In Reply to: theft problems in overland travel? posted by writerjoe on Friday, 18. February 2005 at 16:55 Bali Time:
I am also a writer. But when I travel, I spend time seeing and learning stuff, not writing (which can be done later, anywhere). I mainly do creative writing, which is rarely a literal transcription of what I have actually seen. I suppose if you're thinking of writing topical articles, you may need to record your thoughts (and others' quotes) immediately. What exactly do you mean by "serious"?
I have travelled with a laptop on trains and buses throughout Java, Malaysia and Thailand, often disregarding the best advice (keep it in sight at all times). Bali is so small that you'll rarely be on any form of public transport for more than an hour at a time, and bemos are so small, you'll likely have it on your lap, so it should be safe enough. It's more likely to be stolen from your hotel room, but you'd still have to be unlucky. If you are on a bus/train/bemo, don't keep the bag under your seat. The most common form of theft is to slash the bag and steal the contents. But even that requires a certain level of bad luck and obliviousness of the owner.
Most insurance will cover your laptop, but if your writing is seriously serious and you'd miss it if it went walkies, then make disk copies after each session and email it to yourself so you don't lose it.
If you are only going to visit Bali, a safer alternative is to travel using a driver whose identity you have confirmed. That way he can mind it while you're off looking at stuff.
But are you really going to take it everywhere you go, and write about things while you're still looking at them? Or are you going to keep it in your room and only use it when you have some spare time to write?
Unless you have some lucky special visa, you can only be in Bali for a month. If you spend too much time writing, you won't have enough time to see things to write about.
And if you are a serious writer, check out the Asialink website for details of grants available for writers in residence in Indonesia and other countries. If you're successful, you can be funded up to $12,000 and spend 3 or 4 months there, which is enough time to do some serious research and writing. (If you are Australian, that is -- other countries may have similar programs.)
Theft happens. But remember... without victims, there would be no crimes.