In Reply to: WARNING BESAKIH TEMPLE posted by Lee on Sunday, 27. February 2005 at 09:28 Bali Time:
This has been going on for at least 15 years. I got the rough treatment 15 years ago and wrote it off as a one off until my wife (then my girlfriend) went there 11 years ago and got the same "YOU NEED A GUIDE!-NOW PAY ME BIG MONEY WHILE I SHOW YOU HOW TO PRAY!" treatment. What a coincidence eh? Then my wife and I went on our honeymoon 6 years ago and got more of the same rude, obnoxious, forceful, gangland, threatening treatment.
If you'll read my post from last Friday you'll see that we purposefully skipped Besakih, the Mother of all Ripoff temples, on our recent trip as it was too risky to take my two young girls.
I am very well traveled and have seen this shameful type of behavior in other places. It couold happen anywhere. It's a shame when it happens at a place of worship. But I can't help wondering WHY?! after so many years, don't the police (or the tourist industry get the police) crack down on these thugs for good.
Are these thieves of Besakih paying off the police?
Look back at the archives for more embarrassment to the "mother" temple if you need more evidence. Until the situation changes, just don't go. In fact, you could ask any drivers if they think it's a good idea to go to Besakih and use it as a litmus test. If they think it's a good place to visit, find another driver.
Just for the record- I love Bali and its people.
Buck