Land camps
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groundswell wrote:Similue is one option, i spelt that wrong but who cares.
Just finalizing a quick visit Simeulue late January as I will be in the area
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new Simeulue camp resort just opened at Simeulue directly in front of Jackals its named
Casarina Simeulue Surf Resort...
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Wow!? there must be 5+ resorts on the island now and numerous homestays too. How busy is it getting these days?
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Jesse Simeulue wrote:new Simeulue camp resort just opened at Simeulue directly in front of Jackals its named
Casarina Simeulue Surf Resort...
That would be my pick if people are going to pay high end prices, newish camp but these guys have been surfing, fishing, diving this region longer or as long as anyone and are good people.
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Thinking of a trip to Simeulue and have never been before, can someone tell me what restrictions there are for boards on the Wings (or other) flights KL to Medan and Medan to Simeulue.
And as a bonus, are there any cheap but good places to stay in Medan if, please god no, I have to stay overnight in Medan?
Thanks
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That's ok guys, don't stress, I got it sussed now
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There was some info in a recent thread on Medan hotels.
Wings do technically charge a fee for surfboards think its Rp200,000 ($20 USD) depending on airport or who you get depends if whole board bag or per board, wings are smaller planes with limited cargo hold so its not always 100% certain that your boards will always go on the same plane as yourself and can turn up with the next flight, so not a good idea to get the last flight of the day or you may not get your boards until the morning.
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JustPassingBy wrote:Thinking of a trip to Simeulue and have never been before, can someone tell me what restrictions there are for boards on the Wings (or other) flights KL to Medan and Medan to Simeulue.
And as a bonus, are there any cheap but good places to stay in Medan if, please god no, I have to stay overnight in Medan?
Thanks
Try to get your tickets from Medan to Simelue sorted before you get to Medan if its possible , i wasted half a day trying to get tickets to Nias last year while at the airport ( done 10 trips to Nias ), for some reason they wouldnt accept cash , WTF when dont indo's take cash and had to use there computer booking wich wouldnt work at the time , ended up with a Gurada flight only to be told my boards wont fit , had to get credit from a nearby grocery store using my bank card to pay the airport booking office , fuck it was a pain in the ass , thought i was getting scammed at the time , finally got a flight with wings air the next day. In Medan. I normally stay at the Polonia hotel maybe 30- $40 aus a night its clean safe has a ATM / restaurant/ bar , good beds / Singapore airline booking office , they will store your boards in the lobby as well for extended periods no charge , if you are going on to lake toba etc. Medan is an interesting city, it does have good sightseeing shopping( Sun plaza if you have the misses in tow ) restaurants etc . I hope the airport has its ticketing sorted out by now , if not Justpassingby just be polite and patient with anyone you are dealing with ,you will get there in the end , just not at the pace you are normally used to ..
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BTW: Since March 1st 2005, Indonesian airports DONT have ticket outlets to buy tickets for the different airlines at the airports like they use too.
Yes thats right you now can't buy tickets at Indonesian airports, you either have to buy online in which case with some airlines you need to buy 24 hours before or buy from a travel agent.
Yep it sucks and IMO a backward move, the reason behind doing it is supposedly to cut down on crowds around airports and ticket scalpers….IMO i think there is more to it than that though.
