Final Wrap Up :: the Indo Experience

The morning of our ferry ride, we saw waves in the one foot range. Pretty discouraging. After our corn on cob breakfast, we were off to one of my favorite islands, Nusa Lembongan. After an hour of a semi-smooth ride, we putted into the bay. We cut between the really good reef waves of Lacerations and Playgrounds but both were not showing waves. But off in the distance I could see Shipwrecks. My second favorite wave for drop knee. Shipwrecks was cracking! With a dropping tide, the wave was only going to get better. So we settled into our Villa at Mainski and bolted out there!

The next day was going to be a full one. We had snorkeling with Manta Rays lined up. An around-the-island tour on mopeds. And we wanted to get back in time for some waves. Plus, there was a barong dance in the late evening that we didn't want to miss.

Snorkeling with the manta rays at Manta Point was a first for Mailei and I. We kicked ourselves for not doing it before. Two words... freakin' insane! So that is definitely on the to do list for future Indo trips. Awesome! At one point, I had six massive manta rays surrounding me. Little timid but pretty spectacular.

I never let my group rent motor bikes unless we're on Nusa Lembongan. So on our around-the-island tour, we rent motor bikes and cruised around the island. Along the way, we stopped to see a kid named Kadek. He rents us a boat so the crew can get a first hand experience on how to push a seaweed farmer's boat. It's tougher than it looks but the boys nailed it. Next, it was off to Devil's Tear. We got some massive waves but not as big as the group before. Still cool.

The Barong Deance was another first. We had to be dressed in the proper attire. The boys had to wear dresses. Okay... sarongs. Only a few males go into the meditation state to be able to do the dance. This evening, one of the dancers in the costume was stuck in the spiritual state and the dance had to be canceled halfway through. The next morning we were off back to Bali for the last couple days of adventures.

Back on Bali, we chilled for another awesome sunset at Kuta Beach. But it was the rafting and the monkey forest that was going to raise the fun factor. Oh yeah, before I continue I have to give props to Mairo for slamming down the massive calzone within minutes! Back to the rafting... it was fun. In fact, we had Jully (a Korean girl that was on our tour van to the rain forest) jump from her raft to ours. She's crazy! Cool chick!

Every time I take groups to the Monkey Forest I'm a little nervous. You never know what the hell the little bastards are gonna do. But this time around, no one got bit but one monkey didn't really like Lawrence and rushed him a couple times. Everyone got a cool photo of a monkey on the shoulder except for Mario. All good though, no one got bit!

Mailei and I want to give each one of our crew a big fat thanks for being a part of the Indo Experience 2011. We hope you had a great time. Complete photo wrap up in September on www.mannyvphoto.com.

Next up, Cabo Freak Fest! You ready?

With only a few cars on Lembongan it's the perfect place to get on the hogs.

Devin on the seaweed farming boat. Skills.

Lawrence finally got it but was shaky in the beginning.

Mario had it down.

Devil's Tear.

The Mainski transport mobile.

Lawrence and Mario getting close at Manta Point.

Mario with a snap at Shipwrecks.

Lawrence rail grab carve at Shipwrecks.

In full trance.

Sarongs all around.

Sunset at Kuta Beach.

Mario isn't scared!

Low bamboo bridges almost took out Devin.

Group shot at the half way point on the rafting tour.

Devin and his new buddy.

Mario trying but no dice for the shoulder monkey.

Lawrence had this guy on his shoulder for about five minutes.

Chow time.

the Indo Experience G1 Wrap Up

Stephanie and Gina are probably on a plane by now leaving Hong Kong and heading back to LAX. We ended the G1 trip with a couple days in Kuta after leaving Lembongan island. If there was one word to describe Kuta on Bali, it'd have to be GILA (means crazy in Indonesian). With thousands of mopeds and hundreds of cars all sharing the narrow roads of Kuta, it's really amazing that you don't hear the ambulance siren every minute.

Leaving Lembongan.

Yes, this a road that is NOT one way! Poppies I.

Lucky for all of us, we didn't suffer to the wrath of the traffic madness here. Instead, we spent the last two days enjoying the epic sunsets at Kuta Beach. Ramon and Jack took good care of us while we chilled on the beach with Bintangs. Look for them in front of the McDonalds on Kuta Beach. Tell 'em Manny sent you. They'll take care of you. Gina did some of her final shopping on the beach. Note to self, don't bargain with the blow dart gun salesman while drunk. Gina ended up buying two of 'em. Cool gifts but I doubt she would've bought them otherwise. Steph picked up a few bracelets from friends as well.

