After all the year end celebrations that we recently had in the Klang Valley, in particular the Merry Christmas and the welcoming of the New Year-2009, we the members of S2U did look forward for get-away places, anywhere as long it is away from the buzzing and hazy traffic/crowd of KL.
Fingering through the past experience of outings and places that S2U had ventured upon, Cameron Highlands was strongly proposed and recommended for. i.e. the place for total rest and retreat. What more with its spectacular views and surrounding not forgetting its ever rich cool fresh air.
On the contrary, Cameron do have its weak points......yes, the unpredictable rainfall. This could hamper the golf course one way or the other especially the fairways that undoubtedly do need a close study and come-up with some major kind of a proper drainage system.
Whatever, after some deliberations and weighing on the pros and cons, Cameron still it is, come what may!
So, on the pre-arranged morning of Tuesday, saw four cars all from different parts of KL/PJ/Subang plying around picking-up the S2U members. Andy covering the southern portion of KL picked-up Willie and Steve. Allen shoot-off to collect Mike. From PJ Gary to pick Charlie and William in the fourth car coming from Subang. All to RV by 0900 hrs at the pre-selected Rawang Rest Area for breakfast.
Suddenly, there was a changed of plan. Andy received a SMS from Charlie..."..all to proceed to CH, Gary and I'll see you all there...."
Not to hamper the earlier plan, all of us less Gary and Charlie, did stop at the Rawang Rest Area and had a hearty breakfast Our ever smiling William zoomed-in and apart from bringing his other half, he brought along the tasteful and irresistible home-made pau and kuih koci. Specially baked by his wonderful wife....that was really something to fill up the ever waiting empty stomach and also something to remember for a long while. But at the same time we did realise how lucky we were for if Gary was around, sudah tentu.....tak cukup lah....
By noon, in a convoy of three cars, not forgetting from time to time checking on Charlie of his location.....all the answers we received was.."...on the way...", we made it to CH and straight away made a bee-line to check-in at our warm and cozy accommodation at Tanah Rata - The Heritage.
Next we back track to the food court at Brinchang for our much needed lunch after that long nice drive along the North-bound Highway before branching off at Simpang Pulai for the gradual long climb to Brinchang and Tanah Rata.
For lunch it was a deserving Chinese and Kampong Fried Rice. Again, we checked with Charlie of his latest location and was given the same answer....on the way....( but where?....not mentioned ). Later we found-out both Charlie and Gary in the same car, only left KL at about 1430 hrs!! Anyway, giving them benefit of the doubt, they were held-up by some business commitment.
After a short nab, at 1630 hrs we were all at the Cameron Highlands Golf Club for our 9 rounds of a warm-up. Breaking-up into two flights of threes, we tee-off just before 1700 hrs - in fact after 1700 hrs golfers only have to pay the half rate. This was a good policy in attracting more golfers to play before the last light.
The weather that afternoon was marvelous. The sun somehow stayed with us after having disappeared during the earlier morning downpour. From the faces shown I felt all of us were satisfied with that 9 hole warm-up outing. During our teh-tarik gathering after the game, we were approached and fortunate to be introduced to the Cameron Highlands Club President cum District Officer, Datuk Mohd Noh. He was a very friendly and pleasant person to talk to.
Whilst we were cooling down and enjoying the evening at the car park of our residence, suddenly a much recognized cream colour-like Mercedes whizzed in. Yo.....our live wire Gary and his close-buddy Charlie had at long last arrived!
Practically all of us were at our level best and couldn't wait to voice out to both of them of what they had missed that day. But hey, they seemed not the least perturbed instead typical of Gary and Charlie to just laugh it off and took it as a big joke! Yeah, the joke was on me (us) I supposed.
Anyway, that evening after a good warm bath ( I don't remember anybody having a cold shower ) at our hide-out, we were warmly dressed and ready for our dinner. The temperature that evening suddenly came down without much warning. It was undoubtedly pretty cold. We could feel it.....brrrrr.....sejuk bah. So we did eye for a good warm dinner nearby - Tanah Rata, one of the mamak restaurant....not realising we were heading for another joke of the day!