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Big Ticket counter down main floor at new Medan Kuala Namu airport. Both domestic and international (Air Asia) from KL. Wings is there also starting doing daily flights to Simeulue last August. Its pretty much put Susi Air out of business. Their only doing the lobster thing now. Wings has daily flights Medan-Simeulue-Medan usually every afternoon 1330 (1:30pm). Never been a problem putting surfboard bags on in fact some of the airlines like Susi were depending on Wings carry their board bags in light of Susi early departures. As far as accomadation in Medan. Take the train (30minutes) into Medan. Have some boutique hotels around train station. If looking economical route go over to the area (not far) near Mesjid Raja lots of little Losmens , Wismas, small hotels Residence Hotel, Angels, Better accomodation can be had at Garuda Plaza, Swiss-Bellini (on Jalan Surabaya) or the old mainstay for surfers traveling all areas of Sumatra Danau Tobo Hotel. Jalan Surabaya also has some very good Money Changers that have very good fair rates but make sure your currency is in good condition especially US$ make sure notes are not folded or damaged.. Better to have dated 2009 or newer but usually earlier than 2006 they won't accept them. Next street over from Surabaya in Jalan Semarang where evry night the Chinese in the area set up food stalls with all manners of Asian foods. For me Swiss-Bellni Hotel on Surabaya is the best place to stay in Medan. Good atmosphere good morning buffet near money changers ATMs, food street, not far from the train station or Sun Plaza. You only have to specify Swiss-Bellni on Surabaya. becuz there are 2 Swiss-Bellnis in Medan 1 is a plush 5star affair while the Surabaya Swiss Belni is more an Inn. Last time I was there prices were about 40-50$ for double occupancy. They also have a shuttle that runs to Medan Kuala Namu airport.
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Thats interesting, so still selling tickets at Medan Kuala Namu airport?
I passed through there las time in Indo but only as transit passenger all the other ticket outlets in other airports i went to last trip, Solo, Jakarta, Gunung sitoli all ticket outlets were closed down like thy had said they would.
http://flights.indonesiamatters.com/15832-airport-ticket-sale-ban/
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Do you mean selling them at the check-in counter? I've always bought my tickets at the ticket offices that are attached to the airports. Hot tip for anyone passing through Jogja - Air Asia is at the second terminal, and it also has no ATM. Had a great bule meltdown shuttling myself between immigration, Terminal A and Terminal B for a few hours one day. Not my finest moment.
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Unless its changed in the last 2 months near the International Arrival gate (Kuala Namu Medan)are a row of all the major Indo Banks and ATMs and a dedicated area w/ large sitting area with a bunch of desk all the Major airline ticket agents domestic and international including Garuda, Air Asia , Silk Air, Lion (Wings Lion subsidiary) ect... It looks to have been built especially for that purpose.
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Kuala Namu is a far cry from the days of Polonia... Its a big and impressive airports and recently has added jumbo jet services although only to places like Saudi Arabia (for attending the Hadj) and we saw a Garuda jumbo that had landed from Reunion Is. and they are slowly starting to bring in imports (Mexican food from Mexico and California) from abroad with jumbo jets like all major cargo DHS, Fed Express ....
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Indo Dreaming... I could be mistaken as I read your newspiece and Ive lost track of time as I travel thru there multiple times in a year but it seems to me.. I just recently bought a Susi tiket changed a Air Asia tiket and bought a Wings tikets.. Casarina just had a guest pass thru there last few days and may have purchased their Wings tiket I'll inquire from them whats up. Wouldnt make sense for them to do that as most domestic airlines websites are unreliable and so many flights are cancelled do to poor visibilty bad weather and the frequent active volcano or Earthquakes... There was a major problem with scalpers thoughbut not sure shutting down all the tiket counter would be a complete answer..
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Well i hope your right and hope you can still buy tickets at airports even at just their offices…as it is a pain in the butt otherwise i often like to be spontaneous.
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BTW. Jesse your very clued on for a grommet.
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Just back from http://surfsimeulue.com/
Jesse's aka Scott and Rina's place. Definitely the pick in the area as per ID's comments
looking around between there and Dylans it seems the capacity for surf tourism on the island is set to double this season
Medan airport is great these days, Medan city not so much.
As for tickets go to tiket.com and book your internal indo flights very easy
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how was it?
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Set to double this season? I knew I should have gone up there when the first resorts were spruiking how uncrowded it was online and in the mags, inviting pros and photogs and telling us it would never get crowded because XYZ haha.
