document.write('\x3cmeta http-equiv=\x22x-dns-prefetch-control\x22 content=\x22off\x22/\x3e\x3col class=\x22tumblr_posts\x22\x3e\x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eNew Mentawai Rules for Charter Boats\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp\x3eHaving a forested look at the trees, it is obvious to just about anybody that the Mentawai Surfing Industry is under threat.\u00a0 There never has been, and never will be a unified voice amongst charter boat operators in the Mentawai Islands.\u00a0 There is too much suspicion, too much paranoia, too many hidden agendas, and way too many egos.\u00a0 Certainly it is clear that the industry can\x26#8217;t sort itself out.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eI recommend that the government and industry take the following steps to increasing regulation, fairness for the industry, and revenue with benefits for the Mentawai people and the environment:\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e1) On November 10th 2012, the Mentawai government should host a silent auction for 30 charter boat licenses.\u00a0 The hosts will place an empty box on a table in the middle of the room for 2 hours, 1 day only.\u00a0 The box will be opened and representatives from the boat association(s), tourism and tax department will witness the results listed in order of highest bid to lowest.\u00a0 Top 30 bids win.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e- The licenses will be valid for 3 years, and the\u00a0auction will be repeated on November 10th, 2015.\u00a0\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e- The licenses are transferrable on a yearly basis, with 10% of the original value of the license being paid again to the Mentawai government as a capital gains tax for the new/old license holders.\u00a0 The remaining profit on such a transaction is the right of the license holder.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e- The licenses are for the right to operate in Mentawai waters only, and is not considered a tax which is deductable from bottom line company operating profit.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e- Only 8 passengers allowed per license.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e2) The Mentawai government should decree a grace period for the charter boats to design and implement a mooring system which reduces by a minimum of 80% the anchoring by charter boats that currently happens.\u00a0 If the industry does not implement, the government will design and implement one for them, and charge it to the charter boats directly.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e3) The Mentawai government should decree that all charter boats provide sewerage holding tank facilities on board, and limit the pumping of those tanks to specific channels between main islands.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e4) The Mentawai government should decree that every charter boat must have a minimum of 1 Mentawaian on board, paid a fair salary as crew.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eWith these very fair and quickly achievable regulations, the islands and industry will benefit much more than they are able to currently:\u00a0\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e- almost no Mentawaians are hired to work on charter boats, although there are thousands that are capable of doing this job.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e- almost all charter boats have a direct line from their toilets to the lineup, literally turning their guests into shitheads.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e- There are only 3 government supplied moorings in the Mentawais.\u00a0 Otherwise all charter boats anchor everytime they move.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e- There is currently no security for business investments or regulations enforced protecting those investments in the Mentawai islands.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3ePlease repost if you agree (or not) with these fair-for-all suggestions.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_video_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_video\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cscript type=\x22text/javascript\x22 language=\x22javascript\x22 src=\x22http://assets.tumblr.com/javascript/tumblelog.js?719\x22\x3e\x3c/script\x3e\x3cspan id=\x22video_player_14619381942\x22\x3e[\x3ca href=\x22http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22\x3eFlash 10\x3c/a\x3e is required to watch video]\x3c/span\x3e\x3cscript type=\x22text/javascript\x22\x3erenderVideo(\x22video_player_14619381942\x22,\'http://www.mentawaisurfing.com/video_file/14619381942/tumblr_lwm4gmyguz1qc6s9d\',400,300,\'orientation=landscape\\x26amp;poster=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lwm4gmyguz1qc6s9d_frame1.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lwm4gmyguz1qc6s9d_frame2.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lwm4gmyguz1qc6s9d_frame3.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lwm4gmyguz1qc6s9d_frame4.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lwm4gmyguz1qc6s9d_frame5.jpg\')\x3c/script\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_caption\x22\x3e\x0a                        \x3cp\x3eAre these refugees fleeing a despotic dictator?