Mug of Sunshine: March 2013

Shit, this is gonna read so much like an advert. Disclaimer.. I ain't getting paid for this. I ain't getting no free trips either but if any surf travel companies are reading this, and liking it, of course I can be bought.

I'll get the link outta the way ;)

As if the boat wasn't enough by itself, the crew, all eight of them, were amazing. Invisable when not required and right there before you even looked for them. They knew which boards were yours, they knew I liked my pancakes thin, beds were made and rooms cleaned everyday by magic. (I swear I never saw this being done once!) Scuzz (the Captain and only non native crew member) probably has more stories than than a lifetime sub to a surf mag and when he wasn't hearing new ones he had us in fits.

The surf.. early season is always gonna be a slight gamble but Scuzz called it when he said 'even when it's flat we'll find a wave' and he was true to his word. The first five days pumped. On the third day, anchored at Macaronies watching the sun go down over the palm fringed headland with aching shoulders and dark lines still pouring down the reef, beer in hand, Julian hit the nail on the head when he breathed out 'fuck, I've run out of superlatives and it's only day three'.

The standard of surfing increased on an almost hourly basis from day one. You can be excused for pulling back on your first wave at overhead Maccas but not your second and with 5 mates hooting at you to go anyway you have no choice. Everyone seemed happy to accept observations and tips on how to improve and down to a man everyone took note.

The second half saw a fading swell, but it's worth remembering that even a 2' wave here pushes back; And when it's glassy with crystal clear water over an open aquarium none of us were moaning.

I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the tale.

First afternoon frothers Pic Me

'Ilike' in the background Pic Aki

Me Macca's Pic Aki

Macca's Pic Aki

Stevie had a birthday while we were there so we bought a shit load of fireworks in Padang and found a deserted island to have a bonfire on. I'm guessing he won't forget this one in a hurry. Pic Aki