Clarity and Colour

 Pink diamond day of clarity and colour, that was our morning at Bojos, southern Telo Islands. Water as clear as can be, fish as colourful as can be - reds, purples, yellows. It was a pleasure just to paddle out, suspended on the see-through water above the reef, clearly visible no matter how deep below. Waves were good too and no other orangs around, softer but good. Even a weird morning mist in the stillness. Captain Lee showed us how brightly coloured the fish are, putting his barb through a few and bringing them up for sashimi at night Moved on to the little right hander Lee called skate park where we have been before which was very nice.  Bob and Peter loved it - found their mojos they didn’t have this morning- no mojos at Bojos. Some SUPing today too by Scott and Bill. Some very sore surfing skin rashes are troubling a few (Bob, Bill) while Jack’s big toe is a problem, the nail ripped off on the reef. Late surf up the point. Just as the day started, it ended in brilliant colour as the sun set over sea and island.

Telescopic

 Geni’s telescopic lense at Telescopes catches all the action, every wave. He does a great job taking videos by day, by hot hot day, which provide entertainment at night. It was a quick surf first thing at Telescopes this morning for our Heroes, not all, but for those who could easily handle the 30+ crowd. 4-6’, pristine conditions, not heavy. Then something a little heavier at Diablos for a pre lunch session. There wasn’t a devil wind but a devil current pushing everyone out to sea. That’s where Peter would have gone after his leg rope broke if it wasn’t for the tender to pick him up. Thank you Timmy for the board retrieval. The Heroes looked great carving the big Diablo lefts. Back to Teles (not Telos) lunchtimes through the afternoon - class wave in beautiful conditions enjoyed by all especially Captain Lee who once again dominated. BTW there have been a few complaints about the food…too much. Too much of a good thing. Seriously though, Master Chef Tony and Alex do a fantastic job. Pre-dinner super fresh sashimi is a real treat.

Early Macaroni’s, Big Lance

 The plan worked out well, after some debate, being first in the water as light lifted at famed Macaroni’s. Shoulder to overhead today, not perfect at first as the wind and rain were getting into it a bit, but still the beautifully formed left hander. In such a highly populated area we struck it lucky just to have our crew out there with 3 others for 3 hours before more took to the line up and it got too silly. It was clear that Cap’n Lee liked it, staying in right up to when the polisi fronted and it was time to move on. Northward. Everything is enjoyable about this trip, including cruising along at speed (10 notts +) in the open ocean for an hour or two heading for the next spot. Lance’s Left. It was BIG, no one out, enticing for the real Heroes to go out - German, Tommy, Mike, Jack, Tim and Captain Lee. Unfortunately, water time was cut short by a mega squall that blew in, but not before Tommy took off on a triple over-header (biggest wave of the trip) and Tim got onto a biggie, getting caught inside and having a loooong paddle back out. Cruised to Lance’s Right where we found 30 surfers in the line up including pros, apparently putting on an incredible show of big barrel surfing. We chose the reef further out, Lance’s Wrong to end the day. Jack is in the running for a wipe out prize way way up the reef.

Roxy’s

Motored pre dawn to Roxy’s surf break at the Christian village of Malakopa. Small waves at glassy Roxy’s this morning with some bigger sets coming through. Three boats with 15 to 20 max in the water. All Phillip Island boys revelled, showing the Novocastrians on Sibon Baru a thing or two. Michael just doesn’t get out of the water as he seems to be enjoying it so much, bad knee and all. Scott, Bob and Peter were getting a few on the inside until the local kids took over their spot. Tidak ada sekola? I said to them (no school?) - no they finish at 1.00pm, then go for a surf- bummer they have to contend with all of us invaders. But I guess without us they wouldn’t be surfing, and we provide some commerce for the town. There are some home stays popping up here for travelers. Plenty of surfing done from dawn to just before dusk before heading off nearby for the night.

Bangkoks

 Arrived near Bangkoks last night to go there in the morning. Wind was right, swell was right, sunshine was right, crowd was right (none) making for some beautiful waves especially for those competent to avoid injury. it can be a bit like that here (and is has happened) as the reef and rocks inside can be very shallow. That didn’t stop our crew of course paddling straight out. Captain Dee got some beauties ‘do do do looking out my backdoor’, then came in to spear a couple of beautiful ‘Big Eye Sea Bream’ or ‘Mu’ as the Hawaiians call them. German paddled to the picture perfect beach, Bob and Peter swam there. Michael snorkelled in between a couple of very successful surf sessions. Scott had to take it easy today as a mark of respect for Bec and their 21 years of marriage. Congratulations Scott and Bec. Everyone fared well today although Bob was spooked by the potential danger of the place while Bill, Michael and Tom spent time on the reef retrieving slightly damaged boards. German’s great patience was rewarded with some nice waves during his 3.5 hour surf, despite the effects of too many nasi gorengs.

Smaller Sanding, no sharks at sharkies

 Moored overnight close to Debuts, bit rocky (as in side to side, no rocks). No other Surf Boats around, only a couple of private sailors in the lagoon in front of Sanding. Woke to a smaller swell, but perfectly smooth conditions making for fun little waves at Debuts. Hung there enjoying the solitude of the southern Mentawais before cruising the little ways to Sharkies. Again, some fun waves to be had. Michael and the Hosking boys in particular found their groove while Bob and Peter are happy with their one or two.

Big surf big fish

 Engines started a few minutes later this morning at 5.08 am. Motored south all the way past lighthouse to bloody big meat locker where the young boys hit it and it hit them. Jack excelled, Billy barrelled, brave Lee and Herman copped it. Other Heros watched from the tinny then back on the big boat to watch captain lee spear the biggest GT we have ever seen. Relaxed Afternoon session at Debuts right handed, enjoyed by everyone, although it has been known to be better.

Great first day

Engines started again when we set off for the Hole at 5am. Hole was windy and not it’s best but that didn’t stop the young hero’s from going in, including Herman. Next stop was Peter’s favourite of all places, Moots. All Heros had a great time despite lots of people and 7 boats and despite Bob snapping his longboard, unfortunately ending his first surf. One of the boats was the Raja Elang, our old friend Doris’s who joined us briefly later. The late session smoothed off beautifully and many fun lefts were had by all, Billy probably topping the wave count and the goofies going off.

Hello Addiction

 

breakie in the very familiar Mercure hotel Padang. Boat boys picked us up on time at 8am to take us to the boat on the same bay climbing way up the coastal mountain cliff then down the other side. Padang is much cleaner now, at least the rubbish on the streets has been picked up and probably just been spread out somewhere else. Now, welcome to the Addiction and our gateway to the Ments. So Good. Stoked to meet owner James Dickinson and captain Lee Clarke who greeted us warmly on the dock. Quick swim on the way out after setting off at 11am then chugged along on the high seas until around midnight with the Hole in mind for the morning.

Rendezvous at the Mercure

 

At terminal 1 Singapore Airport  Terminal 1the Hosking men together with Jack met up with Peter and all boarded the half empty pencil plane to Padang Indo, selemat datang Indonesia. Good flight, easy entry into Indo and checked in to Mercure after the slight hiccup on the way of the minor collision of our van with another van. All the Hero’s were there: Bob, Scotty, Tim, Bill, Jack, Michael, Tommy, German and Peter. Brief beer at the Bat and Arrow bar in the colonial part of town then early night.