Checked a few spots at dawn before deciding to venture to the southern most island in the Mentawais. Flying fish, dolphins and more incredible cloud formations on our travels. There are a couple of other boats down here in the middle of nowhere. Lots of spots though so a few of us surfed a left a bit further over called Little Chopes. Surprisingly with a name as intimidating as that I got a pretty good one - donated from Sime - but I got one all the same. After a few fun surfs I think I may have lost that rattled feeling I had. Thunders had me totally psyched out. Holding that confident thought tight will be the trick though. Super tight in anticipation of another big swell that is on the way. Eep!

The bay near Little Chopes is spectacular. A channel leading to a shallow glassy inlet, rocky outcrops pushing out to sea either side, pitting right on one side, left horseshoeing off the other and an inviting long white sandy beach flanked by thick lush green jungle. Land feels enticing right now.