Dani Aneka

Number one on the agenda whilst we were in Bali had to be surfing, especially as we were right next to the surfing hotspot of Echo Beach. Over brekky on our second day we had a browse for local surf lessons and managed to get a last minute slot that afternoon with two surf instructors we found through Instagram.

At just 500,000 Indonesian Rupiah (about £25) for a private two hour lesson, including the hire of boards and rashy also, it was a bargain! Although I had already surfed quite a few times before, it was great to have one on one tuition and I learnt so much too including how to turn and gather more speed on a wave.

By the end of our two hours my friend who had never surfed before was catching waves and we didn’t want our afternoon to end. I must admit though, my muscles were aching a lot afterwards especially in my arms as it takes strength and stamina to paddle to catch those waves.

Our instructors were very pleased with our hard work and even brought us both a beer afterwards. They were a good laugh and made us feel comfortable and safe in the water which is so important when learning an extreme sport like surfing.

By sunset we were sipping the last of our beers and discussing the night’s plan for partying ahead. We grabbed a polaroid with our new Balinese mates and later that evening found ourselves sharing more beers together at Old Man’s. What a perfect Bali day – surfing until sunset and then partying by the beach until the early hours – living the dream!