Where would you go?? I need some advice.....the fiancé and I are going to take one more trip before life gets too serious.....I want it based around good waves but I know that I can not hope to spend all 6 weeks at the beach - hoping for 3 to 4 though. I thought about Indo - Northern Sumrata....but Central America gets more votes at the moment..... my plan is 1 week around the Salina Cruz area of Mexico (where the search event was a few yrs back), then down to Guatemala, El Salvador and Belize. Thinking of avoiding all the Yanks in Costa Rica but I am drawn to a few lovely spots down that way and its the perfect time of the year. I think Simondo has been there and maybe Tux. Anyone else done this part of the world? I spent 10 1/2 months in South America a few years back but never made it to Central America.

The other issue is the boards....I think I am only going to take one this time (way easier) and hope like hell I don't break it Now I need to work out what to take. The one size fits all piece of machinery.

Well mate i was going to say MALDIVES but you seem to have it sussed by the sound of it
Go for it while ya can ted lots can change in a short space of time trust me on that one

I got nothing other than it sounds like a trip of a life time,Enjoy Ted.

Wow sounds amazing bro...I would be flying into Oxaca in Mexico and head straight for Puerto...once you've had enough I would just keep winding my way south Costa Rica, Guetmela, Nicaragua and if the budget stetches maybe out to teh Britsih Virgin islands....as for boards I would be thinking a nice 8 footer or 8'6 tracker or speedshape style board might be the go....OK glide for the small days but pulled in at the tail for the juice....thats so worng though I can't seem to leave the house with less than 3 boards "Just in case"....have a good one bro sounds awesome

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thePup said...
Well mate i was going to say MALDIVES but you seem to have it sussed by the sound of it
Go for it while ya can ted lots can change in a short space of time trust me on that one

I will get there one day...but alas 6 weeks there with the lady would probably bankrupt me

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Tux said...
Wow sounds amazing bro...I would be flying into Oxaca in Mexico and head straight for Puerto...once you've had enough I would just keep winding my way south Costa Rica, Guetmela, Nicaragua and if the budget stetches maybe out to teh Britsih Virgin islands....as for boards I would be thinking a nice 8 footer or 8'6 tracker or speedshape style board might be the go....OK glide for the small days but pulled in at the tail for the juice....thats so worng though I can't seem to leave the house with less than 3 boards "Just in case"....have a good one bro sounds awesome

Only have 6 weeks Tux so I do not think I will have enough time to also do Puerto....there are loads of lovely right hand point breaks in that 200 mile stretch north of Salina that I am hoping to play in - its been a dream of mine to get there. Nicaragua is a definite option as well. Board wise I am thinking more a 6'4" rounded pin quad.......

OK. Complete left field here. Arugam Bay area of Sri Lanka.
Sons mate, lived their for two months, raved about the place and loved the people, lots to do, boat trips, fishing etc.I'm goin!!!

Oh, and did I mention the longest sand bottom rights you will ever see.

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Ted the Kiwi said...

Tux said...
Wow sounds amazing bro...I would be flying into Oxaca in Mexico and head straight for Puerto...once you've had enough I would just keep winding my way south Costa Rica, Guetmela, Nicaragua and if the budget stetches maybe out to teh Britsih Virgin islands....as for boards I would be thinking a nice 8 footer or 8'6 tracker or speedshape style board might be the go....OK glide for the small days but pulled in at the tail for the juice....thats so worng though I can't seem to leave the house with less than 3 boards "Just in case"....have a good one bro sounds awesome

Only have 6 weeks Tux so I do not think I will have enough time to also do Puerto....there are loads of lovely right hand point breaks in that 200 mile stretch north of Salina that I am hoping to play in - its been a dream of mine to get there. Nicaragua is a definite option as well. Board wise I am thinking more a 6'4" rounded pin quad.......

6'4 sounds good for the points bro...but if your hitting any of those mexican west coast beachies at size I would pack some more heat and a contractors pack of betadine for all the sand rash when you get pitched...they are heavy...have a Quesidia for me

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Ted the Kiwi said...

Where would you go?? I need some advice.....the fiancé and I are going to take one more trip before life gets too serious.....I want it based around good waves but I know that I can not hope to spend all 6 weeks at the beach - hoping for 3 to 4 though. I thought about Indo - Northern Sumrata....but Central America gets more votes at the moment..... my plan is 1 week around the Salina Cruz area of Mexico (where the search event was a few yrs back), then down to Guatemala, El Salvador and Belize. Thinking of avoiding all the Yanks in Costa Rica but I am drawn to a few lovely spots down that way and its the perfect time of the year. I think Simondo has been there and maybe Tux. Anyone else done this part of the world? I spent 10 1/2 months in South America a few years back but never made it to Central America.

The other issue is the boards....I think I am only going to take one this time (way easier) and hope like hell I don't break it Now I need to work out what to take. The one size fits all piece of machinery.

not much difference nowdays between taking one or two boards Ted.its the 3rd 4th and 5th that change the equation......indo sounds cheaper and closer and the prospects of killer surf in sumatra are pretty damn good at that time

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Sandsy1 said...
OK. Complete left field here. Arugam Bay area of Sri Lanka.
Sons mate, lived their for two months, raved about the place and loved the people, lots to do, boat trips, fishing etc.I'm goin!!!

Oh, and did I mention the longest sand bottom rights you will ever see.

this was where we were going to go if we had gone in April - but to the South Coast - have heard a few horror stories about the crowds over there in June / July.....did your son's mate mention much about the crowds? SL is a good choice for the chick as well as there is lots to do and explore. She has the SL lonely planet on the bed side table right now - so it has been given lots of thought.

Hey Ted,

If you go, make every opportunity to experience the mayan culture (past & present).

