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Which episode do you like best in Chapter 1: Sonic Youth?

1.1: anticipation
1.2: in-betweening
1.3: hi-fi

Chapter 2: Un-Expectations

The parties back in Bali are starting to fade. Dillon, Davey, Gabriel and Koa had to jump off back there, too – on to Pro Junior obligations and other dates with the spotlight. But Dillon will be back in two weeks; he already misses this quest. Fresh blood Dean Brady and Richard "Ricardo" Christie have come aboard. Garut is still here, eager to dig even deeper into an Indonesia that’s unknown even to him...

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This is only the second leg of the mission, but this whole thing already has the pleasing stench of a trip with no real end date, no exact destination. Straight away, the boys head in the opposite direction. Then the forecast changes and they turn around again – just in time for Tin Boat to make the discovery of the trip (so far). Tin Boat, if you don’t know, is the little dingy that is tethered to the stern of Quest 1, bouncing along in its wake like a distracted little puppy. Tin Boat likes to get into tight corners, sniff around. Tin Boat likes finding waves.

“We've got perfect right-handers breaking in about six inches of water over sand that looks like coal,” comes the crumbly voice of surf guide Albert Taylor – he’s the man responsible for bringing hearty discovery to the Tip 2 Tip odyssey.

“And?” The boys want details.

“We're frothing," Albert says, then the signal goes static.

What ensues is the usual chaos that accompanies newfound surf, plus a little extra intensity on the part of scrambling photographer Nate Lawrence and filmers Bali Strickland and Chris Shepherd. It’s a production, and Mother Nature could care less. Which is the beauty of this whole thing: plans are useless, direction infinite, expectation not invited.

CHAPTER 2 PASSENGERS

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episode 2.3 - overland

On your standard 2-week boat trip, land is just an intangible film reel of white sand, coconut palms and distant mountains flickering on by. On your standard boat trip, you pass by at least one perfect wave a day because it’s just too difficult to reach by boat under such cramped time constraints. On your standard boat trip, it’s real easy to forget what you’re missing over there on shore. Hence the beauty of this mission. On land or off, there are no rules. Every wave is important, just as every person and place along the way is too.
"Hearing Albert's stories of surfing empty Mentawais for years was amazing," says Ricardo. "I can't imagine." Reminiscing time with Albert (center). Photo: Nate Lawrence
This wave has enjoyed quite explosive exposure since it's unveiling about a year ago. Truth is, this thing is a full-on black diamond. Just ask Garut. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Dean Brady, finding his line. Photo: Nate Lawrence
This leg of the journey is Garut's last; he has to head back to Bali for other surf obligations. Here's one last flare up before departure. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Indo peels back the layers for Trip 2 on a rare clear day. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Tin Boat, sniffing around. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Ricardo, eyeing up his exit. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Dean Brady gets barreled. That's what he does. It's his thing. Photo: Nate Lawrence

Behind the Scenes

We've planted a few digi cameras on the Quest 1 and encouraged everyone in the crew to snap a few when the inspiration strikes. Check out some of the results below:

Top Ten: With Richard Christie

  • 10. Scoring the right-hander after days on end of bumpy, surfless travel.
  • 9. Throwing back Bintangs between sessions with Pink Floyd blasting.
  • 8. Catching fish and eating fresh sushi.
  • 7. Watching the final season of Entourage. I envy Vince.
  • 6. Beating Brady at rock, paper, scissors for the double bed... I felt guilty, but he said he didn't mind. I know he was crushed.
  • 5. Winning at poker for the first time ever. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.
  • 4. Chorizo sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, cheese, and crackers every day at 5 p.m., along with a few Bintangs.
  • 3. Hearing co-captian Albert's stories of the uncrowded Mentawais perfection that he and his friends had on lock-down for years.
  • 2. Finding Dark Sands. It could be the best, latest discovery in Indo. It's just a pity we didn't get it at its best... just imagine that place on the right swell.
  • 1. Pulling up to a well-known, usually average spot to see that it was the day of the year.

