Baler cock fights

These cock fighting arenas are total madness!
Not something I'd agree with, yet a quick death.
Seems like something out of "Gladiator".

Jamming with the locals

The journey to Baler

Traveling at Christmas in the Philippines isn't recommended
and we had to find out the hard way. Hundreds of people plus their
Christmas luggage waiting for transport back to their families.
We ended up on a bus with twice as many people than the vehicles capacity,
on top of that the bus left 2 hours later than planned and took 10h instead of
the promising 7. A journey from dawn till dusk.

Kiddos Point

We stumbled across a point break near the town of Cabugao.

This small fishing village is well off the beaten track and rarely visisted

by travelling surfers. On arrival we fouind the only accommodation to be closed,

but the local surfers instantly found us a comfortable homestay.

After settling in we were introduced to all the young local surfers

who unfortunately have to share boards as there is much poverty here.

We even met Kiddo, whom the point is named after.

The promising arrival

Searching for waves off the beaten track, we arrived at the beautiful Saud Beach, Pagudpud, northern Luzon.The friendly and ever smiling locals have set us at ease as wait for the swell to arrive and slow ourselves down to mirror the pace of life here. Our room faces a promising reef to small yet to surf but I've been keeping my eyes on it since 2 days now hoping the ever growing swell will bring what we are hoping for...

Early morning walks

Dog became Dingo!

paintings

paintings by Alexa Poppe

"Da Dog"

winter refuge

Southcoast searching...

a greener wave

Following the demise of Clark Foam,

'eco' boards and alternatives to petro-chemical products

have been the focus of developments in surfboard technology.

Read about an insight why you should support your local shaper.

More on Drift.

Dear and Yonder

"Three is a magic number"

Recently caught up with Malcolm Campbell at Nigel Semmons factory

to take photos for an interview on Drift.

More on Drift: http://tinyurl.com/ycz98bl

a tale of broken surfboards, respect of Bali barrels and the dream of finding perfect waves...

After my planned trip to the longboard heaven of Costa Rica had to be aborted for various reasons, I found myself on plane heading for Bali. Whilst I enjoy fast and hollow surf like most other surfers,I had been put off Bali by macho talk I had heard in the past,of shallow and dangerous reefs plus being told how you need a helmet and wetsuit top for protection from these reefs, that are hungry for your skin. However my boyfriend had convinced me it was jus big talk and there were only a couple of spots like that, which we would avoid and I had always wanted to see Bali for myself.

As my boardbag appeared at the baggage collection point after the flight, I was struck with fright as one end of my bag was torn to shreds. When I opened my bag, my worst fears were confirmed, the last twelve inches of my board had been smashed into
a hundred pieces. My favourite board was ruined, a gorgeous raspberry and magenta Corduroy nine foot single fin speed shape, a never to be replaced custom, I had even mixed the colours for the resin myselfNothing could hold back the tears, I felt my trip was ruined.
Mark and I traipsed around the dirty, smog ridden and humid Kuta being harassed by hawkers and shopkeepers in search of a longboard, to no avail. The smog made my eyes red and the humidity turned my new haircut into an afro to add to my woes, I started question why I am here. But the karmic wheel is always spinning on the Island of the Gods and when we were about to quit I found the perfect Bali longboard in a little back street shop, manned by a gaggle of typical Bali groms. So after the obligatory haggling I purchased a Town and Country high performance nine footer.
Once I escaped Kuta, I found the real Bali, a breathtaking island with many fantastic waves. We scored great waves at Medewi, Kuta Reef, Nusa Lembongan, Uluwatu and many spots up the east coast. Not once did I need a helmet as I revelled in the Indonesian perfection.
The people of Bali are some of the most beautiful on the inside and outside you will ever meet with an amazing culture going back thousands of years. After exploring the island, being invited by a local family to a small traditional ceremony, watching a historical play, viewing temples and witnessing the Balinese people approaching their difficult daily lives with such good humour and kindness, I was inspired to take many photos and produce an eBook: See ‘Those bagus days’

once upon a time in Lanza..

the search...

the locals...

the views...

volcanos...

room with a view..

Lanzarote is a land that seems it was born from the fury of nature,
a barren volcanic landscape almost of another world.
But a captivating light and a beauty of simplicity can be found here.
Though eventually I found myself dreaming of the green green grass of home.

Fistral..those winter days...

the sea cold and angry
pushed to the peak of its power by the winter storms
attacking along the rugged coastline
the sky heavy and grey
the wind punishing and biting
appreciating the warmth and comfort of a fire
feeling cosy at home with a hot drink and cake
satisfied in braving
those winter days…

nature and sea in black & white

Fistral, spring09, big swell..

on another Sennen Camping trip...

Watergate, a walk recently..

Watergate, a walk recently..

The Gannel,spring 09

The Gannel,spring 09

Wipsie,spring 09

Wipsie,spring 09

Lusty,summer07

Porth Lifeguard hut,summer07

Porth Lifeguard hut,summer07

and remember: stay happy...peace..

Little Fistral, last big swell...