Hear--hear! Same in my home town of Vancouver nowadays. I used to live in the West End and once upon a time people would smile, nod and even exchange pleasantries. Sadly that's mostly gone now (& it's mostly our own home-grown causing the dour & cower). But it's wonderful to see friendly people and safe communities still exist, in SE Asia. STL

I was born in North Van back in the '60's life was certainly friendlier back then compared to now.@@SideTripLife

You are so right. I found living in Thailand and Philippines just tbe same as Mantawai so laid back snd friendly with no one in a hurry. What isn't done today will get done whenever is the right attitude for sure and the healthier one. What a fantastic area and being an island doesn't have all the frills the yuppie set looks for. Bushyboy Oz.

'Cities' is the main issue. Get outside of the cities for a better quality of life, but most employment age Australians want to live city commuting distance. I don't usually find any problems with kids, bar the abos of course.

Unfortunately seattle Washington is just as bad or worse. Adults act like entitled children and homelessness and drug use has brought a dark cloud over life here :/

Congrats! Enjoy your retirement and travels! STL

Thank you! Will do eh;) STL

Welcome back! Enjoy :) STL

was kinda soothing lol

Cheers Marty. Worst thing which can ruin a trip is one's mindset. Me? Water off a ducks back lol. STL

lol, thx for watching :) STL

haha thanks JJ, you too! STL

Same your way! Btw, name of your lil Peruvian paradise? (I won't tell anyone;) Happy travels! STL

@@SideTripLife... Just between you and I :) Mancora, Peru

Looks like el paraíso with swells, nice! shhhh lol

Thanks but personally feel Gabriel Traveler is on a whole nother level. Despite that he still manages to stay humble, turns down sponsorships to be true to himself and is a super nice guy. But I'm super glad you watch us both lol;) Cheers, STL

Thanks and Happy NY Liz & Co in CA! Have a wonderful 2024! STL

Thanks, merry belated back :) Looking fwd to a new year and loads of new content, thanks for coming along! STL

Thanks, it's just gonna get better too, see next week ;) STL

Thanks for the support Karl and for always watching, much appreciated! Here's to a great year ahead! STL

Cheers Jim! STL

Thx Robin! Yep, local folks sure are wonderful in the Mentawais. Enjoy your upcoming travels! STL

Thanks and best wishes to both Mr & Mrs dakotamickscorner :) STL

Remote areas swell chasing surfers know about this place but it's still under the radar for most tourists (thus wonderful locals still not jaded by US;) Thanks for watching, more to come. STL

Cheers Bill :) STL

Very special place and people, I'll be back.

Wow thanks! STL

Thanks! Surely will, you too Shirleyboy! PS: thanks for always watching, much appreciated! STL

@@SideTripLife Thanks for posting Delightful Videos.... :-))

Thanks TGE 'The Great Escape' (great handle!;) Happy NY! STL

Thanks for following Andy, much appreciated! Again, very few of my majority Thailand subscribers are watching this series but to their loss imho. - from my YT analytics update: "Why are views lower than usual? Your content appealed to a smaller audience during this time. This could mean viewers didn’t watch for as long or chose your videos less often when they were recommended" The end result is the YT algorithm is not recommending my vids (where 95% of views come from.) thus the series is DOA. Fortunately I thoroughly enjoyed filming it and the few watching seem to like, so I'm grateful. Cheers, STL

Thanks. Absolutely LOVE Lake Toba! For any who have not seen the 'Shangri-La' of SE Asia, perhaps take a look here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e8V4gpeDq9mXo6c.html

Mentawai and the local people make it beautiful.

@@SideTripLife seasick bort trip but its worth it

Like you read my mind! Quite possibly this summer + in an Okanagan Camper Van appropriately (if my Father isn't using it;) stay tuned....

Cheers Jeff! STL

Happy new year Nicky! Note on your channel Buddy immediately scored a goal to mark NY lol well dunn! Cheers, STL

555. I hope you have the best year.@@SideTripLife

Truth!

Yes, Mentawai can be budget friendly as we'll be seeing more of upcoming. Of course there's also several $200-$300 options as well (something for everyone) and we'll have a look at those too.

For sure if one requires the stimuli of a big city to feel fulfilled, then this simple, idyllic and peaceful place won't be suitable, so best not come (personally could have stayed here for months). Not surprisingly (?) a far flung remote island in West Sumatra might have some higher costs thus prices vs a large city. Again, personally feel the prices were fine and there's even more budget room options as we'll be seeing.

It is on Sipora Island (same as this vid) and open now - with new longer runway and airport

Sorry Tom, I am not sure I understand what you mean by cek wave. Could you please re-type your question? Thank you

New airport, 45 min flight, sorted ;)

Pls see latest vid just posted. Cheers, STL

No more unnerving than say living on the fault line from the Philippines to Japan and along the West Coast of N America from Fairbanks to Vancouver, Seattle, LA etc and all the way down South America.

Hi Sambo, I didn't leave airside at KLIA. I had to go through a couple more screening checks but don't recall going through Immigration. BUT best to try to contact Air Asia (I know, good luck) to get this absolutely confirmed. Perhaps also try a google of Reddit 'Transiting KLIA do you need to go through immigration?'

@@SideTripLife Thanks i currently watch your Medan/Padang videos and take notes

In reality I just speak a smattering of 'Taxi-Talk' in various languages lol. ie: Hi/Bye, Left/Right, Yes/No Please/Thanks yada yada. BUT it's amazing how much even a wee bit of local lingo opens doors (and smiles:) Bersulang/ Dzô/ Tham Keo/ Choul Mouy/ Cheers! STL

Yes, in all 3 towns.

LOVE Lake Toba too: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e8V4gpeDq9mXo6c.html

Hi, please see: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/kLeqn9tesNWslZs.html (I hope to see more too :) STL

Maybe not Mavericks currently but quality nonetheless and apparently July/Aug can get monster swells

Don't think spots like Lance's right, No Kandui, Greenbush and Rifles of mentawais fall into "ripples" Category, but yeah unless you take the likes mavericks and teahupoo in prime swells as your playgrounds, but I truly highly doubt it😂.