Mantas 3 Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 This was predominately a surf trip with the lads but I thought some SJ ers might like to see some of the other aspects of the area. We were based on the southern Sumatran coast, not too far away as the crow flies, from the Mentawai islands where Spook has spent the last 3 years. This was my 10th trip to Indonesia but I've never been to this part before. The area is seldom visited by foreigners. It is totally devoid of tourists and tourism. If fact we never saw a single other white person in two weeks except for a small gathering of motley old surfers hanging out at the surf breaks. The area is stunningly beautiful. Typical picture post card beaches with palm trees leaning over the white sandy beaches, coral reefs and crystal clear water. The villages however, suffer the same old misfortune as any third world country with rubbish strewn all over the place and a non existent sewerage system. They were very poor by western standards but seemed to be very happy. Driving along the roads was a real treat, with goats, chickens and cows wondering across will nilly and an endless procession of gorgeous, grinning little grubs yelling the Indonesian anthem as we passed. "Hello Mister" Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 Wow man that looks awesome. Thanks for sharing! I'm actually leaving for Bali on Tuesday and will be spending at least 3 weeks in Indo... hoping to score some sweet waves. Glad to see that you enjoyed yourself Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 Cool pics. Looks like a hard paddle out on a big day! Is there are channel on that left? I am in need of some waves.. point has been cranking but I have been sick. Farrrrk Link to post Share on other sites
mitchpee 10 Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 Yeah! So jealous. It looks like such a great trip. You should get a gopro for surfing. I love the angles it gives for videos. Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted July 9, 2010 Author Share Posted July 9, 2010 Originally Posted By: Indo Cool pics. Looks like a hard paddle out on a big day! Is there are channel on that left? That was the problem Indo. Catching and riding the waves wasn't too much of a challenge, even at 6-8 foot, but paddling back out was really hard work. The wide ones were at least 2 foot bigger than the ones that ran down the reef. Seriously, I got some of the worst floggings of my life out there on the big days. My 9 foot legroe is now 13 foot long! We ended up riding the wide ones instead. Mitch, what's a gropo? Link to post Share on other sites
gurgle 0 Posted July 9, 2010 Share Posted July 9, 2010 Great stuff. I really like all the other non-surf pics too. They know how to smile that lot do. Looking fwd to some "Hello Misters" with big smiles next week .... Link to post Share on other sites
mitchpee 10 Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 Originally Posted By: Mantas Originally Posted By: Indo Cool pics. Looks like a hard paddle out on a big day! Is there are channel on that left? That was the problem Indo. Catching and riding the waves wasn't too much of a challenge, even at 6-8 foot, but paddling back out was really hard work. The wide ones were at least 2 foot bigger than the ones that ran down the reef. Seriously, I got some of the worst floggings of my life out there on the big days. My 9 foot legroe is now 13 foot long! We ended up riding the wide ones instead. Mitch, what's a gropo? Link to post Share on other sites
panhead_pete 27 Posted July 11, 2010 Share Posted July 11, 2010 Was just getting little red X's where the pics were so thought I might find the pics on photobucket by searching "Mantas". Sure hope this is your pic mate. For some reason now can see your photos though, looks awesome. Not too mental but sure had some decent size in it during those vids. I feel for the crew on the reef trying to get out, as you said that has all the makings of a B.I.T.C.H. of a paddle. Was it any better further down the reef? That beachie looks sublime! Thanks for posting mate. Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 Originally Posted By: panhead_pete Was just getting little red X's where the pics were so thought I might find the pics on photobucket by searching "Mantas". Sure hope this is your pic mate. Yep, that my photo mate. I'm actually in it. Under the water. Link to post Share on other sites
spook 0 Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 awesome shots mantas. looks like you had a great trip. love that shot of the canoe from above. where'd you stay in krui? and this peak looks mental - is it a real wave or just a nice shot? Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted July 13, 2010 Author Share Posted July 13, 2010 I was wondering where you would show up Spook. Where are you now? Actually I can't take the credit for that shot. Our little Indo guide Nana took the photo, as well as a few others. He was pretty good with a camera. I reckon I was about the 100th surfer to toss him a camera and say "snap a few if you like" It's actually a beach break and it was pretty damn good. Every wave was a barrel, not all makable of course. Oh- We stayed at Ombak Indah, Nev Hinz's camp. He has a great set up there. PM me if your thinkng of going though. Link to post Share on other sites
