if you get pulled over and fined, offer to pay them a "fine" on the spot
dont for the love of dog call it a bribe or you ll get locked up
Had my first run in with the law, was driving back from the north of the island, there is very little in the way of road signs and no street names. Got lost in a town which was hectic, a Muslim one with a festival going on.police every where. Turned the wrong way up a one way road, copper stopped me, kept asking for my licence. Tried saying its in the boot but he didn't get it. Just kept shouting. In the end I pointed to a space I could pull in. Set off to it n kept going. Been told a few times that foreigners shouldn't drive, have to hire a driver.
Also looked in to the Bali bombings, horrendous. When we can, we eat from the locals, feed three of us for a couple quid but money goes to family's not hotel chains. Was having a beer stood talking to The owner of one, an older guy he was complaining that tourism had ruined the island. Price,s shot up, theft violence etc. . He then said he wanted to see more bombings, people hurt to stop tourism. (Happy to take my money by the way).. Tipped my beer on his floor, threw the bottle on the table and walked out. Later on got our bill in a bar, put money down but checked bill. Over charged by 50 percent. So sorry he said and pushed some money back. How many times will they have done that to drunk or unsuspecting folk. Changed my opinion of the country very quickly, a shame because the Indonesian people in general are very polite placid people.
Fly back to oz tomorrow, the 5Th then back to UK on the 7th. Be good to get back after 45 days traveling and 6 country's. First leg 11hr stop for a hour then 7hr 40 second.dreading it. Priced first class, can get a lad to labor on my house build for 50 days for same money but still tempted.
