Matuse Family: Yannick De Yager

Action Photos: MP Photography. Landscape Photos: Yannick de Jager

A month of Indo:

About to touch down in Australia. The month in Indo seemed like a week, but at the same time much longer.

How good is Indo? Every time I come and leave again I appreciate and get to know something else of the country and its culture…. and its waves.

There are so many things that make Indo, Indo. The igniting of your motor bike on the way to the surf. The humid and magic scent of kretek cigarettes mixed with gasses of a zillion motorbikes, burned garbage and nasi campur. Or the clean moisturized breath of air when driving through the rice fields and less inhabited areas. The Indonesian people who are not afraid of a warm smile. The vendors on the streets and the people that own the little warung that I found out about has amazing gado gado. One hour long decent massages of 50.000 rupiah.

Then there are the waves. Fun waves, challenging waves, large swells or small swells. All on a bed of coral reef, volcanic rock or bits of stone with black and white sand in between. It is completely up to your liking. For most countries and their currencies the Indonesian rupiah makes life as a tourist that much easier.

I just spent 2 weeks on the east coast of Bali and 2 weeks on Lombok, near Kuta. Bali was nice, Lombok was great.

In Lombok we met a lot of (new) friends that all made their way too Lombok somehow. We met a dutch girl, Carmen, who lives on Lombok now for the biggest part of the year and who has a relationship with a local surfer from Kuta, Lombok. They showed us around to a few hidden gems of spots and local warungs. Terih Ma Kashi (thank you)!

Definitely another tip for the Kuta Bali hater; go to Kuta, Lombok, which must be like Kuta on Bali in the late 70’s. After a week you’ll know all the faces and a lot of the places. The roads are quiet and broken. There is no corrupt police forces, only a few gangsters that rule the streets that can help fulfill needs such as transportion or a motorbike. If you are nice they are nice. There are also plenty of waves to be found minus the big crowds. If your planning to go there don’t miss out on a place called Ashtari. It’s on top of the hill outside Kuta. Their food is pure joy.

Anyway, that was a great flight! I spotted 3 empty seats behind me and while the airplane was starting to get stacked with people I did not hesitate and claimed them. After the doors closed I smiled at the Australian guys I met in Lombok who sat in the same row and didn’t like what they just realized. After I heard a few ”ahh no way” and ”errs” I closed my eyes and fell asleep until the pilot announced the descent to Sydney airport. Bagus! Next chapter; Australia.

– Yannick de Jager