In Reply to: driving in bali posted by geoffd on Tuesday, 7. July 2009 at 06:56 Bali Time:
they would never drive in Bali. It is perfectly possible. I have been driving in Bali on a daily basis for 18 months now. (Prior to that I was on a motorbike in Indonesia for 10 years) I have only had to pay the police twice. Once on the bike for jumping a red light and once in the car for stopping on a zebra crossing. I have been stopped a few mote times and my papers checked but as all in order not had to pay anything.
I also have a three year old and have a child seat which I purchased in Clendys store for about 1 million. There are cheaper versions available. They are also available to hire at bali baby hire.
I have only had one accident, where I was practically stationary and a bike trying to mount the pavement next to me failed and fell back denting my car. There was no question of it being my fault and in fact they were willing to negotiate to pay me for the damage... however I figured I could afford it more than them and they were so stressed out that I just left it.
Driving yourself gives you greater freedom to go where you want when you want, stop when you want and gives you greater bargining power when shopping as there wont be a driver's commission to come out of the price you pay.