In Reply to: Need your advice --->beenthere posted by first__timer on Wednesday, 5. October 2005 at 13:57 Bali Time:
Well I wouldn't claim is was the expert here,...but having been there many times since'76 and lived and worked there,... I can claim i've a lot of experience in Bali and tourism
If staying in Ubud,...Keep away from businesses controlled by or under ARMA ,..... this includes ARMA resort,..and Agung Rai fine art gallery,.....also Agung Raka Bungalows,.. or Alam Indah hotel.......more information on Ubud on request
My first experience of Bali in similar circumstance (not bombing) but when events lead to a big downturn in tourism was around the time of the gulf war of '91 and threat of terrorist attacks on planes,... many tourist stop travelling,... Bali got a load of cancellation and tourism went very quiet for some time....and the competition for tourist $$$$ turned a little nasty and pushy......all the things you mention did increase more reports,.. but then with a lot less tourists it may have stood out more,....what many people don't understand on this forum,.. the old story when crimes are committed every blames it on the Javanese in Bali,... not true,..........
While I will get howled down,.... Balinese are no different from other people as far as honesty goes,.. the Bali Jail has a hell of a lot of Balinese in it,.......it should be remembered Bali is a tourist based economy,....and while the people appear friendly they're being friendly for a purpose making money out of tourism...
If tourism is really down the atmosphere will be a little tense,...the local traders, transport and those that tout for business will be more pushy (while smiling) and tempers will flare.....also the price of fuel has just increased by 87% this also will have a big bearing on process and the cost of living for the Balinese
Increased security,...but if you notice film clips the army like standing around doing very little, more inclined to stand around smoking or holding hands,.. LOL...the police are very corrupt,.. and corruption $$$$$ will be down if business is slow,.....while many won't admit it the police do target tourist as a source of corruption money.....
The increased security will become permanent now,.....
I hope i've been of some help, have a safe trip