"We had back-to-back swells which meant it was almost too big for most of the days we were there."

Too big? Not a complaint you often hear about surf trips - at least those outside of Hawaii. But anyone who was in Indonesia - especially the western end of the chain - during the first half of August will know the islands were pumped by swell. And that's what Chris Lovell and his mates experienced during their trip.

Staying near a long left, they tackled it during the doable days and roamed locally at other times. Doesn't look like too much to complain about going on these photos - 'cept the coral cuts, shown 'healing' in time lapse. Chris also scored a blunt impact wound to his elbow that needed stictches. And good on the Indo doctor for leaving the six bits of coral inside the wound. Ain't no infection like an Indonesian infection...

All photos by Chris.