I did a trip through southern Mex and south America a few years back ('95) and it was great. It sounds like you've done your research on surfing spots so I'll focus on the cultural side of things, which is what will make this amazing.

Like Tux said Oaxaca is a great place to fly into and experience with Monte Alban ruins nearby; Palenque also in southern Mexico will be out of your way if heading to Tapachula (Guatemala border) but the ruins there are amazing. When passing through Guatemala make sure to get up into the highlands, areas like Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Antiqua and Chichicastenango (great markets there). Copan ruins are on the Guatemala/ Honduras border.

I'm assuming you'll be travelling overland, if you'll be driving a vehicle the border crossing at Tapachula can be tricky. It's a good idea to hire a "civilian crossing agent" that can facilitate your passage by negotiating with the guards. Hablas espanol? If not, brush up quick!

Anyway, it would be an epic trip. I can't wait to get back there!

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Prawnhead said...
not much difference nowdays between taking one or two boards Ted.its the 3rd 4th and 5th that change the equation......indo sounds cheaper and closer and the prospects of killer surf in sumatra are pretty damn good at that time

I find travelling around with one board a piece of cake in comparison - makes life so much easier....as we are planning to be doing lots of moving around and not staying in one place then the added ease is something I really enjoy....with two boards I end up stacking up the double bag and then having to drag it everywhere it annoys me....if I am just going to one or places it does not bother me but when its more like 22 it will!!!

It was hard ruling Indo out but I have been there many times and Central America I have not....so thats the reason why. Plus I can hit Indo in a 10 day trip - Central Am. requires a lot more time from this end of the planet - which we are lucky we have.

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Ted the Kiwi said...

Sandsy1 said...
OK. Complete left field here. Arugam Bay area of Sri Lanka.
Sons mate, lived their for two months, raved about the place and loved the people, lots to do, boat trips, fishing etc.I'm goin!!!

Oh, and did I mention the longest sand bottom rights you will ever see.

this was where we were going to go if we had gone in April - but to the South Coast - have heard a few horror stories about the crowds over there in June / July.....did your son's mate mention much about the crowds? SL is a good choice for the chick as well as there is lots to do and explore. She has the SL lonely planet on the bed side table right now - so it has been given lots of thought.

He did say that some places had a crew out. Lot's of poms was his comment, but he did say that if you drive down the coast there are another dozen or so breaks as good. He had just left Hawaii, so crowds might be a judgement call, although he did mention getting more waves than he could handle. I think it was about May last year.

Ted go feral for six weeks camping in the NW... wife/GF would luv it

I did a 8 week trip thru indo with the wife and two long boards about 14 years ago, we had a ball went to some great surf spots, saw the ruins in central Java, up the volcanoes, boat and bus trips from hell to get to some out of the way spots in Central Java and Sumatra. Great trip

Central america sounds great, as does maldives or SL.. too many places so little time

I could say....but I won't

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Ctngoodvibes said...
I could say....but I won't

thats the west in you

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shunter said...
Ted go feral for six weeks camping in the NW... wife/GF would luv it

Thats on my bucket list but I do not think I will get that one over the line....no this trip will need to have a nice cultural element to it or it will not be happening....I hate compromise

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TDog said...
Hey Ted,

If you go, make every opportunity to experience the mayan culture (past & present).

I did a trip through southern Mex and south America a few years back ('95) and it was great. It sounds like you've done your research on surfing spots so I'll focus on the cultural side of things, which is what will make this amazing.

Like Tux said Oaxaca is a great place to fly into and experience with Monte Alban ruins nearby; Palenque also in southern Mexico will be out of your way if heading to Tapachula (Guatemala border) but the ruins there are amazing. When passing through Guatemala make sure to get up into the highlands, areas like Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Antiqua and Chichicastenango (great markets there). Copan ruins are on the Guatemala/ Honduras border.

I'm assuming you'll be travelling overland, if you'll be driving a vehicle the border crossing at Tapachula can be tricky. It's a good idea to hire a "civilian crossing agent" that can facilitate your passage by negotiating with the guards. Hablas espanol? If not, brush up quick!

Anyway, it would be an epic trip. I can't wait to get back there!

Thanks Tdog....yeah my spanish is not as good as it once was but I will be back listening to it in the car over the next few months as I commute to work.....if you see someone driving down the freeway talking to themselves please do not laugh Thanks for the tips re cultural experiences - I am a big fan of those. Whilst in South America I spent much of my spare time reading and exploring the life of the Inca's and so the Mayan's will be a natural extension. Given that I work in the natural disaster space I am pretty excited about some of the Volcanoes and other natural phenomenon in the area.

Big thanks to everyones input so far - its been great.

Ted, Gabi and I are heading off for a 3 month Euro trip. Leaving May and getting home mid August. I doubt I'll get any surf in, but I have been told there are a couple of choice spots in France/Spain. Did you consider that part of the planet?

Admittedly, your current list looks pretty impressive, and can't wait to hear how it went.

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MichaelR said...
Ted, Gabi and I are heading off for a 3 month Euro trip. Leaving May and getting home mid August. I doubt I'll get any surf in, but I have been told there are a couple of choice spots in France/Spain. Did you consider that part of the planet?

Admittedly, your current list looks pretty impressive, and can't wait to hear how it went.

yep...spent 5 yrs living there If you want any tips let me know....normally you do not really start getting decent swells in the Atlantic in that part of the world until Sept but there are lots of spots and open coasts to play in. Hossegor in France is my fav holiday destination of all time

Yep Ted the volcanoes are way cool. We had a great experience driving from western lowlands of Guatemala up to Guatemala City - could see the Volcan de Fuego glowing red from like 100 kms away near dusk and then ended up driving just past it at night, amazing.