10 days in Sumbawa

I've posted pics of me at Uluwatu a few weeks ago below this post. Don't miss 'em!

So after being in Kuta, Bali, for a few weeks it was time to try something new. My friends Jon and Marco said that Lakey Peak in Sumbawa is a first timer's must do. So we bought our tickets at the airport, about $120 roundtrip, and took off for 10 days. Sumbawa is an island about an hours flight from Bali. After you arrive to Bima, Sumbawa, you must take a 2 hour bemo (cab) drive to Lakey Peak. Here's a photo from the drive to Lakey's.

As you can see, it's mainly rice fields, palm trees, and tropical forests. Some parts are so dense you can't see the sky through the trees. Once I arrived at Lakeys we decided to stay at Balumba, where the accomodations were meager, but what more can you ask for for $5 a night?

Here's a picture of my room with the mosquito net.


I had no idea how much you must protect yourself from Malaria. It's no joke, 2 people caught it while I was there and they were in the hospital when we left. It's amazing what you are willing to risk for the best barrels of your life.

Outside of my room was a shower and small courtyard with the other rooms. About 20 rooms in all at the Bulumba Cottages. Here's the shot of my patio with my new hammock.

Once we got our stuff dialed in it was time to check the surf. If there's any swell in the water Sumbawa will be the first to pick it up. Here's the view from the front of the Bulumba.

The peak in the background is the infamous Lakey's Peak, a left and right hander that barrels all day on all tides. Usually this time of year it's windy from 11am-5pm and is still fun but most surf dawn and dusk. We scored, the wind didn't pick up from the 2nd day we got there until the day we left. To the left of Lakey Peak is Lakey Pipe. It's a left that comes in so heavy you have to pig dog every wave. But you can get the biggest barrels of your life when it's on. Here's a random shot of Pipe and a couple of Peak.


There's also a spot called Periscopes a half hour walk to the right. I surfed it most of the time because it's a perfect hollow long right. I got barrels from the drop to the sand, at least 6-10 second barrels. I didn't feel comfortable leaving the camera on the beach so I never got shots, only video from locals. I did take a boat with some Brazilians one day during a good swell to a spot an hour away called Matchpoint. Here's some photos on the boat ride over.



Once we arrived at Matchpoint and saw the first set come through we started screaming and were in the water as fast as possible.

Here's why.
Some of the sets were topping out at 2.5 meters, or 7-8 foot Hawaiian. Easily double overhead and freakin' perfect. It was only the 7 of us out there. Not another boat in sight. I think that boat ride was the best $9 I ever spent in my entire life.

After getting some of the best surf ever I decided to climb the mountain behind Lakey Peak with friends. Here's the view from a lookout point. Low tide and pumping 8-10 foot surf.
Lakey Beach Inn was the restuarant I went to most because the crew was funny and the food was great. Here's a photo with them on my last night there. I gave one of my buddies Jamaika a OC1503 shirt in exchange for a Sumbawa-Lakey Beach shirt. Also gave the grommets some boardies that didn't fit anymore. My friend Joey Barrel, local Rip Curl kid, is getting married June 18th and I plan on going back to be there for it. I already miss all of the people I met there in that 10 day span. So glad I got this shot to remember them by.


Ok. I'm really tired now, it's been about 2 hours getting all this stuff up and the meters running. Until next time, keep on smilin'!

-wes-