45 stitches in my head after a surfing accident 16.07.16

The surfing aspect of my time in Bali has been cut short.

We went out yesterday afternoon, it was choppy and there was a strong current. It didn't look like anyone was catching any waves but the guides and the surfers headed out to give it a go. I was exhausted from paddling and didn't catch any waves, no one did.

So I told the guides I would head back in. I was catching the white wash in and a board hit the side of my head very hard. I thought it was my board but it turned out later that someone ran in to me. I popped my head out of the water and someone asked if I was okay and then exclaimed that I was bleeding. I continued my journey in to shore and managed to fish my hat out of the water!

I could see the blood dripping down and continued my journey in with the guides quickly following me. One of the guides gave me his shirt and requested that I wrap it around my head. I felt bad but at least the shirt was red.

I hopped on the back of one of the guides scooters and we hurried back to the surf lodge. When I hopped off the scooter I looked at my face in the review mirror and it was covered in blood. Apparently people could hear me get hit under the water.

The lodge reception called the Doctor for me. The Doctor asked me if I needed stitches. I said I wasn't sure so she asked me to send a photo. I was trying to work out how to send it as I don't have a local sim card or social media. In the meantime a guy followed after me saying that he may have been the one who hit me. He was asking if there was anything he could do, unbreaking my face would be good.. but its nice that he went after me.

The Doctor received my photo and said 'Its like a Harry Potter scar', true dat Doc.

The Doctor came to see me. The whole time I was trying not to cry  as I already felt silly and was in a lot of shock.

The girls from the camp heard the news and came and joined me. They were so supportive and it made the whole experience so much better.The doctor said that my wound was 2cm deep 2cm wide and 4cm long and that I definately needed stitches.

She then told me that I wouldn't be able to surf for 4 weeks. I started to cry. Then she told me that I might have a black eye tomorrow from the stitches. Then the tears came rushing. The Doctor was so empathetic and kind 'it's okay to cry'. I then had 45 stitches in my forehead while the Dr and my support crew ran through a new list of activities for me. One of the girls told me in her last trip to Bali, she was meant to surf and then tried to drive a scooter and crashed and then needed surgery.  That made me feel a bit better.

Can't help but smile for the camera.

                                                     

So happy to have such a supportive cheer squad with me.

Enthusiasm wearing off after an hour of suturing.

I have a huge dressing on my head. I felt really self conscious and was really worried about potential scarring. But there is nothing I can do about it. So I rocked my bandage to the wedding. Everyone has been so kind about my injury and complimenting my hair instead, good people.

The wedding was amazing,  traditional dresses, everyone laughing and being so warm and welcoming and lots of traditional yummy food. I'm really happy that I went as bandage bear.

Today I went to boxfit class and got my arse kicked, it was so good and then got a Balinese massage. It was sweet and funny hearing the masseus'' gossip all the way through the massage to each other. Good on them.

About bali Fit: Bali Fit is more than just fitness, it’s a holistic retreat offering a personalized approach to the health and well being of the mind, body, and spirit. Through innovative fitness and lifestyle programs, our friendly, professional staff will inspire and support you in your commitment to enhancing your quality of life.

Bali Fit’s experienced team of coaches delivers comprehensive programming with up to five small group training sessions a day. Boxing, strength & conditioning, cardio, yoga, pilates, and more - no two days are alike.Guests have access to a full complement of world-class nutritionists, physio and massage therapists, and mind-body specialists to dial in every aspect of your well-being. Onsite accommodations are available with all the comforts and conveniences of home. And our café serves up fresh and healthy food, 7 days a week. Everything is taken care of. All you need to do is show up.

More delicious and yummy food,  hanging out with the boys and girls at the camp and yoga tonight.

My arrival in Bali: First day of surfing 14.07.16

It's day 2 for me in Bali now.

I was reluctant to come to Bali as I didn't want to be another Australia (bogan) tourist.

However, like a lot of touristy places, they are full of tourists because they are beautiful places. I found this to be the case with Thailand and I feel the same about Bali.

The plane trip was a bit grueling; we were on the plane but had an extended trip of 4 hours of not flying due to air traffic. The guy next to me on the plane was fat and cranky. I got given an exit row seat though! I find as a single traveler that people look after you as you are non threatening and easy to accommodate. 

