First Day of Riding....Epic!!

  Let me just start off by saying that I am in no way good enough a surfer to take full advantage of this trip to  Bali, and I am very grateful and humbled by this experience.  Having said that I had an amazing first day of riding.  We were led down a cliff, on a path that consisted of slippery mud, deceiving rocks, and, eventually razor sharp reef.  It was all worth it, as we were all extremely eager to be in the water after 5 days of travel.  The break we surfed is Temples on Uluwatu Beach, and made for a great left, which catered perfect to a couple of our riders.  We had a great 3 hour session, then came time to make our way back to shore.  Upon the advice of one of the surfers, I took an alternate route.  This would take me to what I can only describe as hell.  I walked on reef for about fifty meters.... razor sharp, non-forgiving reef.  I thought I had caught a break when I found some algae to walk on, but apparently someone found it funny to throw chards of the reef into the algae.  I know someone upstairs was getting a kick out of watching me traverse this reef, but I guess that is just a small price to pay for surfing in paradise.
  The afternoon found us climbing down a 550 step cliff, to an amazing beach break called Nyuang Nyuang.  Although the waves were a little steep for my skill set, I paddled out to just be among the guys and watch them play like they were kids on a playground for the first time.  I sat on my board, parallel to the top of the break and watched as each one maneuvered the waves.  The smiles rang from ear to ear as each surfer, ages ranging from 14 to 41, dropped in time and time again.  The experience of watching these guys ride has been just as much a blessing as being in Bali.  I will forever be grateful for witnessing pure joy in the water.  We then made our way back up the 550 stairs, which after a morning and afternoon session, and having to carry your board, made for quite a feat.  All exhausted from days activities, we made our way back to our Villas.
   Upon arrival at the villas, we were greeted by some locals who had set up a full BBQ for us, complete with all the trimmings.  It was a perfect end to a perfect first day.  As we filled our bellies, and topped off our night with a little nightcap, we watched the video that PK (Hurley's in house photographer) had put together of the days adventure.  After the end of the video, I was in bed and asleep for night by 8pm.  What an epic first day.....

Destination Bali...Finally!

After 5 full days of travel, we have a destination.  Before I start telling of Bali, let me first send a prayer and positive thoughts to all those affected by the earthquake, floods, tsunami, and volcanic eruption.  As we were leaving Padang this morning there were a lot of people trying to get out to the islands and report on the happenings surrounding the Mentawai's.  We made every effort as a group to stay and get out to the islands, to lend a helping hand. Everywhere we turned, however, we heard the same response.  It would take days to get out to islands in the boats we had and there would be not much we could assist with, especially with our resources.  Having known this, we made a group decision to take ourselves out of danger and try to get some surf in, holding those lost and in need, in our thoughts at all times. We handed our waters filters to Rudi, our guide, and hopes he would get them to those in need. We then left Padang and boarded our 6th and 7th flight our trip and made our way to Bali.

Upon arriving in Bali, we were greeted by the locals with open arms.  We were loaded once again into cars, surfboards stacked 3 high, and made our way through traffic that made the 405 look like Disneyland.  We arrived shortly at our villas and the "Dream" trip to Indo, finally began to settle in.  Finally, a  place to settle into. And finally the ocean, which meant surf.  We quickly unloaded the bags and made our way to dinner (8pm local time), where were greeted by our host, and an abundance of Bali Mexican food.  We ate, we had drinks, and we were all exhausted and eager to back to the room to sleep and prepare for the next day. A little side note about the villas we are staying in, they are amazing...something only out of a magazine.  Our villas sit on the side of a cliff, with pools in each backyard overlooking the ocean.  Each with amazing decor and patio furniture everyone dreams about, complete with the backdrop to boot.   Upon return from dinner, we all jump into the pool to cool down.  It was then, that surf bags started to unzip, and the preparedness for tomorrow began.  It was only then, that I began to realize, the surfers I was surrounded by.  Three to four boards each, in shapes that only experienced riders caught waves on.  I am a beginner at best, and am looking forward to see what my new friends are capable of shredding, and more so to see what I can learn from each one.  Tomorrow we surf!!! And the epic tales will continue.....

