I love Bali
udo wrote:Are you going to be giving a DS a run at O.C today Superfreak... did you Surf on your Forehand at Dawn ?
https://balibelly.com/pages/uluwatu
Came straight over to lembongan on Friday morning after late check in to hotel in sanur . New harbour is great and really organised, unbelievable how many tourists flocking to nusa penida for day trip so bit of a traffic congestion in the morning north of KFC . Shipwrecks was solid 4ft ( overhead sets ) first day and 3-4 ft Saturday ( long lulls ) Sunday ( today ) was pumping first light at lassos but crowded ( 20 + ) and 5 hot locals taking the best ones. It was pretty solid 5ft and some good barrels , some really deep ones by local hotties. My pop up at 62 ain’t what it used to be and ate shit on a couple and managed a couple of ok ones . It was good lassos but not great classic lassos, probably too much south in it . The arvo session was even more crowded and wind a bit funny but fuck there was some really good tube riding going down by the locals , looks like swell dropping tomorrow but still should be some 4-5 sets .Muntigs had some big 10 ft sets so Ulu’s would have been a good size . I haven’t surfed outside corner since the 90s bit past it now 6-8 ‘ is my limit these days . On my previous posts I mentioned arrival in airport , virgin asked us for vaccination certificate but not asked at bali end . Got through buying a voa and immigration in 10 minutes . We flew in at 10.15 pm and my boards didn’t come out until 11.25 pm and only 1 other board came out at same time on the virgin flight . 4 flights from Melbourne at roughly the same time . Like I said on previous post , always waiting for luggage , customs is really quick now with the online declaration .
First photo Troy Sinclair testing out his new DS at muntigs , second shot my mate Will testing his DS at lassos , last shot local Agus Frimato weaving at lassos
Nice shots!
freeride76 wrote:Nice shots!
Photos credited to Thabu , local surf school owner , top bloke .
udo wrote:Wtf is wrong with a 5 or 7 am Flight ?
Wouldn’t worry me, as others have said get in early and get settled. My Mrs won’t do a 2am start on her own, night driving etc. I’ll will already be in Bali.
udo wrote:Wtf is wrong with a 5 or 7 am Flight ?
Wouldn’t worry me, as others have said get in early and get settled. My Mrs won’t do a 2am start on her own, night driving etc. I’ll will already be in Bali.
eat-your-vegies wrote:Hi there jezza
I reckon $500 each way from Melbourne is pretty ok.
And you’ll be flying Garuda so your boards are free and you get real cutlery with your meals (even after all the 911 terrorist and security wank )
Hostee’s are gorgeous too although you probably won’t notice cos you got a missus.
Best of all , they serve Bintang .
I’m jealous.
Haha, always Garuda if possible. I will notice, got 2 weeks on my own before the missus comes over for a week. :)
I always calculate that if Garuda is within a couple of hundred bucks of Deathstar then $20 per hour in the air is money well spent.
Supafreak wrote:
Unreal. How big is his board in top pic supa?
Top wave looks serious. What’s the shape like as it runs down the reef?
seeds wrote:Top wave looks serious. What’s the shape like as it runs down the reef?
It tends to pinch on the end section , seen Dylan Longbottom out there threading the needle at 10-12 years ago , he made it look easy but its not . This shot of the wreck at the moment from my room . 
@goofyfoot Troy’s on his 7’6 , first surf on it .
Pulu a lembongan local was at one stage junior and open Indonesian champion, his hero is slater and he surfed against him at Keramas one year and would have beaten Kelly if he came out of the barrel that pinched on him . He got some nice ones yesterday morning and arvo , great local boardriders club with good attitude and if you show some respect they will give you some waves . https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid04HxTa4DwfXZ3gv579FKVAu...
Supafreak wrote:seeds wrote:Top wave looks serious. What’s the shape like as it runs down the reef?
It tends to pinch on the end section , seen Dylan Longbottom out there threading the needle at 10-12 years ago , he made it look easy but its not . This shot of the wreck at the moment from my room .
Is that location of old Main Ski inn?
Haven't been to Lembongan since 2003.
Stoked ya scored!
