rough was so thick it was nearly impossible to hit out of. The course is being prepared for a US PGA event next month, so it was in immaculate condition.









Whilst I didn't play very well, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the experience, and it will stay in my mind as a happy day for a long time to come. Our caddies were awesome, in fact our friend Raj's old caddie came along today specially for us, he was wonderful, I want to take him home with me to caddy for me at RQ :-)












Linda and Rick were great company and everyone of us had our shining moments with good shots or par's. Linda finished with a 4 pointer which was great.

We stayed for lunch (best curry puffs - yum) then headed back to the hotel for a shower and change before walking to the monorail to go to Bukit Bintang for some retail therapy. The monorail was very slow, it sat at one station or 15 mins! - note to self, get a taxi, it is quicker!

We walked through Fahrenheit 88 centre, Pavilion and then Bukit Bintang centre. Sean actually did most of the shopping today, he got jeans and shoes. I managed to get a couple of things I needed too :-) There is still a beautiful handbag out there waiting for me somewhere though, I jut couldn't decide which one today !






These are the "flag men" - dummies who's arm moves up and down waving the flag


My right knee (old knee) and back got sore so it was time to get a taxi home - exhausted now, time for a long sleep


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Location:Jalan Stesen Sentral,Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Day 6 - Elephant heaven

Had a bit of a sleep in, breakfast in club lounge then caught the train to Mid Valley shopping Centre. Shops are open 10am - 10pm, like in HK. We only had a couple of hours so it was only a brief look. I bought an adaptor for my iPad/camera, a pair of golf trousers and some anti-frizz for my hair (the humidity is playing havoc with it!). Weather today was much cooler and less humid, had an afternoon shower but overall very nice.






Back to hotel to meet our driver who was taking us 90 minutes into the Highlands to the National Elephant Conservation Centre (Kuala Gandah). We arrived in time for a short show of the training the elephants get ie: lifting up a foot for medical checks etc.. We then watched the big elephants have a swim, then it was my turn to swim with the baby elephant. Sean took the pics because he didn't want to swim in the dirty water, but I wasn't going to miss an opportunity like that, so in I went!



The water was surprisingly cold....





I got to wash his back and then we had a big water fight, great fun and an experience I won't forget. They had an elephant there who had a foot blown off by a mine and another with no tail from a Tiger attack. These elephants are well cared for and loved. The younger babies are rehabilitated and returned to the jungles or protected areas. We fed them a bit more then after a quick shower we returned to KL, where I had a much longer shower with loads of soap :-)

We got ready and headed out to meet the lovely Linda and Rick who were introduced to us by the equally lovely Raj and Sengar. We had a really nice meal at the Pressroom and are looking forward to playing golf with them tomorrow at KLGCC.

Home to bed with happy elephant memories :-)

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Location:Jalan Stesen Sentral,Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

Day 5 - KK to KL

Up early to play the final 18 holes of the Sutera Harbour Golf Course. Breakfast and a 2 minute drive in the free shuttle to the golf course.

We had spoken with the "bookings" lady last Thursday when we played the Garden 9 to ensure that we could play the remaining Lakes and Heritage 9's today. She assured us that was fine. When we arrived this morning the starter informed us that the Heritage 9 was closed today for maintenance! After explaining our situation, we got permission from the course superintendent to play the Heritage 9 - yeah! They just wanted to check first that we were not smokers as they had been spraying chemicals!! - no worries on that count from either of us :-)

The Lakes 9 was pretty and even though I started poorly I ended up with 17 points, thanks to a 4 pointer on the 9th. Sean had 16 points, so we were both hitting the ball ok.



We were very glad to play the Heritage 9 next as it was by far the most scenic f the three. There were water views, city views and then around the other side also ocean views - very interesting holes and bunkering too. Sean finished with 33 and I had 31 so not bad all round :-)









It was very hot today, no clouds at all until nearly finished. You just get used to it I suppose because it hasn't worried me at all, you just get used to the sweat dripping constantly and as long as it is not in your eyes you don't worry about it. I should enjoy our QLD summer much more this year, I hope !!!!!

Had a late check out so back to hotel for shower and change. Checked out of our room and left luggage stored for a couple of hours, then headed to the beach bar for a nice long lazy lunch.

Taxi to airport, checked in, beeped through security, told them it was my knee but still got a pat down from security! Amazing shop here, Frozen or dried seafood and birds nest shop - they wrap your frozen fish in newspaper for the flight!



Good flight, nice chicken curry for dinner. Coming in to land and we hear a mobile phone ringing behind us, the guy proceeded to answer his phone and have a lovely chat to his friend whilst the plane descended!!

Got the express train to KL Sentrel - checked into Le Meridien which is above the station. Much smaller room than in KK but still very nice. Sleep in tomorrow, shopping in the morning, elephant orphanage tomorrow afternoon then dinner with Linda and Rick tomorrow night.


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Day 4 - KK (as the local's call Kota Kinabalu)

Another early start, definitely better playing golf early in the day, then having some down time by the pool in the afternoon :-) breakfast then off in our rent a wreck to the Nexus Golf Resort. It is about 7km from Dalit Bay where we played yesterday, so about 45-50min drive.



Yet another very beautiful golf course in excellent condition. The bougainvillea were out so it was all very pretty too. Sean played excellent golf today, putting like a pro, he had 36 points, including a 4 pointer on the last !. I had a had a bad day today, just couldn't get it together. We also got stuck behind 3 idiots who could not play golf let alone follow any etiquette - they would run into bunkers, hit their ball (3 or 4 times) then run out without raking, they didn't repair divots - and also would not let us pay through. As all my golfing friends know, I HATE slow play at the best of times!















Definitely becoming acclimatised to the humidity. Clear blue skies again today so it was very hot. There was a nice breeze too. Despite layers of sunblock I am slightly burnt today, I think I just sweat the cream off as soon as it is applied :-)








Had a nice lunch there afterwards,I had Nasi Goreng which was yummy. Sean had satay which was also great :-) Headed back into town. You have to love how detailed their council workers get with the topiary on the median strips! Decided to stop at the markets to see if there was anything worth buying - there was not! Shopping planned for KL, although I did buy a golf shirt today :-)








Markets




Topiary




Back to hotel, dropped off hire car and headed to the pool for a cool down and an ice cream sundae as a treat. Very relaxing part of the day.




Another beautiful sunset tonight, brilliant colours








Headed over to the Marina for dinner. I had Beef Rendang which was lovely. Sean had fish and chips ...... Eventually, as the brought him the wrong meal originally. Very muggy tonight, still 30 degrees at 8pm, no rain yet tonight!




Tomorrow we are playing the remaining 18 holes here at Sutera Harbour, then heading to KL in the afternoon.
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Location:Jalan Singkat Sutera,Kota Kinabalu,Malaysia