selling well.

A recent interview with a Finnish newspaper

 

Somewhere in Bali

Why and when did you leave Bali?

I left Bali three years ago, my reasoning was pretty simple. I had spent eight or so years living on the island and I found myself becoming increasingly annoyed by the small stuff, the traffic, the rip offs etc. No matter how beautiful the place, when that starts to happen, it’s probably time to move on.

What did you do for living in Bali?

While I lived in Bali I was involved with a development company. Most of my work was done within the marketing side of the business.

How long did you live there?

Eight or so years, but I travelled back and forth regularly before that.

Are your brothers still living there? How many of them?

My brothers no longer conduct business in Bali; my family visits the island occasionally for holidays.

Where are you living now?

I now live in Thailand, there is a similarity that I’m used to, and I could not give up on South East Asia altogether.

Would you consider Kuta area as a dangerous place to visit?

Like most places in the world Kuta is as dangerous as you want to make it. I would advise any person that is thinking of traveling to a foreign country to keep their wits about them and to understand the environment they are entering into.

Indonesia is a very large country and there are people that travel to Bali seeking vulnerable tourists. That said most high profile tourist destinations seem to attract a criminal element.

How does the criminality in Kuta show on everyday life of an average tourist?

Most of the criminality against tourists is generally small scale, rip offs, over charging, pick pocketing, villa break-ins, etc. However, problems with violence do sometimes occur along the nightclub strip in Kuta.

In your advice, how can tourists avoid the problems?

  
My advice would be to never become in involved with in an altercation with the locals or any nightclub security staff in Bali. I have seen a lot of tourists get hurt this way. I would also only carry small amounts of cash and a cheap phone on any night out.

Is there a lot of criminality in other parts of Bali than Kuta also?

Kuta would be the hub of criminality in Bali, that said it is a small island and most of the bad element lives in the capital Denpasar.  The criminal element then travel to Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur, and other tourist destinations. The distance between these places is relatively short.

Can the police be trusted? Are they only corrupted or also straight involved in criminal activity?

It is always wise to have some money in your wallet if you intend to trust the police.

Can you trust anyone there? Locals or westerners?

Most Indonesians are good people that will do anything to help travellers in their country. Unfortunately there are also a small number of people that cannot be trusted. I guess it comes down to the individual judging the person they are dealing with.

Are all the gangs locals or have the western people formed those too?

A few western motorcycle gangs are moving into Bali, but at the moment the locals have most of the control.

What's the difference between a local and an expat criminal?

The local will generally have relatives or they will know somebody with connections. The local will generally win most disputes. 

How can an average tourist spot a scam? In other words, how not to get screwed?

Do due diligence, check everything twice or three times, and always hire an outside source to go over any paper work before signing. Never accept the lawyer or Notaris that is offered to you in any land deal.  Sometimes it helps to ask someone who has lived in Bali a long time to recommend a trusted lawyer or Notaris.

You've probably seen a lot of other destinies like that? Is it very common?

Bali has its own uniqueness but most places in South East Asia, if not the world, have their problems.

What about the good sides of Kuta / Bali?

I would not have been able to live in Bali for eight years if it didn’t have a good side. When I wrote Bali Raw I had grown weary of all the wonderful things that were being written about Bali. I wanted to level the scales slightly, tell people about the other side of Bali.

What's your upcoming book about?

I have written another book about Bali that will be published soon, I am also close to completing a book about Thailand, but at the moment most of my focus is on screenplays. 

I have completed  two screenplays at present. One script is based in Cambodia and it is titled, ‘No Negotiation No Ransom’ it is the true story of an Australian who was kidnapped by the Khmer Rouge in 1994. 

The other is a horror/comedy titled Dog House that was written for the American market. I have recently started another about the Bali Bombings that is loosely titled, Heroes.

Anything else you'd like to say about Bali?

Not really, I hope I said everything that needed to be said in my two books.

