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!!