Value-Man, Curmudgeon, Longboarder
Author: illiards
Maldives Missives: Fishing League
While surfing is priority 1, 2 and 3 it would be ludicrous not to fish. All the Maldivian crew fish constantly mainly to supply lunch and dinner for the guests. With the addition on this surf trip of several keen …
Maldives Missives: Routine
Life on board is all about routine. All are up at dawn as we motor to break. 3 hrs in water for a surf. Long breakfast. Down time on the back deck- maybe a few Tigers. Lunch then a long …
Maldives Missives: Intro
This is the second botf trip to the Maldives. I was remiss last time and did not post. Will attempt to this up to our readers. botf is on a surfboat with 9 mates surfing the central atolls. Not very …
One Day Cricket – of snakes and men
I witnessed history last Sunday evening. It has been many years since I have been to a One Day Cricket match (am I the canary in the mine in regards to the formats demise?). Yet I have witnessed many of …
The bucket list and 4 Pines Brewing HQ
You know all the ducks have lined up in your life when one of your favourite craft brewers opens a brewery just three blocks from your house. Even better if said brewer is kind enough to ask you along to …
The Bali Hai Challenge or “I’ve Been to Bali Too”
In the words of the iconic Redgum song, we’ve all been to Bali at some time or another. And look, I am actually quite a fan as long as I can avoid downtown Kuta. But having been there again recently, …
Read More "The Bali Hai Challenge or “I’ve Been to Bali Too”"
A mass Mexican induction
There’s nothing your botf members like more than showing off their fair city from the botf. This correspondent works for an enterprise with a corporate head office in Melbourne so it’s with pleasure that I inducted a few colleagues from …
Churchill IPA and the witty reposte
When Winston Churchill is mentioned two things comes to your correspondent’s mind. The first, was his sponsorship of the disaster that was Gallipoli and the second was his mastership of the witty reposte. At Gallipoli his misguided strategies led to …
Bali – more than Bintang
Despite the omnipresence of Bintang in Bali – helped by the hordes of Australians who feel compelled to don the ‘Uniform des Australiens’ while holidaying there – there are a couple of ‘Indonesian’ competitors plus a few craft beer suprises. …
Coral reef and the lining of my oesophagus
Walk down Pat Pong Rd Bangkok and you are offered a ping pong show (sans bats), walk down the Ramblas in Barcelona and it’s gypsies with babies, walk down the Champs Élysées in Paris and its ‘Tourist Menu’ (microwaved bags …
back of the ferry 