In Reply to: Anyone worried travelling to Bali? posted by rfernandez on Friday, 4. February 2005 at 09:41 Bali Time:
I just got back from Bali yesterday & locked my main case but did not lock my outer pocket as there was nothing in it. I got to Bali & found a torn envelope inside my suitcase outer pocket with writing on the envelope $50 with a name written next to it. Obviously someone who did not lock their suitcase & an envelope was taken out the money stolen out of it & the remains of the envelope were then hurriedly stashed in my open suitcase pocket. So yes, be very aware & lock all pockets even if nothing is in them. It would be that easy to stash something into a pocket that was not locked & then you'd be accused if it so happened to be drugs. I know all Aussies think that the Balinese really love us, but they are desperate people that are poor & are very jealous of all Aussies as they think we are all loaded with lots of money. So many Balinese we encountered were friendly until they realised that they might not get money from us & they then turn very sour & can get nasty. Always be on guard is my warning & never get too friendly as I have seen a very different side to Bali that truly opened my eyes this trip.