\u00a0 No, this is my dad and I trying to get back to the mainland on a Mentawai public ferry.\u00a0 We were lucky enough to show up 6 hours early and score our little slice of the back of a cargo truck to call our own.\u00a0 You interested in having a nice holiday to Mentawai with decent transport?\u00a0 You get what you pay for.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                    \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_link_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x3ca href=\x22http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpiZwpY2VVw\x22 class=\x22tumblr_link\x22 \x3eTen out of ten Oct. \x26#039;11\x3c/a\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eWavePark Blog 003\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lswqks22pc1qbgrfy.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eWords: Jamie Joseph\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e11 October 2011\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eEight is Sticky\x3c/strong\x3e \x3cbr/\x3eUsually it takes 2 to 3 days for a new group of surfers visiting Hideaways to get to know each other, chit chat and gel. But this time we had a smaller group of 8 arrive, as opposed to the usual 12. This means we are using one boat instead of two. Same waves, same stoke, hell by the time we all got back on the boat from our Tikis trip this morning we were nattering about everything from mutual friends in Tasmania to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles who, by the way, are made up of Michaelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo and Rafael.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eAnd we got twenty something girls on this trip, the lovely Zsa and Meg, fresh and hungry for waves and both sporting Hive swimwear. That\x26#8217;s the label founded by Kat who was on the last trip. Kat would like that. We also have the returns, Andre second trip, Jim his third and Don his eighth trip back to Hideaways! We are now 24 hours into the trip. It\x26#8217;s time for dinner. Fresh tuna, yum! Everyone is game on at the pool table. I better go gather the troops. They going to need to feed their bodies.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eTomorrow is going to be cranking.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eTikis\x26#8230;according to WavePark.com\x3c/strong\x3e \x3cbr/\x3eA very consistent right-hand peak, Tiki\x26#8217;s is the most dependable surf spot in the WavePark.\u00a0 Surfable at every tide and for every surfing level, this wave is very enjoyable and challenging.\u00a0 Very rippable.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eWPM Blog 002\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsuut3B7V31qbgrfy.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e10 October 2011\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eWords: Jamie Joseph\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eNoosa People in WavePark\x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eOne of the things I love about staying at WavePark, other than the best surf in the world, are all the interesting people I meet. This trip we had the Noosa people, which means, influenced by their sunny east coast Australian location, they are morning people. There is always a dog to walk or a beach to jog on before their first fresh brew. Try Raw Cafe or The Deck if you are ever in the hood.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3ePete and Kat Hogg are busy people. Kat is the head honcho of Hive swimwear currently expanding to New Zealand and America and when Pete is not seeing up to 22 physio patients a day on weekends and his afternoons off he is making sure that the Hive marketing honeycomb is as sweet as can be. Time is precious. When seeking WavePark they were after the perfect mix. Exceptional waves, but of varying difficulty to suit both their skill level and privacy you would expect from a private retreat. They also really enjoyed the beach house. It was private but still had that communal vibe being linked with their friends on the 1st floor. Spacious with long hallways and balconies and 240 degree views of Hideaways break out front.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eTo end our little chat I asked them to whip up two adjectives to describe the beach out front and it\x26#8217;s official, pristine and exotic.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eAlso at the breakfast table this morning are Sid and Sharyn. Nine years ago they gave up the yuppie lifestyle and all the toys and took a year off to get back to reality. This included a nine month road trip circumnavigating Australia, a pilgrimage they recommend to anyone that has an affinity for water and the great outdoors.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cem\x3eReal faces and real people. \x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eSays Sharyn, an architect who, wait for it\x26#8230; designs beach houses. Now that makes my cool jobs shortlist. As we speak she is making a map of the island. We won\x26#8217;t be posting it. Some things should stay a treasured secret.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eAnd how would Sharyn describe the WavePark experience?