Bali by Motorbike

Deserted beach Medewi

Bali isn’t all about nightlife, shopping and its white sandy beaches. One of my greatest joys while I lived on the island was touring by motorbike. For the more adventurous person seeking to get away from it all Bali does offer up some spectacular scenery. And just getting to these locations by motorbike can be as exciting as it is dangerous. I’m not suggesting riding scooters for the following trips. I would recommend renting a proper motorbike with a small amount of grunt and a great deal of breaking power. And believe me if you do decide to make one of these journeys, you will need it. I used to ride a Honda Tiger 200 with a bored out engine, which is by no means a big bike. But it did have the get up and go to get me out of trouble. And the double disk brakes did a good job of stopping me when I needed it.

If you are going to undertake one of these excursions, you will also need a great deal of courage and a healthy appetite for self-endangerment. Riding on Bali’s streets can be perilous at the best of times. The roads in the tourist areas are generally swarming with horn hooting maniacs who possess no real driving etiquette. But when you ride around the outflung rural areas of Bali the traffic flow becomes faster and accordingly the risk intensifies. The roads outside of the tourist areas can be treacherous and it is not just because a number of them are in disrepair. You will need to be prepared for irresponsible truck drivers with dangerously overloaded vehicles. And sleep deprived tour bus drivers with a need to navigate hairpin bends at breakneck speed.  You will also encounter collections of suicidal maniacs driving dilapidated automobiles who have a desperate urge to overtake.  And you will find yourself dodging thousands kamikaze scooter riders with a propensity towards playing road warrior. Sounds like fun doesn’t it?

 

My two Tigers. (You have to love what is written on her shirt)

You may be asking right now why in bloody hell would anyone want to do that, and I wouldn’t blame you. Riding a motorbike to Bali’s outlying areas is not for the fainthearted. But, for people with an adventurous soul the rewards can be truly wondrous. When you are not watching and avoiding the oncoming and overtaking traffic. You will be treated with amazing scenery and glimpses into Bali life before tourism. You will also feel the sense of freedom and anticipation that only touring to picturesque places unknown can provide. You will ride through tropical jungles and alongside deserted beaches. You will coast up and down mountains buried in thick steaming rain forests. And you will pass ancient temples and locals tending thick green rice paddies. And the best part is that you can manage to do all of these things with just one days ridding.

Strange statue in the middle of nowhere

The very best thing about touring Bali is its size and the close proximity of its attractions to the main tourist hubs of Kuta or Seminyak. For those people that have a longer journey in mind it is possible to ride around, or through the middle, of the island in around two to three days. But for those with time restrictions it is quite possible to leave Kuta or Seminyak early in the morning.  And to arrive back at the hotel for a bit of pool sitting and cocktail sipping by late afternoon. You will also find that most locals will be friendly enough to give directions and that there are plenty of places along the way where you can buy food and refreshments.

 

Riding back at night can be dangerous, but wow!

Kuta-Medewi-Kuta

This is one of my favourite trips and the route is packed with scenery.  Medewi is remote village in one of the least visited areas of Bali. And it is well known for its surfing beaches, Balian’s and Medewi Beach.

Medewi surf spot is located about 75 kilometres west of  Denpasar. The time it takes to reach Medewi by motorbike is approximately two hours. At journeys end you will find a good restaurant at the entrance to the surf beach, top of the hill left hand side. Accommodation is also available if you want to spend the night and ride back the next day.

Kuta-Candi Dasa- Kuta

Due to the newly opened east coast road this is one of the easiest rides.  Candi Dasa is approximately a one and half-hour ride from Kuta passing through the Sanur area. Candi Dasa is a sleepy tourist town but there are plenty of hotels, bars and restaurants if you wish to spend the evening and ride back the next day. Small tip, for a nice view of Bali’s islands ride though the town and up the mountain at its end.

Kuta Ubud Kuta

Again this is an easy ride but beware Ubud is very popular amongst tourists so there will be plenty of traffic to contend with. Ubud is located in central Bali and it is considered Bali’s cultural heart. It is famous as an arts and crafts hub, and much of the town and nearby villages seems to consist of artists' workshops and galleries. There is also an abundance of accommodation and restaurants and plenty to see and do. Rather than a day trip it is perhaps worth spending at least a couple of days in the small town.  