@andy-mac , its just down from the old mainski which is now ohana’s , you would be shocked to see what’s developed since 2003 . Shipwrecks this afternoon was best it’s been all year according to the local lads , had a really good 4 hour session , nice 3-5 ft wreck glassed off beautifully an hour before sunset and started to consistently pulse . Waves in the morning then it slowly backs of to flat over next few days. Got game fishing lined up and conditions should be perfect come Thursday , there has been Spanish mackerel around apparently and GTs , even if we don’t score a fish it’s visually spectacular along south coast of penida .
Supafreak wrote:@andy-mac , its just down from the old mainski which is now ohana’s , you would be shocked to see what’s developed since 2003 . Shipwrecks this afternoon was best it’s been all year according to the local lads , had a really good 4 hour session , nice 3-5 ft wreck glassed off beautifully an hour before sunset and started to consistently pulse . Waves in the morning then it slowly backs of to flat over next few days. Got game fishing lined up and conditions should be perfect come Thursday , there has been Spanish mackerel around apparently and GTs , even if we don’t score a fish it’s visually spectacular along south coast of penida .
Cheers Supa, great shot.
Stoked you scored, it surely is a beautiful spot. Loved Shippies and Lasos. Can only imagine how busy it is now as these days usually stay in Sanur and see the amount of boats heading over, (causing side chop) is nuts. New harbour looks like it would have made it run smoother.
Funny, I kind of stopped going after 2003 cause thought it was getting too busy then..
Great pics, I have never seen muntigs break, actually didn't know there was another wave there. Have crossed paths with Troy a few times, he use to easily beat me up at Synergy BJJ. Haha.
Enjoy the waves and hope ya catching and eating some GT's and Spanish Mackerel! Enjoy,
udo wrote:indo-dreaming wrote:Indo has dropped need for Covid vax to enter Indo
official regulation
https://covid19.go.id/storage/app/media/Regulasi/2023/Juni/SE%20No%201%2...Indo is a bit slow on getting this out there no Sign of it anywhere....?
Still no real media reports on it, but this Bali website has updated.
"Proof of Vaccination No Longer Required for Entry into Bali"
https://www.welcomebacktobali.com/blog/latest-updates/proof-of-vaccinati...
Its on Qantas and Jetstar travel info pages
2 million rp fish , 3kg ( just ) trevally , was a beautiful morning out and spotted at least 7 turtles, good to see they’re about in numbers. Hooked it in the gills so thought it was way bigger. 
StormyAndBo wrote:Its on Qantas and Jetstar travel info pages
Updated on Smart traveller governmet page for Indo too
"We've reviewed our entry requirements and health advice for Indonesia. You no longer need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter Indonesia or travel domestically (see 'Health' and 'Travel')."
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/indonesia
Talking to a local mate about the amount of turtles around and he said yeah it’s automatic 5 years jail now for killing one . I asked what about ceremonies ? He said maybe for a very big important ceremony yes they might get away with it but not for a regular ceremony. 
the real heros during these vaccine restrictions were the online doctors handing out exemptions for $70.
Robot doing what he does . 
Took a couple of photos of the crane at shipwrecks yesterday on high tide & today on low tide . As you can see its a mess and dangerous on bigger swells as when the sets come , the current pulls you towards the crap laying out in front on the crane . Stay on the ball if surfing here as you wouldn’t want to get pinballed through this . 
Supafreak wrote:Took a couple of photos of the crane at shipwrecks yesterday on high tide & today on low tide . As you can see its a mess and dangerous on bigger swells as when the sets come , the current pulls you towards the crap laying out in front on the crane . Stay on the ball if surfing here as you wouldn’t want to get pinballed through this . ...
Geez you got a super low tide there Supa. I was surfing over that at "low tide" a few weeks back. It was tiny to be fair.
blackers wrote:Supafreak wrote:Took a couple of photos of the crane at shipwrecks yesterday on high tide & today on low tide . As you can see its a mess and dangerous on bigger swells as when the sets come , the current pulls you towards the crap laying out in front on the crane . Stay on the ball if surfing here as you wouldn’t want to get pinballed through this . ...
Geez you got a super low tide there Supa. I was surfing over that at "low tide" a few weeks back. It was tiny to be fair.
Yeah high was 2.5 meters and low was 0.1 today, hoping this swell next few days pulls in and doesn’t just go down the channel, it’s got a lot of south in it .
Good luck. I got skunked.
blackers wrote:Good luck. I got skunked.
