In Reply to: grinz...... posted by swt on Sunday, 16. January 2005 at 14:54 Bali Time:
I have never experienced them in Bali and I've snorkelled at Nusa Dua, Nusa Lembongan, Padang Bai, Candi Dasa, Amed, Tulamben and various points in between. I've also snorkelled at various places in Western Australia from Albany in the south to Broome in the north without being aware of them. In fact, apart from reading about something similar in parts of the US, I'd never heard of them until I read some posts on BTF. Sorry I can't be more helpful than this.
Getting back to what to wear for best results. Despite what you may sometimes hear, most of the locals, particularly in some of the more outlying areas, probably don't give a damn. However, from what some of us would see as a more practical point of view, you could take your bathers off in the water and put them in a mesh carry bag [like you use for collecting shells etc]. Or you could wear small tight speedos rather than long baggy board shorts.
If the latter solution makes you feel uncomfortable, just make sure that there are no camera carrying friends around. If anyone speaks to you, remember that most Australians are visually indistinguishable from Europeans so adopt a European accent when you reply.