Kuta-Uluwatu-Kuta

Uluwatu is Bali’s surfing mecca and so it is well worth a visit, also some of Bali’s most stunning beaches are located in this area. And then of course there is Uluwatu Temple itself so this makes the perfect day trip. Unfortunately due to large amounts of traffic in the Bukit area this is a dangerous ride. Be very careful of the yellow trucks overloaded with limestone. And do not get caught to close behind going up the Bukit hill or too close in front coming down. Due to their massive workload the brakes in these vehicles have been known to fail. Once you are through this dangerous area the roads will open up and they will become less congested.  The trip from Kuta to Uluwatu will take an hour and half and there is plenty of accommodation and restaurants along the way or at journeys end.

 

Glimpses of surf at unknown beaches

The above places and how to get there can be found on maps or in G.P.S. systems. It is always wise when ridding long distance to have the correct equipment. A western standard motorbike helmet, and some form of protective clothing, not singlet shorts and flip flops. It would also be recommended to take a small back pack with a change of clothes just in case you want to spend the evening.

©Malcolm Scott

Bali Sex

Bali Sex

Plush Hotel

Book a plush hotel for the evening and make good use of the pool.

For this type of romantic interlude you will have to do some research. Find a nice hotel that is a little bit off the main drag. And before checking in be sure you ask to see the swimming pool. What you are looking for is an isolated area with no rooms overlooking the pool. And no security posts close to the pool zone. Lush vegetation around the swimming area is also a bonus.  

Most hotels will tell you that the pool area is out of bounds after a certain time, so don’t ask. Then it’s case of setting your alarm or staying out to the early hours. When the coast is clear take your friend your towel and a few drinks down to the pool area. A bit of sneaking around may be involved in this endeavour. And it is always nice to remember that kids use these pools so be tidy and clean up afterwards.

Bali is warm at night so getting cold won’t be a problem. Just make sure other tourists and the hotel security guards have gone to sleep before you try this. And remember to do whatever you do, quietly.

Note: This type of scheme generally works best in Bali’s low season.

Hollywood Beach

There are a few isolated beaches around Bali you just need to know where to look. One I heard about was referred to as Hollywood Beach. A private or rented scooter is needed to get to this beach and it can be found off the road to Uluwatu. It’s not sign posted so you may need to spend some time going down the gravel tracks that run off this road.

If you find Hollywood Beach you will come to a small car park and steep steps leading down a massive hill to get to the beach. But it is isolated. And there are a few places to hide and get lonely with a friend. The climb back up the hill is a killer so remember to take plenty of water.

There are also still a few isolated beaches between Nusa Dua and Uluwatu. Again a scooter and an adventurous spirit are needed.

Note: This type of scheme generally works better in Bali’s low season.

 

The Islands off Bali

For those looking to get away so they can get it on the Islands of Bali are perfect. One of my favourites is Nusa Ceningan. Small wooden cliff top villas can be rented on this island and they are perfect for romance. Ceningan also has a small private beach that rarely receives visitors. Again a scooter and an adventurous spirit are needed for those traveling to this island.

Note: This type of scheme generally works better in Bali’s low season.

Cheap Hotel

For the all-round seedy experience, men with a sordid spirit might want to visit one of the smaller and older hotels in Sanur. Some of these places will even fetch you a willing participant. Just talk to the staff and ask if they would be willing to help with your plight before checking in. Then describe the type of company you are interested in. The male security guard at the gate will generally be helpful with this endeavour.

One place a couple of friends told me about allowed afternoon drinks around the pool. They said they arrived and spoke to the hotel porter. Then they relaxed had a beer and went for a swim. Magically the porter turned up with a few compliant companions a few minutes later. They had a wonderful time entertaining their guests by the pool. And they were comfortable in the knowledge that they had a hotel room waiting for them when the party was over.  

Note: This type of scheme generally works better in Bali’s low season.

©Malcolm Scott