Passengers:
Osamu Kitta, Hirokazu Sugita, Hideki Hayashi, Katsuhito Yasui, Geoff Doig, Stephen Cox, Brian Morton, Glenn McKay, Ronald Goddard, John Nichols, Alysia Doig, Hunter Doig, Reef Doig, Dylan Taylor, Albert Taylor, Samudera Taylor, Mick Wilcomes.
Yet again the Barrenjoey corporation surpassed expectations in providing what many call "The Dreamtrip".
With arguably the most well designed high-speed surf portal being the "Bynda Laut" it is impossible to ignore the Barrenjoey's might in getting the waves you want, fast!!!.......ok, now the real story.
There were 17 people on the boat...
I have personally done over 5 years worth of these trips day in and day out on a lot of different boats in the Mentawais and I don't think that many boats could have handled it quite as well as the Barrenjoey did.
Yeah, there 5 "youthlings" that took over the captains "palace like" state room and took the boats entire supply of anything containing sugar down with them.
Sure there was on 1 hand, a self mutilating big wave maniac who wanted to throw himself into anything that resembled a shallow ledge and on the other, a group of polite Japanese businessmen who liked nothing more than getting away from Kawasaki to surf small fun waves and slice up anything game enough to take the lure on the rods.
First day was 8 foot righthanders if you want them? Next 4 days was the best lefthander in the world, Macaronis with other boat, 3-6 foot and no wind!!! "oh no it went a little onshore" you here a lot on other boats where tubby spoilt "Mentawai Veterans" Whine with a mouth full of shrimp & SolCal accents behind frost bitten climate controlled Air cabin glass.....Nope not on this boat! On the Barrenjoey, you get amongst it, the crew don't swish you off to nanna nap time with palm fronds and refreshment towels....
You want to wrestle with a Giant trevally big enough to eat your family dog?? See Selemat.
You'd like to discuss the finer points of 19th century post-modern impressionist art? Get off!!!!
You have always wanted to experience an authentic Nias Curry? See Chef Elvis.
If you've always dreamed of pre-dinner "Mangoritas" on the back deck in your sports coat, discussing "Kelly's next move" well maybe the Barrenjoey is not for you.
The thing about boats like this is, they make you have fun whether you want to or not.
P.s I think the only guy that was glad it was all over was Elvistico the legend chef who was cooking 50 hrs a day and having 3 sittings in his dining room a night!!!
Thanks to Geoff for inviting me, thanks to Johnny and Bee for letting me and Thanks to Captain Burticus for showing me that figure 8s at 6 knots for 3 hours can be not only entertaining but informative also!
By the great Wilcomes