I love Bali
Yeah other side of peninsula. They would have probably headed over for day trip by boat.
Gunther was a really good natural foot surfer. Mate in Bali seems to think it looks like heart attack.
Sad....
Gunthers Body has been Found
RIP.
Yes RIP... Too young.
Arrived in Bali yesterday, took 5 minutes to get through immigration with electronic gate, not too long wait for baggage, straight through at customs, only realised when I was outside that no one checked for Bali tourist tax, no signage I could see.
I'd give it a miss and just pay if you get asked.
You have walked into a great swell jezza , enjoy.
Supafreak wrote:You have walked into a great swell jezza , enjoy.
Thanks Supa, was pumping where I surfed this morning. Got a couple of ok ones, good for a first surf.
Allegedly the road to hell is paved with good intentions. That may be so. But it’s incontrovertible fact that the road to Heaven is paved with arse breaking cobblestones atop a dusty goat track.
The sign said Paroxcops. Rumour had it that the etymology of the word stems from the Mayan word for “ A kindly stranger to whom you pay a token sum in order to prevent them from stealing your shit”. We can only guess as to the truth of this as we were but hard scrabbling seekers. “We” being Swellnet’s own Roystein and myself.
I met Roystein on the frontier. He seemed a good style of bloke. Rational, respectful and responsible yet still prone to bawdy good humour. I liked him immediately.
Roystein was taking time out from life to search for higher meaning. Sometimes he sought the greater meaning at the end of a kretek cigarette. If the answer wasn’t forthcoming he’d directly light another. Such was his dedication to the truth.
Paroxcops is officially the hottest surf break on Earth. If not the hottest surf break in our entire Universe.
Roystein and myself surfed it to ourselves. We escaped the terminal heat by hiding underneath the lip of pitching waves. Roystein entered one aquatic cavern that turned out to be a wormhole towards a dimension of enlightenment. The answers he sought were right there….just out of reach. He surfed hard towards the light bearing the Meaning of All. The big Questions answered if he could just maintain trajectory….. Was Anker stronger than Bintang? Who is to blame for a motorbike incident at 1km an hour during a double home from the pub?
The conundrums facing humanity were right there within his grasp.
Alas….Roystein shot past The Truth, out of the wormhole tube and out into the intense sunlight. Determinedly he stroked back out to the peak and into another tube, never taking his eyes from the prize at the end of the quest.
Roystein abandoning the safety of the open sky in pursuit of the facts
His lowly sidekick Slackjawedyokel hiding from his creditors
Good work, gentlemen.
What I wouldn't do for a Sampoerna - it's been too long.
Well sermonised SJ. Rule of twelfths nicely utilised. You didn’t mention your wave tally probably exceeded my Kretek count, hyper fuelled by local coffee and shredded nicely by your forehand attack. Remember to always do a kook count in case you’re asked by travelling child, “Are there any kooks out thur?”. At least one if I’m around!
Sampoerna part of the food pyramid in Indonesia, Island Bay. I know I shouldn’t but hard to resist the temptation, they fit in nicely to the energy of the place.
Everything is different in Indo, Roystein - for me at least.
I put sugar in my coffee, drink coca cola, smoke kreteks etc. Never at home, always in Indo.
Very nice.
Nice photos SJY , even the wind backed down for nyepi yesterday, the evening before was a radical blow with sideways rain , which was a bummer as we missed the ogah ogah parade . 
Thought you couldn't surf on that day?
ashsam wrote:Thought you couldn't surf on that day?
Looks like he just took a photo?
ashsam wrote:Thought you couldn't surf on that day?
Interesting point, I never spent enough time there to know if they celebrate nyepi on Lembongan, so I looked it up. Apparently they do, and even go one step further and shut down the electricity, which doesn’t happen on Bali.
Yeah no surfing allowed on nyepi day on Lembongan . It officially goes from 6.00am on the day to 6.00 am next day but they kept power on until 8.30 am to allow tourists to shower and such then power came on again at 5.00 pm for 1&1/2 hours for evening shower. Swimming in pool and wandering around your area is fine just no music allowed . Lots of locals gambling and getting on the turps. I remember a story of two young Aussie surfers sneaking out to lacerations back in the 80s as it was pumping . Not sure exactly what happened to them but they were in the shit on returning to shore . I think up around medewi in west bali it’s a bigger Muslim population so possibly surfing allowed up that way . A lot of people escape to the gilli’s also . The night was reasonable temperature so got an ok sleep without the fan on . Fun waves again today, headhigh with a few overhead sets, not much wind but it’s coming .
Sampoerna not strong enough
Try Suriya
An interesting thing
Hari Nyepi is recognized in Sumatra as a holiday as well
Not the full shutdown but a banks closed sort of holiday
A hari merah so to speak
At least where I was the case
Medan region and thereabouts
Lissoi
One of the staff at Kommune last year said the police patrol the beach there to make sure no one surfs.
