from my son (Brendan) who has been in Bali for 8 days, he has been having a great time until last night when he was bashed and robbed at the Bounty Ship. He had left his friends to go downstairs and was set upon by about 3-4 guys who bashed him, took his wallet,room key and safety deposit key. He had about $100Aus plus 700000rp in his wallet, key card and licence.
He was very upset when he rang me. I couldn't believe he went out partying with his keycard and room and safety deposit keys.
He has been Bali at least 10 times and should know from being with me that you only take the necessities out with you.
Everything else goes in safe deposit box. And you leave room key at front desk.
He is bruised and has some abrasions on his face and arms but other wise ok. But I think he has learnt a costly lesson in that drinking too much and being by yourself makes you an easy target.
He is now off to police to make a report(with his Balinese Friends)
so that he will be able to put a claim in with his insurance.
This happened on top of having to pay "fine" to police on Tues. after forgetting his inter.licence(left in hotel room) and getting pulled up. They asked for 250000rp but as Brendan only had $50Aus he gave them that. I pointed out that that was more than they asked for but he said "he just wanted to get out of there as there were about 20 police standing around.
He is sure getting to see another side of Bali that he hasn't experienced before. He said he will not be out partying for the rest of his trip.
It doesn't matter how many times you warn your kids to look out and be careful, things can still happen esp. when you are intoxicated.
I am worried about him now as I know this will have an effect on him emotionally. Also he took his keycard with him so that if he needed money I could put it in his account and he could get it out. And as he has to pay to replace the stolen keys Approx$130 USD for both he will be short of funds, not counting the $200 he lost as well. A hard lesson for him to learn but maybe he will take me a bit more seriously in future.
Am waiting to hear how he went with the police. Hope this doesn't spoil the rest of his trip.
Pina