I can live the dream... but where should I go?

[hyber]

Hey everyone,

Been awhile since I posted here, but been rest assured I've been visiting regularly!

So, basically, I've got the money and can work from anywhere in the World with an internet connection...

But where should I go? Help me decide! lol

I don't have A LOT of money, I could afford to spend say $1000 a month - Cheaper would be nicer.

The only requirements are these:

*Waves not too dangerous (Shallow barreling reefs are beyond my ability)- Righthand Pointbreaks or easier reefs would be ideal!

*Access to the internet

*Not a dangerous country... Malaria or crime (Panama springs to mind..)

*A place to stay where I wouldn't need a car or anything to access a few different spots.

*I'd sacrifice wave quality for less crowds.


Okay. So the shortlist so far is:

Nicaragua - Looks great but is it dangerous?, and do I need a car?

Bali - Most of the waves look too dangerous for me, and looks kind of crowded.

California (living in a van - how would I get insurance?)

Phuket, Thailand - Waves aren't so great. But man, everything else is just eaassy out there.

What do you guys think? I'm 18 by the way and would be travelling alone.

Thanks,
George

[tree4]

Hell, at 18 you got time to try it, make a mistake and have another go. Go where you feel most excited.

[jethrodog]

you could do nicaragua on less than $1000, but not without a car. Too hard to get to the breaks and too expensive to take taxis everyday. And the internet connection are sketchy at best.
I vote for somewhere in indonesia

[indahvoo]

There are many surfing spots in Indonesia. Car is not required. Even if you decide to buy or rent one, no insurance needed (as long as you're super careful and not hit anything). Bali is not the only place in Indonesia. With $1000, you can live large (most employees make less than $500 a month and can support themselves with their family, so go figure). Should you need info in house rentals and others, just drop me a line. Good luck!!

[Mango-Chick]

Go to Mentawais.. Good spots there and u can do a bit of adventures..Just get a ferry and meet the people..And it's bloody cheap for sure!! Le me know if u need more info mate.. Cheers x

[market-research]

anywhere that the dr's whoo? have built an artificial surfing reef of course

blacks opanke reef
meades mount reef
and josephs tsunami relief reef
an now soon to be online weights reef -the locals already report that the surf has improved because the base layer is complete.

all the endless summer dreams come truee from tv screen to you!

tickets for the tardis for sale at your travel agent
satisfaction for your surfing expeirence fumlly guarenteed by their double your money payment if you complain.

how much have you got to look forward to?

oh since asr have told so many fibs do not say you are going to surf at any of their projects as the fib-detector test will be immediatley done at customs as is mandentory for anyone associated with ASR (just saying too many dodgy things i'm afraid - their projects are sucessful, they know what they are doing, they are the only ones to pay forsurfing advice)

[billie_morini]

hyber,
I'd say Southern California. It's got tons of surf for all skill levels, there are many places to sleep in the van, it's pretty safe, everything you could possibly need or want is readily available, and internet access is available at many coffee shops and other places. There are even some camp grounds that have WIFI!

Insurance: Contact several insurerance agents that sell Gieco and Farmer's. Shop around and say your home base is in a small town rather than a large city (rates are lower that way). Don't use a brand new van and you will only need the California state minimum for insurance (i.e., liability). If you need an actual address, contact me by PM and I can provide one for you to use. Hell, you might even drop in to meet me, hang out, and teach me to surf better (I'm an old guy that came late to the sport).

[surf patrol]

Hi there!
Why dont you come to a quiet but interesting and full of young people in the south of europe. Portugal. <edit>
Good waves.
Gabriel

[hyber]

Thanks so much for all the helpful replies guys

Especially Billy, maybe that could be a reality... living in a van.

Has anyone been to Peru? The Chicama area looks awesome, uncrowded, cheap, consistent, perfect waves (although lefts).

[surf patrol]

Hey Hyber,
You mentioned Panama in your first post, have you considered Bocas del Toro, the islands off the Caribbean side of Panama? You can get a relatively cheap place to live, land and water taxies are everywhere and if you're close to the main town you're never far from a wifi signal. The surf there is great and although the better spots are reef breaks, a lot of the waves there can be ridden by all but the worst surfers. The surf's not super crowded but the word is definitely out about this place.
This particular area also has a decent amount to do when you're not surfing too.
I'm gonna be loading some info about the area onto my site within the next week but if you wanna check it out before then you might find info on some other spots worth checking out.
<edit>

Good on ya mate for livin the dream

Jon

[Aloha]

Go to Mentawais.. Good spots there and u can do a bit of adventures..Just get a ferry and meet the people..And it's bloody cheap for sure!! Le me know if u need more info mate.. Cheers x

Good luck with the internet connection there.

[surf patrol]

Dominican republic meets your requirements.

I live here, and came here for the same reasobns as you had. That was 5 years ago.

< edit >