From Bukittinggi, we take a shared taxi to Padang airport. We fly from Padang to Bandar Lampung – via Jambi – then take a seven-hour bus trip next day to Krui.
![Krui](https://randomrambles.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_9585-1024x683.jpg)
Krui is little-known on the farang circuit – except to surfers.
The few foreign visitors here are all surfing people. We can see where their passion comes from.
![Krui](https://randomrambles.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_9625-1024x683.jpg)
From what we can absorb, surfing is part art, part science, and part lifestyle philosophy. My misfortune to be born 1,000 kilometres from salt water.
‘Surf’s Up, mm-mm, mm-mm, mm-mm
Aboard a tidal wave
Come about hard and join
The young and often spring you gave
I heard the word
Wonderful thing
A children’s song’
– The Beach Boys, ‘Surf’s Up‘ (alternatively, a stripped-to-its-essentials version. )
(This song has little to do with surfing, apart from the title. I just like the enigmatic lyrics.)
Krui is not an easy place to get to. But once we’re here, it’s extremely pleasant.
![Krui](https://randomrambles.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_9658-1024x683.jpg)
Our guesthouse has several names, for example ‘Mutiara Alam’ (Nature’s Pearl), ‘Hotel Zandino’, and ‘Krui surf camp’.
Stumbling across it was a happy accident.
![Krui](https://randomrambles.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_9660-1024x683.jpg)
It’s owned and operated by Zane, a transplanted Californian from San Diego who has made this place his home for more than 25 years.
![Krui](https://randomrambles.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_9612-1024x683.jpg)
The other people here are Max and Jade, a lovely young Mauritian couple, and David, an adventurous young South African who has been crewing on yachts. (All surfers, of course.) There’s a relaxed atmosphere that threatens to trap us here for a while.
Eddy, Zane’s majordomo, climbs a coconut tree for some refreshments….
![Krui](https://randomrambles.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_9599-1024x683.jpg)
…then he hacks off the tops.
![Krui](https://randomrambles.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_9603-1024x683.jpg)
David and I enjoy the fruits of Eddy’s labours.
![Krui](https://randomrambles.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_9609-1024x683.jpg)
Our accommodation faces the ocean. Delicious meals are included. Beer is freely available. (Not a thing to take for granted in this conservative part of Sumatra.)
![Krui](https://randomrambles.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_9662-1024x683.jpg)
We walk everywhere, which makes us conspicuous. Everybody in Indonesia rides scooters at all times.
![Krui](https://randomrambles.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_9663-1024x683.jpg)
The sun sinks into the Indian Ocean at the end of our first day.
![Krui](https://randomrambles.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_9590-1024x683.jpg)
Sight or Insight of the Day – Krui
One of the best places to hang out is the tree house. Not only does it overlook the ocean, it overhangs the ocean.
![Krui](https://randomrambles.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_9618-1024x683.jpg)
It’s also a good place for a sundowner.
![Krui](https://randomrambles.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_9653-683x1024.jpg)
This is the view of the beach from the tree house. Whenever we’re by the ocean like this, Chris Rea’s ‘On the Beach‘ runs though my mind like a soundtrack. Hell, the whole album is a classic. Takes me back to my silo-building days.
![Krui](https://randomrambles.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/IMG_9643-1024x683.jpg)