2002-2006 Bali Reports

[XXL]

I remember once flying back into Germany from Cali, Colombia. My Samsonite suitcase had been officially searched in Paris and had a tag to it saying "Paris, transaction Nr ...". Nothing extraordinary with that, only my three-number code no longer worked and I couldn't open my suitcase any more. I complained to the German cops. A woman cop fiddled with the lock and set it back to "000" in less time that in takes to say Jack Robinson. Don't ask me how she did it but I swear it lasted no more than a few seconds and she wasn't using any special implement. When I expressed my amazement she confirmed those locks were very easy to pick and were not at all safe.

I propose we close this off-topic thread by passing the following resolution: "Should any WSG member land in an Indonesian jail, the other members undertake to take turns at bribing girls into his cell. Said jailed WSG member shall return the favour by writing jailsex reports for the forum".

[Domino]

1. Barlow and Chambers were topped in Malaysia, the first whitey Westerners to get suspended (in mid air) sentences there. The Aussie PM at the time made a big deal about it.
2. Nguyen Tuong Van is an Australian citizen from Melbourne currently on death row in Singapore (which has the highest/cap execution rate in the world. Because he is of Vietamese stock (ie not white) and male, he gets less publicity than Corby.
3. A professional smuggling ring involving a bunch of baggage handlers would not risk their business over a little ganja. Her story there does not hold up imho but ymmv.
4. Outside pockets in check in luggage: Good point, Spitfire. I will watch mine in the future.
5. Drive carefully gents.

[Spitfire]

1. I remember when Barlow and Chambers were topped in 1986. One of the Aussie papers carried photos of their naked corpses (a toe protruding). Little outcry.
2. Our opinions on dope are irrelevant. She was convicted in an Indonesian court and must pay the price Indonesia's system demands.
3. It is hypocritical having sympathy/a campaign for her and to ignore all the others, Nigerian drug mules included, who languish there.
4. If Australia wishes to protest against Indonesia's laws, it should take that up with the Indonesian government and present the case for leniency to all.
5. Corby's claim that the airport handlers slipped the dope into her bag defies common sense. Her backers argue there was a lot of smuggling going on at that time but, if that is the case, they would not mess around with the relatively small amount she was caught with. They were professional smugglers even if she was not.
6. Governments should not get on their high horses about those who break the law when overseas. The British were forever doing this whenever a female Briton is arrested overseas. Modern gunboat diplomacy.
7. The Damage Done is not only a sobering book; it is a bloody scary one. Think twice before making a wrong move.
8. I am sure a deal will be done for Corby. Be assured, however, that others will pay the price for her favored treatment. It might be you
9. Of course we are a target. And a bigger one if we deliberately rub the noses of our hosts in it as Ms Schapelle Leigh Corby's supporters have done.
10. If we accept the thesis that al checked in luggage can be freely doctored, then we better not travel. It seems a weak defense to me and, if it is a false defense, Corby should get another 20 on top.

1. Weren't they hanged in Malaysia? I don't remember clearly.
2. Agree. Singapore has some tough laws as well, they shouldn't have yielded to US pressure in the Michael Fay case, IMHO.
3. I don't think it's hypocritical if one believes that Corby is innnocent.
4. Agree. Indonesia belongs to the Indonesians. One should not travel to other countries if you can't deal with their laws.
5. I don't know about the amounts in her bags, but baggage handlers at airports are definitely targets for drug rings. Article after article has been written about baggage handlers being involved in drug rings, theft etc. (not just Indo, but around the world). Always pack your own bag and always lock it. Not 100% foolproof but may make them go to someone else's bag. Better yet, only take a carry-on bag.
6. I'm not sure what I think about that statement. On one hand I think countries should stay out of each others business, but on the other hand I think international politics play a role in trumped up charges (sometimes).
7. Totally scary book.
8. She'll be home in an Ozzie jail (to serve out a reduced sentence) in a couple of months or so, after all the media furor dies down. All the pressure applied to the Indo authorities may have the opposite effect and delay any deal.
9. Agree, just know you're a target and act accordingly. Don't do stupid stuff and watch yourself.
10. Checked in luggage is extremely vulnerable. I personally travel with a carry-on bag as often as possible. Any checked baggage, I lock. I don't use luggage with outside pockets.