Still, I'm going this year. Are there plenty of waves around to choose from?
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Its pretty crazy for years and years and years there was only one camp up there http://www.simeulue.com it was set up way before the quake and the best waves have said to have gone from the quake or Dylans is not as good as it was. (BTW Dylans is named after Willys son the guy who started the first camp but sold not long after the quake)
Those guys kept it low key for years then bang that guy from Aura set up a camp and started advertising it as uncrowded and now there is at least half a dozen camps.
IMO This place will end up going down the exact road as South Sumatra/Krui and will be packed out in a few years as they both have the same aspects in common.
1. Marketed as uncrowded.
2. Seemingly remote but easy access.
3. Road that goes along the coast hence easy access to waves (no boat needed), main electricity and everything you need.
Number 3 imo is the big factor unlike the Mentawais, telos, banyaks where even if you do it cheap access to waves is limited and expensive in places like Krui/Simeulue you can go look for wave yourself on a motorbike or hire a driver and car and do it cheaply, plus the electricity thing also in places like Mentawai, Telos, banyaks, camps/resorts/losmens need to have generators and bring in fuel and food hence logistics are expensive and hard, in places like Krui and Simeulue its easy hence many more people set up camps and locals also set up accommodation cheaply and can run them cheaply, you watch the next big wave of accommodation in Simeulue will be from the locals (already happening) and you will have the same situation as in South Sumatra where it will be pointless to pay top dollar for something you can get at a fraction of the price.
The smart ones will be the guys that provide that little bit extra in quality or access to waves further afield (islands south) with fast modern boats. (I believe Scott and Rina have this covered)
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There's another bloke up there I met years ago in Aceh who has a place which is pretty new and was running boats further afield, though I have a feeling the boat blew up last season.
Chatting to a long-time surf tourism operator, he reckons it all comes down to wifi these days haha. You can't guarantee good quality, uncrowded waves... but if you can offer surfers fast and reliable wifi connection you'll be completely booked out, even if you're the most expensive place a kilometer inland from the beach.
But still, see you in June Simeulue!
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What to do? If ya can't beat them join them..so stop on by... Willy's old cook at Baneng Ibu Baneng is now cooking for Casarina. You know Jackals is a new wave right... came about when Simeulue uplifted 2-3 meter on the SW side during the 2004 9.1 earthquake. Our prices are more realistic than most all of the other places and Cararina is directly in front of Jackals. I don't see much justification charging 200+$/day for a wave where you can easily access by the road.. Those are the same prices you would pay to do a boat trip to Treasures and Bay of Plenty..
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Yes i realise Jackals/the Peak is a new wave from quake.
BTW. have i got this correct?
Casarina resort and Mahi Mahi resort and bungalows are same owners (Scott and Rina) ya?.
With Casarina more budget and Mahi Mahi more up market.
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yeah Casarina were initially with Mahi but just recently dropped out differnces of vision..... Mahi has seeming brought Bali to Simeulue Casarina hopes to retain a Simeuluen heritage.. Casarina retains 100meters (10,000sqmeters) beachfront directly in front of Jackals... So Casarina is now between 2 hi digit resorts Aura on the right Mahi on the left and its economical prices more fairly reflect what the future market of Simeulue will be . I share your opinion that it will eventually be more like market share Krui than say an exclusive market like offshore Telos or Ments or even Asu.. even as we speak locals in the village are starting to build Homestays in the economical range
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Interesting stuff Jesse. It's seem to me that Mahi2 are tapping into what I (somewhat unfairly) call the 'summer vibes' thing that I associate with pretty much everything that happens in Canggu. It's a great business model - everybody loves to instagram pictures themselves living out their #goodtimes #indodreaming #deusinspired fantasies so there is huge market appeal. Each to their own of course in our market driven free world, but in an era that will partly be defined by the mass homogenization of global cultures and language it's hard not to see the powerful gentrifying force of surf tourism as just a bit depressing. So in that way it's positive to hear that you guys are thinking about where you are in the world(i.e. Simeulue is not Bali/Java/Ments/Australia) and using that as part of your business plan. Also great that locals still have the opportunity to access the marketplace before the land price goes sky high.
