... nice work scaredykite I was wondering how the kite camp was going.

Just wondering, did you see any waves near the camp or around the area??

cheers,

Robbie

I stayed in Loch nga in the mid 90's. About 1/2 hr out of Aceh. Used to be a great right that didn't break that often, but ran into guys that stayed there for weeks on end for the chance it might. there also was a peak out infront of the golf course and a bit of a left as well. Not big waves but nice.
But that was in the days before I kited and before the tsunami.(Golf course is probably gone now)
Can only imagine that if there is wind the waves would be a mess.

bobajob said...

I stayed in Loch nga in the mid 90's. About 1/2 hr out of Aceh. Used to be a great right that didn't break that often, but ran into guys that stayed there for weeks on end for the chance it might. there also was a peak out infront of the golf course and a bit of a left as well. Not big waves but nice.
But that was in the days before I kited and before the tsunami.(Golf course is probably gone now)
Can only imagine that if there is wind the waves would be a mess.

I'm not a surfer but there were two Germans and an Aussie surfing there, mainly at a place called The Cement Factory, with the locals, even though this is not the surfing season because the wind is onshore. They still surf in front of the golf course which is still there, rebuilt. The kitecamp is between the golf course and the river. Fresh fish from the fishermen. Also, Regis is a surfer as well and surfed while I was there - Yudi surfed too; he isn't a kiter - yet.

ANSWERS TO QS IN MESSAGES-

How did you get there (which airline) & did you have any hassle with gear bags etc?
Air Asia was cheapest - Gold Coast to KL to BA.
No hassle with gear - I paid for extra up front.

Given that Aceh has a stricter interpretation of Islam than the majority of Indonesia, how did you find travelling there?
Out of respect I covered up with long shorts and T shirt when going to town, but in the camp and at the beach, bathers etc.

Again, given it's Aceh, was access to alcohol an issue, generally, and at the camp? (can't go kiting and not have a beer post-session ;-) )
Couldn't agree more! Beer was no problem, nice and cold - perhaps if you wanted more complicated spirits etc you'd have to get it yourself in BA? Although Yudi always said "Whatever you want, I can get you."

Did you get a sense of any political/security problems - I've read on a couple of sites that there might be "issues" in Aceh between previous GAM comrades?
Well nothing was obvious to me. And this is a small village, much smaller than in pre-tsunami days. There was and is a military base just outside town, so it's always been a secure place.

On a more important note, tell me about the food - how good/bad was it?
I tend to eat local wherever I go, so I did and wasn't disappointed. All the usual Indonesian dishes, plenty of fresh fish, fresh fruit and fantastic local coffee. AND Regis, missing French bread, often baked delicious baguettes! AND Alice is a very resourceful patissiere, managing great flans, tartes and creme brulee in a very basic kitchen!! This is not on the menu - they just felt like it at the time. Lucky me : )

If you don't mind, how much did it cost for the two weeks?
The prices for accommodation are on the website - I took the option of food included and am glad I did. Had no decisions to make - pure relaxation. Air Asia fares fluctuate but I got them pretty cheaply. All I had to pay extra was airport taxes, and beers at about $2.75 (expensive in Aceh). About $2 if you can be bothered going out and getting them yourself. Going to BA in a labi labi (tiny bus) is about 60c each way; laundry (washing and ironing) is 77c per kg; massage is $7.70. Airport transfers by hire car are $16.50 each way. Scooter rental is about $7 day.

Looks awesome and even quite windy for south east asia in the off season

I've actually booked a flight there in July and hoping i don't kill the wind by showing up(i know i know its a bad habit of mine )

P.S. have u always had bi-polar or do u just bring out scaredykite when there's no wind

ahh my bad

Maybe u can help me with accommodation then
I haven't made up my mind on where to stay yet and the kitecamp sounds like the logical place to be as its near the beach
It didn't say anything about wi-fi so that usually means there ain't any?
I'd prefer to stay somewhere with it to help with booking further flights/accommo/wind etc
and would even stay at 1 of the hotels in Aceh as its a short drive away
Thanks for all the info your've posted as you have covered alot... Regis definitely owes u a beer or 2

scaredykite said...

bobajob said...

I stayed in Loch nga in the mid 90's. About 1/2 hr out of Aceh. Used to be a great right that didn't break that often, but ran into guys that stayed there for weeks on end for the chance it might. there also was a peak out infront of the golf course and a bit of a left as well. Not big waves but nice.
But that was in the days before I kited and before the tsunami.(Golf course is probably gone now)
Can only imagine that if there is wind the waves would be a mess.

I'm not a surfer but there were two Germans and an Aussie surfing there, mainly at a place called The Cement Factory, with the locals, even though this is not the surfing season because the wind is onshore. They still surf in front of the golf course which is still there, rebuilt. The kitecamp is between the golf course and the river. Fresh fish from the fishermen. Also, Regis is a surfer as well and surfed while I was there - Yudi surfed too; he isn't a kiter - yet.

