Back in business... just for a while to update this blog. I'm still at Kuta Lombok, despite "the plan" to go further to Sumbawa and Sumba. I tried to leave and head to the next island, which is Sumbawa, but various things kept me here. First thing was purely logistical issue. I asked about the ticket to the west Sumbawa and it was promised to me for 200k. I said that I'll come later to pay it. When I returned to pay it, the price was 400k and the departure would be postponed couple of days also. Second thing that kept me here was the forecast of big swell coming, so I didn't want to travel when the big waves was on. Third reason is quite simple, I really love this place with all the warm athmosphere and people. So here I am, still at Kuta Lombok...

My plan was to search surf breaks, places I haven't surfed yet. That search is still in progress and going well. So far I have surfed 6 breaks around the southern Lombok: Air Guling, Seger, Inside and Outside of Gerupuk and Inside and Outside of Ekas... and hopefully I'll manage to surf the Desert Point, famous world class wave, but that's up to the upcoming swells.

First week in here I shared a room with Valtteri and Juuso, sleeping on a floor with a mattress. After they left back to Bali, I took a room from Diah Homestay, the same place where me and Joonas first were. It is cheap and very quiet place. I have there only a bed, shower and a crapper. The crapper isn't even fully attached, so every time I flush, I'll clean the floor also. But nevertheless I wouldn't change a thing there. The best part of that place is my front porch. That is the place where I start my day with coffee and breakfast, read my book or just relax and think about the life I'm blessed with. Since my cell phone decided not to work anymore, I haven't had any modern activities here, excluding the Internet cafe I occasionally visit. Besided surfing, I have read a lot. I borrowed Stieg Larsson's book from Arto and finished all the 600 pages quite fast. Then I went to the only book store they have here and found Reijo Maki's Vares book, which some Finnish traveller had left there. I've made a lot of new friends here, especially my neighbours: Lucas and Eva from Germany and a Swedish couple Emil and Felicia (Felicia is by the way related to F.E Sillanpaa... quite funny).

One of my best surfing days was with my neighbours last sunday. We woke up after 6 o'clock, like I do nearly everyday, and after the breakfast we drove to Ekas bay. We took a boat for the whole day and headed to the Inside break of Ekas. Ekas is a dry season spot, but worked now also because of the great swell. There was about 10 people in the line-up and finally those 5-star mellow waves I've been searching. After about 2 hours of rippin those waves, we headed to the village of Ekas to eat and rest. Funny story about the eating place: we were promised to eat local food with the price of 12k/portion, but the guy who promised this wasn't the guy who owned the place and the price was double what was promised. This happens and life goes on, no big deal. After eating and resting Eva, Felicia and Emil surfed the Inside break again and Lucas and I headed to the Outside break of Ekas. That break was a mind-blowing experience. It was only two of us there with a huge load of great waves... after that session I still can hear those screamings of joy and excitement Lucas let out while sitting on the boat back home. That day was also St. Patrick's day, so before sleeping I drank couple of green bottled Bintangs in my front porch... What a day to remember!!

I have to back in Bali next sunday, because I have to extend my visa, but also my good friends Arto and Mari are coming to Bali from their trips across the Asia. Until that I will enjoy my time here, the simple life of surfing, reading and spending time with the frieds I've met. Peace Out!

Main picture: My little buddy spreading the word