I was looking for the website for Casarina but Google keeps sending me to Moon Beach Resort? Is that you guys?
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We just recently last week Januari 15th started the Casarina awareness ... so were not that high on Googles radar yet. Moon Beach is 40 minutes up the road.. need to travel to the waves if you stay there. A collection of resorts (4) are situated at Matanurung (Dylans) but unless theres heaps of swell their traveling also. We chose the wave magnet Jackals to have a house and home.. Seeminly nevr smaller than 4 foot.. Yesterday was 4ft.. Our website is. www.surfsimeulue.com It will be finished and refined in the next week ....
check out some of the videos theve made out front
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Anyone go to Nias last year, or planning on going this year?
Thinking of heading there in June (first time), I'll be in Padang already, does SMAC still fly there? Also, is it better to pre-book accom or just rock up?
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Before you go brush up on the local lingo....
which is Portugese.
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udo wrote:Before you go brush up on the local lingo....
which is Portugese.
??????? What are you talking about Udo, the last post was about Nias?
I don't know anywhere in Indo where Portuguese is spoken?….I assume some people in East Timor may though?
Obviously Bahasa Indonesia is the language spoken all over Indonesia and Nias itself has its local dialect Bahasa Nias which is actually quite different from the North end of the Island to the South end, the Telos also use Bahasa Nias a form very very close to the South Nias dialect, Ive actually been learning this dialect just basic conversation but only know about 50 words or less, still a lot of fun to spin the locals out and always brings a laugh.
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Indo ....referring to the amount of Brazilian surfers that have taken over Lagundri
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udo wrote:Indo ....referring to the amount of Brazilian surfers that have taken over Lagundri
ha ha..okay that went right over my head :D
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All we need now is a Whole Foods store at every surf destination. That will tell the world surfies really care about stuff. (South park season 19 reference)
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Just back from 6 days at Casa Rina
I was the only one there, one surfer at Aura and no one at Mahi Mahi
Comments above about the relative merits of each are spot on. Surf was good 3 days and very average 3, surfed alone mostly - as it is off season. Winds were offshore till at least 10am and then usually light. Would like to see it with full blown swells hitting it
Had a couple of visits from Germans staying at Moon Beach as there is zero surf there.
Called into check Dylans on the way to the airport, beatiful place but is just about to be raped once the NZ camp right on the point opens this year. Between the accomodation on the point and those within walking distance yu could easily have 50+ staying there
The zero alcohol laws I hope will protect the area from bogan hoardes with boards
Jesse a big thank you to Ibu - she is a gem, it was liking visiting my mum
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With all these places opening up do you think it will spread the crowds out throughout indo or do you think each place will get a crowd?
Just a theory but since south Sumatra started getting crowded, it seemed G-land was getting less crowded.
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Nice theory Hope your right
Will put it to the test next month
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groundswell wrote:With all these places opening up do you think it will spread the crowds out throughout indo or do you think each place will get a crowd?
Just a theory but since south Sumatra started getting crowded, it seemed G-land was getting less crowded.
Nah i don't buy it, some places just go a bit off the radar for a bit and others come into fashion like Simeulue, problem is it use to be mainly Aussies, seppos, and the odd brazilians and euros, now there is heaps more euros in the mix heap more brazzos and now there is surfers from all these weird countries like middle east countries or Russiia even places that aren't even by an ocean?
Plus most people book online these days and the often don't realise how many other resorts/camps, boats are in the area but the websites always show uncrowded waves etc.
