We arrived at the new airport in Bali mid morning after
transiting in Singapore after a 7 hour flight from Brisbane the night before.
The excitement was overriding our tiredness as we smoothly passed the VOA
counter, immigration and onto baggage collection. My wife's suitcase came out
followed by my 5 year old daughters. As I waited, I nervously commented what a
disaster it would be if my bag didn't arrive as it had 3 flippers, 6 surfmats (
including one for delivery to a good mate) and my other assorted surfing
paraphernalia. My clothes and toiletries didn't worry me as they could be
replaced but not my stash of 4GF's. I began to sweat profusely.
After some time a very polite Indonesian man appeared holding a sign with my name on it........ " I'm sorry sir but your suitcase is still in Singapore !". After filling out a form at a locket the polite man directed me to, the young Balinese lady assured me that the bag would be sent to my hotel but when she could not say.
In the taxi ride to our hotel I was wigging out thinking this is already turning into the trip from hell, and it was only the first few hours !!! My fears were unfounded as by the time we had been through the check in my suitcase had arrived as promised ..... thank you Singapore Airlines. If I was on some of the other more budget carriers I often use I'm sure it would have been a different outcome.
After organizing a motor scooter, which is the preferred transport here, I checked the surf. The tides were wrong and I was a bit tired after the flight and the stress of the missing bag so I chose rest up by the pool and wait for the following morning instead. Tides were good and the swell was increasing which was needed for this part of the island.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------After some time a very polite Indonesian man appeared holding a sign with my name on it........ " I'm sorry sir but your suitcase is still in Singapore !". After filling out a form at a locket the polite man directed me to, the young Balinese lady assured me that the bag would be sent to my hotel but when she could not say.
In the taxi ride to our hotel I was wigging out thinking this is already turning into the trip from hell, and it was only the first few hours !!! My fears were unfounded as by the time we had been through the check in my suitcase had arrived as promised ..... thank you Singapore Airlines. If I was on some of the other more budget carriers I often use I'm sure it would have been a different outcome.
After organizing a motor scooter, which is the preferred transport here, I checked the surf. The tides were wrong and I was a bit tired after the flight and the stress of the missing bag so I chose rest up by the pool and wait for the following morning instead. Tides were good and the swell was increasing which was needed for this part of the island.
The next day I was up before the sun came up and off to the
premier break on this section of coast, it can be super heavy when its big, but
up to head height its a super fun right on the mat and that's what it was
forecast to be. The only bad thing about this spot is the locals will burn you
at any opportunity, get violent and often order surfers from the water. If you
know when they usually go out you can work around this and I've never had any
problems. My luck was changing as in the glare of the just rising sun I could
make out only one guy out.
First couple of surfs I usually take it easy just to get used to the indo power, acclimatize to the tropical heat and not get cut on the coral reefs. The sets were at long periods and the waves perfect hip to head height zippering barrels, in crystal clear water. I was riding a Lotus original and it rode like magic. After a couple of hours Id had my share and it was slowly getting more crowded, so when I spied another boat coming with a guide and a few locals I caught one in. Not wanting to overdo the sun and end up like many of the lobstered tourists I see the rest of the day was spent in the pool with my daughter, eating and relaxing in the AC of our room.
The next morning we had breakfast at the beach which is in front of a peak which is predominately a left. Its quite consistent, very shallow and somewhat of a short ride. The best thing about this spot is it can turn on in a blink of an eye, and also turn off as quickly. As we were eating our bacon and eggs it started to break so I raced of to get my mat, again the L7 original, and had a few fun ones and Michelle took a few photos.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------First couple of surfs I usually take it easy just to get used to the indo power, acclimatize to the tropical heat and not get cut on the coral reefs. The sets were at long periods and the waves perfect hip to head height zippering barrels, in crystal clear water. I was riding a Lotus original and it rode like magic. After a couple of hours Id had my share and it was slowly getting more crowded, so when I spied another boat coming with a guide and a few locals I caught one in. Not wanting to overdo the sun and end up like many of the lobstered tourists I see the rest of the day was spent in the pool with my daughter, eating and relaxing in the AC of our room.
The next morning we had breakfast at the beach which is in front of a peak which is predominately a left. Its quite consistent, very shallow and somewhat of a short ride. The best thing about this spot is it can turn on in a blink of an eye, and also turn off as quickly. As we were eating our bacon and eggs it started to break so I raced of to get my mat, again the L7 original, and had a few fun ones and Michelle took a few photos.
It is the start of the wet season so the heat and humidity
was very tiring so only the one surf again and the rest of the day was spent
relaxing as the day before.
The fourth day and third surf day looked good with the forecast swell of 2m arriving. I was up before light and off on the 40 min ride to this spot. Its a world class mat wave and had until recently completely off the surf radar. In these conditions it should be head height and pumping. On the way I passed an overturned mini van with people milling around, the crash had just happened, it looked bad and as there was nothing I could do continued on my way. After weaving through the muddy track of the rice paddies there was someone on a bike checking. It happened to be an old friend that I had surfed here before with, so with head height sets breaking down the 150m right hand point, a light off shore breeze we headed out laughing and catching up from where we left off surfing here last year. We surfed till our fill, a couple of hours, joined by a few other regulars and the headed back to town. The L7 original went so well here I felt I could not make a mistake.
The next day we met up again but it wasn't as enjoyable as a group of 6 surfers from an European landlocked country showed up and began dropping in and getting in the way. I had a polite word with one after a second burning, and I believe this guy was just a kook as he had no idea, or at least pretended he had no idea. I like to chill and take it in turns but this wasn't happening so in the last half an hour I got greedy. Just happened to get some of the best waves of the trip so far, but not liking the vibe I suggested to my friend we go to the fickle left peak I surfed a couple of days earlier.
We were kind of worn out from our first surf but even with a light onshore it was too inviting not to go out and my friend was keen to go out as he had not surfed here before. It was showing better than two days ago.
The fourth day and third surf day looked good with the forecast swell of 2m arriving. I was up before light and off on the 40 min ride to this spot. Its a world class mat wave and had until recently completely off the surf radar. In these conditions it should be head height and pumping. On the way I passed an overturned mini van with people milling around, the crash had just happened, it looked bad and as there was nothing I could do continued on my way. After weaving through the muddy track of the rice paddies there was someone on a bike checking. It happened to be an old friend that I had surfed here before with, so with head height sets breaking down the 150m right hand point, a light off shore breeze we headed out laughing and catching up from where we left off surfing here last year. We surfed till our fill, a couple of hours, joined by a few other regulars and the headed back to town. The L7 original went so well here I felt I could not make a mistake.
The next day we met up again but it wasn't as enjoyable as a group of 6 surfers from an European landlocked country showed up and began dropping in and getting in the way. I had a polite word with one after a second burning, and I believe this guy was just a kook as he had no idea, or at least pretended he had no idea. I like to chill and take it in turns but this wasn't happening so in the last half an hour I got greedy. Just happened to get some of the best waves of the trip so far, but not liking the vibe I suggested to my friend we go to the fickle left peak I surfed a couple of days earlier.
We were kind of worn out from our first surf but even with a light onshore it was too inviting not to go out and my friend was keen to go out as he had not surfed here before. It was showing better than two days ago.
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Getting burned by a local! I just call them on the wave and have a laugh, they are
intrigued by the mat, and when they get to know you, speaking the language
helps, there is never any problems.
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To be continued..........
Bretto
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