In Reply to: Back from Bali 2004. First: the problem posted by Gabrielle on Monday, 28. February 2005 at 20:54 Bali Time:
What does this man look like? I think I know this guy. My story - I was shouted a trip to Bali by my boss as I had just come out of a long term relationship and was feeling very vunerable and was plain exhausted by it and also trying to keep focused on work. I stayed at the Bali Intan in Seminyak and met a lovely English guy called Paul in a restaurant (just outside the laneway to the hotel). The restaurant was something Moon either Full Moon or Half Moon or something and was owned and run by an Aussie Lady Melody and her husband Wayan (i think). Paul knew this couple as they had helped him and his wife build their villas. Anyway I was dining alone and this guy sat at the bar until I finished my meal and then came over and asked if I wanted a drink. Of course I agreed (freebie!!). Anyway he was a real charmer. He had just built a villa in Seminyak which had its own staff with his wife (and I am sure her name was Lyn - in fact im 99% positive. They had two children I think. Anyway his wife had left him, gone back to England and taken the kids. I felt so sorry for him, and of course given I was in a fragile state was perfect "bait" for his charms. We met every day for the next week - never in a real public place, always on the beach in front of the hotel or we would travel with me around the island and always with a promise that he would show me his villa that he and his wife had built (which I never got to see). I have to say I was totally taken in by his charm, manner etc. A couple of other English guys I met at the same hotel met him with me, much to his displeasure as it was my last night and he wanted to spend dinner alone with me, but I invited these two guys along, because I had so much fun with them at the hotel and wanted my last night to be a blast. Well the animosity was obvious from the start between them. Bottom line was that my two hotel friends didnt trust him one bit, and after a very rushed meal, took off to enjoy their night elsewhere and so that Paul and I could spend our last night together. Prior to this last night he asked if I would be interested in investing in the villa, said he was falling in love with me and that he would like to come to Australia to visit me. I of course was totally taken by the fact that he felt so strongly about me, enough so to come to Australia. He did say that it would be a struggle for him financially due to his circumstance. I said rather than him come to Australia I would come back to Bali in a month and visit him for a few weeks. He went really cold on that. He had promised to take me to the airport and in the end didn't even bother to do that. He said goodbye to me as my taxi pulled out (outside the front of the restaurant) with a promise he would call me (he had all my details, but he didnt give me any of his phone numbers etc). I never heard from him. I spoke to the two English guys from the airport and one of them had nearly had a punch up with him because they had happened to be in this restaurant for a few drinks and a game of pool, and no sooner had I left, he had walked into the restaurant had a drink at the bar and proceeded to chat up a girl who was dining alone (sound familiar??? damn right). Well Mark (my big English friend, who I still have regular contact with) went up to him and let rip, and asked him to come outside with him. There was an intervention by the owners and the guy Paul slipped out the back and was never seen by them again. This other English elderly couple who were staying at the same hotel, and who I had regular contact with after that particular trip said apparently this guy is a conman. He has done it to many before and will continue to do so. He plays the same story about the wife leaving etc etc, and that he has no money. So for anyone who might read this - be warned of any guy called Paul Harvey and villas. I have not seen him since and I go to Bali every year. This year I am going with my partner and I will make a point of trying to locate the little slug... will keep you informed.