Yes worst May in memory from what I’ve heard . May has always been one of my favourite months for wind calmness good swell and less crowds . I totally jagged it as it was planned around daughter just missing 2 weeks of school and booked it 7 months in advance for cheap tickets .
I was there 1st to 5th June. Virtually flat but as (bad)luck would have it some shoulder high waves at Shipwrecks the day I was leaving. First time there and loved the place non the less. Must need some good size and or west in it to get Playgrounds working.
Supafreak wrote:Took a couple of photos of the crane at shipwrecks yesterday on high tide & today on low tide . As you can see its a mess and dangerous on bigger swells as when the sets come , the current pulls you towards the crap laying out in front on the crane . Stay on the ball if surfing here as you wouldn’t want to get pinballed through this .
Jesus what an absolute Fucking Disgrace !
seeds wrote:I was there 1st to 5th June. Virtually flat but as (bad)luck would have it some shoulder high waves at Shipwrecks the day I was leaving. First time there and loved the place non the less. Must need some good size and or west in it to get Playgrounds working.
Missed you by a day! I gathered from another post you were in the vicinity. Agree it's a great place to stay, super relaxed.
Yeah mate, surf or not, who’s gunna complain. Was just so great to get out of Oz after so long.
ps. I got skunked on the Bukit also.
Swell kicked today , nice wreck 4-5 ft and was having a good session until as I was knifing into a wave a euro with not much idea paddling out , instead of letting me have right of way he tried paddling through my line . I had to quickly straighten only for the wave to explode on him and throw him onto me . Copped the nose of his board into my thigh and felt like the worst dead leg ever . Paddled back out and sat up on board, noticed blood and sure enough a deep but small puncture. Kept surfing for another 2 hours , sore but the waves were to good to go in . When I did come in it wouldn’t stop bleeding so of to the Dr for 2 stitches. I’m on blood thinners so probably why It wouldn’t stop bleeding. Brought some waterproof bandages but got a feeling I’m going to be stiff and very sore tomorrow, goes small again after tomorrow and not much until 28th .
Supafreak wrote:Swell kicked today , nice wreck 4-5 ft and was having a good session until as I was knifing into a wave a euro with not much idea paddling out , instead of letting me have right of way he tried paddling through my line . I had to quickly straighten only for the wave to explode on him and throw him onto me . Copped the nose of his board into my thigh and felt like the worst dead leg ever . Paddled back out and sat up on board, noticed blood and sure enough a deep but small puncture. Kept surfing for another 2 hours , sore but the waves were to good to go in . When I did come in it wouldn’t stop bleeding so of to the Dr for 2 stitches. I’m on blood thinners so probably why It wouldn’t stop bleeding. Brought some waterproof bandages but got a feeling I’m going to be stiff and very sore tomorrow, goes small again after tomorrow and not much until 28th .
Quick recovery mate...
Thanks andy - mac , I’ve scrapped doing a mission east of here , my princess is 7 tomorrow and missing dad so she’s going to come stay for a few weeks . Wife’s got lots of ceremonies coming up so she will be busy and we can have some fun together on lembongan . Might be hobbling a bit . 
Happy birthday!
Nice Pic...Hows the Plastic situation on beaches over there Supa ?
udo wrote:Nice Pic...Hows the Plastic situation on beaches over there Supa ?
LST ( lembongan surf team ) do regular beach and mangrove cleans . Noticed a bit , not much , trolling the other day . Speaking to other tourists who have come over from Kuta, Seminyak region , they are amazed at the difference and quality of water . Come wet season as you know it all goes to shit , a never ending job .
The view while trolling here never gets boring , we were unlucky the other day but other tourists have been smashing it with GTs , wahoo and mahi-mahi. 
South coast of Penida Supa?
blackers wrote:South coast of Penida Supa?
Top 2 photos yes , bottom photo east coast
blackers wrote:South coast of Penida Supa?
Top 2 photos yes , bottom photo east coast
blackers wrote:South coast of Penida Supa?
Top 2 photos yes , bottom photo east coast
crowd what crowd .....
simba wrote:crowd what crowd .....
Looks like fun...not. Such flagrant dropins. Don't miss that all
simba wrote:crowd what crowd .....
Jesus Christ that’s worse than anything I’ve seen at Snapper.
