The people behind Togat Nusa Retreat: John and Ainsley Ocean, and Pak Bangun.
Story of The Founders
We find our selves on a 12-hectare island in the Mentawai’ Islands, in the middle of the Indian Ocean. How did we get here?
John's Architecture
By Ainsley Ocean
Are we ever prepared? We make plans, but what we have learned is that they almost never work out the way you think. We can plan the process with perfect precision, but we will find that the outcome will always be different. Through learning this, we have become accustomed to thankfulness and appreciation for what we have. We now see our blessings with the knowledge that it could all change tomorrow.
We now find our selves on a 12-hectare island in the Mentawai Islands, in the middle of the Indian Ocean. How did we get here you ask? Planes, cars, boats, smiles, tears and many hard learned lessons.
As a child, John doodled an island with a grass hut, a coconut tree, perfect waves, a sailboat, and a dolphin jumping. A doodle created by most surfers, ocean lovers, and sea people. In John's case, he held on to this image until it became our reality.
John Price is a one of a kind person. He is patient, compassionate, and graceful. He speaks quietly and not very much, but when he does it’s always worth listening to. Day to day, you can find him getting barreled, making the locals laugh, building, or brewing ginger beer. He has shared his skills of carpentry, surfing, and gardening with the local community, and now has a team of hardworking Mentawai locals to assist with construction and maintenance of the retreat.
When you walk into something he has built, you will feel the craftsmanship and love that went into the building process. The restaurant and common area on Togat Nusa is an example of that. When visiting the island, you will find yourself discovering little details of this craftsmanship and attention to detail in your private bungalow, in the restaurant, and in other structures throughout the island.
Read up on John and Ainsley Ocean in the “Oceans of Pitojat” in the Issue 20.2 of TSJ, and “Go Deeper” with them when you’re done with that.
Read "Oceans of Pitojat"Togat Nusa Videos
Aerial footage of the island, interviews, surfing, and more
Aerial Footage 2:03
Watch some drone footage of the island and around Togat Nusa Retreat.
Local Style 3:01
Local Style : Surf Pioneer John Ocean in Indonesia, Episode 8
Local Style 3:26
Local Style – Mentawai Paradise at Togat Nusa, Indonesia, Episode 10
News
From time to time we share some Island News and what we are up to …
Guest Reviews
Read what some of our guests had to say about their experience at Togat Nusa Surf Retreat.
