http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37695 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37695 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37650 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37650 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37559 Just be aware that some of the hostels can be tricky to find - I'd no satnav with me so spent a good deal of time asking passersby for directions; very basic Italian got me by.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37559 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37494 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37494 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37463 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37463 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37357 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37357 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36872 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36872 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36634 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36634 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36628 After this a breathtaking panorama of the Ogwen valley is yours to enjoy. You follow a small, tarmac trail with little traffic. Finally get ready for a short but very steep climb to finish the trip. (You could walk it if you wanted. It's short, but steep.)
At the end of your journey you'll find the Idwal cottage youth hostel which is perfect for an overnight stay. There is also the Cwm Idwal nature reserve for a beautiful walk or a wild swim!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36628 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36391 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36391 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36319
Max = 6 surfer and min = 2 surfer

Mentawai islands with surfer camp have facilities = electricily from 6 am until 10 pm, fan, shower, referigerator

not including
1) one engine speed boat from harbour siberut islands to surf camp siberut then surf camp to harbour siberut price RP 1500.000 in $ 163(AU) max:2 surfer min:1 surfer (sharing price with your friends)
2) two engine speed boat from harbour siberut islands to surf camp siberut then surf camp to harbour siberut price RP 2400.000 in $ 260 (AU) max:6 surfer min:1 surfer (sharing price with your friends)
3) porter in harbour and airport

Surf spots just onfoot

Beng Beng => A very consistent world class wave, an extremely rippable left. This spot is loads of fun and probably one of the easiest waves to surf in the Mentawai’s. It’s the deepest and safest wave in the area and also pick up a bit more swell than other locales. 5 more breaks in the area, including E-Bay and Pitstops. Nestled inside a small bay with one of the most scenic views imaginable all around you.

E-Bay => This is a hollow left that barrels off the take-off with a short wall down the line. A great option when a lot of swell is hitting. A hollow, fast, powerful left. A world class wave for experienced surfers. Watch out for the two rocks on the inside. Great barrels, and turns into a surfing paradise at 6 feet offshore. There is a heavy warble that hits as you are taking off. Make the drop and don’t get thrown by that first warble and chances are you’ll get a mean aqua blue barrel. The scenery alone will blow you away. Besides its aesthetic beauty, double overhead E-bay is a beast and forces to be reckon with.

Nipussi or Pussies => A shorter right that breaks down the point from Bank Vaults. Definitely fun and rippable. Usually has fairly deep water from the takeoff to the inside. Ends in a riptide that sucks all the water back out to sea. A good option when there’s not much swell, and usually the most consistent spot in the area.

Pitstops => This is the right off the peak at E-Bay. A playful right that can offer some cover-ups off the take-off, but mostly a high performance wave with air sections at the end. Ends in a sandy channel.

How do I reach Mentawai Islands?

By Ferry from padang, to mentawai islands or mentawai islands to padang, (west sumateran, indonesia)

The most comfortable Ferry to Mentawai is Ferry Ambu Ambu (made from Steel). Since September 2009, the Ambu-Ambu Ferry travels overnight from Padang Bungus to Muara Siberut 2. and 3. Thursday nights of each month. From Muara Siberut to Padang Bungus, the ferry travels 2. and 3. Friday nights of each month.

The ferry departs from Padang at 9:00 p.m. and arrives at approximately 7:00 a.m. the following morning.

The Sumber Rejeki traditional Ferry (made from wood) travels overnight from Padang Bungus to Muara Siberut every Monday evening. From Muara Siberut to Padang, the ferry travels every tuesday nights.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36319 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36316
Max = 6 surfer and min = 2 surfer

Mentawai islands with surfer camp have facilities = electricily from 6 am until 10 pm, fan, shower, referigerator

not including
1) one engine speed boat from harbour siberut islands to surf camp siberut then surf camp to harbour siberut price RP 1500.000 in $ 163(AU) max:2 surfer min:1 surfer (sharing price with your friends)
2) two engine speed boat from harbour siberut islands to surf camp siberut then surf camp to harbour siberut price RP 2400.000 in $ 260 (AU) max:6 surfer min:1 surfer (sharing price with your friends)
3) porter in harbour and airport

Surf spots just onfoot

Beng Beng => A very consistent world class wave, an extremely rippable left. This spot is loads of fun and probably one of the easiest waves to surf in the Mentawai’s. It’s the deepest and safest wave in the area and also pick up a bit more swell than other locales. 5 more breaks in the area, including E-Bay and Pitstops. Nestled inside a small bay with one of the most scenic views imaginable all around you.

