Note: Because internet connections in Bali are so slow, I have to limit the amount of photos I post. I also have to compress the photos so much that the quality is not the greatest.

Today was my first official day to ride my friend "Made's" motorbike to the beach. I got my surf rack for $25.00 US and was ready to go! The waves were also supposed to be even bigger today so getting to the surf was the first priority. Naomi who is Tim's friend from California was also hitching a ride on the back of my bike.

As we were on our way to Balangan, we started to climb some hills. The bike started losing power even as I down shifted into lower gears. It finally overheated and we were pretty much broken down on the side of the road. Lots of the local Balinese people came over to see if they could help, but unfortunately they didn't speak English and we didn't speak Balinese. So now my thoughts were that I had fried the motor on Made's motorbike as we sat the in the blazing sun. After about 45 minutes I was able to start the bike and we pretty much headed back home. I knew that there was just no way that we would be able to make the rest of the journey. With the surf still pumping in the back of my mind, we got back to the hotel and rented a car for $8.00 US per day. It's just amazing how cheap things are on this side of the world!

We finally pulled up to Balangan to see some Giant peeling waves. It was double overhead to say the least and the crowd was minimal. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing as I looked down from the cliff. Naomi ended up sitting this one out as I made my attempt pick off some waves. After dropping in on my first bomb, on my way paddling back out to the lineup a massive set came through and I pretty much got pounded. One wave actually broke on my back and I instantly had a shooting pain up my spine. At this point I really couldn't move and there were still two more waves coming. Ended up getting even more pounded as I held onto my board like I was wrestling an alligator just getting turned every which way underwater. Finally made it back to the outside and I still really couldn't move my back. First thoughts were how in the hell was I going to get out of here. After about 30 minutes of stretching my back, I finally got the nerve to drop in on another wave hoping to get to shore in one piece. Everything worked out in the end and I was happy to make it safely. Days like these are when you really wish you had a surf buddy out in the water with you!

Most of the pics below were taken from a cliff about 300 yards away. They really don't give it justice to how big it really was. When you look at some of the pics, see if you can spot the surfers which look like little ants. There surf has just been pumping everyday since my arrival in Bali. The journey continues......

Broken Down

Balangan

Balangan Peeling

Balangan

Impossibles from a far

Local

Balangan, getting tubed

Balangan, going off!

Balangan

Local Groms

Check out the dreads

Naomi & our $8.00 rental car