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Dec
09
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HSBC IN SINGAPORE:
8am:
Following the Lexus Cup, I was asked to stay in Singapore an extra day to launch the 2009 HSBC Champions event. It is considered Asia’s major and has the top 60 players in the world. A fun and easy day where we have a press conference lunch with sponsors and guests and then I was off to play 3 holes with 6 groups. Tuesday At 5pm I headed to the airport. I travel to multiple cities every week and sometimes a few countries. I had no idea what my trip was going to be like when I stepped onto the plane at 7pm for the 14 hour flight to LAX and the short flight to Las Vegas. I was scheduled to be home Tuesday night at my house at 7pm.
I had a stop at Hong Kong, China and I was supposed to change planes. Unfortunately the flight left late and I missed my connection. I landed into China at midnight and the airport was closing. They could not re-book me until 9am the final morning. Thankfully in the States it was noon and my team at IMG answered the phone. Emily from the Cleveland office and Claudine from the Singapore office went to work to try and re book me. At 10 am the next morning I was confirmed with a new itinerary that would now leave Hong Kong at 2:10 local time and arrive in San Francisco Wednesday at 10am, then hop a short flight back home to Vegas!
I boarded the plane with my magazines and books in hand, only to face a four hour delay on the runway…tech difficulties. All 300 passengers then have to de –plane and change planes then re board at 6pm. So at 7pm we were wheels up and heading back to the USA. The only issue was once I landed I would miss the connection and have to re book a flight once I landed and cleared customs. So after a great 12 hour flight that included 9 hours of sleep, and plenty of time to catch up on movies I had missed and TV shows (Entourage, House, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, and Greys Anatomy) we landed in SF at 2pm on Wednesday. It took around an hour to clear customs and get luggage. I travel with a massive suitcase and my 75 pound golf bag and a carry on. I get re booked on a 4:40 flight to Las Vegas. For everyone that has traveled internationally and then domestic you can appreciate the challenge of changing terminals. Since I was on a new flight I did not get to check my bags straight through and proceed to go on three elevators, two escalators, one tram and change terminals to get to the domestic terminal. The SF airport is HUGE!!!!! All with my golf bag and suitcases. It was comical I wish I was traveling with someone so we could laugh at the situation and struggles of the trip together. Finally I got to the domestic check in and went to security. I was of course an ssss because I had traveled from outside the USA and then to the gate. I arrive into last Vegas at 6pm and back to baggage claim again. The great news is that I did not loose a bag, and finally arrived at my lake Las Vegas home at 7:30.
I have traveled to 25 countries in 2007 and spend most weeks away from home on tour and doing appearances. This trip was definitely a challenge. I don’t have any more international trips this year. This week I will work with butch, play a few charity events and play with the contest winner of the RSM McGladrey Essay contest. I am so excited to be back at home and back in the USA!
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Tags: Natalie Gulbis, LPGA, Golf, Golf Calendar,natalie gulbis, conference lunch, singapore office, hong kong china, cleveland office, hsbc champions, claudine, book a flight, entourage, plenty of time, 2pm, next morning, itinerary, 6pm, 5pm, anatomy, lexus, planes, tuesday night, customs