SF, could be some cyclone swell coming or more focused towards the east of you
ashsam wrote:One of the staff at Kommune last year said the police patrol the beach there to make sure no one surfs.
I was at Keramas (Kommune) during this years Nypie day (Bali calendar New Years day), didnt see any police, but apparently the Pectalang (spelling) were monitoring ...luckily the surf was small and onshore most of the day (amazing as days before and after were good!). Overall, the experience was good everyone gets to chill, the Balos that i talked to really appreciate the day to recharge or reset. The Oogah festival (Bali Calendar News Years Eve) the night before was amazing, they go to a lot of effort with the statues, lots of loud music/drinking even saw a cock fight!. recommend Aussies to experience Nypie at least once in their lives.
ashsam wrote:https://www.news.com.au/travel/destinations/asia/bali/bali-cops-to-stop-...
Lol. This is wild
Should just put in the price of Air ticket.
Not sure if true but I heard a rumour that your tourist tax entitles you to a promotional gift package which includes a prime set wave at the renown breaks of the island. Apparently you print out a copy of your QR code and laminate it for waterproofing. This will have to be shown to the locals once you are in the lineup in order to claim your allocated set wave.
Duh....
"Australians among those allegedly scammed out of about $120,000 in fake Bali villa swindle - ABC News" https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-23/australians-allegedly-scammed-in-...
@SJY , can’t remember which thread you were talking about getting bitten on the toe by a trigger fish but today talking to a mate who was down at lakey’s a few months ago and he got savaged by one on his little toe while paddling across the lagoon. Apparently heaps of blokes down that way have been bitten and even one surfboard copped a gouge. Suggest anyone visiting down that way keeps their feet up when paddling out .
It was at Lakey that I was viciously attacked by that rampaging fish.
Slackjawedyokel wrote:It was at Lakey that I was viciously attacked by that rampaging fish.
Oh ok I thought it was in west sumbawa
sypkan wrote:https://thebalisun.com/property-prices-in-bali-boom-as-foreign-investmen...
https://www.instagram.com/stop_uluwatu_destruction/?utm_source=ig_embed&...
"Despite huge growth, looking at figures nationally for Indonesia, South Jakarta is still ranked as the number one spot for foreigners in Indonesia. The Central Business District of the capital city is a favorite for city-slicking expats."
That's surprising i knew it was a expat hotspot but i thought there was far more expats living in Bali
I have an Indo mate that is lives in South Jakarta area, family has a maid and driver etc and very big house in a ritzy area pretty well off for Indonesians.
When ive stayed with him and he goes to work (use to manage Quicksilver Jakarta) i use to go out and about to Block M big shopping mall etc, but even there an area that is popular with expats it was rare to see foreigner's and id get a lot of attention still, people wanting to talk to you etc
indo-dreaming wrote:sypkan wrote:https://thebalisun.com/property-prices-in-bali-boom-as-foreign-investmen...
https://www.instagram.com/stop_uluwatu_destruction/?utm_source=ig_embed&...
"Despite huge growth, looking at figures nationally for Indonesia, South Jakarta is still ranked as the number one spot for foreigners in Indonesia. The Central Business District of the capital city is a favorite for city-slicking expats."
That's surprising i knew it was a expat hotspot but i thought there was far more expats living in Bali
I have an Indo mate that is lives in South Jakarta area, family has a maid and driver etc and very big house in a ritzy area pretty well off for Indonesians.
When ive stayed with him and he goes to work (use to manage Quicksilver Jakarta) i use to go out and about to Block M big shopping mall etc, but even there an area that is popular with expats it was rare to see foreigner's and id get a lot of attention still, people wanting to talk to you etc
Be interesting to see what visas they are using. I guess if kitas then probably more in Jakarta. If just business social budaya would guess lots more in Bali.
Good point it's probably an official versus non official thing id expat in Jakarta foreigners are generally working in the business world often with partners even families and they are on Kitas doing everything by the book, but in Bali lots of foreigners live, work, retire often not on proper visas, many just keep extending tourist or social visas or even do visa runs etc
I dont know if its its true, but i read a while back 30,000 foreigners live in Bali.
indo-dreaming wrote:Good point it's probably an official versus non official thing id expat in Jakarta foreigners are generally working in the business world often with partners even families and they are on Kitas doing everything by the book, but in Bali lots of foreigners live, work, retire often not on proper visas, many just keep extending tourist or social visas or even do visa runs etc
I dont know if its its true, but i read a while back 30,000 foreigners live in Bali.
@indo , I think you will find there’s over 600,000 expats living in Bali
Really fark this site does say 600,000 thats insane
https://expatra.com/guides/indonesia/living-in-bali/
Thats a fair chunk of 4.3 million Bali population.
hmmm seems a lot of mixed figures out there though.
Just over 100,000 living there during Covid 2021
But then less than 10 years ago they claim only 10,000 Aussies living in Bali
But then also top countries are in order Russia, USA, Australia.
