2006/07 Annual Report - Melbourne Cricket Club

MCC XXIX CLUB ASIAN TOUR APRIL 3-15, 2007Kuala LumpurDay 1.With everyone arriving at Tullamarine armed with willow and golf clubs, there was only one member that had anydelay boarding the plane. This tourist (let us say “John”) had had his boarding pass taken on board by hiscolleague (let’s say “Dalton” attempting to have 2 seats adjoining on a full flight). After much ado “John” wasissued with another boarding pass, and the flight was able to get away, with him in his seat.Within no time the party had arrived at KL airport and as we loaded ourselves onto the coaches, we could see arare phenomenon “a sprinkle of rain”. The Coaches called in at the Kinrara Cricket Oval on the way to the hotel,where the cricketers could examine the battlefield well in advance.After checking into our hotel, the afternoon was free time for relaxing or for a quick coach tour of KL. The tourtook in the King’s Palace, The National mosque, War Memorial, The Moorish Architecture railway station, andthe Sultan Abdul Samad building that at its rear has the junction of the rivers from where KL gains its name.As the weather was quite humid, some of the touring party had a refreshing dip in the hotel pool, to find that theskies opened up and it rained for 4 solid hours.The evening was spent at the Royal Selangor Club, where somereminiscing, with our hosts took place, for the 4 touring membersthat played on the Pedang oval back in 1996 tour. Drink and foodbeing purchased by coupons meant a fun night of adopting the localclub rules of tender. The rumour has it that Barry Anderson hasenough coupons left over for the next tour.The partygoers were still keen for refreshments in the “BroadwayBar” back at the hotel into the early hours teaching the locals somenew dance steps.Day 2.In talking to Bob Edmends he commented that “Golf has become a significant part of these tours in recent yearsand this year was no exception. Malaysia was a new venture for most of the golfers and Kuala Lumpur has anumber of golf facilities in and around the city. Our golfing group varied in numbers and we were able to play atKuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, Royal Selangor Golf Club and Kinrara Golf Club and were well receivedand entertained at each venue”.The sightseers were taken on a tour around Kuala Lumpur and surrounds including the Batu Caves, a Bakitfactory, and the Selangor Pewter factory and The Petronas Twin Towers photo point.In the evening we all gathered for dinner at the revolving restaurant at the KL Tower, which provided amagnificent fare and panoramic views all over the city skyline.Day 3.The day commenced with a tour of the Petronas Twin Towers and viewing from its Sky Bridge on the 41 st floor.In the afternoon the ladies enjoyed high tea at the governor’s cottage and a shopping tour hosted by the ladiesfrom the Kelawar Cricket Club.22