Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(there are gadgets to lock backpacks) and be aware that things can quickly be taken from the
back pockets of a rucksack while you're wearing it without you knowing. Beware of pick-
pockets on crowded buses or bemos and in markets. They usually operate in pairs: one will
distract you while another gets what they can either from your pockets or your backpack.
Check the
security
of a room before accepting it, make sure doors and windows can be
locked, and don't forget to check if access could be gained via the bathroom. Female travel-
lers should make sure there are no peepholes through into neighbouring rooms. Some gues-
thouses and hotels have safe-deposit boxes, which neatly solves the problem of what to do
with your valuables while you go swimming.
Keep a separate
photocopy
of your passport and airline ticket, or scan them in and store
them online, so you can prove who you are and where you are going if you need to get re-
placements. It's also useful to keep a separate list of travellers' cheque numbers along with
the emergency phone number.
It's never sensible to carry
large amounts of cash
, and on Bali it's not necessary. However,
on Lombok you may need to carry more than you would like because of the scarcity of
moneychangers outside the resort areas. It's wise to keep a few dollars hidden somewhere
away from your main stash of cash so that if you get your money stolen you can still get to
the police, contact a consulate and pay for phone calls while you sort everything out. There
are a number of potential rip-offs when you're
changing money
.
Something else to watch out for on Bali is being approached on the street by somebody
wanting to ask a few questions about your holiday. These seemingly innocuous question-
naires provide information for
time-share companies
, who have a reputation for hassling
visitors once they've divulged their details. Another ruse is for the “researchers” to offer you
a prize as a reward for participating - usually a free dinner or tour - which invariably in-
volves a trip to the time-share company's office. Advice on this is to never sign anything
unless you've thought about it extremely carefully, examined all the small print - and then
thought about it some more.
It's also worth being alert to the possibility of
spiked drinks
and to be aware that
gambling
is illegal in Indonesia and problems can arise from foreigners getting involved in this.
It is foolish to have anything to do with
drugs
in Indonesia. The penalties are very tough,
even for simple possession, and you won't get any sympathy from consular officials. The hor-
rendous fate that awaits foreigners arrested for drug use is described in
Hotel K: The Shock-
If you're arrested, or end up on the wrong side of the law for whatever reason, you should
ring the
consular officer
at your
embassy
immediately.
