West Java - Batukaras

Our surfing appetites whetted by our brief excursion in Zambales, Philippines (see previous entries), we decided on our next destination solely on its surfing criteria. A quick scan of Indonesian surfing chat forums lead us to Batukaras on the west coast of Java, a brutal 10 hour bus ride south of Jakarta. Upon arriving in the Jakarta bus station at 1:00 am, we were told to wait until 7:00am for the bus to arrive. We passed the bleary morning hours with some scrabble, guitar, and local sweetened clove cigarettes. I slept most of the busride, waking only to brush the resident cockroaches off my feet.
The small surf town of Batukaras exists only because of its close proximity to a perfect point break at the end of the beach. It has been popular with Australian and Japanese surfers, as well as local rippers (some of which can't be more than 5 or 6 years old). Gaelen and I rented some longboards for 6 bucks a day, practicing our takeoffs on the smaller, three-foot breakers near the point. On Thursday and Friday a swell arrived, bringing with it waves well over six feet as well as the local crazies. They were amazing to watch, carving huge swooping turns, weaving through other surfers all the way from the point to the far end of the beach. It wasn't long until we were doing the same, albeit less gracefully.
In the evenings the point would usually clear out save a few locals, and Gaelen and I would have the last few sets to ourselves. We were struck by the haunting call of the local minarets as the Java sun sank blood red, exhausted and satisfied by long hours of surfing.
We were lucky enough to meet some Australians with a DSLR camera- these photos are
courtesy of Tim, shot from the beach over the course of a day.

Dropping in on a massive 3-footer.

Gaelen, ripping the curl.


Ian catching a wave while locals look on.