Yeah,
That cement factory was a blight on an otherwise beautiful landscape backdrop. And thats where the right was (still is by the sound of it). There was a photo of a of a huge ship driven up on the road by the tsunami and thats where it was.

I also used to surf a spot on Nias called Afulu north of Lagundi bay but South of Aceh province(I believe there is a surf camp there now). About from April/May onwards it started to get too wind affected, and the farther north the windier it would have got.

We used to fly in to Medan and bus it up to Aceh and then mini bus it to Loch Nga.
Stayed with local families and surf ourselves stupid. The only drawback was trying to find a beer. Being staunch muslims up that way alcohole was rare as hens teeth, and never did find a beer.
Does the camp have cold ales? Geez I'd love to go back and a coldie might be the persuader.

Edit:
I failed to read this;
Again, given it's Aceh, was access to alcohol an issue, generally, and at the camp? (can't go kiting and not have a beer post-session ;-) )
Couldn't agree more! Beer was no problem, nice and cold - perhaps if you wanted more complicated spirits etc you'd have to get it yourself in BA? Although Yudi always said "Whatever you want, I can get you."

Yep, that's where the right is. And the cement factory was smashed but is back bigger and better than ever, I'm told - French money.

bobajob said...

scaredykite said...

bobajob said...

I stayed in Loch nga in the mid 90's. About 1/2 hr out of Aceh. Used to be a great right that didn't break that often, but ran into guys that stayed there for weeks on end for the chance it might. there also was a peak out infront of the golf course and a bit of a left as well. Not big waves but nice.
But that was in the days before I kited and before the tsunami.(Golf course is probably gone now)
Can only imagine that if there is wind the waves would be a mess.

I'm not a surfer but there were two Germans and an Aussie surfing there, mainly at a place called The Cement Factory, with the locals, even though this is not the surfing season because the wind is onshore. They still surf in front of the golf course which is still there, rebuilt. The kitecamp is between the golf course and the river. Fresh fish from the fishermen. Also, Regis is a surfer as well and surfed while I was there - Yudi surfed too; he isn't a kiter - yet.

Yeah,
That cement factory was a blight on an otherwise beautiful landscape backdrop. And thats where the right was (still is by the sound of it). There was a photo of a of a huge ship driven up on the road by the tsunami and thats where it was.

I also used to surf a spot on Nias called Afulu north of Lagundi bay but South of Aceh province(I believe there is a surf camp there now). About from April/May onwards it started to get too wind affected, and the farther north the windier it would have got.

We used to fly in to Medan and bus it up to Aceh and then mini bus it to Loch Nga.
Stayed with local families and surf ourselves stupid. The only drawback was trying to find a beer. Being staunch muslims up that way alcohole was rare as hens teeth, and never did find a beer.
Does the camp have cold ales? Geez I'd love to go back and a coldie might be the persuader.

Edit:
I failed to read this;
Again, given it's Aceh, was access to alcohol an issue, generally, and at the camp? (can't go kiting and not have a beer post-session ;-) )
Couldn't agree more! Beer was no problem, nice and cold - perhaps if you wanted more complicated spirits etc you'd have to get it yourself in BA? Although Yudi always said "Whatever you want, I can get you."

sounds like a great place and your review, thoughts, answers and feedback are fantastic.

Will have to put it on the list for next year.

Thanks BoardGirl - it's on my list too : )

BoardGirl said...

sounds like a great place and your review, thoughts, answers and feedback are fantastic.

Will have to put it on the list for next year.

Thanks for kind words.

Basically I was fed up never getting to the beach when conditions were right. Thought it might help to have 2 weeks at the beach, but didn't fancy taking 2 weeks off to go to Sandgate

I found out about it on some forum and followed arguments about the wind. Found out about the kite camp and figured they wouldn't be likely to put it where there was no wind. Started hassling Regis, and keeping an eye on Air Asia specials.

None of my friends could get the time off so bit the bullet and chose mid May to leave, to give some leeway for the wind change to occur.

Didn't take bravery so much as optimism, which can be its own reward As it happens I was rewarded with a great time as well.

You were brave, a pioneer!

The place is certainly different from pre-tsunami days - quieter, fewer people. They want to tell you about the tsunami and are inspirational - resilient, cheerful, welcoming. Families are growing again and life continues.

bobajob said...

BoardGirl said...

sounds like a great place and your review, thoughts, answers and feedback are fantastic.

Will have to put it on the list for next year.

Yeah absolutly,
Well done good review scaredykite, brought back memories, some sad considering the tsunami.
Can I ask what made you want to go there, especially while still getting it together kiting? Brave and fantastic effort I reckon. It was a real adventure on rickety busses and language barriers, all based on rumors when I went.

been thinking of somwhere for next year, this look perfect

we let you know the statistics of wind for May and June, 2012 soon

au_rick said...

Scaredykite, thanks for the review and Q&A, I've been looking around for kite holiday possibilities.

One more question though, do the locals up there speak Indonesian or their own local dialect ?

Both

this place has the potential to be the mui ne of indonesia for the off season
im glad to be going in july and seeing it before gets too big
if you have been to mui ne in the summer your know what im talking about