\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cem\x3eThe remote location is the unique factor. It is the lost world. \x3c/em\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eLinks to check out: \x3cbr/\x3ehiveswimwear.com \x3cbr/\x3ebeach.house.architecture.com\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eWe bid farewell to the Noosa people, the Great Danes and Robert today. New guests will be arriving this evening, I wonder who?\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eWPM Blog 001\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp\x3eWords: Jamie Joseph\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e19\u00a0September 2011\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eCrossing the channel Padang to Mentawai\x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/strong\x3eWe just left Padang. I\u2019m stretched out port side of WavePark\u2019s boat KM Koraibi, carries up to 20. Our 9 new guests for the trip are inside, a friendly group from California split between two generations in their forties and twenties, all surfers. Plus the regulars Robert, Steve and Bertie. I just spent seven weeks in Bali and now I have seven weeks ahead of me at WavePark, Mentawai, a stark contrast in so many ways. I loved the buzz of Bali, but I\u2019m looking forward to escaping to a private island where there are no crazy drivers, in fact no motor vehicles of any kind, no dodgy cops and there is no one trying to sell you something. As for the surf, well it\u2019s definitely a gear shift to full throttle. It\u2019s on when it\u2019s on\u2026and it\u2019s always on.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eWelcome to WavePark\x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/strong\x3eIt was dark by the time we got here, everyone was real tired, so the order of the evening was dinner and bed. But first we had the talk by founder and general manager, Christie. He takes safety seriously and doesn\u2019t downplay anything. Watch out for the killers\u2026 Coconuts, they kill. And they are everywhere. The paths have been trimmed and marked with an X, so just watch out if you go off the beaten track. And earthquakes and tsunamis, as in the earthquake is the warning for a tsunami. If we feel an earthquake the evacuation plan is to climb one of the trees with the ladders running up it. Christie insisted we scope out our tree either that evening or first thing in the morning. The resort has been running for 15 years and has only ever been evacuated twice. So not bad odds. But still, you can never be too prepared.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eIndonesian words of the day: \x3c/strong\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eCapek - tired \x3cbr/\x3eBerhagia - happy\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e20 September 2011\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eFirst sunrise \x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/strong\x3eBecause we had arrived after dark last night everything was just a teaser. I could hear the ocean and see the shadows of lined palm trees, but I knew nothing would compare to daylight. I got up early to check out this postcard friends of WavePark kept telling me I would be living in and followed the short path from staff quarters down to the beach. As my feet connected with the softest white sandy beach and I scanned my eyes from left to right the island felt like it was smiling at me. That\u2019s the shape of the cove that meets the main pathway to the beach house and bungalows, a smile. Palm trees lined with soft white sand hugging turquoise blue water. The kind of shells scattered across the ground like you would buy in a shop except there is nothing static here and no shops, no cars and no noisy scooters. Just living breathing creatures transporting these shells across their playground. I dive into the gentle waters that wash over my body and even the sea salt is silky. You can taste it, but there is no sting. Further out is Hideaways surf break. And beyond that are another 20 breaks creating a Disneyland for surfers. It\u2019s time to get amongst it. Indonesian words of the day: Sunrise - matahari terbit Sunset - matahari terbenum\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eNo need to panic\x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/strong\x3eThis morning I headed out to Hideaways surf spot just out front on our doorstep. We\u2019re still waiting for the swell tomorrow and so it was small conditions. But still, I am a beginner surfer and I\u2019ve never surfed reef anymore. I sat with Alice on the boat and watched the other surfers for a little while before apprehensively putting my booties on for the first time. She has a serious camera with a 300mm lens. I was thinking to myself I hope she doesn\u2019t catch me on camera bailing. Not the best mindset going into the water. I jumped in and paddled out to join the others. I paddled for the first wave and got taken down straight away. All I saw was this wave hollow out and then coral below me and I panicked. I had spent the last six weeks in Bali surfing bigger waves than this, but these waves were so much faster. And the reef beneath me was really playing mind tricks on me. The next wave I held on for a while, finally stood up and then lost my balance and got dragged into the rocks. I did that twice and then decided to get out before I smash up the one and only board I have with me.