A Wonderfully Failed Attempt! – part 1

Remember that Wayang Ombak members were supposed to go check out these two indonesian islands which has no reported surf before? The surf trip we like to call “Surf Hunting”? We were supposed to have one during the end of 2008 (last year, for those who don’t keep track on the current year, lol) … Well it catastrophically failed, but oh so very almost so over-wonderfully !!!

It was early December 2008. The stage was set for a handful of members and friends to embark on the trip, coz almost all the swell window faucets were closed off … at least, to all the main surfing destinations in indonesia it was really smack-dab in the middle of ‘its probably a better idea to surf lakes’ swell season!

True enough, every single surfbreak that has gained popularity as main surf destinations were not only under 50%, they were under 15% performance!!! – which by the way, is usually a good time for beginners or learners (first timers) to go check out some of the more gnarlier spots and check em out! ::mrcool::

I was the most wired up to embark on this trip. We were to have an old school surfer coming from Singapore, some mates from Oz, one intrepid Malaysian surfer, and four locals (including myself).

So when the time came when the forecast for the best possible swell-wind-tides scenario for these new spots came into being, I checked around for transport to get there, did rough calculations for the whole trip (which was going to take at least 3 weeks), sent notices thru text and email to the Wayang Ombak Surf Hunting 2008 posse, and waited …

One suddenly was offered a job which he has just taken for under a fortnight, he couldn’t go. Flu and general sores came to the ozzies. The Malaysian had to receive his family who is coming from afar. I said, cool, all I need to do now is visit Batukaras and Pacitan to check out who can go.

Before Batukaras, I called Diki and Bali up. Diki still has his in-law from germany visiting him, and still hard at work in construcing his home. He couldn’t go. Bali had to stay home and take care of his Mom who was rather ill. Okay, scratch Batukaras, I said to myself, I’ll just travel eastward with my family to Yogyakarta then Pacitan to see if good ol Doc Surfer can come, he’s probably one of the most hardcore surf-wave-hunters in indo, I bet he’d be delighted to come! … I mean, I still have to go there and pickup my other longboard who was entrusted to a guy named Momon in Pacitan, right? so the travel plan (and pre-itenary) was eventually set.

One thing for sure, me and my family were really eager to get the hell out of Bandung, as soon as possible, because we totally know what’s gonna happen in the very near future, say like after the 24th of December? … yuck … Bandung is just gonna be pure puke-a-logy, full of out-of-towners seeking the hideous ‘metropilitan thrill’, which usually just means wasting a lot of energy for nothing and at the same time contribute heavily into the destruction of the planet! Not to mention contributing to the destruction to one’s self.

In all fairness, to us, who love Bandung dearly, from the 27th of December to around the 3rd, Bandung will simply just not be Bandung anymore. It will rear its beautiful face to be covered with an ominous ugly mask!

BEFORE 27th, as the 27th is Saturday, we already have the craziness of people having their days off during 25 and 26 December … so Bandung will suddenly have the population of cars almost rivaling its own population, a staggering 2 million cars, motorcycles, buses, public transport, etc. On top of that, all roads leading to Bandung will be overtly congested.

Enough details? trust me, even during writing this post I felt I’d like to puke. But as with every downturn, there are always up sides for those who are willing to just give it a glance and take the step!

So me and my family were geared, really really looking forward to escaping monstrous Bandung! The Doc has set his time to receive us. I got us the train tickets, Banudng-Yogyakarta, then organized a car to take us from Yogyakarta train station to Pacitan, a nice cheap lodge near town centre!

Part 2: Bandung-Yogykakarta by a night train called “Turangga Malam” – Cool totally uncrowded surf sessions with the Doc – a further awakening to the problematic few surf locals of pacitan – a new years eve to remember – off to Surabaya with no goodbyes – the train ride to Rogojampi near Banyuwangi, close to G-Land – etc