One last prayer and moment to all those affected by the recent natural disasters in Indo.......................... Much Love and Respect!!

Bitter Sweet

After the small volcano eruption, and our efforts to lend a helping hand were shot down, we decided it best not to take the boat ride out into the unknown.  The problem with this area is the lack of infrastructure and communication, therefore no one really knows what it is like out there.  We have therefore decided to jump on a flight to Bali.  A little "bitter" that we will not get to see Kandui, but "sweet" that we are heading to Bali.  From the reports we can see, the better surf seems to be heading in that direction.  And from talking to the veterans, they ensure us we are in for just as much a treat.  We are lucky the ones we are traveling with have great connections, especially in Bali. And I  have been told, that if you ever wanted to do Bali, this definitely the group to do it with.  So, we are on the traveling path again, as I look forward to arriving at our new destination...Bali!! Let the adventure continue.

Good News/ More Bad News

Good News/ More Bad News

The Good

After nearly 2 full days of traveling, I am sorry to say we have still not reached our destination.  Our 12 hour flight from LAX to Tokyo, our 7 hour flight from Tokyo to Singapore, our 5 hour layover in Singapore complete with Earthquake learning’s, our 2 hour flight to Jakarta, and from Jakarta to Padang, and we are still no there.  Upon arriving in Padang, we met our Kandui host, Rudi.  Rudi graciously got us aboard our two speedboats, which were no bigger than the old boats I learned to wakeboard behind some 15 years ago.  Upon boarding our so called vessels, one could not help but notice the captain of our ship smoking as he loaded our extra cans of gasoline. But enough with the safety conditions, we were about to embark on our journey to the most amazing surf spots in the world.  Upon our departure from the Padang, the stories began to emerge.  Stories of how we ended up on the trip, to how we all ended in our professions, to the people we had in common.  And then the news came. We would be turning around.  An hour into our possible nine hour boat trip, our courageous captain, ordered our boats to turn around.  As we looked into the horizon, it was apparent that our path was to cross the intersection of two merging storms. One that would surely toss our little vessel around like the Minnow of Gilligans Island.  So, alas we turned around. 

Upon arriving back at our dock, we decided it was time to eat and enjoy a nice cold beer.  As we did so, the stories began to arise once again, and it was then I realized the company I was truly in.  As the stories continued, I realized I was not the old guy of the group and began see the history unfold before.  As guys began to share stories from surf competitions of the eighties and early nineties, I began to see the truth.  I was surrounded by guys who competed in surf before it was mainstream, before the big contracts, back when they carpooled to compete against eachother. It was truly an amazing experience.

The Bad 

Upon awaking this morning we learned of more bad news.  The tsunami that flooded Jakarta, also destroyed some of our neighboring islands.  Our area, fortunately, was not affected. Talks of aftershocks held the conversations this morning.  We then learned of possible Volcano eruption. This news has the family that is traveling with us, changing their plans, as they are leaving for Bali tonight. 

We decided as a group that we were going to continue out to Kandui.  Although the weather looks bleak for the weak, we decided we might be able to get the water filters we traveled with, to some of the neighboring islands, so they could have drinkable water.  We will also be doing anything to help, in any way we can.  I feel safe and I am still looking forward to the adventure and the surfing.  Wish us luck!! 

Bad News

Officially been traveling for 24 hrs now and are only in Singapore.  The first couple of flights were not bad, as our time was spent meeting what are surely becoming new friends.  Unfortunately, during our layover in Singapore, we learned of a 7.7 earthquake just off the coast of Indonesia.  We are awaiting news to see how this will affect our trip.  We think it has affected our next destination, which is Jakarta, but are hoping there was no damage to the airport and that we will be able to fly in still!! I will keep you posted on our next move, as we are all looking forward to arriving at our destination.