In Reply to: Quick Guide to Bali posted by tonypua on Monday, 26. July 2004 at 13:48 Bali Time:
with your comments regarding the porters. In 10 trips I have never hgad a problem with the porters. I use them, give them 5.000 a bag anmd have never had complaints. Maybe you look like a newby.
As for "official" porters. They are THE porters, official or not. They need to earn a wage and we are their only way of doing that. I can'tsee the point is struggling with bags to save 80cents. The advantage also, is that you go straight through customs. Except for my first trip (no porters) I have NEVER been pulled aside to have my luggage checked and I always have 2-3 bags per person.
I would suggest trying again. Maybe you were just unlucky.