The harder it is to get to, the fewer people in the water.
Simeulue sits about 150 kilometres off Sumatra and it’s not exactly easy to reach. Flights, ferries, board bags and weight limits all come into play, but the reward is loads of coastline without the usual crowds.
It’s mountainous, green and slow moving. Dogs, goats, kids and water buffalo roam free, including the daily buffalo visit past the resort pool.
This is a very Muslim part of Indonesia, so life is conservative. Bikinis stay mostly inside the resort and there’s barely any booze. We’re having a healthy break. Mostly. There’s still a little Vitamin B (bintangs) for sunset.
I’m travelling with a pack of grommets, some of them mine, and they’re frothing on anything hollow. After a few solid days, it’s now a friendly 2 to 3 foot, with enough runners around for everyone.
There’s not much to distract you here. Surf, eat, nap, maybe catch a fish for sashimi, cool off at a waterfall – then do it all again.
The weather changes hourly, so it pays to stay close to a break. Aura Resort sits right in front of one (the most consistent wave), which makes life pretty easy.
:: uge