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eThat afternoon most of the group headed over to Spankers, a couple stayed with Hideaways and then I caught up with everyone again in the evening at the bar. I get a buzz off everyone\u2019s buzz. Its wave talk time and people are thirsty. About an hour later Alice turns on the lap top and everyone gets to see a photo gallery from the day up on the projector. Rey want down on the reef and had to get a bit of doctoring but for the most part everyone is left unscathed. There were some goodie photos, but things are really just warming up. I of course was bleak about my session but Berti, a WavePark regular, recommended I try out Beng Bengs, a much easier ride. Hideaways break is really not for beginners. Bertie is also a seven times world champion snowboarder. He stopped competing in 2002, but he still looks like a professional athlete when he surfs. Berti is unassuming though. If it wasn\u2019t for surf guide Shane telling me he is like the Kelly Slater of snowboarding I never would have known anything about his triumphs. He is just not that kind of guy to blow his own horn.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eSo that\u2019s my plan. Tomorrow I have to catch up on my blogging, but soon enough I\u2019m going to head for Playgrounds and have a bit of fun. I have\u00a0weeks to work it out. No need to panic.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3ePelan-Pelan. Hati-Hati.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3ePlay hard. Sleep hard.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eIndonesian words of the day:\x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/strong\x3ePelan-Pelan - slowly\x3cbr/\x3eHati-Hati - careful\x3cbr/\x3eOmbak - wave\x3cbr/\x3eCepat - fast \x3cbr/\x3eKarang - reef\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e21 September 2011\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eNot just for surfers \x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/strong\x3eI write this blog from my new \u201coffice\u201d. My desk has a hole in it and inside the hole is a tree chopped at the top with an umbrella makeshift palm frond covering. I usually listen to music when I write but I\u2019m enjoying the purr of the waves lapping up against the shore in front of me. One of the boats just got back from surfing Bang Bang. I asked surf guide Ross how were the waves and he said pretty good about head high. I asked him in feet and that\u2019s when I got the lowdown on wave size. \u201cWell\u2026\u201d says Ross. \u201cIf you\u2019re from Hawaii you would probably say 1 foot, a Kiwi would call it at 3 foot and a Brazilian maybe at 5 foot. But basically if you are on the wave it\u2019s head high.\u201d The guests all seem really stoked and as the swell keeps coming it\u2019s just going to get bigger and better. I\u2019m secretly wishing for smaller waves, but I\u2019m not gagging for a surf yet.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eJust before lunch I went for a long swim at the beach in front and I just cannot get over how beautiful this place is. I have spent time on hundreds of beaches all over the world but nothing compares to this. It\u2019s a dream for beach babes seeking serenity and a stark contrast to busy Bali where non stop there are always people on the beach trying to sell you something. And for me as a writer, it\u2019s a space that I can really chill out in and sink into the zone. I wrote 30\u00a0000 words of my book whilst in Bali. I probably have another 30\u00a0000 words to go, filling in the gaps and tidying it up. Bali was just too fast. It was difficult to write. But this place is pure Zen. Indonesian words of the day: Cinta - love Damai - peace Cantik - beautiful Pantai - beach\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e22 September 2011\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eThe 90 minute stroll \x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/strong\x3eI waited for the lowest low tide and then I went for it. It took me a very cruisy 90 minutes to walk around Hideaways Island. I forgot to take my sandals but it wasn\u2019t a major. The first half there are a few hairy parts where you\u2019re walking on washed up coral for some time ago nothing that cuts. And I saw a four foot lizard. He was a bit shy. I left at 9.30am and got back around 11am. It was overcast when I left and super sunny on the final stretch and so I topped off my walk with a lazy swim. The sun here is sneaky. Even if you think you are not burning, you definitely are. Skinny went out for such a long surf even his eyes are sunburnt. Sunscreen is your friend! Keep it close.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e23 September 2011\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eIt\u2019s a Feast! \x3c/strong\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eI have to stop eating. Seriously. Its just too much. Or, in Indo speak, terlalu! But I just cant seem to stop because I\u2019m in the midst of a feast, non stop. I guess the novelty hasn\u2019t worn off yet. Breakfast we\u2019re treated to daily muffins as a snack to the main course which might be omelets, poached eggs, pancakes or French toast. So far my lunch favorites have been the lasagna and the Thai sweet potato soup. Last night we had fish, mash and veggies for dinner and tonight it was thin crust pizza with heaps of different toppings. Now you try so no to pizza! The trick of course is to burn it off.