How many times have you been stung in Bali?

markaa · #1 (**permalink**) 2nd October 2007, 01:04 PM

Be honest, expressed as a percentage for each of the times you have been to Bali, what percentage of your trips to Bali have you been a victim of or witnessed other people being a victim of police and or immigration officer corruption? You know, where you get stopped by a traffic cop and told you were doing something wrong when you weren't and required to pay them a "fine" without receipt?

Let's do Bali first, and then try the same with Thailand and Vietnam etc. after yes?

Alison · #2 (**permalink**) 2nd October 2007, 09:09 PM

I've only been to Bali once and it was some years ago when everyone was staying away due to the problems in Jakarta. Our Foriegn Office only csaid it was ok to travel a coupole of months before we went and Japan was still saying no. (It was the year the new airport at KL opened).

They were so desparate for tourists that we did not see any corruption or dodgy dealings going on although that doesn't mean they weren't happening.

Larry with the Twin Boyz · #3 (**permalink**) 5th February 2009, 04:56 AM

The last time, December 2008, I was sitting by the pool at our rented Villa and one of the staff came down from reception and said there was a phone call for me from Wayan.

OK I know quite a few Wayan's in Bali, as most people do, but I would have expected them to ring me on my mobile.

Anyway I took the call in the reception area and it was a time share representative. I asked the caller where he got my name and how he knew where I was staying. He stated that I must have filled out a form in Kuta Square. This occured very early on in our holiday and we had not even been to Kuta Square as of this stage. And I know the drill with these time share people and I never ever give them my details or fill out there forms.

I told the bloke I was not interested and hung up the phone.

On talking to some other guests staying at the Villa they asked me when I filled out my immigration card on entering Bali did I put down where I was staying and I advised yes I did as I always fill out this form correctly. They advised me this is a common mistake, even by seasoned travllers, because the Balinese Customs Staff had obviously "sold" my details to the timeshare people.

Corruption - I think so!!!!

Cheers,

Larry