Bali: Shop the Surf Outlets

I've been to Bali during the months of March, April and May and the sale season that has given us the highest yield and best value for money has been the one in March.

1. Surfers's Paradise. Oakley, Reef, Roxy, Quick Silver, Sunsuko, Cult, Volcom, Hurley, Industry, Bilo Australia. On Jalan By Pass I Gusti Ngurah Rai
-- This is on the way to the airport and accessible by taxi. Hardly any sales at the main store but right across the street is their factory outlet wc sometimes has super good deals.

2. Billabong Factory Outlet on Jl By Pass Ngurah Rai
---> Three floors of sale items ranging from 30% to 75% off on most items. It's on the same road as Surfers Paradise but in the opposite direction. Walking distance from my favorite outlet of all time -- the Quiksilver/Rip Curl/Surfer Girl. Have the taxi drop you off at that one first then just walk down the road to this one. It will be on the left side so keep your eyes open for it. Super good deals.

3. Quiksilver/Rip Curl Outlet on Jl By Pass Ngurah Rai
---> See above :) I was able to get shorts for RP50,000 and tops na RP25,000 (Php125 to Php250 pesos) and bikinis for Php500 lang.

4. Quiksilver/Rip Curl/Surfer Girl Outlet On Jl Dewi Sri
--> Closest one to the Kuta and Legian area. Usually has rummage-style sales outside the store proper and more sales inside.

5. Surfer Girl. On Jl Legian.
--> Head for the sales floor upstairs for the best deals on both men's and women's brands. Also, it's along one of the main shopping-eating roads

Bali: Padang Padang for the Rip Curl Cup

We were lucky enough to catch the trials for a major event on our second week in Bali. The Rip Curl Cup is entitled "It's On When It's On" because Padang Padang is such a fickle break that the smallest changes in weather can cause the biggest changes in swell size. There is a month long wait period for the comp - one of the longest known in the circuits.

The same break whose inside section we had surfed only two days before was now throwing massive double overhead sets that broke in front of the cliff and wrapped around the cove towards the beach. DAMN!

And of course, my first order of business was to check the heat schedule and find out who was around. On the menu for the surf aids? Friend Mostafa Jeksen, Tipi Jabrik, and Betet Merta. Rizal Tanjung, Made Widiarta, John John Florence, Kahea Hart, Nathan Hedge, and Koby Abberton! Woot, woot!

We found a spot safe from incoming tide and tried to get comfortable while watching the heats. Unfortunately, my lens couldnt quite cover the distance but I think you'll get a good enough idea of what Padang was like that day.

More Padang pics coming soon. Photos by me, Moro, Phil and Aya.