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eI think first prize for calorie burning would have to go to Berti today. Everyone headed over to Playgrounds in the morning but he hung back. At 11am he headed out front to Hideaways and only came in when the sun set. That\u2019s nearly a seven hour session! Impressive.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eIndonesian words of the day\x3c/strong\x3e: \x3cbr/\x3eMakanan - food \x3cbr/\x3eMakan - eat Makanan \x3cbr/\x3epagi - breakfast \x3cbr/\x3eMakanan siang - lunch \x3cbr/\x3eMakanan malam - dinner \x3cbr/\x3eJam barapa makan siang? - What time is lunch? \x3cbr/\x3eMakanan siang satu tuju sepu - Lunch is 7.30pm\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e24 September 2011\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eI am being stalked by coconuts\x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/strong\x3eI must have been a coconut plucker in a previous life because these coconuts have it in for me. Once a day these past three days a coconut has fallen just a few feet from where I am standing or sitting. After doing a fair amount of fact finding on the Internet to see just how many people a year are in fact killed by coconuts I finally came up with absolutely nothing. Yes there are reports of 150 deaths a year. But that report is wrong.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eThere is really nothing substantial I have found yet. But if I go by first hand knowledge through island people I know i am happy to report that no one knows anyone personally of being killed by a coconut but there have been a handful of known injuries in the past 20 years. I\u2019m more worried about the coconuts to be honest than a Tsunami. Or course everyone has different fears, but it\u2019s a matter of putting everything into perspective. I grew up in Africa, so this place feels safe like a Swiss bank vault.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eChristie was actually relaying an \u201cAfrican Precaution\u201d conversation between him and a guest of his from the Congo. The first two days this guest was on the island he just wasn\u2019t cracking a smile and looked far too serious. And then he started smiling again and it all came out. He told Chrisite he had been a bit freaked out that first day after the whole Tsunami talk. But then his friend had put it into perspective. He said it is just like when people come to the Congo and they give the Congo talk, because every, well, most countries have some sort of \u201ctalk\u201d. Now the Congo talk is quite unique, and it goes like this: In the Congo in the middle of the night\u2026 If you hear a shot gun, thats ok, go back to sleep. But if you hear machine guns then best to get out of bed and check what\u2019s up with the owner of the house. But if you hear heavy artillery boom whistle boom then its time to run. No need to consult owner.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eSo yeah, Im feeling rather at ease on the island. Actually I keep getting that pinching feeling like, yes it\u2019s true\u2026I am living on an island that would make a \x3cstrong\x3epostcard pop out at you and shout Welcome to paradise! \x3c/strong\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eIndonesian words of the day: \x3c/strong\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eParadise - firdaus \x3cbr/\x3eCoconut - kelapa \x3cbr/\x3eVillage - kampung \x3cbr/\x3ePeople - orang\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e25 September 2011\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eSan Diego Steve gets 1 on 1 surf time \x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/strong\x3eSan Diego Steve arrived at the bar around sunset absolutely glowing. He had a 1 on 1 surf session with surf guide Shane just in front at the Hideaways break and was feeling much more comfortable now surfing on reef. Everyone keeps telling me it takes time and I have time, 40 odd days to work it out, but the guests will have to go home next week. And so I was just stoked for Steve that he had a good session. I\u2019m in the writers zone at the moment trying to edit and finish the book I wrote in Bali so I am extremely distracted but I will get out there really soon. I\u2019m just waiting for the right tide and the right size.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eI don\u2019t mean to sound like a girl, but i am, and I\u2019m cautious. If I am going to take risks it will be towards the end of the trip, not at the start. And I just don\u2019t want to get spooked again. Pelan-Pelan.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eIndonesian words of the day: \x3c/strong\x3e\x3cbr/\x3eWriter - penulis \x3cbr/\x3ePelajar - \u00a0to learn (student of anything) \x3cbr/\x3eTeacher - guru\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eEnter the Shaman\x3cbr/\x3e\x3c/strong\x3eSo this morning I woke up to strange voices. Of course, there were three shaman and their friends sitting outside my door on the verandah staff quarters. They got their own language on their island Siberut with many different dialects because there are many different tribes. And while Indonesia struggles to maintain 1 doctor for every 6000 plus citizens the Mentawai can boast 1 traditional healer for every 3 or 4 of it\u2019s citizens, making it the highest ratio of doctor to patient of any society in the world. Mentawai is blessed with a rich forest that provide most nutritional and medicinal needs.