episode 2.2 - dark sands

Chalk one up for Tin Boat. It won’t be the last. It’s been a grueling leg of Tip 2 Tip for Brady, Garut and Ricardo: the weather, the treks overland… the waiting. As the Quest 1 sits in deeper water, licking her wounds after copping a pounding across the Lombok Strait and on westward, Albert zings Tin Boat into every tight corner, snooping and peeking, hoping and wishing. And then he’s on the radio, telling the boys the weird, but good, news. It sure don't look like Indo, but... oh, it's Indo.
Tin Boat hits the shallows. Photo: Nate Lawrence
The search for sand begins. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Brady, feeling out Dark Sands. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Wishing for a few more feet. Photo: Nate Lawrence
The beach was packed. Photo: Nate Lawrence
"Dark Sands has amazing potential," Brady later said of the boys' one, quick session at the sand point. "I'd love to get it all-time." Photo: Nate Lawrence
No reef. No worries. Ricardo lets loose on the inside. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Quest 1 permanent resident Dean Brady (far right), providing the evening entertainment. Photo: Nate Lawrence

Relapse: Chef Brady Takes Over the Galley

Brady: "I'm no pro in the kitchen - I just like cooking and eating. Chili con carne, that's my favorite at the moment - I got that from Jamie Oliver's American cookbook, which I just picked up. On this particular meal, I think the crew liked it, but, then again, how do you say to someone that their meal sucked? So who knows?"

episode 2.1 - circumstance

On average, 2,478 millimeters (or 98 inches) of rain dumps on the lowlands of Indonesia per year. From April to October, it’s hotter, rains more frequently, and the ocean is angrier. That's boat trip season. And though on any given day from one end of Indo to other, an unholy amount of perfect waves are unfolding all by their lonesome, so too is foul weather and rough seas. But this crew has been down this road before – and they know just how nice Indo can be after one of her more moody days.
Go on a boat trip in Indo and you can expect the other kind of Search. Richard "Ricardo" Christie (foreground), looking a little stressed. Photo: Nate Lawrence
A lot of nautical miles were logged before Dean Brady was able to burn off this excess steam. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Grey skies and no waves ahead. Photo: Nate Lawrence
More obstacles out of millions along the Tip 2 Tip route. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Brady adds some rain to the shower. Photo: Nate Lawrence
On the chase. Photo: Nate Lawrence
Late night love letter writing with Dean Brady. Photo: Nate Lawrence
When the skies open, so too do the barrels. Ricardo, taking advantage. Photo: Nate Lawrence
"I did it for the ladies."
-Ricardo, after shaving a healthy mullet out of his once-robust afro.

Boat Sounds: Musical Weirdness from Richard "Ricardo" Christie

Tip 2 Tip is a 6-month quest on the Infinite Search, stretching from one end of the Indonesia Archipelago to the other. Stay tuned for daily updates and 3 fresh video edits a week. See more here

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entry #1 by football

06/09/2011 10:31

Hello Everyone! I like watching BBC Football online.

entry #2 by Fred S.

08/28/2010 19:56

Albert Taylor is the best captain ever...The Indies Trader 2 and Albert...best money you will ever spend on an Indo trip.

entry #3 by nathan

08/26/2010 18:36

loka mesmo valewww .so as melhores

entry #4 by Adam Waldie

08/26/2010 09:19

Well done guys, you have finally managed to turn Indo into a cheap miserable tart. I look forward to a web site counter that measures how many cheezy Steph Gilmore smile shots you can squeeze in in the weeks ahead. Will there be a password protected members area with tips on how to know if he REALLY likes you?

Hmmm, masturbate with a cheese grater or read the top ten thoughts of a 22 year old forklift driver from Tugan every day...decisions decision...pass me the cheese grater.

entry #5 by benedita couto

08/24/2010 11:31

quando e que aprendeste a sufe