Gina decided not to buy the bow and arrow!

Not sure what they're looking at. But on Kuta Beach you're bound to get surprised.

We met a cool group of Aussies on Lembongan and we shared more time together laughing and joking in Kuta as well. Jay, Jane, Adam and Kim were some of the coolest people we met on the trip. On the second sunset Kuta Beach session, we all met up for one last time. We rented boards and we all got some waves. Stephanie tried the surfboard but ended up catching more waves on a bodyboard. We then met up with them for sushi at Kunti II. Good times.

Jay getting the shot of Adam at Kuta Beach.

Jane going for it!

Stephanie drops in with some skills.

Kunti II love.

Mailei and I want to thank Stephanie and Gina for letting us show them paradise. Safe travels and yes... slide show and video party when we get back.

Jelly Fish Attack!

The G1 Bali Adventure crew spent two solid days on Lembongan. They agree, it's a pretty awesome island. I love it for Shipwrecks' DK fun, clear water and Thabu, great friend and always fun guy. I love this guy. In fact, I want to lead the charge in helping him out with starting his own Thabu Photography business on Nusa Lembongan. After you read through this blog post, come back to the top and donate what you can to get him started on his new business. All funds will be used to start his photography business. CLICK HERE to donate. Anything will help. $5 or $100 whatever. The goal is to reach $1800. That'll be enough to help him on his way to support his family live large on Lembongan. I'm going to create a donation meter on the side here as we start receiving money.

Felt good to get some DK action under my belt. Mailei took this photo.

Thabu aka Nyoman always has a smile on his face.

Even though it's a quiet island, we spent time doing a lot of cool stuff. We arrived around midday and took that first afternoon to rest and relax. We woke up to clear skies and a view of the Agung volcano that was awesome. We loaded up into Tony Montana's buddy's boat, Lopess. Lopess was also the name of our captain. I suggested we go to 'The Wall'. We always have good luck there. Mailei and Stephanie jumped in first while I got the camera ready and while Gina was getting her gear ready. Within a minute, Mailei yells out, there's a lot of jelly fish! Gina and I jump in anyways and it's true... tons of jelly fish. I got stung a few times and got a couple photos before we piled back into the boat. Stephanie got stung in the neck and the other girls got stung as well. But just a few mintues later, the stinging was gone. We jetted towards the Mangroves area and enjoyed snorkeling there without worry of jelly fish. I think this was the longest I stayed in the water snorkeling. Gina and Stephanie were enjoying every second.

Gina enjoying the Mangroves warm waters.

Stephanie equipped with her GoPro gets the shot.

Jelly fish everywhere! Mailei and Stephanie at The Wall.

Mailei is greeted by a Mangrove local.

Mailei and I in heaven.

Stephanie getting the shot.

The usual around the island tour involves motorbikes but this time someone suggested push bikes. After about 30 minutes later and a sore ass we made it to the bridge that connects Lembongan and Cinigan Islands. Stephanie wasn't having any of the squeaky and busy bridge. After enjoying the cool breeze from the bridge, Mailei, Gina and I rented a seaweed farmer's boat. I had no idea how hard it was to navigate these things. We ened up doing circles for about five minutes. Gina and Mailei were laughing there asses off. I yelled to the beach to get help from Kedax, the little boy that helped us launch from the beach. By that time, the small community of farmers came out to see what was going on and we could hear them laughing their asses off at these tourists. Good times. We then bolted to the Underground House. Gina and Steph paid the three bucks to go in and check out where some guy hid out for 17 years to avoid his gambling debt. While they were down there I entertained the kids with my much needed improvement magic tricks.

Finally, it was off to Devil's Tear near Dream Beach. I love this place. You get to see the calm and force of the ocean and land. No more words are need, just check the photos.




Who's bright idea was it to ride around the island on bikes?



Mailei with the seaweed farms in the background.

Mailei and Gina on the bridge.

Devil's Tear. Mailei.

Devil's Tear. Stephanie.

Devil's Tear. Gina.

Devil's Tear's trademark.

Underground House. Gina with flashlight in hand.

Too bad my magic was not at it's top of it's game. The groms knew my every move.

Stephanie coming of out of the humid tunnels.

Next stop, the madness of Kuta!