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eLast night the Siberut medicine men did some tribal dances for the guests mimicking animals from the island with stomping and howls. Christie was saying every now and then they get really into the zone and naturally cross over, taking on the spirit of the animal. On one occasion one of the elders took on the spirit of a snake and felt flat on his back. One of the drummers tried to help him but as soon as he touched him he too took on the spirit. But no need to worry, it\u2019s what they do. Fascinating stuff really. There is a book on the book shelf about the Mentawai People that traces back to their roots and explains in detail the culture of these indigenous folk written by a Canadian that spent a food part of ten years on the island integrating with the locals. It\u2019s on my book short list now.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eUnderstanding local culture I find really enriches my travels. And the local staff here are real friendly and very patient with me helping me to learn to speak Indonesian. Sedikit, tiap hari.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cstrong\x3eIndonesian words of the day:\x3c/strong\x3e \x3cbr/\x3eSedekit - little bit \x3cbr/\x3eEvery day - tiap hari \x3cbr/\x3eMedicine man - dukun \x3cbr/\x3eVillage - kampung \x3cbr/\x3eSabar - patience\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3e\x3cimg src=\x22http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsuv0l56l31qbgrfy.jpg\x22/\x3e\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_text_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_title\x22\x3eMentawai Surfing Welcomes Guest Blogger.\x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_body\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cp\x3eWe\x26#8217;re handing the reins over to our new friend and guest blogger GirlJamie.\u00a0 Jamie aims to give you a fresh outlook on life in our little mentawai\u00a0island paradise.\u00a0 She\x26#8217;ll be seeing the things that I don\x26#8217;t see anymore.\u00a0 Feel free to repost or comment through FB or at mentawaisurfing.com.\u00a0 Cheers!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_video_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_video\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cspan id=\x22video_player_10063639617\x22\x3e[\x3ca href=\x22http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22\x3eFlash 10\x3c/a\x3e is required to watch video]\x3c/span\x3e\x3cscript type=\x22text/javascript\x22\x3erenderVideo(\x22video_player_10063639617\x22,\'http://www.mentawaisurfing.com/video_file/10063639617/tumblr_lrc6ugX2he1qc6s9d\',400,266,\'orientation=landscape\\x26amp;poster=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lrc6ugX2he1qc6s9d_frame1.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lrc6ugX2he1qc6s9d_frame2.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lrc6ugX2he1qc6s9d_frame3.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lrc6ugX2he1qc6s9d_frame4.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lrc6ugX2he1qc6s9d_frame5.jpg\')\x3c/script\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_caption\x22\x3e\x0a                        \x3cp\x3eAll it takes is one good barrel to pay for the ticket over\x26#8230;\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                    \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_photo_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x3cimg src=\x22http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lr218px0li1qc6s9do1_400.jpg\x22 alt=\x22Don\x26amp;#8217;t look!\x0aIf you\x26amp;#8217;re squeamish.\x26nbsp;\x0aThis is an actual photo of Keala Kennelly, a professional surfer.\x26nbsp; She came close to losing her eye the other day in Tahiti, towing into big waves last week and hitting the reef after a bad wipeout.\x26nbsp; So much for her modeling career poor dear. I\x26amp;#8217;ve been thinking for a while about the Mentawais, and this photo gave me further pause.\x26nbsp; As the Mentawai Islands get more and more crowded, the surfers that enjoy waves to themselves are venturing farther afield.\x26nbsp; We surf waves that we\x26amp;#8217;ve never surfed before because they were too fast or shallow.\x26nbsp; We surf our regular waves on lower tides than we used to surf before.\x26nbsp; We surf when we\x26amp;#8217;re tired or failing light, just because everybody else has left the lineup.\x26nbsp; There are much more people to avoid as you\x26amp;#8217;re racing down the line.\x26nbsp; There are surfers in the lineup at big hollow waves that perhaps shouldn\x26amp;#8217;t be there, but are because everywhere else is \x26amp;#8220;too crowded\x26amp;#8221;.\x26nbsp; It is all adding together to be a much more dangerous past-time than it used to be. In a normal season, on average I would stitch up 6 guests by the end of the season.\x26nbsp; This year we\x26amp;#8217;ve done over 14.