Thanks to the Versaggi kids, their hand made sign and turtle art have cause the house to be christened for 2016.  The front door sign got hung tonight. This is now the house of "salty toes and sandy kisses". LOL

After months of momentary insanity, Mike and I now have a 2016 surf adventure game plan. Let the preparations for Senior Citizen's Surf Tour V begin.  The down payment for El Salvador made me feel 5 years younger...a much needed attitude adjustment after a stressful year in 2015. Let the workouts begin....

Time passes quickly when you are living in paradise. SCST IV is now in the history books. 11 days of surfing every day in one of the world's most beautiful places. This trip had good waves that at times began to fringe on great, depending on your session and wave selection. For me, my surfing was marginal. It would require another lifetime to get my backhand where I want it.  However. it's always challenging and fun to strive for better technique - even later in my surfing life. But for me the trip was highlighted by the magic of Kandui Resort. If Hilton's Shangri-La was a mythical earthly paradise, then Kandui must be it's ocean twin. Great waves, close friends (old and new), magnificent Mentawai aloha and life-long memories that get richer every trip. Thank you Ray, Mario, Justis and the entire Kandui Resort team - you are the human touch that makes this place, its people and its waves a memory of a lifetime. Of special significance this year was watching Father and Son (Mike and Chris Ryan) take in the Kandui Resort paradise as a shared experience.  They both ripped. Chris earned his wings as a Senior Citizen Surf Tour apprentice. I would travel with him anywhere (even if he didn't eat the grub worm).  Sitting now at LAX waiting for the red-eye back to Florida puts the gift that is the Mentawai Islands and Kandui Resort into proper perspective. Already thinking about next trip back to Shangri-La...and a better backhand.

The Mentawai people are so happy, kind, generous and friendly. I hope this rich culture survives the impacts of our tourism and our western influences? 

Night before last full surf day at Kandui has local elders from tribe swing by to dance, smoke a few cigs, and offer guests grub worms ( thumb siz) . Mike manned up this year. Chris took a pass. The marine biologist (me) ate two. Once you get over the wiggle, it's not too bad until you hit the crunchy mouth parts.

Andy and Lidi...The boatmen who get us there and back in one piece. These guys are pros. Kandui Resort does it best.