[Domino]

I read "The Damage Done" several years ago. It's a sobering account. However, I personally can't get enthuastic about sending anyone to prison for even a single day for marijuana. Anyway, I believe that the reason many Australians are unsettled by the verdict is because they suspect that the trial wasn't conducted with the same respect for the defendant's rights as is common in Western countries, and additionally that the 20 year sentence simply doesn't fit the "crime". Can you imangine, the Indonesians actually want to kill somebody for possessing marijuana.
Thanks,

Jackson

1. I remember when Barlow and Chambers were topped in 1986. One of the Aussie papers carried photos of their naked corpses (a toe protruding). Little outcry.
2. Our opinions on dope are irrelevant. She was convicted in an Indonesian court and must pay the price Indonesia's system demands.
3. It is hypocritical having sympathy/a campaign for her and to ignore all the others, Nigerian drug mules included, who languish there.
4. If Australia wishes to protest against Indonesia's laws, it should take that up with the Indonesian government and present the case for leniency to all.
5. Corby's claim that the airport handlers slipped the dope into her bag defies common sense. Her backers argue there was a lot of smuggling going on at that time but, if that is the case, they would not mess around with the relatively small amount she was caught with. They were professional smugglers even if she was not.
6. Governments should not get on their high horses about those who break the law when overseas. The British were forever doing this whenever a female Briton is arrested overseas. Modern gunboat diplomacy.
7. The Damage Done is not only a sobering book; it is a bloody scary one. Think twice before making a wrong move.
8. I am sure a deal will be done for Corby. Be assured, however, that others will pay the price for her favored treatment. It might be you
9. Of course we are a target. And a bigger one if we deliberately rub the noses of our hosts in it as Ms Schapelle Leigh Corby's supporters have done.
10. If we accept the thesis that al checked in luggage can be freely doctored, then we better not travel. It seems a weak defense to me and, if it is a false defense, Corby should get another 20 on top.

[XXL]

I don't usually join such an off-topic discussion but I find this howling of the wolves upsetting.

A point I agree with is that saving Corby because she's good-looking and ignoring the others is wrong but overall I don't think anyone should do year-long sentences unless they've maimed or killed someone.

All the while some terrorists (like that Muslim cleric involved in the deadly Bali Bombing) keep getting very light sentences. When a big Earthquake hits Jakarta there will be millions of dead instead of only a few hundred thousand because buildings that were certified earthquake resistent will fall down into a rubble and do you think any of the contractors will be indicted? And so on and so forth ...

"Watch our luggage, shouldn't we?". I don't know about yours but on a flight my luggage is out of my sight from minute one of the journey and when it resurfaces it is too late to ckeck, let alone alter its content. If checked luggage were in the least secure Airlines wouldn't be in a constant fight with passengers because of luggage being lost, broken into or emptied of its valuables. Who would want to plant drugs into a stranger's luggage, asks the unknowing? Traffickers to start with: look up tourist's name/hotel on luggage - have drugs planted - have drugs retreived later by hotel staff or baggage-handling personel. Much easier and safer than smuggle it yourself. I bet it's being done all the time. If only our suitcases could speak.

On another note, we should know better than to applaud a policy of zero-tolerance for drugs because our own hobby of wh*re mongering - or at least some aspects of it, think for a while! - is in danger of becoming a target of precisely the same zero-tolerance policies. This is because the people who can't bear the thought of others getting high on a joint are the same breed as those who regard our hobby as evil.

Incidentally, did you know Indonesian (and Singaporan, and Malaysian) law provides for absurdly long sentences for anyone caught with pornography/nudity? Lucky they don't get serious about this and start probing our laptops and digital cams or we on this forum would soon meet in jail.

[Dorman]

I'm not going to adopt a holier than thou attitude here but frankly the Aussie response to this girl has astonished me. When you fill out your visa form, when you land the hostess warns you, when you collect your luggage there's a big sign: "Importing drugs into Indonesia is punishable by death", that clear enough for ya? Right now there are dozens of Indonesians and Nigerians on death row for this, it's the same in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. If this silly little trollop wanted to play in the drugs business she should have stayed at home.