I am staying in Canggu, a coastal town north of Katu at a surf camp. I am the only Australian.  I have been warmly embraced by 2 dorms of obnoxious but nice men with 3 girls total. Although exhausted when I arrived,  I managed to be persuaded to head out to a party by the beach.

 Kima Surf Camp

Graffiti by the beach.

Locals at Canggu building infrastructure.

I spend my first day here exploring the town and doing some shopping with this lovely confident little German girl called Natalie. Natalie has severely bruised her ribs surfing and is really upset that she can't surf because of the injury.

I had my first surf in the afternoon.  I knew to leave  my ego behind, but I still got a shock. I headed to the beach 'Old Mans' with Hendrick, the Balinese guide.  I said to Hendrick 'lucky me to have a guide all to myself'. Hendrick said ' I am the lucky one because I get to take the girl to the beach!'  The Balinese men are flirty and have a great sense of humour. The usual questions that I get asked are: are you married? No or not yet? And do you believe in God? Do you like spicy food? Do you like Bali? Do you like me? The Balinese people are really special and good people, they work hard, they are caring, they are prayerful and they show others how to love life. 

Old Mans beach is very different to the beaches that I am used to at the south coast in Australia. You need to paddle so hard when it is choppy and for long distances. I felt I had used up all of my energy before I had even surfed! I caught about 4 green waves, you have to paddle really hard to catch them and they are incredibly fast and powerful. I got a bit of a shock when my feet hit the bottom on the reef, not used to that back home.

Interesting surroundings to the beach. I love the cows.

Old Man's Beach

The beaches are pretty but its sad that you know that they are polluted. While in the water, some other foreigner started lecturing me about something. I Couldn't hear what he was saying,  but frankly,  I don't care. I don't feel as a foreigner you should be lecturing other foreigners in the water.

I couldn't always understand what Hendrick was saying and I don't think that he always understood me. Hendrick gave me feedback that I am fine once I'm standing up but that my paddling and positioning needs a lot of work, which it does.

I was the only whitey wearing a hat in the water but I think foreigners should take note that the Balinese guys are wearing zinc. I'm Aussie, I know how big  the hole in the ozone layer is! Despite my confidence in not getting burnt, it was my first rime not wearing a wetsuit surfing (the water here is like bath water). So my rashey kept lifting up, so I now have a bright red streak of sunburn on my lower back. Ill wear a spring suit tomorrow to avoid that!

I got so tired just from that surf and intimidated but I will stick to it.

I was greeted after my surf by some Red Bull Balinese reps who took a photo of me taking a red bull from them and then invited me to a red bull party. 

Last night one of the French guys was having a nightmare and was screaming and punching the bed. He doesn't even remember it. Poor Priscila on the top thought he was getting attacked!

I joined by friend Priscilla this morning to yoga. Fernando, was the instructor. It was a 90 minute session and it smoothed out all of the pain in my body. I found myself starting to cry in the meditation.  I think that travel becomes soul searching and reflective no matter what you do.

Fernando could see me a bit lost in some of the practice.  But I know now not to panic and not to worry, as yoga is not about ego and perfection. He said afterwards the first class can be hard as there is a lot going on. He said, don't let this make you think that this is not for you. IT IS FOR YOU. I said, I know. He smiled and gave me a big hug.

I'm sitting here  at the camp relaxing. I love how quickly I have managed to forget about everything: work, home and the past. I still wonder where I should base myself in the future though. When I am in places like this, I realise that a big part of my soul yearns to be by the beach, and that in the warmth I am happy and confident. Food for thought.

I love the use of lanterns everywhere in Bali. It feels so romantic, spiritual and cultural all at once.

 

Man some of these Europeans are so beautiful and nice and intelligent, it's revolting! :p It's made me feel a bit self conscious but I have to remember that I am me and that is how I am meant to be.

Another surf this afternoon.

The man Pultra at reception has asked me and Natalie to come to a wedding to tonight. How lucky are we!

I haven't even taken any photos as I have been very in the zone or relaxing.

Bali is enchanting.