BALI / INDONESIA
2nd – 3rd April 2017
Hi folks and thanks for dropping into the baliwaves (The original Bali surf report website since back in 1999) for our latest news and best possible views on surfing and weather conditions from right here on your first choice tropical surfing holiday destination, Bali.
Ok well here we go with another action packed photo gallery from where we have been. This was actually on the 1st of April and even though most of these photos are showing clean and tidy waves and conditions, it wasn’t really that user friendly. The left hander on the sandbar was heaving sand into mainly close out set waves and lots of clean up sets on the right hander. Not too mention a current that was hauling ass. Despite it all there was some good surfing, but not too many long sessions going down.
Yesterday the 2nd we went over to the East Coast and snuck a few waves in early before the wind and the crowd turned up. We shot some more photos there but seeing as though it was only chest to slightly over head I thought you would rather see this current gallery instead.
Today the 3rd and with just about every wind forecaster calling for ESE wind today we thought we’d head down to the bukit to see what Uluwatu was looking like. I didn’t take the camera equipment just my board and the boys. When nthe tide started running in I guess wave height was at it’s best in the chest to slightly over head high class. But even 2-4ft at Uluwatu has got more power on tap then anywhere else on the island, so there was some fun to be had. We were at Uluwatu from 8.45AM until 1.00PM and the whole time the wind was blowing lightly out of the WNW.
Weather wise it’s been another beauty here on the holiday island, midday temperature a nice and easy 30 degree’s Celsius. Just an hour or so ago here in Tuban (4.00PM) the wind did a switcharoo and is now howling out of the ESE – SE.
Driving home from the southern end of the island today between 1-2PM was the worst traffic I have ever seen down that end of the island. Stop go conditions from Micky D’s all the way to where we turned off the highway at the airport, smooth sailing again once we got of the highway. I imagine it would have been banked up all the way to Seminyak.
Changing dollars to Rupiah down on the bukit, — 1US$=Rp12,225 — 1AU$=Rp10,100 —
Ok crew hang in there and we will be back out there surfing again tomorrow so make sure you keep an eye on the baliwaves for up dates through out the day on our twitter feed.
Ok hey and if anyone is thinking about a surf filled lifestyle in the tropics check out the new Surf Resort up for sale, lease or time share down the bottom of home page or in our REAL ESTATE section on baliwaves.
FYI just explaining todays traffic chaos – I also got stuck in that hell traffic also (as I had to go to Denpasar today) .., and what was causing that ALL the northbound traffic chaos on Jl Nugurah Rai Bypass was because ALL of the northbound traffic was forced to turn ‘left’ at the at the Bypass Roundabout (that heads towards the airport) and no one was allowed to continue on heading northbound at all along Jl Nugurah Rai, nor were they allowed to do U-turns or take a side street. Police and Pecalang were scattered thickly at every point to make sure all traffic users obeyed .
Each and every Car , bike , Goat , and Chicken – was forced to turn left at that big roundabout and head towards the Airport , then forced to go northbound along Jl kartika / jl pantai / Jl melasti / then sunset rd etc in order to head northbound in any way shape or form .., in other words total chaos.
The reason for all this was because of two big funeral processions taking place at the same time..,
– ie; one marching south down Jl Raya Tuban ,
– and another marching south down the Bypass Nugurah Rai bypass toward the airport turnoff/ roundabout.
After I turned off at the Airport Road, it was also blocked as both funeral processions marched onto that road also.
I was glad I actually spotted the funeral procession, as at least i found out the reason for the chaos (better than no knowing right)
.., and once I knew the cause – it actually made me chill out, wave and smile back at the chilled smiling locals who were proud and glowing from their obvious great united community spirit as they marching along listening to the accompanying ‘live’ Gamilan Musicians that march along with them 🙂
It changes you after a while living in Bali, and I have now grown to accept these regular stoppages from Ceremonies (Agama Upcara) to be the norm’ here in Bali…, and it is actually nice to see (like Nyepi) the community spirit taking precedence over our typical (some might call) first world problems.
Tourist tip .., Those desperate to make flights etc out of Bali on time ; should always allow for things like this to happen when trying to get to the airport to make your flight.
– as it is always better to arrive a few hours earlier at the airport, where you will have plenty of time on your hands to chill out, sip on a beverage etc before your flight is called for boarding
(ie if no traffic problems were encountered on the way to the airport)
.., than to be ultra panic stressing about the real chances you may actually miss your flight etc because of
unexpected traffic hold ups 🙂 .., cheers all
Thanks Davo for the heads up on yesterdays traffic kaos, when we were on the highway at 2.10PM they were still going straight through the round a bout at the airport, I turn left there to sleepy little Tuban 🙂