I've never been to the Mentawais. In fact, I've never been close. I've flown high over the top a few times. I've had a very hairy landing at Bali airport, but that's about as close as I've ever been. I did once spend 2 months stuck on a beach in Sri Lanka... Far flung from the Mentawais and I'd imagine a different experience but one with some familiarities, I'd wager. Clothes that cling with the tiresome humidity, surf beyond any quality I'd ever come across, a closer sun that glares down from space and up from the clear waters, searing eyes and bleaching matted hair. I've not had the lucky experince of a surf boat trip, but my friend Lee has, out in the Mentawais, and it sounded pretty cool.
As with all other tropic-travelling surfers seeing the tsunami disaster on our TV screens, unfolding once again on palm fringed beaches, I'm sure it's a little more real than it perhaps would be to a non-surfing joe. So a friend made me aware of this link to donate to the cause. Felt right, as a surf shop, to post this up. Just click on the graphic below. C
