As it was the begining of the Hindu new year yesterday, called Nyepi, i was confined to my hotel room for 24 hours and decided to make a list of what i consider the bare essentials for a surf trip to Indonesia or pretty much anywhere. I've figured I can now pack all my stuff into a travel boardbag and carry on backpack to avoid excess luggage fees. Last time i came to Bali i had way too much stuff and ended up paying about $50 AUD in excess luggage, i also had to leave a board here, luckily i met a guy who said he would look after it for me. The problem is i now have the absolute maximum luggage on this trip so i can't take my board with me even this time. I might search for a more permanent solution like storing a couple boards here for use each time i come over, we'll see what happens.
I mostly always fly from Australia with Virgin, i would recommend them as the best service from australia and if you take advantage of there frequent flyer points you can get some discounts on flights now and again. I steer clear of quantas, jet star and would go with air asia only if it was really cheap. Garuda are probably my second choice for international flights but they are also usually expensive and probably charge fees for surfboards these days too. The trick with any airline is to really read the luggage terms and conditions carefully. Also it helps to have a copy on pdf or printed out as one time in Bali the staff tried to charge me for my surfboard when in the T&Cs it was allowed as free excess, i eventually didn't have to pay but i had to argue a long time with them.
Right now with Virgin the T&Cs are as follows, if you have a surfboard you need to pay for excess luggage (usually about $20 extra per flight) if its not included in the ticket. This allows you to check in one surfboard bag which can weigh up to 23kgs i got mine down to 21.5 with 3 boards, toiletries, towel, springsuit, wetsuit vest, 2 sets of fins, 2 leashes and a few other bits and pieces. Basically pack as much in as you can and try to be as close to 21kg as you can. Don't be bang on 23kg for 2 reasons, first doemstic airline in indo only allow 20kg so if you are relying on traveling within indo its better to try have a figure closer to 20kg rather than 23kg. Also its safer to be under the limit for your flight so there is no argument at check in and its just a hassle carrying a 23-24kg bag around let alone one shaped like a surfboard. Next time i travel i am going to get it down to 20kg max. Also if you check in any other bags you then need to pay extra baggage as you only get to check your surfboard for the extra charge.
So here is my list of things you will need when travelling on a surf mission to Indo
Documents and Cash
1) Passport
2) International Divers license
with this license be aware that unless you are able to ride a motorbike in Australia you will not be covered by insurance if you drive one in indonesia or are even a passenger on one according to the insurance policy i use (medibank private travel insurance and probably most other policies also). So don't even consider getting on a bike over here unless you are covered, is it really worth the risk? I have used bikes over here and they are usually the best way to get around however you have to really think about the risks involved and be sure you are covered if something goes wrong. You can't get a bike here under 100cc so just having a C class license doesn't give you the ability to ride a bike here.
3) Drivers license
4) Credit Card
5) ATM card for eftpos
6) Photocopy of passport (consider a colour copy laminated as you need to carry your passport on you at all times while in indonesia) make at least a couple of black and white copies
7) printouts of flights itineraries
8) printout of insurance certificate
I would also scan my passport, and credit card and keep a jpg file handy on your smart phone for possible cancellations/changes with domestic airlines. You can blank out the first 12 numbers on your credit card so as to maintain security.
for 6 7 and 8 leave a copy with a trusted person in Australia also.
9) Cash or Travellers checks to cover the costs of the entire trip, if you use cash you will get the best exchange rate but you just need to keep it secure while traveling. You can usually save around $100 this way by getting the best exchange rates and avoiding commissions. If you are sensible you should have no trouble with having money or valuables stolen in Bali, outside Bali be more careful. Never show your cash to anyone and keep it on you somewhere hard to get.
10) money clips for the millions of Rupiah you will likely have at some points in the trip
11) Blank paper for notes
12) pen and pencil
Clothes (this should all fit in a large backpack for carry on, if possible use the space saver bags to compress the clothes down a bit
1 medium towel for drying off after surfing
1 hand towel (optional)
1-2 singlets (can be bought in indo for about $1 each if you dont want to take)
2-3 shirts (having one polo shirt is good for upmarket places or again buy one here plenty of knock offs)
1 pair long pants (possible to get the aviator type that roll up into long shorts would be ideal)
1 long sleeved shirt
1 pair thongs or sandals
1 pair shoes (if you ride a motorbike you must wear enclosed shoes)
1 spray jacket for cold/windchill/rain/airplanes
3-4 pairs underwear
2 pair boardshorts
1 pair casual shorts
1 sarong (optional)
1 sleeping bag liner (silk) also optional
1 cap or hat.
Electronics
adaptor for indonesia
phone charger
1 smartphone
1 laptop (optional good for watching dvds but a smartphone will cover mostly everything else)
headphones, i totally recommend sony xba-2, they have a great sound quality and block noise from outside
1 car charger (if you plan on driving)
1 tape adaptor for car stereo (if you plan on driving)
Toiletries
Antimalaria meds if travelling outside Bali
sunscreen with zinc oxide as active compound
zinc cream
St ives face scrub (cleanse all the zinc and grime from you face after a surf)
Deet insect repellant (Bali still has dengue fever mosiquitos bite during the day you have to be unlucky to get it but its out there. I also use the natural eucalyptus based repellant as this works and makes me feel fresh instead of poisoned)
Surfing first aid kit including
*betadine
*bandaids
*tweezers with a sharp point
*pick and hook for removing urchin spines
*mediswabs 50+ or so
*spray on skin
*gauze pads
*compression bandage
*antibiotics for sinus skin infection
*antibiotics for gut/diarrhea
*scissors
*nail clippers
*ear buds
*waterproof bandaids
Hand sanitiser
toothpaste
dental floss
toothbrush
shaving gear
nail brush
bar of soap
moisturizer for sunburn
lip balm
Other Sundries
Sunglasses
DVD Case
pocket knife with torch
compass
mosquito coils (optional)
lighter
mirror
Surf Gear
2 Boards
for me the ideal sizes would be
6'2"for use in waves up to about 6ft. I would try a shape with a wider nose for days that are also smaller
6'7"for use in waves anything over about 5ft with power i would make this shape maybe rounded pin tail for speed and include a set of larger fins for bigger days.
2 x leg ropes 1 normal 1 big wave leash
1 pair booties (sometimes i take 2 pairs as its not uncommon to lose a bootie in powerful surf)
2-3 sets of fins
sloar res
superglue
bali brew surf wax (take at least a couple of blocks)
2 x FCS keys
Roof straps for cars
surf hat to protect from sun
wetsuit vest
Gath helmet (optional if surfing heavy waves)
Long sleeve rash guard
wax comb
Well thats my list
i have a reason for everything on it and i don't think you would really need to take anything else except maybe a good camera!
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