In Reply to: nervous posted by jfb on Sunday, 25. February 2007 at 06:18 Bali Time:
Ive been travelling to bali over 30 years sometimes 4 times a year.I have all sorts of experiences so nonone is trying to scare you. Im sure people like to INFORM people of their experiences and as I had said before Id welcome advise be good and bad of any country Im travelling to if it kept me safe and helped!Yeh the customs guys sometimes can be intimidatting especially if you dont know bali well enough and know your rights and how to deal with them a bribe always helps if they do pull you up! but didnt work when my husband refused to hand over his second bottle of baileys!They also try to get me for all types of taxes for a small business I run, I play the game and give them a small amount of rupiah dont like to but it makes things faster and smoother and they must really need the money I suppose.I stay smiling and curtious and if they suggest a back room visit say youd like and official to go with you or another tourist that can over see any going ons!Honestly your quite safe they really can be very nice and sometimes a bit scary but thats because your not used to them once you become a regular to bali it will be a breeze!As for advise from others accept their knowledge as they are trying to help and then you are aware if your pulled up whats going on! no knowledge is ignorance noones trying to stop anyone from going to bali Im sure on this forum everyone gives advise to help????