In Reply to: Paying porters in $NZ ?? posted by cyberbirth on Friday, 3. June 2005 at 13:25 Bali Time:
They want paper money as they can't change coins except by trying to trade them back with tourists. If you gave them a 5, then that's probably more than most Balinese people earn for working all day. I'm not familiar with New Zealand money, but I'm sure you get the idea.
Unless you are trying to go through with a bit of extra liquor or something harmless like that, you are better off just grabbing a free trolley and looking after your own luggage.
Having donation items can go in your favour. Last year a nice friendly customs officer tried to screw some money out of me on what we both knew was a fatuous pretext. After a bit of friendly chit-chat, I pointed out to him that I was doing my bit for Bali and showed him the two big stripey bags full of donation clothing. That was the final decider. He smiled, shook my hand, wished me a good time and I was on my way.