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The Dream Factory
Sunshine Coast, QLD Australia
Tel: +61 4 24571270 | info@vopo.earth

Wave Seeker Outpost
Sydney, NSW Australia
Tel: +61 4 50786893 | info@vopo.earth

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FOLLOW THE JOURNEY

What appears on the surface to be an idyllic beach, is in fact sitting a knifes edge of Plastic Armageddon. Island communities across Asia Pacific face significant waste management challenges driven by the tyranny of distance and economies of scale. Based on VOPO’s work across Asia Pacific, it was identified that communities such as #Mentawai are becoming culturally dependent on products packaged in plastic. However, these populations generally lack the infrastructure, cultural education and knowledge to manage the consequences of this shift. Hence, the birth of @vopo.earth #RoguePlastic in 2016. An initiative that takes a systematic approach to ocean plastic, to prevent plastic waste from ever entering the oceans. Much of the growth in coastal areas of Asia is said to occur outside the formal planning process, and nearly a third of the urban population in developing countries live in settlements lacking city services, including solid-waste disposal. That’s where it gets exciting. Not only do #vopoexpeditions prepare you to travel plastic waste free, but your adventure of a lifetime directly funds the establishment of critical, regulation approved waste management systems and infrastructure in the regions you’ll call home. We don’t just clean beaches. We prevent the need to. 📷 @amor.earth #plasticpollution #wildenterprise #ecotourism #freediving #mentawaiislands
In the words of @asworldsdivide founder, Rob Henry, “Whether we choose to ignore it or not, tourism does impact local communities and their native environment in a big way – sometimes positively, sometimes negatively. What is important, however, is that we do have control over the decisions we make and therefore a choice in whether we’d like our travel ventures to either be of help to the people and places we love, or to be destructive.” If the #Mentawai islands are on your list of dream destinations, we can guarantee @vopo.earth itineraries here are unlike any other experience of the region. Plus, by exploring with @vopo.earth you directly contribute to tackling a future plastic pollution crisis similar to Bali. Together with local organizations @yayasan_psm @ummamaonumentawaicamp and @mentawaiecotourism we have created an authentic experience that’ll get you devouring traditional feasts, speaking tribal Mentawai language (masurak baggata 🙏🏻), hanging with locals and seeing far deeper below the surface of the waves in this exquisite region on Earth. Invest in the world you want to live in. Take a wilderness impact adventure that’ll change your life forever. #MentawaiExpedition #ecotourism #surfari #sikerei #shaman #surfdestination #rogueplastic #sumatra #wildenterprise 📹 @asworldsdivide
Although the grips of the jungle may possess your mind forever, it’ll be just two days before you return to saltier pastures on #MentawaiExpedition. The swell during December is perfect for beginner - intermediate surfers. Beautiful reef breaks, without the steep slopes (and egos) of high season. You’ll be blessed without competing crowds, as most larger resorts in the region are closed for maintenance. In 2017, @vopo.earth crew couldn’t believe the warm water, gentle barrels and opportunities for free-diving, before catching a sustainable seafood dinner to cook up on the bonfire with our group 🌈🐠🌊 Bloody perfect! #surfing #ecotourism #rogueplastic #wildenterprise @ummamaonumentawaicamp 📷 @amor.earth
Fancy a cheeky peak after a day of addressing Indonesia’s ocean pollution challenge? @vopo.earth #Mentawai Expedition intentionally chooses December for our Ments adventures, as it coincides with off-season. Most of the surf resorts are closed for maintenance, waves are a little more approachable for beginner / intermediate surfers, free-diving becomes an option without gnarly swells and when it’s on, (which we can personal confirm it still pumps) we get world famous breaks to ourselves. 🌊🔮 @matty_hannon capturing the #Mentawai ripples in all of their glory. #VOPOexpedition #ecotourism #RoguePlastic #sumatra #Indonesia
Reality uncensored. Captured by @hillierheather, a woman of the #SukuMentawai shares ancient cooking methods using banana leaf. Together they sit under the shade of a traditional #Umma, made by the animist families with local timber. @vopo.earth guests stay for two unforgettable off-grid nights here, in the wild forest during #VOPOexpedition #Mentawai. An intimate, one of a kind experience that directly supports the preservation of a vanishing culture, whilst providing local income and education opportunities. Jump onboard the stoke train this December. Link in bio 🔮🌊🌿🐍🌴 #RoguePlastic #surfdestination #sumatra #ecotourism
As the small boat glides through the veins of Siberut’s river system, you can’t help but bewilder at the complex beauty of untamed nature preserves in Indonesia’s western islands. On a voyage toward the jungle, for an intimate meeting with the Suku #Mentawai tribe. There are just a few spots for those contemplating the surfari cultural voyage, @vopo.earth Expedition Mentawai this December. Your trip directly funds local enterprise and critical, remote waste management systems that stop plastic at the source, before it becomes ocean pollution. Photograph captured by the epic @matty_hannon, friend of the Ments and all round legend. 🌊🙏🏻 #RoguePlastic #surfdestination #reefbreak #WildEnterprise #wildernessculture
