Legian, Bali (Tuesday 19 July)

I’ve just been violated! For the first time on this entire trip I have been robbed! I’ve been to some dodgy places in my time here and walked up some dark alleys at night and have not felt threatened – until today. It happened in broad daylight in busy Kuta. I know the culprit quite well and I will be having a ‘word’ when I get back home. It’s a f**king CBA atm! The most threatening thing here is a bloody Australian bank! It took my card. Fortunately I have another card or I would be up the creek. A warning for travelers, use the local banks.

Bali people are nice. I’ve heard it said many times but of course they would be nice, it’s a tourist place and they want your money. But surprisingly much of the friendliness seems genuine and sincere (compared to Cairns where insincerity is the trademark of the tourism industry there). Returned visitors here have a nice rep ore with staff and stall vendors. There is always a smile and hello. I think tourists are a source of entertainment for them, as well as being important to their income. Of course there are the exceptions on both sides. I haven’t seen anything but have heard stories.

Life can be so easy on the main tourist strip of Bali. Just sit at a roadside cafe or restaurant and get waited on, newspaper men walk past with a variety of papers (I didn’t come to Bali to read newspapers!) and taxis constantly circle past. Stick your finger out an they will be there in an instance. I walked past a newspaper man this morning and he pulled me aside and tried to sell me Viagra from a packet in his pocket! I felt insulted! I must be looking more tired and incapable than I feel!

Off to Dili, East Timor tomorrow. I have little idea of what to expect, except that Internet access will be limited. I’m not sure when I will get my next posting up.