On 17th May, a group of 14 CSC golf section members with 3 guests gathered at the airport for our flight to Indonesia's 2nd largest city of Surabaya. The flight was slightly over 2 hours. We touched down at 0900 (indonesian time), met the transport company and make our way to Finna Golf. The journey of 60km took 3 hours as we need to maneuver through the heavy traffic at Porong Atas caused by the mud leak in October 2006.
We reached Finna Golf at noon and after a quick lunch of "Sop Buntut", we teed off at the scenic, cool mountain course. From
elevated tees,which were formerly rice
paddies, the tee shot is played over traditional rice paddies and fast-flowing stream to a distant manicured green. The signature hole 3 is a strong championship par 4 in the foothilld of Mt. Welirang and Mt. Arjuna while the elevated Par 3, 12th hole is the most picturesque hole of the course. After the game, dinner was at the Pool Cafe. We were treated with BBQ sausages, chicken, beef and many other local delights.We then made our way to Surabaya Centre. This time the traffic was
slightly better and we took about two hours to Surabaya Plaza Hotel.
Day 2, we had breakfast and made our war to Taman Dayu, a two hour bus trip again. Taman Day was rated as one the world's best top 50 course. The colonial structure of the club house sits in the centre of the mountain course and offers a championship quality golf course designed by golf's living legend Jack Nicklaus. It is owned by Philip Morris and managed by Ciputra Land.
After game, we departed for a sumptuous dinner at Javana Ikan Bakar & Seafood. The 2 tables of 17 pax enjoyed the Gurami together with other dishes. After dinner, we returned to Surabaya Plaza Hotel. With some time left before the shops closes, a few of us went to the shopping complex of Surabaya Plaza. We spotted a A&W outlet and we order the infamous Root Beer Float.
On the third day, after breakfast, we headed for Graha Famili. The ride takes about 45 minutes. Graha Famili is a city course with almost perfect manicured greens, fairways and tee boxes. The beautiful 18 holes – 72 pars championship course located in West Surabaya; which original designed by the famous world golfer, Mr. Arnold Palmer - with bunkers, rivers and lakes as hazards will assure you to have an interesting, challenging and pleasurable golfing.
I shot my best game of 87 so you can guess why i like the course.
After the g
ame, we had lunch at the club before heading back to the hotel.On the way back, we stopped by Darmo Factory Outlet. Here branded tee shirts, belts and other apparels are sold at a reasonable price. We also tasted a box of Amanada brownies bought by Teo Hong Mong. Low Yow Yee also bought a box of pandan version of the brownies. In the late afternoon, a few of us ventured to Tunjungan Plaza, an old haunt which i was familiar with during my last visits. I went to the money changer to get some local currency to pay the transport company. It cost Rp8,000,000 or about $1,200 for a 4-day package. Some of the group prefer to venture to massage spa instead. We end up having dinner at Tunjungan Plaza with yes, Sop Buntut, satay, ikan bakar, bakso and other local delights. After dinner, we head for Surabaya Plaza and found a massage spa. Richard and myself pampered our bodies with body massage, foot reflexology and head & shoulders treatment. We gather at the lobby lounge at Surabaya Plaza Hotel for our evening drinks.
The last game was at Ciputra Golf. Again a city course, the journey
takes between 30-45 mins.
The course was designed by Andy Dye, a world class golf course designer. 125 hectares of beautifully sculpted fairways and greens, designed to be the venue for regional and international tournaments. It opens 7 days a week, having 27 holes with 3 different golf course atmospheres, par 108 with length of 9,145 meters. After the game, we headed to the airport enroute to a Amanda cake shop where most of us bought boxes of brownies to take home as "Peace offerings".Left Juanda airport, Surabaya for home, Singapore and arrived at 2200.
4 hectic and fun days of golf with challenging golf courses, mixed with mountains and city with good local Javanese food to top the flavour.
Overall, good trip....
