In Reply to: Beach Sellers/Legian posted by BazzaC on Sunday, 1. August 1999 at 09:44 Bali Time:
Street hawkers are now only allowed to sell their wares at Central Parkir. Reasons are many, violence between Balinese and other islanders, resulting in at least 3 deaths that i know of, hawkers who were not legal (ie paying monies to militiary and banjars resulting in jealously from those who had permits, complaints from tourists are the sheer aggression on the streets, increased crime from illegal workers etc etc etc
The streets are free of hassle and its GREAT! One can actually walk from A to B without the constant annoyance of hawkers.
The beach bars were all taken down due to increased crime on the beaches at night. Also gov/militiary/banjars tourisim authorities want a more natural looking beach area. More trees and greenery to be planted soon.
The beach sellers are still there, but they all must were their new identification cards which are huge, with photo and number. The beach areas were divided up into areas according to where the beachseller lives. There was very strict laws with actual invisible lines on the beach where they definately could not sell. Every month the army come around and collect their bit and check on all the sellers.
Umbrella and beach chairs are also banned, again, authorities stating looking more like California that Bali.
Central Parkir is behind Bali Bungy (away from the kuta shops area) on Imon Bonjol.
I for one LOVE the new feel on the streets. ITS HEAVEN, especially for a westerner living here! NO MORE HASSLE YIPPPPEEEE