Either way hard to believe more expats live in Jakarta than Bali
Really fark this site does say 600,000 thats insane
https://expatra.com/guides/indonesia/living-in-bali/
Yeah indo I’m not sure how accurate the numbers are, different sites say different things and it’s how they are categorised which makes it confusing, this link is 3 -4 years old and had the numbers at 100,000 https://balidiscovery.com/total-number-of-foreigners-in-bali/?amp
The Canggu shortcut thing is nuts. A mate built a villa at start of that road in around 2012 and nothing there. Fark circus now .
My wife and I got a block on Bukit always thought would semi retire there, but Uluwatu area going the same way as Canggu.
Geez I miss the old Bali.
Saying that older blokes were saying the same thing to me in 90's ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Supafreak][quote=indo-dreaming wrote:Really fark this site does say 600,000 thats insane
https://expatra.com/guides/indonesia/living-in-bali/
Yeah indo I’m not sure how accurate the numbers are, different sites say different things and it’s how they are categorised which makes it confusing, this link is 3 -4 years old and had the numbers at 100,000 https://balidiscovery.com/total-number-of-foreigners-in-bali/?amp
Vast majority are now Russian I believe.
Yeah top three countries Russia, USA, Australia.
andy-mac][quote=Supafreak wrote:indo-dreaming wrote:Really fark this site does say 600,000 thats insane
https://expatra.com/guides/indonesia/living-in-bali/
Yeah indo I’m not sure how accurate the numbers are, different sites say different things and it’s how they are categorised which makes it confusing, this link is 3 -4 years old and had the numbers at 100,000 https://balidiscovery.com/total-number-of-foreigners-in-bali/?ampVast majority are now Russian I believe.
It’s hard to get a n accurate number I believe because some are on kitas or kitap while others are on a 60 day tourist visa and simply fly out for a day or two then go again on a 60 day tourist visa . I’ve heard Andy -Mac that there is 100,000 Russians living permanently in Bali and that number is growing daily .
@ andy -mac , the growth seems to be around Canggu and creeping up the NW coast , Seminyak , Ulus , Sanur , and Ubud , northern Bali also has some pockets because land is still relatively cheap . Government is pushing for people with money and want to discourage the poor backpacker market that are very good for the cheap warung and homestays . They really don’t care much for the poor indo and pander to the wealthy . I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know . Lets see what the new government comes up with .
They really stuffed Canguu, could have been good if they made it easy to walk around, footpaths are so small if any, then you get the motor bikes riding up them to get around cars.
So many Russians and expats living there.
Talking to a Ulu restaurant owner at Komune before Xmas it’s going the same way.
Supafreak wrote:@ andy -mac , the growth seems to be around Canggu and creeping up the NW coast , Seminyak , Ulus , Sanur , and Ubud , northern Bali also has some pockets because land is still relatively cheap . Government is pushing for people with money and want to discourage the poor backpacker market that are very good for the cheap warung and homestays . They really don’t care much for the poor indo and pander to the wealthy . I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know . Lets see what the new government comes up with .
It's a shame re homestays, use to love the tea and banana jaffle at your door each morning!
Supafreak wrote:@ andy -mac , the growth seems to be around Canggu and creeping up the NW coast , Seminyak , Ulus , Sanur , and Ubud , northern Bali also has some pockets because land is still relatively cheap . Government is pushing for people with money and want to discourage the poor backpacker market that are very good for the cheap warung and homestays . They really don’t care much for the poor indo and pander to the wealthy . I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know . Lets see what the new government comes up with .
We have place in Seminyak and Yeah it seems last time I was there that all the 'cool' people have moved to Canggu and ulu, as well as Ubud exploding...
Seminyak kind of felt like the new Legian, families etc. was centre in early 2000's 66 etc. spent a few nights in Tuban, liked it still had old Bali feel for few binnies at sunset on pantai Germain....
Usually stay in Sanur these days but that's changing quickly also...
Ah well times are a changing...
Any punters heading for mentawi in second week of April, be aware your ferry may not be running due to Lebaran Indul Fitri . We just received notice our ferry won’t be running on 13th April and had to reschedule for 16th . Had to change flights to super jet as unfortunately can’t get Garuda on 15th as booked out .
Another shipwreck last night , possibly see a tug turn up today and try to free it on high tide at 3.00 pm , not big tides at the moment, only 1.8 metres instead of the full moon 2.5 metres . 
The latest wreck did a 180 during the night, went out this morning for a closer look . The crew were all removed the following morning after it ran aground. No attempts to salvage it yet , it’s taking on water and last time it was same company about 12-14 years ago they managed to get it over the reef and into lagoon then towed it out through channel alongside playgrounds . Big tide on 10&11th this month 2.7 metres so possibly waiting for that as current high is only 1.7 . 
Tad wet in Bali
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.