What’s happened to that place…
Full of Beginner Euros by 8 am if its under Head high...being pushed in by there Indo Surf Coaches
That's torched!
udo wrote:Full of Beginner Euros..being pushed in by there Indo Surf Coaches
That seems to be the difference between there and the goldy stretch. Not just Ulu unfortunately, seems to be everywhere on the Bukit.
I love Bali.
You wouldn't think that such a thought could be controversial . But it is.
Many people don't love Bali, in fact they proclaim to hate it. Bemoan what it has become, it's lack of purity, it's lost innocence.
Sure, I can see their point. I can't imagine anywhere on Earth that has been transformed as radically as Bali over the last thirty years. From rice paddies and coconut groves to six story discotheques . It's totally unrecognisable in the most built up areas.
But that's not what this post is about. It's about why I LOVE Bali.
I love Bali because ...
- it's still the home of an intense cluster of world class waves. Roping lefts : Uluwatu, freight train right barrels : Sanur, backlit mega tubes : Padang Padang. Rip able reefs, fun beachies. Short , slabby pits and long mellow points. River mouths and bombies. It's got the lot.
- it's still possible to get uncrowded quality waves in 2015 when it seems as though the entire planet has discovered surfing. I was trading crystal clear , rolling right walls with only two other surfers just this morning.
- it's still freaking beautiful. Watching the mist reveal Mt Agung in that unique Bali morning light from a black sand beach as the sun comes up is still special.
- the food is amazing. Walking around town building up a hunger and knowing that at any given time you are within shouting distance of fresh, exotic and delicious meals with enough variety to make your head spin is priceless.
- the Balinese are legends. Friendly, happy and always keen for a joke. Unfailingly polite and welcoming. Healthy, spiritual and decent.
- the Balinese surfers rip their waves and they still own them. A visiting Brazilian would not think twice to drop in on an Aussie local at Kirra. But you won't see the same in Bali. The Balinese surfers are treated with the respect they deserve. Because as everyone knows, if they are not treated with respect there is consequences.
- the water is so warm it's like swimming in silken angels tears.
- telling people that you are going to Bali will often elicit a response along the lines of ......"why would you go to that traffic ridden, noisy shithole ?" And then as you're kicking back with a Bintang watching the sunset over Uluwatu you can imagine them sitting at lights in their car on their way home from work in Perth. Which , for those that have never been , is a noisy , traffic ridden shithole. And this makes me laugh. Which is something I enjoy doing.
- The fruit is incredible.
- despite the millions of tourists, the fast food franchises and the Aussie over familiarity with the joint it's still exotic. The smell of clove cigarettes, the ogo ogos of Nyepi, the Buddhist offerings , monkeys , food and language are all enticingly foreign.
- there is no overreaching nanny state. You want to ride your motorbike with all four of your children and the missus on the back...whilst texting. Go for it.
- you can live like a king on a regular Aussie income. Maybe not such a great benefit for the Balinese themselves though.
- it's close to Oz. Twenty hour plane ride and a shot at developing deep vein thrombosis.....ummm no thanks. It's actually faster to fly to Bali from Perth than it is to drive to Albany. You can fly from Port Hedland in less than two hours.
- you get an opportunity to regularly witness some of the most foolhardy behaviour imaginable on a daily basis. You ever seen a man being doubled on a motorbike through traffic whilst holding a large pane of glass ? What about seeing someone hold a nail between his bare fingers while his mate tries to grind the tip off it ? It's all there folks.
- you can see people making do with not much and making it work. An exhaust system held on with a T Shirt ? An outboard motor attached to a boat with no anchoring system, just held on with a man's brute force ? Why not ? It might not work forever but it'll usually get em over the line.
- the winds can blow offshore for months at a time and when they blow onshore, well , that just makes it offshore somewhere else. It's an island !
- you haven't seen glassy oceanic conditions till you've seen Indonesian sheet glass. It's like an oil slick. And if you're ever near Benoa Harbour that could well be what it is.
- old people are accorded the respect they deserve.
- it's exciting. It's a melting pot of the world. Wide eyed villages from remote Asia, jaded techno princesses from Russia, sleek surfy chicks from Canada , your next door neighbour from Ipswich....it's a party and everyone is invited.
Including YOU. I'll see you there. You can't miss me.
I'll be the sun burnt drunk in a head to toe Bintang ensemble with hair braids and a fresh tattoo of a unicorn across my back . Don't be shy. Come and say hello.