Articles tagged ‘Siberut’
Mentawai Islands Sumatra: Best surf destination in the world
By Nick | October 18th, 2006 |
3 Comments »
A Australian friend of mine, who is in the surfing industry in Bali, one told me that the 2 best surfing destinations in the world were Hawaii and the Mentawai islands, of the west coast of Sumatra. An article by one of the guys who discovered the Mentawai’s, backs that up.
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part X
By Nick | July 27th, 2006 | 2 Comments »
We got towed to Siberut harbor and later that night Anise started a fight with a Dutch guy. In our eyes he had totally lost face and it was a shame, because the trip was excellent. It does show however that in third World countries, anytime you go on an adventure trip, you really are [...]
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part IX
By Nick | July 27th, 2006 | Add a Comment »
Some of our group suggested ridiculous ideas, such as paddling with the seat planks (it takes 1 hour with an outboard, good luck with 6 seat planks), some suggested using a plastic tarp to make a sail, even though the wind was blowing the wrong way, which owuld mean we would have to tack into [...]
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part VIII
By Nick | July 27th, 2006 | Add a Comment »
During the trip our guides were excellent. They could all speak English, Indonesian and Mentawai. On the last day we went by motor canoe to a deserted island beach - very relaxing. Then as the afternoon gotter later, we all climbed into the canoe and headed for Siberut harbor. About 20 minutes into the voyage, [...]
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part VII
By Nick | July 27th, 2006 | Add a Comment »
The floor of the houses are made of 3 inch diameter bamboo poles, tied to longer frame-poles. When they have any garbage, banana leaves, for example, they simply drop it through the cracks between the poles, for the pigs to eat, a very convenient way of recycling. You have to get used to walking at [...]
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part VI
By Nick | July 27th, 2006 | Add a Comment »
In Indonesia the bathroom situation is a fascinating one. A bathroom consists of an Asian toilet (an enamel hole with 2 foot plates) to squat down on, and a mandi (square tiled box, approximately 3ft*3ft, and filled with cold water) and a plastic scoop.
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part V
By Nick | July 27th, 2006 | Add a Comment »
Anise and Herman would cook and evening meal consisting of rice and noodles, mixed with vegetables. The locals would let us have a taste of their grub. They don’t like rice, but grow sago, which is a tall tree about 18 inches thick. When the tree is ripe they chop it down, and then into [...]
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part IV
By Nick | July 26th, 2006 | Add a Comment »
I always thought that jungle streams and rivers were dangerous, because of the organisms that lurk there, but we used to swim down the rivers and bathe there everyday. My legs were covered with mud most days, though we never saw any snakes (Mark saw one on the last day) or anything that looked dangerous. [...]
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part III
By Nick | July 26th, 2006 | Add a Comment »
Siberut is part of the Mentawai islands which are named after the local tribe. After 2 hours in the canoe we arrived at the first village. The Mentawai villagers wear only loin cloths and head bands. They all carry a razor sharp machette. Our group had 9 people, Jerry (USA), Carolyn and David (Swiss), Jorg [...]
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part II
By Nick | July 26th, 2006 | Add a Comment »
Upon arriving in Padang, we got a local bus to Buktitinggi up a little way in the hills. We arrived at about 11pm and iimmedaitely checked into a losman (cheap hotel) for 8,000rp, about $4. Not bad for 23 people! That’s the going rate for accommodation in Indonesia. The next morning we went for breakfast [...]
