You might think that a Bali Christmas is limited to Christian ex-pats and tourists from places like Australia and the Philippines. But it’s not just surfing Santas and cultural imperialism, though there’s a bit of that too. Bali is home to some traditionally Catholic enclaves, including Tuka village, where local Catholics live in harmony with … Read More
As Australia celebrates Mick Fanning’s third ASP World Championship crown win at Hawaii’s legendary Pipeline, it seems it’s not just Australian people who love to surf. On the waves of Queensland’s Gold Coast there are even surfing swans. I’ve posted quite a bit in the past about surfing animals – some dogs, a goat, an … Read More
Who will be this year’s ASP world champion is currently being decided at the Pipe Masters 2013 in Hawaii. Action at the legendary Pipeline began yesterday (Monday) and the big question is who will win in the Slater vs Fanning “category”. 11-time world champion Kelly Slater is the one under the most pressure to win. … Read More
One of the trickiest parts about finding a great beach is discovering one that isn’t crowded. Whether you’re a surfer, swimmer or sunbather, if there’s a really good spot that doesn’t involve risking your life just to get to, it’s probably well-known and full of people just like you. In a time of rampant development … Read More
Booms in surfing and tourism mean that development has come to Bali at a rapid pace. This poses obvious environmental and economic problems. Bali’s natural wealth is what attracts so many visitors, but overdevelopment in the pursuit of tourist dollars can actually destroy the island’s rich ecology. Many think the solution lies in Bali ecotourism. … Read More
Across the world, surfers are doing good turns. I’ve posted in the past about environmental activist groups like Skeleton Sea and Bali’s Eco Surf Rescue Uluwatu. Another great way to give something back is by holding charity surfing events. Sometimes the loss of a dear friend can summon feelings of compassion for others, as is … Read More
What does “Bali high” mean? Bali high is not a high school, a mountainous region or a certain state of intoxication that you get from an illegal substance. Bali high is actually “Bali Hai” (or Bali H’ai), a show tune from the musical South Pacific. You know, like “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa … Read More
This is a great week for Bali surf photography! I was combing the internets as I often do in search of stories on surfing or surf-related interests and I stumbled upon one of my great interest: photography. First off, check out this gallery of photography by Aloha Surf Journal in the Huffington Post. Aloha Surf Journal … Read More
Could two surfers have beaten Garrett McNamara’s big wave surfing record? Brazilian surfer Carlos Burle, along with Briton Andrew Cotton, may have logged a new big wave record into the books when he braved the waves at Nazaré, Portugal. Who will hold the new big wave record? Will McNamara’s previous feat of 78ft (23.8m) stand? … Read More
Tourism in Bali is a relatively young industry, only taking off in the 1970s with the first global surfing boom. Bali began as a perfect getaway for Australian travelers and soon became a unique destination for well-off visitors from Japan, North America and Europe. Things only grew from there – and though Australians may dominate … Read More
