Day 13: 1/27/99

It's so exciting to get another mail from a Kili trip participant. Doyle is from Monte Carlo and has convinced seven other people to come on the same trip! In fact, he has done the hike before in 1989, and also went on a safari with Clive in 1991--which is the same year that we saw Kili from Amboseli and got the idea to go hiking. Such a coincidence.

I cleaned house today. I figure I have to do something constructive other than just shopping at REI, exercising, and playing golf. I actually always enjoy cleaning house because I get to listen to my music CDs (in this case Gloria Estefan and Shania Twain) and also think about stuff. It's very therapeutic. Even though Rondo is such a smart dog; however, I have not taught him how to clean house yet. What a pity. In fact, he does not even pick up his toys after he is done.

Click on the panoramic image for a larger view. The highlight of the day was playing the Palm course at Sunol Valley Golf Club. It was a beautiful, sunny, and clear day with a slight breeze. The ground is pretty muddy from all the recent rain. It's a bargain as I have to pay only $24 during the weekday without cart. (The weekend rate of $50 with cart mandatory is pretty steep.) The front 9 I had pretty good drives and iron shots. I just could not putt on that fast green; all my balls passed the hole by more than 5 feet. The back 9 is very long and challenging. I lost at least 3 balls. It was fun though. I  played with three other players. Mark was a real long hitter and has been playing since he was 8 years old since his grand father was the marshal at the old Hayward golf course, which is getting rebuilt into a 9-hole pitch and putt. All in all, it was a great day. The swing thought of the day:

Click here for another panoramic shot.

Look at the stir-fried garlic black tiger prawns with cashew nuts (it's one of those Stephen Woo's special recipes that can never be repeated for the rest of my life :-)