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In 2004 (I think - memory is shite) camped with my adventurous friend on an small island off the coast there for awhile. Surfed what is now called t-bags off the coast of Simeulue all by our lonesome until boards were demolished haha. And also explored some of the coast and surfed other waves, not sure they even had names then. It was a real difficult mission at times haha. This was pre-quake. There was a bloke with a little set up at one of the spots but nothing else. memmmmorrriiiiessss la la la
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Your very lucky then Cliff, I'm happy to say i experienced and surfed other areas of Indo before the surf resort virus hit, always planned to get up to Simeulue but never did, to many places and not enough time.
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Yeah - it's both a blessing and a curse isn't it? I've been lucky enough to surf some quiet corners for a few years before they have blown up, and though the memories are very fond I can't help but feel frustrated at how quickly things chance haha.
There are a few spots that I visit now that are getting lots of vague but persistent social media attention, and a couple of my "well if it ever gets really crowded I could try XXX" spots are probably only a season or two away from opening camps if I am honest with myself. Nervous times!
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It gets to a point where inconsistency becomes a blessing in disguise the more fickle inconstant spots are going to be the only places one day left that are not overrun with camps, resorts or charter boats.
Luckily for myself in regard to Indonesia waves are really just the icing on the cake and if there is no waves I'm happy to just hang and do other things.
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freeride76 wrote:how was it?
Steve
was in the area so took a few days as a side trip and some books to read just in case and kept expectations moderate
first afternoon was 3- 5ft on sets (quite a wait but well overhead on the peaks) slight cross shore and deserted. surfed till dark alone and it glassed off
nek morning just like the pics 3-4ft - 2 guys out till it went onshore at 10.30 am
smaller the next day and the wind was up earlier - one other guy out
same again next
smaller again next day - and no glass offs as the wind picked up and storms brewed (finished both books)
Last day swell picked up a bit with 3 ft sets and glassy - a few Germans from Moon Beach in the morning, no one out when I left for the airport
I surfed every day between 2 and 7 hours
Surf could have been better ...But could have been completely skunked and wasnt
Worth a look if in the neighborhood
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Jesse Simeulue wrote:We just recently last week Januari 15th started the Casarina awareness ... so were not that high on Googles radar yet. Moon Beach is 40 minutes up the road.. need to travel to the waves if you stay there. A collection of resorts (4) are situated at Matanurung (Dylans) but unless theres heaps of swell their traveling also. We chose the wave magnet Jackals to have a house and home.. Seeminly nevr smaller than 4 foot.. Yesterday was 4ft.. Our website is. www.surfsimeulue.com It will be finished and refined in the next week ....
check out some of the videos theve made out front
https://vimeo.com/111242784
https://vimeo.com/127454863
Hey don't answer if this puts you in a tough spot, but can you shed any light on the governing of alcohol, I was there in June and it was basically dry, I have heard that it is now even stricter??
Not looking for a raging Danau Toba night club but some cold bintangs after a surf when on holiday is a must for me...
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I was at Jesse's in Feb - not a bintang in sight on the island.
Was offered the local moonshine by some young guys politely declined
You can get away with your discreet duty free, but lugging around slabs of bintangs will probably attract unwanted attention
I believe a resort was raided and fined for selling Bintangs
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Hi Guys
This thread has been a great read. Thanks to everyone who added the valuable info.
Got a couple of questions re Simeulue. How does it handle oct/nov? Its really the only time I can get away. Definitely looking for budget and have no problems roughing it (last couple of trips have been camping on the beach around sth Oaxaca)
Also around Ebay area. Can you jsut show up and get cheap deals. I would like to book flights to bali as they are cheap right now, and just figure out where to go once i get there depnding on swell etc.
Thanks
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Very informative Indo Dreamer. Thanks for posting your thoughts.
Reading this article as researching for a new Resort.
