In Reply to: Bali Taxi Scams posted by Addy of Oz on Sunday, 9. January 2011 at 16:03 Bali Time:
I often stay in Poppies 1 & cabs just won't go there & I don't blame them. It's a supposedly one way street full of restaurants & hotels with Bintang & other trucks making deliveries. It's a nightmare for cabbies not to mention running the risk of damaging their vehicles (which usually belong to someone else). It's a nightmare for pedestrians.
Unless I have heavy bags I appreciate the cabbie's plight & happily walk from either Jl Legian or Jl Pantai, whichever is closer. If I have heavy bags then I say I'll pay extra to take me to my hotel. They take it or leave it.
You really can't blame cabbies for not wanting to get caught up in the heavy afternoon traffic around Kuta/Tuban. Being stuck in the traffic means no $ for them. You like it or lump it or walk.
I guess that cabbies in Bali do what cabbies in Oz do - take the "scenic" route whenever they feel they can get away with it. I always say which route I want to take to my destination. If the cabbie has a better, faster route then a nice tip for him.
Last trip I took bike taxis a lot. Fun trips through back streets although the gorgeous young guys do spend most of the trip on their mobile phones & admiring themselves in the mirrors.