\x26nbsp; 6 in just the first 2 trips!\x26nbsp; Is it a coincidence?\x26nbsp; Is it just a roll of the dice?\x26nbsp; No.\x26nbsp; The reason more people are getting injured is because there are more boards and reefs to bump into, and we\x26amp;#8217;re taking more risks just to get waves to ourselves.\x26nbsp;  There\x26amp;#8217;s no point to this rant, and Keala\x26amp;#8217;s photo has nothing to do with this post.\x26nbsp;\x0aMaybe just showing you what big waves and reef can do to people\x26amp;#8217;s faces.\x26nbsp;Maybe just using my crystal ball to predict that surfing will become increasingly dangerous for the people who visit or live in this small island chain in the middle of nowhere, and that injuries such as Keala\x26amp;#8217;s are more common.\x26nbsp; For that matter surfing will get more dangerous everywhere you go.\x26nbsp; Peace and hati-hati.\x22 class=\x22tumblr_photo\x22/\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_caption\x22\x3e\x0a                        \x3cp\x3eDon\x26#8217;t look!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eIf you\x26#8217;re squeamish.\u00a0\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eThis is an actual photo of Keala Kennelly, a professional surfer.\u00a0 She came close to losing her eye the other day in Tahiti, towing into big waves last week and hitting the reef after a bad wipeout.\u00a0 So much for her modeling career poor dear.\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e I\x26#8217;ve been thinking for a while about the Mentawais, and this photo gave me further pause.\u00a0 As the Mentawai Islands get more and more crowded, the surfers that enjoy waves to themselves are venturing farther afield.\u00a0 We surf waves that we\x26#8217;ve never surfed before because they were too fast or shallow.\u00a0 We surf our regular waves on lower tides than we used to surf before.\u00a0 We surf when we\x26#8217;re tired or failing light, just because everybody else has left the lineup.\u00a0 There are much more people to avoid as you\x26#8217;re racing down the line.\u00a0 There are surfers in the lineup at big hollow waves that perhaps shouldn\x26#8217;t be there, but are because everywhere else is \x26#8220;too crowded\x26#8221;.\u00a0 It is all adding together to be a much more dangerous past-time than it used to be.\x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e In a normal season, on average I would stitch up 6 guests by the end of the season.\u00a0 This year we\x26#8217;ve done over 14.\u00a0 6 in just the first 2 trips!\u00a0 Is it a coincidence?\u00a0 Is it just a roll of the dice?\u00a0 No.\u00a0 The reason more people are getting injured is because there are more boards and reefs to bump into, and we\x26#8217;re taking more risks just to get waves to ourselves.\u00a0 \x3cbr/\x3e\x3cbr/\x3e There\x26#8217;s no point to this rant, and Keala\x26#8217;s photo has nothing to do with this post.\u00a0\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eMaybe just showing you what big waves and reef can do to people\x26#8217;s faces.\u00a0Maybe just using my crystal ball to predict that surfing will become increasingly dangerous for the people who visit or live in this small island chain in the middle of nowhere, and that injuries such as Keala\x26#8217;s are more common.\u00a0 For that matter surfing will get more dangerous everywhere you go.\u00a0 Peace and hati-hati.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                    \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a            \x3cli class=\x22tumblr_post tumblr_video_post\x22\x3e\x0a                \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_video\x22\x3e\x0a                    \x3cspan id=\x22video_player_9024291042\x22\x3e[\x3ca href=\x22http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash\x22 target=\x22_blank\x22\x3eFlash 10\x3c/a\x3e is required to watch video]\x3c/span\x3e\x3cscript type=\x22text/javascript\x22\x3erenderVideo(\x22video_player_9024291042\x22,\'http://www.mentawaisurfing.com/video_file/9024291042/tumblr_lq1xa0i6S01qc6s9d\',400,266,\'orientation=landscape\\x26amp;poster=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lq1xa0i6S01qc6s9d_frame1.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lq1xa0i6S01qc6s9d_frame2.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lq1xa0i6S01qc6s9d_frame3.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lq1xa0i6S01qc6s9d_frame4.jpg,http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.tumblr.com%2Ftumblr_lq1xa0i6S01qc6s9d_frame5.jpg\')\x3c/script\x3e\x0a                \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a                \x0a                    \x3cdiv class=\x22tumblr_caption\x22\x3e\x0a                        \x3cp\x3eI just spent 10 minutes writing a very witting rant about this kind of bullshit.\u00a0 Then my connection dropped out.\u00a0 Damnit.\x3c/p\x3e\x0a\x3cp\x3eTo:\u00a0 the boozed fueled\u00a0idiots\u00a0off a\u00a0particular Australian owned charter boat that towed on top of paddle surfers at 4ft. Rifles on the afternoon of 14 August, 2011\x26#8212; get a ski to your head!\x3c/p\x3e\x0a                    \x3c/div\x3e\x0a                \x0a            \x3c/li\x3e\x0a        \x0a        \x0a        \x0a\x0a                        \x0a    \x0a\x3c/ol\x3e');