Bali

As the end of our trip draws near, we race around, chasing the last remnants of swell before heading back for the Northern European leg of the tour that awaits us, namely the UK, Sylt and Ireland. We manage to get a few more surfs at the various breaks around the south west coast though, including a couple at a place called 'Dreamland'.

This is somewhere that apparently a few years ago, boasted nothing but a beautiful white sandy beach. Now it is packed with beachfront cafes/rest houses, nothing sophisticated, just simple Balinese style huts serving the local delicacies. What is extraordinary though is the amount of European holidaymakers and backpackers that have discovered this remote beach - it is absolutely packed full with young tourists, not what you would expect far from the beaten track. It also however boasts a really fun wave that is among the most consistent on the island.

Whilst relaxing after a great session and enjoying a large bowl of fresh fruit salad and a Bali coffee, I get talking to a local guy, a worker in one of these cafes. He asks the usual question of where I am from and what I am doing here in Bali. We carry on the conversation and he tells me that he has been to England before, so I ask him where. He says London, so, somewhat surprised I ask him when. He replies that it was just the other night, in his dreams.

It is times like this that I reflect on life and look at the way its cards are dealt to different people in different ways. Sometimes I feel as though I was unlucky for example to have been born in the UK and not Maui, where it's warm and windy everyday. I was dealt that card, but there is something I can do about it, as the rest of my hand is just great - London is one of the main centres of Europe and indeed the world and as far as opportunities go to travel, work and play, I couldn't be much more lucky. Although when I visit all these wonderful places and see what relative paradises they are, it is hard to imagine what it would be like to be born there and never be able to leave.

It is indeed very difficult to fully appreciate home without seeing elsewhere, and without having the option to go out and discover even if you don't take it. This Balinese man's dream was to see somewhere else and experience new things, something he will most likely never get the chance to do. In this case he was dealt a one-card hand - it was a good card, as Bali is a stunningly beautiful place to live, but he is limited as to the options he has as a result, and it makes me realise how lucky I am to be doing what I am.

Every trip I feel that I grow up more, get to fill my logbook up with great new waves and wonderful new experiences with my good friends and perhaps most importantly, learn new and vital lessons, each and everyone centred on the realisation of how great life is and how it is ours to live and make the most of. To use a well coined expression once again,

"Life is too short not to live it up a little" (Charles M Schulz)