As we all find our groove out in the lineups, the reef has seemed to carve its groove into a few of our bodies. Chris (Sheen as he is nicknamed (like the actor)) took first dibs and scraped his back and shoulder at Uluwatu on Bali, then Matt sliced his foot, Byron got some cuts and Mac has shown to be winning. Then we came to Sumbawa where the reef is less forgiving and the claw marks go a bit deeper than it ever felt upon happening. Mac took one for the team and fully gouged his foot, cut up his back and ripped the back off his board. Now that is surfing in Indonesia. Lakey Peak showed its true colors on our third day there and the crew were given some big barrels by big mother blue. The crowds here were mellow, much mellower than Bali. Almost all Aussies, as they are fairly close to Indonesia. This part of the trip has mellowed out as we charge hard very early, relax when the onshore winds approach in the afternoon and charge again whenever possible. Checking the waves was as easy as stepping out the front door. The people here are a bit less tame and eager to try and get a buck out of you. Mainly to get a ride on their scooter to one of the nearby breaks. At the same time, they are amazingly nice, kind and warm hearted. I decided to spend a little bit of time with one of those families that live on a little stretch of land with a row of tent shaped shacks. Out of all my travels around the world these had to be one of the poorest areas I have ever seen! It was amazing to witness. They predominately harvest seaweed to survive. Not enough of us visit a surf destination and really pay attention to those people and cultures that surround your destination. Put your soul out there, open your ears and eyes!
