Hey!
After surviving the surf at scar reef, my next destination was Nusa Lembongan, a small island just off of Bali. The population is a few thousand, and most of the people that live there are seaweed farmers. When the tide is low, they take their canoes and pick their crop. They use huge baskets that probably weigh about 80 lbs each when filled, and they carry one basket on each side of a bamboo stick (which they carry behind their head) from the shore to their huts. It really is something to see. They eventually lay the seaweed out to dry, and then sell it. It will then be processed and sold for cosmetic purposes. In the end, the local people end up making about 10 dollars a month while the companies that sell it in the states make millions. Something doesn't seem right. Anyway, Nusa Lembongan is also known for its good surf breaks. While I was there with my outreach group, we decided to conduct a surf contest for the local kids at one of the surf breaks called playgrounds, hence the name. The wave is not too big or too small, it's the perfect size to have a great time with your friends. It seems as if it's machine made. I also surfed with the kids, but I was mostly a coach. I had two kids on my team, Komang and Cadek. Our team ended up in 2nd place, and at the end of the day we handed out goody bags and certificates to each kid. These kids were sooo happy! It felt rewarding because these kids are very poor, and they didn't have much at all. The surfboards they used were water logged, and some of them didn't even have shoes, so it felt good to give back. It was also gratifying because we as Americans have all the necessities to live comfortably, food, running water, clothes, a clean bathroom, etc. Many of us take these things for granted. It was just awesome to see a smile on these kids' faces.
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