When we got on the speedboat from Padang to the Kandui Resort, where we would be staying, it really was a moment of freedom. No more stress, no more planes, traffic jams and crazy cheese missions. It was time to get out of the flip-flops, open some Bintangs and let the hair fly in the wind.

Even though we arrived to the resort late in the evening, I could already see that this was paradise itself. The place was right on the beach, with little sandy paths, decorated with shells and coconuts, that lead you to luxurious yet rustic villas, a bit hidden between palm trees and with wood carvings all over them… It instantly felt like the most beautiful place I had ever been to.

That night we were just hanging out and getting to know the crew. The forecasts were unfortunately not the best, really small waves for the whole time. Kind of gutting, but we would still be getting in the water every day and making the best out of it! One of my favorites was definitely the wave right in front of the resort, called Fourbobs. A perfect right, pretty shallow but once you got to know it, it was super playful and fun. There was this wooden dock right next to it, with some chairs, umbrellas and usually a little cooling box with Bintangs, so between surfs you could just hang out and chill there.

One day it got pretty flat and we decided to get the paddle boards ready, pack the mermaid tails, bunny ears and a bottle of rum and mission it over to this deserted little sandbank island to play pirates for a day. We became friends with the surf guides, so they joined us in our mission. It was the funniest day ever! It was kind of mad spending all day under the sun on this little sand island with absolutely no shadow. We had a few drinks and got on the mermaid tails. I jumped on the front of the SUP with Connor and I rode a few waves as a mermaid at this spot called little Malibu, which also breaks when it’s small… so much fun! Sylvi and me got some funny bunny tandem waves and we just had the best time ever… we simply lost it on an island.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get better, that night all the rest of the other crew from the resort came over on a boat and we had a massive bonfire together and even fireworks, I thought I was dreaming!

The following days the waves grew a bit more again and we got heaps of surfs in, like this punchy fun right called Nipussi, or a left called Beng Beng which seemed mellow but actually had the gnarliest shelf with double ups on dry reef on the inside where I got completely nailed on the last day…