Kandui Resort ::::: Mentawai Islands ::::: Indonesia :::: Life at the Resort

This section answers a lot of questions we hear from our guests about life at the resort:

1. What are the waves like near Kandui Resort? The Mentawai Islands are blessed with some of the most consistent, user friendly surf in the world. Waves range from friendly and rippable to downright scary. For an in-depth look at a few of the waves you will surf on your next expedition to Kandui Resort please visit our special "Waves" section by clicking here.

2. Where will we be surfing? We've covered a few of the more common spots, what they're like, distance from the resort, and even how they got their original names in our "Waves" section. Click here to see where you'll be surfing.

3. Any tips on proper surfing etiquette? Proper surf etiquette is crucial anywhere in the world. In the Mentawai Islands it's even more important - so important that we've developed a short list of suggestions that we hope all of our guests will consider during their vacation. Check it out.

4. Is there a general code of conduct I should follow during my stay? We work hard to give you the best experience possible. There really isn't a strict code of conduct at the resort, but here are a few helpful tips for adjusting to life in paradise. The following list offers a quick glance at the do's and don'ts of resort living in the Mentawais.

Welcome to Kandui Resort! We work hard to give you the best experience possible, here are a few helpful tips for adjusting to life in paradise. The following list offers a quick glance at the do's and don'ts of resort living in the Mentawais.

• Feel free to ask our staff any questions at anytime or for anything you need.

• If you're hungry tell someone.

• Please smoke in designated areas only – outside only.

• Do your best to keep wet clothes outside.

• Point out problems or potential problems to the staff.

• No drugs allowed.

• Keep your belongings in designated areas.

• Always use proper surf etiquette.

• Conserve as much water as possible – please take short showers.

• Always look out for other people.

• Put trash where it belongs.

• Housecleaning is everyday between 10:00am and 2:00pm, unless you request otherwise.

• There is a laundry service, please put dirty clothes in the provided hamper and leave outside on your deck.

• If your towels are dirty, please leave them on the floor of the bathroom and we will give you fresh ones.

• When you arrive we will give you one big bottle of water, please refill in the restaurant as much as you'd like. Guests will be charged for extra water bottles.

• We have a safe in the office if you wish to store your valuables.

• Please watch out for falling coconuts!

• Please use sunscreen, nothing can ruin your vacation more than a sunburn.

• Please share waves with the guests from the charter boats.

• We suggest covering up in evenings, long pants and long sleeves and taking malaria preventative medicine if available.

• Donations are welcome for the local people, extra medicine etc... please give to office.

• Guests are welcome to tip their favorite staff member, or you can give to the office to be distributed evenly among all employees.

Meal Times:

For early-birds, there is cereal, fruit salad, and toasts available in the restaurant.

Breakfast - 7:30am - 10:30am - Please order with the bartender.

Lunch - 12:30pm - 2:30pm

Dinner - 7:30pm - 8:30 pm

Phone calls:

$5 a call using the Skype phone in the office.

Internet:
Internet service is charged at a flat rate of $40US during your stay. This cost helps us maintain our satellite connection, general maintenance, and bandwidth. The office, restaurant, and all umas are connected to the internet via a wireless connection; please feel free to jump on and off as much as you'd like - laptops are welcome!

Tsunami evacuation:
We have a bridge to the right of the restaurant. If there is an earthquake or tsunami alert please cross bridge and climb up hill to higher ground immediately.

Boats for Surfing:
We have multiple boats to take you surfing. In general we typically have one “early-bird” boat depart at 6:30am - another that leaves between 7:30am – 8:00am - and another after that just in caseit is necessary. All of the boats usually come back to the resort for lunch and then repeat the process in the afternoon – please ask your surf guide for detailed information about our schedules which are set by our guests the night before.

8. What is the dining experience like at the resort? Guests find our open air dining to be as much fun as it is delicious and varied. We offer full meals ranging from local Indonesian dishes to pasta plates, pizza, chicken and of course fresh fish. We consider every meal extremely important to give you the energy you need to surf all day. Be prepared to eat like a king.

There is a set schedule for meals so you don't have to wonder what time you eat. We will also have as many barbeques as possible; nothing is tastier or more satisfying than having a bbq with your close friends on a remote, tropical island with perfect waves reeling in the distance.

We include 3 soft drinks and 3 juices a day for free. Extra sodas, juices, beer hard alcohol, and mixed drinks are available for a nominal fee.

9. What types of alcoholic beverages are available? Beer is available for all of our guests, a variety of hard alcohol and mixed drinks will also be available for purchase. Feel free to bring your own bottle of liquor as the resort prices are marginally expensive because alcohol is difficult to import out ot the resort.

10. Can I be contacted while I'm at the resort? The resort should have its internet connection and ability to make inexpensive phone calls to anywhere in the world via Skype. We are also equipped with a Satellite phone to make calls home in case our internet connection goes down. Using the satellite phone is usually reserved for emergency purposes because the cost is prohibitive at $3 a minute. If a family member needs to reach you while you are out on the boat they need to contact our United States office and we will relay the message to them and have them contact you.

11. Can I check my e-mails while at the resort? Kandui Resort boasts one of only three high speed internet connections in the Mentawai Islands. We set up the other one for SurfAid International, a non-profit organization that works in the capital city of Tuapajet.

Internet service is charged at a flat rate of $40US during your stay. This cost helps us maintain our satellite connection, general maintenance, and bandwidth. The office, restaurant, and all umas are connected to the internet via a wireless connection; please feel free to jump on and off as much as you'd like - laptops are welcome!

Please feel free to bring along your laptop during your stay with us as our wireless connection covers a large portion of the resort including inside each uma.

Special thanks to Aaron Owens at Whoisnetworking for our internet connection and future technology ideas...

12. What other types of activities are available onboard? Do as much or as little as you like. The landscape and activities available in our area are extraordinary and varied. There are things to keep you totally busy or you can practice the fine art of doing nothing at all. Click here for a full list of activities available at the resort.

13. Can I bring my own dvds? Of course.

14. How much should I tip the staff when my trip finishes? This is entirely up to you. The average tip starts at around $50US and goes up from there; if you've had a great time, the staff did a wonderful job and were accommodating, let them know how you feel.

15. Can I celebrate a special occasion at the resort? Hopefully with enough advanced notice we can accommodate any and all requests.

16. What is your policy on illegal substances? Our operation is drug free. We have already been searched by Indonesian authorities upon the basis of an unfounded allegation. If drugs had of been found in passenger's cabins or baggage we could have lost the vessel and faced imprisonment, along with the passenger. It's just not worth it!

17. What happens when the trip ends? Lamentably, when your trip ends you take a boat back to Rokot to catch your flight back to Padang. Click here to view our typical itinerary.