Mar 20 2008

Continuing With The Neverending Quest For My Inner Aardvark …

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So … I'm back in Singapore, en route to my next surfing destination.

I left Bangkok yesterday morning and I've stopped over in Singapore to visit with a friend, pick up some long-lost supplies, and generally get my shit in order before heading back down to Indonesia for the next month.

Among such supplies is my camera's USB cord, which I left here in November when I thought I'd be back in only a few weeks. Now, almost 5 months later, I've FINALLY been able to upload the pictures from my recent trips HERE (the Philippines), HERE (Sri Lanka), and HERE (India) (sorry, no pics from Bangkok — my camera went 'tits up' a few weeks ago).

Oh, and Manny? … TK?

Just in case both of your busy 'work schedules' keep you from browsing through all of those pics — there's a picture showing the aftermath of my Sri Lankan sea urchin encounter HERE, and another showing the result of my motorbike accident from the Philippines HERE.

Enjoy 'em, you sadistic fucks (but I mean that in a nice way).

Anyway, I've also been planning on swinging through Kuta, Bali on my way out towards 'all points water' to pick up requisite surfing supplies (wax, ding repair kit, fins, etc.). Kuta ain't my favorite place in the world, but unfortunately, it's one of the few — if not the only — place in all of Southeast Asia where surfing supplies are available (ironically, Phuket also apparently has one lone surf shop, but I wasn't going to risk a trip just to find they had nothing I need).

Apparently, however, the second coming of Christ is happening in Bali this month — because every single fucking flight from Singapore to Bali is booked for the next 10 days (except first class tickets — which we all know I don't qualify for). This has left me just a BIT flustered, considering that last summer I was able to get a cheap flight to Bali almost instantly.

Luckily, I learned that I'm not as dumb as I thunk I is. Apparently I've either got a guardian garden gnome or had the foresight to leave myself a care package here in Singapore — replete with surf wax, an epoxy ding-repair kit, and even extra fins. Nice!

So … fuck you Bali, hello Sumatra! (Krui, southern Sumatra … to be precise).

I've heard some pretty good things about the place — including the fact that it's not TOO crowded yet. Considering the number of surfers I saw in Indonesia last year, I'm not holding my breathe. But all in all, I'm pretty stoked about checking out the Sumatran mainland. If things go well, I may even head up to the Mentawai Islands and/or Nias while I'm down in the area. We'll just see how it unfolds.

Rather than wasting US$800 on an unnecessary flight to Bali, I can take a flight from here to Jakarta (and then onward through Bandar Lampung) for only US$35.00-US$45.00. This stuff just confirms my thinking that, if you just don't force it, sometimes these things just have a way of working themselves out.

I hope to pick up the plane tickets later today, and then I'll be leaving over the weekend. I'll keep writing whenever I find Internet connections, so keep in touch. Stay well and have a good month, everyone. Peace, out.

7 Responses to “Continuing With The Neverending Quest For My Inner Aardvark …”

  1. bklynon 20 Mar 2008 at 7:09 am

    love the sea urchin/foot pictures! wow…..

    have a spectacular time in Indo, hope you catch some good waves, and keep us posted….

    It was wonderful talking to you…… :)

    Cynthia

  2. lindaon 20 Mar 2008 at 8:56 am

    love the India pics but thanks for reminding me why I did not like cochin — ugh, too many westerners….check out MY India pics and you won’t see any pale faces except for my own….

    and thanks for the pics of Jewtown, where I had planned to go before my ill-fated salmonella episode….now I know what it looks like!

  3. slouchmonkeyon 20 Mar 2008 at 11:11 am

    Why are you getting that close to a KING FUCKING COBRA SNAKE? (I just yelled at my screen.)

    I’m just sayin’.

  4. very happyon 20 Mar 2008 at 4:41 pm

    Matt, just spoke to mom. you are so gonna stay with us for as long as you want. me, you & danielle at the main cottage, oh man we are gonna have a blast. dani can’t wait to meet you, we are so stoked for thailand, told her you’d join us, we are both thrilled!!

    btw I have 2 new friends coming in july so not sure when we can head for palau but I really wanna go! (thinking i can extend my stay til mid/late aug…?)

    hope you’re doing well–
    big brooklyn hug :)
    Cyn

  5. booon 20 Mar 2008 at 6:59 pm

    I’m sorry…

    I…

    I just can’t get past Bangkok.

    Yes. I’m a child. I have accepted this.

  6. Kaheaon 25 Mar 2008 at 5:54 pm

    I would love to see what a “tits up” camera looks like. ha ha.

  7. Mannyon 28 Mar 2008 at 1:36 pm

    Shit, you call that in injury? Try banging your knee on the corner of your desk, man. Now THAT’S pain. Bitch.

    But seriously, I kinda puked when I saw the pic of your hairy ass knee. Because of the scar, not the hairy ass knee, I mean.

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