Each one of us ordered our own choice of Indian cuisine. Was it good? To my memory, no one really commented on their selection of food whether it was good or otherwise not until the settling of the bill.
Charlie and Willie (S2U auditor) thoroughly screened through the bill.....and suddenly uttered ......".....what?....RM 3.00 for a half cucumber.....ayo.....gila kah?....."
It was referred to the mamak boss at the front counter on the ridiculous cost of the cucumber (apparently the cucumber was earlier hijacked by Gary from the kitchen). To the surprised of everyone, the young and narrow minded boss stood firmed and demanded the payment of the cucumber without any single reduction!
Wow, you should see the face of Gary then.....the ever smiling macho suddenly turned reddish 1st degree murder! Outside the restaurant through his teeth and heavy breath, Gary uttered that would be his last time he set foot in that mamak shop (....wonder what sort of bad luck cursed onto the mamak restaurant set by Gary that evening!!......don't play play....).
Due to the unpleasant encounter of the third kind I supposed, all of us decided to pipe-down early that evening. Furthermore it had been a tiring day if not a funny one too and not forgetting it was really a cold night especially to those sleeping alone in Cameron Highlands!
The next morning, breakfast at Kumar's in Tanah Rata with Willie ordering the special nasi lemak and the rest consuming the roti kahwin, roti canai, telur rebus, teh-tarik, kopi-tarik,etc.
By 0845 hrs in our white S2U attire, we were all geared-up for the round of golf at the Cameron Highlands Golf Club. Mike the golf organiser, listed all of us into two flights - 1st flt - Gary, Charlie, William and Andy. 2nd flt - Mike, Steve, Willie and Allen.
The weather again was on our side. Everyone with a caddie each were happy to have a go in that morning outing. It started well with basically everyone teeing-off well not until the second hole when apparently Gary and Charlie were going head-to-head hole-by-hole and the so called friendly tee-off suddenly doesn't look that friendly anymore.
Gary's tee-off on a par 4 landed him in a bunker. No big deal until Gary discovered it was filled with water/mud. He requested for a free lift. Charlie adamantly (just like the mamak the night earlier) said nahi....no way. So, from there on both of them were really going for each others throats. William, on the other hand and truly a real gentlemen and so happened to be in the same flight, was smiling to himself on the commotion set by the two and managed to give a wink at Andy ..... macam-macam ada ya....
Meanwhile, on the other flight, apparently another outburst was reported....Steve pacing the fairways with his umbrella suddenly had his payong hit by gust of wind and was seen flying into the fast flowing river nearby! The entire flight of four golfers had to hastily scramble as to join hands hanging from the steep bank in trying to recover the almost missing umbrella. It sure sounded like one of the Mr Beans comical movies!
Anyway, the only set-back the entire humorous scene believe it or not was not recorded on camera! But one thing for sure, the Orang Asli caddies couldn't help laughing of what these KL golfers were creating on the golf course! .....itu baru payongnya yang terbang....bagaimana kalau seluarnya yang terbang....kah kah kah......
For lunch after the unforgettable round of golf, we had our makan at the temporary club house. It was rather a quick lunch before heading back to The Heritage at Tanah Rata for a nice bath and a good rest......yes, what a day it was....phew!
In fact during our grueling encounters on the golf course, Capt Zainal did drop over to say hello and apologised for being unable to join us for dinner that night. He was having some guests to attend to at home. So, not to worry, its the next time Zainal, we'll catch-up with you!
That night, for dinner, we had it at the same outlet with the same selection of choice....yes, the steam boat. It was well prepared, served and consumed by the 8 hungry golfers. The whole ceremony was more or less controlled by Gary, the makan expertise! The joke for the night undoubtedly and unfortunately was the sad tale of the RM 3.00 cucumber!
After dinner, with the absence of our Karaoke King, Kelvin Kong, everybody decided to have another quiet and sober evening, therefore its an early bed time again. In a way, it was good for we had a long journey home the next day.
Yes, we do have another good outing in the Cameron Highlands but we certainly missed our S2U President Kelvin Kong for being unable to make it on the doctor's advice. It would certainly be the next time in store for all of us as to tee-off together again.....to all those members of S2U that made things happen, thank you and God bless.........take care.
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