Posted by BaliJo on Friday, 30. October 1998 at 14:24 Bali Time:
In Reply to: A little 12 month cost comparison posted by PC on Friday, 30. October 1998 at 12:00 Bali Time:
You had really bad luck! If you would have compared July, August or September 1997 and 1998 your results would have been totally different.
The Rupiah moved just during the past few weeks from 15,000 to the US$ to 7,500 today. Until about 4-6 weeks ago it had decreased to 1/6 of it's former value, and local prices had about doubled which means calculated in foreign currency you paid about one third of the old price.
Prices, steadily going up, have about tripled by now, and the Rupiah is only 1/3 of it's old value which means nowadays you pay about the same as you'd have paid 18 months ago.
This is when you calculate in foreign currency. What about the locals who earn Rupiahs? Many Balinese enjoyed a very good time when the Rupiah was down and all foreigners were spending and tipping extremely generously. But today, these times are over. Prices are up, and their income is drastically reduced.
Therefore, don't complain as long as you can still afford to come here.