E-Bay => This is a hollow left that barrels off the take-off with a short wall down the line. A great option when a lot of swell is hitting. A hollow, fast, powerful left. A world class wave for experienced surfers. Watch out for the two rocks on the inside. Great barrels, and turns into a surfing paradise at 6 feet offshore. There is a heavy warble that hits as you are taking off. Make the drop and don’t get thrown by that first warble and chances are you’ll get a mean aqua blue barrel. The scenery alone will blow you away. Besides its aesthetic beauty, double overhead E-bay is a beast and forces to be reckon with.

Nipussi or Pussies => A shorter right that breaks down the point from Bank Vaults. Definitely fun and rippable. Usually has fairly deep water from the takeoff to the inside. Ends in a riptide that sucks all the water back out to sea. A good option when there’s not much swell, and usually the most consistent spot in the area.

Pitstops => This is the right off the peak at E-Bay. A playful right that can offer some cover-ups off the take-off, but mostly a high performance wave with air sections at the end. Ends in a sandy channel.

How do I reach Mentawai Islands?

By Ferry from padang, to mentawai islands or mentawai islands to padang, (west sumateran, indonesia)

The most comfortable Ferry to Mentawai is Ferry Ambu Ambu (made from Steel). Since September 2009, the Ambu-Ambu Ferry travels overnight from Padang Bungus to Muara Siberut 2. and 3. Thursday nights of each month. From Muara Siberut to Padang Bungus, the ferry travels 2. and 3. Friday nights of each month.

The ferry departs from Padang at 9:00 p.m. and arrives at approximately 7:00 a.m. the following morning.

The Sumber Rejeki traditional Ferry (made from wood) travels overnight from Padang Bungus to Muara Siberut every Monday evening. From Muara Siberut to Padang, the ferry travels every tuesday nights.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36316 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36274 The rooms cost just €10 per person per night - my brother and I had a twin room to ourselves, shared bathroom, free internet access, train/coach station pickup and drop off. And use of the kitchen - however beware that this is a homestay and the kitchen is their family kitchen. They also offer laundry.
Nina's husband is a war survivor and offers more authentic tours of the still war torn parts of the town - there were four of us on our tour so hardly busy. We were given options and even taken to one of the sniper holes.
The accommodation is a bargain, the tours are more than the room but also much more exciting - he offers a range but we only took the Mostar War tour.
There are rumours in guide books of a second poorer standard overflow building but we asked to be in the main house - and there were no issues.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36274 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36211 Luckily the man we were watching regained his balance and made it. It was a fun end to a hilly, winters' day walk, which had started at Ilam Hall across Lin Dale to the River Dove, frost glittering in the hollows, sunlight bouncing off the pyramid-shaped, Thorpe Cloud hill as we made our way down the limestone gorge where a walk along the riverside leads to the steps. A circular route back led us over fields, past the Izak Walton Hotel, named for the author of ’The Compleat Angler’ back to Ilam Hall and its welcoming tearoom.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36211 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36096 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36096 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36035 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36035 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36000 For our room with the private bathroom we spent 33JD per night. Citadel and amphitheatre are on the doorstep.
There is a communal room where people can eat or meet other backpackers/travellers.
The hostel can arrange trips. They organised a car to take us and two other guests to Mount Nebo and the Dead Sea for 20JD (not including admission fees). Additionally they can arrange cars to and from the airport or to the Jordanian border.
Good breakfast served in the morning.
Staff always on hand (with perfect English) to assist with any queries such as how to handle taxi drivers etc.
Not luxurious but safe, comfortable and friendly.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36000 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35888 You'll get lots of information and support from hostelers and the staff, and usually access to a kitchen to cook your own meals. You can be any age and many hostels have private doubles, twins, triples etc - some even ensuite!
PS In Patagonia don't miss the Perito Moreno Glacier - the boat goes dramtically close to the edge which is crumbling into the lake.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35888 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35866 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35866 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35714 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/35714