The Mentawai islands of #Indonesia appear, when looking at them from the seat of a traditional dugout canoe, like an enchanted land. A heavily forested archipelago of dense jungles, unique fauna and flora inhabited by an ancient traditional animist culture that is often gifted with some of the most perfect waves in the world. A major issue in this paradise is the lack of waste management infrastructure, systems and education. Indonesian society has become culturally dependent on disposable products packaged in plastic. The combination of a lack of waste infrastructure and the large demand for plastic products creates a catastrophic problem. Both communities and the ocean are becoming littered and filled with plastic trash. During this expedition, you will join a team of skilled, adventurous and passionate humans ready to undertake an epic project to directly enhance tribal communities, reduce plastic waste from entering the oceans and experience a trip only dreams are made of. Most importantly, you will work directly with local NGOs and stay with Mentawai owned and run eco-retreats to promote sustainable income and a thriving wild environment. Join us for a 10 day Expedition, where you will be intimately connected to Mentawai ancient wisdom and culture. Guided through a curated experience that deep dives into ecology, economics and politics. Spoilt with perfect little barrels, ocean pools for free-diving sessions and jungle treks that will keep you blissed out when you're not immersed in the facets of implementing the exciting second stage of #RoguePlastic. December 4-14, 2018. Start in Padang, Sumatra 🛥 Voyage to Siberut, Mentawai 🌿 Stay Buttui Jungle 🛶 Surf Playgrounds 🌊🐚 APPLY TODAY 🔮 📷 @amor.earth #surfindo #ecotourism #wildernessculture #plasticpollution
The Mentawai islands of #Indonesia appear, when looking at them from the seat of a traditional dugout canoe, like an enchanted land. A heavily forested archipelago of dense jungles, unique fauna and flora inhabited by an ancient traditional animist culture that is often gifted with some of the most perfect waves in the world. A major issue in this paradise is the lack of waste management infrastructure, systems and education. Indonesian society has become culturally dependent on disposable products packaged in plastic. The combination of a lack of waste infrastructure and the large demand for plastic products creates a catastrophic problem. Both communities and the ocean are becoming littered and filled with plastic trash. During this expedition, you will join a team of skilled, adventurous and passionate humans ready to undertake an epic project to directly enhance tribal communities, reduce plastic waste from entering the oceans and experience a trip only dreams are made of. Most importantly, you will work directly with local NGOs and stay with Mentawai owned and run eco-retreats to promote sustainable income and a thriving wild environment. Join us for a 10 day Expedition, where you will be intimately connected to Mentawai ancient wisdom and culture. Guided through a curated experience that deep dives into ecology, economics and politics. Spoilt with perfect little barrels, ocean pools for free-diving sessions and jungle treks that will keep you blissed out when you're not immersed in the facets of implementing the exciting second stage of #RoguePlastic. December 4-14, 2018. Start in Padang, Sumatra 🛥 Voyage to Siberut, Mentawai 🌿 Stay Buttui Jungle 🛶 Surf Playgrounds 🌊🐚 APPLY TODAY 🔮 📷 @amor.earth #surfindo #ecotourism #wildernessculture #plasticpollution
The Mentawai islands of #Indonesia appear, when looking at them from the seat of a traditional dugout canoe, like an enchanted land. A heavily forested archipelago of dense jungles, unique fauna and flora inhabited by an ancient traditional animist culture that is often gifted with some of the most perfect waves in the world. A major issue in this paradise is the lack of waste management infrastructure, systems and education. Indonesian society has become culturally dependent on disposable products packaged in plastic. The combination of a lack of waste infrastructure and the large demand for plastic products creates a catastrophic problem. Both communities and the ocean are becoming littered and filled with plastic trash. During this expedition, you will join a team of skilled, adventurous and passionate humans ready to undertake an epic project to directly enhance tribal communities, reduce plastic waste from entering the oceans and experience a trip only dreams are made of. Most importantly, you will work directly with local NGOs and stay with Mentawai owned and run eco-retreats to promote sustainable income and a thriving wild environment. Join us for a 10 day Expedition, where you will be intimately connected to Mentawai ancient wisdom and culture. Guided through a curated experience that deep dives into ecology, economics and politics. Spoilt with perfect little barrels, ocean pools for free-diving sessions and jungle treks that will keep you blissed out when you're not immersed in the facets of implementing the exciting second stage of #RoguePlastic. December 4-14, 2018. Start in Padang, Sumatra 🛥 Voyage to Siberut, Mentawai 🌿 Stay Buttui Jungle 🛶 Surf Playgrounds 🌊🐚 APPLY TODAY 🔮 📷 @amor.earth #surfindo #ecotourism #wildernessculture #plasticpollution