Balian and medewi roadtrip

We have arrived back from our little adventure west. Numb bums but smiling faces! Balian surfing for me was more about survival than standing up. Definitely not a break for beginners! 10ft sets and faster than the spead of lightening. Jiro got "4 of the best waves of his life". So whilst I bumbled around trying to look like I knew what I was doing - "all the gear no idea" springs to mind, Jiro took like a duck to water and ripped it up. After a good couple of hours surfing we headed to Medewi, a longboarders wave with nice slow lefts. "Yipee!" I thought as we hopped onboard our trusty stead and sped up the cost another 30 mins. The waves looked perfect, but unfortunately couldn't get into the water as I had reshaped my board in Balian and had a ding which was in urgent need of repair :o( Jiro also readjusted the nose of his board (few, not just me who introduced themselves to a few rocks!) so we took the tough decision of chilling by the pool of our hotel. Have I mentioned how rough our life is at the moment!! Another early rise today and another early surf, alas, not for the beginner. The surf was up, the tide low and the rocks big :o( Jiro steps in and catches some great waves - photos on Flickr. I, the proud girlfriend on the shoreline. Back in Legian and finally I get into the water and look almost a little like I know what I am doing! Up and in practically in control on almost every wave now :o) Great couple of days! A holiday from a holiday.....
Hungry now, got to leave! Take care xxx

Did Che Guevara get a sore bum?

Finally put photos on Flickr - check them out! Start at the final page to see the trip so far in order.
Today we embarked on our first Che style trip. Perhaps not quite as epic but an adventure all the same. Really it started 4 days ago whilst we atempted to get Jiro an international driving license. Peter, another friend from the beach knew the process, simple he said, BUT, Indonesian beaurocracy being what it is the law has changed but NOBODY knows, not even some of the policemen and especially not the other random people involved in the process. 4 days later 7 hours of chasing leads and important people the licence was procured.
Today we hopped onto our trusty stead, strapped on the surf boards and west we headed to Balian, a small surf town on route to Medewi. 2 hours later and 2 stops to revive our backsides we arrived after the trade winds had picked up so unfortunately no surfing today. Instead we watched a pro Kitesurfing (Ben Wilson) bust out some moves on the windswept waves.

Incredible to say the least. Then, a guy filming from the beach dropped into onversation that he also used to be a pro surfer. Some might say not a bad life! He has even had the chance and completed the task of both surfing and kitesurfing Teaupoo in Taihiti. Nothing more to say on that matter. An impressive nutter!!!
Early morning surf tomorrow. CAn't wait. Good Night :o)

Happiest funeral ever!!

And so we continue to love this country. The people are so friendly and the culture incredibly colourful! In Legian, where we have based ourselves, we have met a few guys on the beach who just can't do enough for you. Eager and always ready to help. Our friend Primo has found us a Bungalow to stay in for a month at the grand total of 4 pounds a night.

It's nothing impressive, but it is cleaned everyday, has airconditioning and hot water.....we had the option of staying in a room for 25p/night, but no luxeries. We decided we could stretch to the 4 pound!! Our little scooter is costing us a huge 1pound 50/day. All in all, we are very happy with the deal! Planning a few road trips on the scooter. I think we should name it.....any suggestions?!?!?
Today we went to Ubud again, this time to see a cremation Ceremony. The deceased was the 1st in line to the throne; as you can imagine it was a "big thing!". The whole town was transformed with colour. This was definitely not a time to mourn, but a time to celebrate a life. Every pice of the parade was made painstakingly by hand. Everyone had been working on it for weeks. 2 towers were erected, again handmade, the largest was 17m tall. Every piece made for the cremation was set on bamboo and carried by ment from local and surronding towns. Nearly 200 men were required to carry the largest tower.

The community spirit was inspiring, everyone piteched in. Young and old. Respectfully many of the westerners dressed in traditional Balinese dress, including Jiro and I. However, the European papparazzi bug was out in it's full glory. At times you would see a white face in the middle of the procession, or clambering up a lampost! Thanks to my ridiculously small feet I got myself a spot on a tiny, tiny wall and got some great snaps (Papparazzi alert!!). Today we learnt a great lesson in life. Funerals and cremations should not be black somber affairs where we dwell on times we "could, should and would have had" if the person were still here. But instead to celebrate in colour and with joy the life and times that we did share, the laughs we had, the memories we gained. I have found a deep respect for the Balinese and their culture and hope I can recreate even a little of it in my life.
Tomorrow is another day of surf. Yipee.....although I am currently sporting a bruised eye (right one for those who like details!) due to a stray board bashing me in the face. Ouch, again!!
No messages from anyone yet......:o( write soon!
Miss you all!