Yuki's Passion 1 Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Whats the reef like? It pretty shallow? Link to post Share on other sites
spook 0 Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 whaaaaaat?! that's a beachbreak! i want i want i want. awesome. we're in jakarta at the moment. spent a few days in the jungle in siberut after leaving the island. that was very basic, very rough and very humbling. stayed with mentawai people from another age. they're so completely in tune with their environment you can't help but feel awed. but that's another story, and i don't wanna hijack your thread... i'll definitely hit you up for some more info later. how was the crowd situation in krui, and how much driving did you have to do? Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted July 13, 2010 Author Share Posted July 13, 2010 The point got crowded at times but usually about 10-20 guys out. It's a long wave though so they are spread out a bit. On some of the bigger days the crowd dropped to about 5 guys. Only 2 at one point. CB I was introduced to the reef on my second wave. A bit of bark off, nothing serious. Lots of guys walking around with coral cuts all over them. Comes with the teritory when surfing reef breaks. Here's some more surf photos. The point on a bigger day. The beachie This is the right 90 mins. up the coast. We had a good surf there though it's not a classic break. There's a couple of other breaks in that area too but not working that day. This is the left not too far from the point. It rocks! It's the premier wave in the area. It has a bit of a reputation and there was always a bit of carnage when we surfed there. We scored it on a small day with just the 4 of us out. I would have loved to surf it a bit bigger but it's a fickle place and not always easy to score. Mantas gets (and makes) a rare barrel. Link to post Share on other sites
spook 0 Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 niiiiiiiice! those beachies look like fun. and the quality left - is that the one they refer to as similar to pipe? Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted July 14, 2010 Author Share Posted July 14, 2010 Yep, that's the one. Link to post Share on other sites
spook 0 Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 i still can't get over that shot of the beachie peak. imagine backdooring that thing.... i'm starting to drool over the keyboard Link to post Share on other sites
indosnm 0 Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 mee too spook. Jet ski assist and ..... pit time! Link to post Share on other sites
spook 0 Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 the guys on the shoulder of that wave could see right through the barrel and onto the left... that don't happen too often fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck, i'm so hungover right now. had a boozy night out in jakarta with some old friends. bleuuuuuurgh. that's how i feel Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted July 14, 2010 Author Share Posted July 14, 2010 That lovely Jakarta air should fix you up. We overnighted there on the way over. Apart from a few new buildings that have popped up, little has changed in the 10 years since I was there last. Still a grimy, smog ridden, third world sh@#hole. Link to post Share on other sites
spook 0 Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 yes, but so is padang. at least you can buy different stuff in this city.... to be honest we're just staying at a mate's house and it's a little sanctury. we're not doing much. heading to sulawesi on the weekend. woop woop! cold back in oz mantas? Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted July 14, 2010 Author Share Posted July 14, 2010 Originally Posted By: spook yes, but so is padang. And so is Medan, Sibolga, Banda lumpung, Bogor..... We actually had a good time once in Jakarta when we stayed with a cashed up business dude. After a bacon and eggs breakfast, he lent us his car and driver for the day. Bloody oath it's cold. Your gunna die when you get home. Link to post Share on other sites
Mantas 3 Posted July 14, 2010 Author Share Posted July 14, 2010 What's in Suliwesi mate? Did you know my wife lived there for a year in Ujung Pandang? Link to post Share on other sites
spook 0 Posted July 15, 2010 Share Posted July 15, 2010 i have no real idea what's in sulawesi. we just thought it looked like a fun place to check out. the funeral festivals in tana toraja look interesting, and the snorkeling is supposedly world class in the north. it's just gonna be a holiday and the chance to do something different. pretty soon i'm going to have to go back to the real world and there'll be less opportunities to do impulsive trips like this one. plus if i'm not getting a lot of time off, most trips will be to hunt waves or snow, so it seems like a good time to do something different. what was your wife doing in ujung pandang/makassar? did she like it? i'm keen to check out the schooners they build there. beautiful looking boats Link to post Share on other sites
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