Have done 5 trips to Telos (TIL), and whilst I have loved it:
- looking for new challenges
- telos had lost its low crowd status, particular when the Lodge had also got into the act and opened a new resort at Pinnacles
- bloody expensive
Looking for something to replace Telos. Realise nowhere is not crowded anymore, but looking to replace:
- exclusive - like TIL where we go as a group of 8
- guides are good blokes
- variety of options so can surf on almost all swell/wind/tide
- not too challenging for a group of middle aged average surfers
- good food and good accommodation
- price not a problem
- relatively easy access like the flight to telos (although I realise easy access means more crowds!)
Or am I dreaming and no such thing anymore?
Thanks guys
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andymac wrote:Hi Guys
This thread has been a great read. Thanks to everyone who added the valuable info.
Got a couple of questions re Simeulue. How does it handle oct/nov? Its really the only time I can get away. Definitely looking for budget and have no problems roughing it (last couple of trips have been camping on the beach around sth Oaxaca)Also around Ebay area. Can you jsut show up and get cheap deals. I would like to book flights to bali as they are cheap right now, and just figure out where to go once i get there depnding on swell etc.
Thanks
Andymac my thoughts are perhaps the opposite to expert but I have done a few trips to the Banyaks and Simuelue so here is my opinion. The islands are a long way north and need a fair chunk of swell to get good - you start running the risk in Oct/Nov of not getting good swells which will hit up there - not the swells you get in June/July. Other than the swell the day to day weather is the same , the wind shouldn't have changed but who knows so your only concern is swell, it's all good your on holidays but also read above there may be no beer!!!!!
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JJD01 wrote:Very informative Indo Dreamer. Thanks for posting your thoughts.
Reading this article as researching for a new Resort.
Have done 5 trips to Telos (TIL), and whilst I have loved it:
- looking for new challenges
- telos had lost its low crowd status, particular when the Lodge had also got into the act and opened a new resort at Pinnacles
- bloody expensiveLooking for something to replace Telos. Realise nowhere is not crowded anymore, but looking to replace:
- exclusive - like TIL where we go as a group of 8
- guides are good blokes
- variety of options so can surf on almost all swell/wind/tide
- not too challenging for a group of middle aged average surfers
- good food and good accommodation
- price not a problem
- relatively easy access like the flight to telos (although I realise easy access means more crowds!)Or am I dreaming and no such thing anymore?
Thanks guys
My advice if you find such a thing is to not tell anyone about it and convince the owners to take down their website immediately haha. The very reason you don't want to go to the Telos anymore is because there are too many resorts, and if the development of surfing tourism in Indonesia tells us anything it is that if you have one successful resort in an area the second (and third and fourth and tenth and a yoga retreat and organis cafe and and and....) is not far away! I know of a tour operator in a quiet corner with waves you're probably looking for, but I'd have to search around for their email address as they've got no online presence at all. They've been running quiet trips for about six years now and you still can't find them online!
Have you ever been to the Maldives? That sounds pretty similar to what you're after and if the photos I've been seeing from Richard Koch are anything to go by, the waves look like great fun. I've never been so I can't say what it's actually like.
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I'm currently in Nias and wanting to go down to the Mentawais in the next few days for a couple of weeks(solo). I have talked to a few camps around e bays about their packages and they seem a little steep. A friend told me I can just get out there and find a place pretty easily but then some one else mentioned the problem with this is the price of the boat from Siberut to Nyang Nyang is up around 1.5mil if you end up the only person. Has anyone been recently? Do I have to pay the premium?
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Just chasing some info for ments area in Early November.
Possible land camp with the girl who also surfs.
Are we running the risk of lack of swell?
G'day gents
Thinking of taking my lady on a trip to a resort / camp on an Island off Sumatra - Ments , Banyaks, Simelue - anywhere really. Chasing something hopefully less than $200/ day each ( cheaper the better )
- At least one wave out the front I can play on without travelling or worrying about whether their boat will start.
- Fan room no problems.
I know a few of you have spent some time up there, recommendations would be great . Cheers guys.