Desert Point

My friend Kent and I spent a couple days in Kuta, seeing off our friends and then decided on another mission. We were aiming to be in South Sumbawa for the incoming swell that was to hit in the next 4 or 5 days. 

 We set out early one morning on our way to Padangbai to catch the ferry to Lombok. We got separated on the way and Kent ended up taking the long way, we had both ended up on that route the previous trip. I had some time to kill at the terminal while waiting for him, so I indulged in some of the best goodies Indo has to offer. 

 

 Kent arrived after half an hour or so, we waited a few minutes while we stocked up for the ride, then boarded the ferry. Didn't manage to score a sleeper this time, so we hung out on the top deck and got a bit of sleep up there.

 Cruised to our destination on some winding roads that followed the shoreline, then over the sketchiest hill I've been on yet, and arrived at our destination for a night to see what the remaining bit of swell would bring.

There wasn't much for waves that evening, Kent went spearfishing and I wandered around taking some photos. We met a couple other dudes who were also heading to Sumbawa for the swell, had a couple beers with them before bed.

  The next morning wasn't looking so promising either, there were a few guys out on full tide but nothing really worth going out for. We had a solid banana pancake then Kent went spearfishing again and I walked down the beach and shot some more.

There was a pretty cool spot a few hundred metres down from the break where the waves would double up and shoot these cool fan like sprays.

 Spent the afternoon hanging around, deciding where we should go in Sumbawa, hanging with the local puppy we named 'Desert' and waiting to see if anything would happen on low tide. The locals were loving my skateboard cruising it around on the 10' by 10' pad of cement right out front.

 Eventually the waves started to almost come together, just lacking a bit of size.

Small Perfection.

Kent went out for a little sesh, waited for the bigger sets and actually scored a couple sick waves. Here's a him in a little cover up:

We left soon after to our next destination..

Lembongan Round 3

 

So third time's a charm right? 

Wrong.

I bucked up and got a fast boat to Lembongan this time. I came by myself after checking the swell chart and hoping to get some rights. The last week or so was spent in Kuta surfing crowded Airports and actually, crowded everywhere.

I got in around 10 am and the tide was too low, I grabbed a book from the restaurant out front, took it back and fell asleep reading it in my room. I woke up a couple hours later and checked out front, the tide had risen, and there was a small but rippable wave. I counted 45 dudes out, they must have all thought the same..

Back to my book and my bed, which is where I stayed until I went for dinner. Took the short walk off the main beach path to the best restaurant on the island. I may even claim the country. 

Here is the menu:

This place is owned by a couple, Ketut and Ketut. They have been in the same location for years but due to the steady beachfront development their place is easily missed or overlooked. Those who do happen to find it won't go anywhere else though. You walk in to smiles, handshakes, and Jenga. The friendliest staff, and most welcoming environment. I ate here for dinner on my first night, and lunch the next day before I left. And this is what I had every time:

Chicken and Cashew, DAMN!!

After dinner I took a couple photos, then again in the morning when I looked out and saw even smaller waves with the same crowd. I had accepted that the trip was a failure, for surf at least. Here's some of the shots I got:

Explains why the locals all rip.

Balian Again

So I've been home back in Canada now for a while, and back in Alberta working. After the 12 hour days I really don't feel like doing anything which is why I am 4 months behind, 

I'll try to catch up.

After returning from Lombok, Kuta had definitely lost it's touch.  My friend Kent and I went out for a night at Sky Garden, so a 4am bender, and then slept well into the next day. 

  We met up with our pals from Lombok who were staying in the hotel a couple doors down from us, and made a plan to all cruise out to Balian together, the hectic-ness of the 'vortex' was deterring after such a chill time in Lombok. Kent, another Aussie buddy Christain, and myself rode our bikes, and Anja, Julie, Tanya, Martin and another Canadian dude they had met, David, drove in a car they had rented. 

  We spent a total of 3 nights there, surfing 2 times a day, super fun small waves, chilling by the pool and going to bed early. Christian had left the night before the rest of us, and I left on the 3rd day before Kent to try and get some photos. The rest of the crew continued north to loop the island. 

  Turns out it was harvesting season or something and all the rice paddies were brown, except for this one:

 

  Other that that I didn't really do much photography-wise, so I'll have to hit Tanya up for the photos of the crew. I did do one early morning photo mission but didn't really get anything good. Although while surfing I did get a couple foot cuts, which is weird due to the fact that this was the only non-reef wave I surfed...

Here are a few other shots I got from the only green rice field around..