In Reply to: Look at the other side of the coin posted by trisha on Monday, 15. May 2006 at 09:58 Bali Time:
.. most people going to Bali are taking a well-earned break from the stress & hassles of their lives back here. They want to relax & cruise, have a pleasant time. It's their annual holiday. Instead, they are confronted by hassling hawkers every few metres going anywhere in the main tourist areas (except Candi Dasa where they are banned by the Banjar). It's annoying in the extreme, especially after a few hours. Not a great annual holiday experience.
We are well aware of the horrendous events the Balinese have innocently been subjected to & how badly those senseless horrors have impacted on their lives & economy. That's one reason why we keep going back to a place we enjoy, to the people we like & admire, although so many others have decided not to return. Especially Australians.
Nevertheless, the hassling is horrendous. It is a huge detraction from the Bali experience. Yes, I am glad I don't have to carry a load of sarongs on my head on the beach in the heat, but unless the extremely off-putting intensity of the sellers & service providers eases off, there will be even fewer tourists, sadly. Then it will be even harder for those Balinese reliant on the tourist dollar.