Kuching Golf Tour - 2017 Mar 27-30

A  group of KRTU golfers just returned from their Kuching golf trip,  the feedback from them was simply "the courses were very well maintained, very nice to play!" Almost immediately we have decided to book our next flight off to Kuching, spurred on by the fact that the 3 courses in Kuching are all affiliated to KRTU also.

Fortunately, Malindo Air, our first choice economy airline;  was also having a promotion fare, so the decision was made quick and easy. 7 of us made the trip, ie Lee, Lim, Alex, Liaw, Khoo , David and John, a new comer to our group.

Mar 27 - we arrived at Kuching airport just passed 9.00am. For this trip, we have decided to make all the tour arrangement ourselves without going through an agent. Through the efforts of Lim and David, we managed to find a 14-seaters Toyota Van for RM630 for our use from 27-30. Only condition is that we have to find our own driver  and top up petrol on our expenses. Lim was appointed the driver throughout the journey, and with the help of WAZE, it was not that difficult to get around to the places we wanted to go. Big thank you to Lim.

Day 1. Kota Samarahan Golf Club - it took just less than 1/2 hr from airport to the GC. Few of us had played this course 3 years ago and it used to be called UNIMAS golf course. The courses condition is superb - well maintained fairway and greens, coupled with a very tight layout and fast green. It was tough going for almost all of us and many balls found the ponds and uncut bushes beyond the fairway. We had dinner at See Good Restaurant, but came out feeling "conned!", since the bill came up to almost RM50 per head!

Mar 28 - today we have decided to play Damai Golf CC., which is about an hour drive from our hotel. The course condition is good, except the ground bit of soggy as it has been raining lately. Maybe just an excuse for not coming back with good scores!
For lunch, we had planned to go to Masa-Ria Seafood Restaurant, which is located closed to a river mouth very near to Damai. However, the shop was closed when we arrived so we went to 88 Seafood. Food was good and price reasonable at about RM 18 per head.
For dinner, we went to Lepau Restaurant, which serves a fusion of Malaysian and Dayak  food. We had the first taste of brown rice, only grow in the mountains of Sarawak. There was also a live solo performance of traditional Dayak music and dance.

David - took this photo

Kim Sun - the photograher

Mar 29 - the last day golf was played at Sarawak GCC, which has 36 holes. But  with feedback from the previous group, we have specifically asked for the championship nines. We were not disappointed. Again, most of us did not find our game! For lunch, we had decided to go back to the seafood restaurant which we visited yesterday. We ordered crabs and a freshwater fish Called Bulan probably from a Tarpon family. The fresh, though sweet, is entangled in webs of tiny bones. Eat at your own risk!  Surely the price went up, at about RM30 per head.

Sarawak GCC

No golf tour is complete without beer! Walking around China Town, we found this pub called "Big Bottles". This pub is unique in the sense that its like a mini-market of liquor store. All the beers are arranged nicely in the refrigerators, with price tag for each bottle. Just need to bring a shopping basket, pick the beers and pay at the counters. 3 cheers to this DIY concept!

 

 

Mar 30 - since our flight departs about 1420hrs, few went to recce the wet market in the morning and eventually all ended up having an hour massage before we say goodbye to Kuching.


Summary;

Accommodation -  searching the web, we managed to find a little nice and clean hotel just 5 minute walk to  China Town.  Lot 10 Boutique Hotel, is just what we needed. For RM110 per night, which comes with a reasonable breakfast, nobody should asked for more!


Golf:
 1. Overall champion - Lim, who easily walked away with 10 points ahead of the pack.
 2. Second place - Lee, T3 - David & Alex, just 1 point behind

Massage:
 1. Da Shi  Xiong at Jalan Sekama - cheap and good at RM38/hr for body and RM18/hr for
     foot. Must come place!

Transport:
14-seaters Toyota Hi-lux Van, self drive
Contact: Jessica Min T +60 11 10508539

Expenses/head:
 1. Air ticket - RM 158 + 30, travel insurance separately bought from AXA.
 2. Room     - RM 330 for 3 nights
 3. Golf        - RM 120 (buggy for 3 GC), all clubs affiliated to KRTU
 4. Food & Transport - RM 500