Mentawai: The Faraway Escape You Must See

October 26th, 2009 by Eddy | Filed under Asia, Destination Spotlight.

This video is just a glimpse of one the world’s most isolated archipelagos, the Mentawais (men-Tao-wise), located off the west coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. The region is most famous among surfers for its waves. Of course, there’s more to it. Here’s a taste of my trip to help explain things:

Mentawai Shaman	Shaman — These are healers. They practice a religion that’s been around (and largely preserved) since the bronze age thanks to the region’s isolation. Among other things, these Shaman believe our souls are always at risk of straying from our physical bodies. That is, unless we constantly fill our lives with things pleasing to our souls. Hear their song at 3:45 in the video.
Jesius Roberts - Mentawai Fisherman	Fisherman — This is Jesius. He can’t recall a time in his life he didn’t hand-line fish from his dugout canoe for sustenance and income. Every day, he fishes miles offshore, sometimes late into the night. To be sure, his canoe has no lights, nor engine. The water jug is believed to offer flotation if a wave flips him. Note his paddle — its sharp points are unique to the region.
Kandui Resort Uma	Houses and Hermit Crabs — Shown here is an uma, or hut, at the Kandui Resort. It’s modeled after what many Mentawaiians still live in today. Typically, an uma’s front room is used for celebrations. Often, its center floorboards have no nails. Why? The shaman dancing at 3:45 in the video offer answers. The house shown in the video among the hermit crabs is a sapou, a second home used for fishing and drying coconuts.
Dead Forest of Karang Najat	Dead Forest — Kandui Resort lies on the small island of Karang Majat. The dead forest is inland, among swampy mangroves. Some believe these uprooted trees that once grew to great heights reveal the island is sinking. The trees fell victim to the brackish water that’s since crept in. Watch the video closely for a large Blue Heron patrolling these waters.
Lather up, or get burned!	Sunscreen and Boat Rides — I have yet to experience a place where the sun is as piercing as Mentawai. The place makes Aruba seem dim. As for that wet boat ride in the closing footage — that’s what happens when full a boat meets wind chop at just the wrong angle. The bow spray caught us off guard. More often than not, Kandui Resort has rain slickers onboard for such occasions.
Kaliang Suhurdi	Due Credit — Not all the photos shown in the video are mine. Many came from the Kandui Resort’s staffers, who photograph each and every one of their guest’s surfing sessions. A special thanks goes to staff member Kaliang Suhurdi. The photos that smell of artistic talent are likely his.

More blogs to come from my Mentawai trip. Untill then check out the Kandui Resort and the latest issue of ISLANDS. And keep an eye peeled for the full story in ISLANDS magazine!

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5 Responses to “Mentawai: The Faraway Escape You Must See”

1. Jad Davenport says:

   October 26, 2009 at 1:56 pm

   Beautiful - didn’t even know these islands existed!
2. Sharron Lowrance says:

   November 3, 2009 at 12:35 pm

   Nice pics - so where are awesome surfing pictures?
3. Fabio Kaczala says:

   November 4, 2009 at 3:36 pm

   I look forward to see the Islands magazine issue that will show Mentawais…. i just came from Kandui last week, and i was among the guests that arrived right after you guys on 17th October.

   According to Christian, a lot of nice pics will come from the Lone-Palm tree island!

   All the best!!
4. wendy says:

   November 10, 2009 at 10:42 am

   hiii…every body i like surfing in mentawai islands,mentawai islands is good n beautyfull,>>>>>>>>>>>>>
   i’m wendy from bali islands

   thanks
5. Utlimate Island Surf Resort says:

   November 16, 2009 at 11:59 am

   [...] enjoy world-class waves, and relax in comfort? My pick is the Kandui Resort, located in the Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra. Here’s how it delivered for two middle-age surfers from [...]