In Reply to: Stay away from Bounty and Paddy's posted by love bali on Friday, 8. January 2010 at 09:42 Bali Time:
I'm afraid there is another side to Bali that most people don't get to see. Balinese friends of ours often talk about "the mafia" and can talk long into the night of some terrible stories. Usually, it involves a tourist stepping in to help another and in these guys minds, it is none of anyone's business and they will make that known. I know of people who cannot return to Bali as Customs Officers will actually let the police know that they are back, who let "the mafia" know who then threaten to kill the person. Sorry, yes, there is an ugly side but usually if you leave them alone they will leave you alone. Give them any cheek at all, or get in their way and there will be trouble, you mentioned an altercation, this is usually when it starts, a tourist gets involved to try and break up a fight etc. Just remember, that in their eyes, this is their country and it is none of your business.
Also those that are not man enough to walk away from any fights with them usually end up in situations like this as well, they have the police on their side and the security guards are told not to step in or they will then be threatened. Some tourists get themselves into fights with these guys and don't realise how far they will take it, it's not going to be the same as a brawl in a pup in Australia, this is not Australia, this is a different country with a different way of doing things. (note: the majority of them are not Balinese, they are from other Islands). I don't want to scare you but I suggest your son gets out of Bali or just stays in his hotel as he has now pissed off the wrong people.