Maybe she is innocent but it's just that every time I go Bali I see dozens of Aussie surfer bums zombified out of their minds but when some surfer is pinched with aload of gear in their board bags its's cries of "fit up" and the big bad Indonesians are blamed again. Frankly Bali would be improved immensely if these low lifes boycotted the place.

[Hanqe]

Ubud is beautiful, especially outside the centre and along the rivers. Do not miss the gorgeous Blanco museum (close to the centre, above the river). Night life is quiet there are no local girls working - maybe you can find a tourist girl in one of many bars and coffee shops. No disco what I know and here, as in Bali in general, no go go bars. You can get massage in some places, but do not expect "happy ending". Most local girls, who enjoy seeing tourists, stay in Sanur. Good place for sleeping, eating and sex. It takes 15 minutes to go from Sanur to the Kuta area and 45 minutes to Ubud (by light motor bike). Do not forget International driver´s license. Have fun!

Hi guys,

As I told you I'm coming to Bali on July. Is my first time in Indo and in Asia. Never have been in this continent. Thank you JC, Zos and Dorfor for your tips. I have to decide where I'm going to stay... it seems there is not a perfect location: Kuta area for nightlife is a busy place and Sanur seems too calmed. Well, I hope I'll take the right decision. Just would like to ask another question: has Ubud any nightlife or chance to meet nice girls or is just a cultural destination?

Thanks again

[Scooter Piesky]

Given that Aussies are targets of much the same discrminatory treatment in the Muslim dominated Indon archipelago as Americans are elsewhere, I think Domino's slanderous posts about Ms. Corby's family's purported prior criminal activities are obscene and should be removed (as I have posted earlier without seeing my post being run).

I travelled and stayed in Bali and sailed around other parts of Indon in the 70's and 80's and often smoked reefer at home and in my homes or on board my sloop. Mongers ought to sign onto an Indon boycott--especially as under Sharia laws in place, they too could face death sentences or corporal punishment and long jail terms for their "illegal" deportment and are routinely the object of officially sancyioned corrupt sexual shakedowns by corrupt local officials.

'There but for the greace of God, etc.

BTW, can anyone out there remind me of the name of the Aussie TV drama series starring a then young Nicole Kidman portraying an Aussie girl in similar straits albeit, if memory serves, in Bangkok?

[Scooter Piesky]

Oh-oh Domino...(and right-on Jackson),

I spent many many months in Bali --esp. Ubud--and also sailing and exploring around many of the small pirate-plagued spice Islands in the 70's and 80's and was always smoking marijuana in my Indon open homes and in local bars, etc.

When one considers the corruption, criminal pollution due to illegal logging and murderous central gov't /army treatment of indigenous tribal peoples throughout the Indon archipelago, this sentence of the Aussie beauty shop debutante for smuggling reminds me greatly of the riveting Aussie televison series many years ago on the same subject which starred Nicole Kidman--have any of you WSG'ers seen it?

Indonesia is one of the most vilely ruled states in the world and is falling apart due to the enormous weight of state-sanctioned kleptomania and religio-ethnic tensions. The Bali muslim terrorist bombing, in which many innocent Aussies died, is the heartfelt emotional backdrop to the swell of protests over Ms. Corby.

In the interests of protecting their daughter from further ill-treatment in prison, Ms Corby's parents have spoken out against the pro-Indon boycott backlash erupting in Australia and elswhere.

I say mongers--who according to Sharia laws in place in Indon could also receive death sentences for their behaviour and are almost routinely blackmailed by local authorities in what can only be termed ' ex-officio sexual shakedowns'--should also show solidarity and boycott all Indon tourist destinations with letters sent to the Indon ambassadors in their home countries.

Indonesia is a chaotic and cruel place: let's add our individual voices to the mistreatment of an individual who was at worst an unwitting mule.

As for Domino's slanderous representations about Ms Corby's family, well it's obvious she isn't from the uper crust but using unspecified slurs and misrepresenting Ms Corby's father's bust for owning a single joint of pot is the sort of crap Jackson ought to choose to erase from this board.

Shame on you Domino--I'm going to read up on some of your past posts to see whether a psychological patterns emerges of a self-righteous Aussie-gringa hating sex-slave mongering tourist run amok in third-world pseudo-paradises.

So, at risk of being flamed--Up yours Domino!

********************************************************
"...Anyway, I believe that the reason many Australians are unsettled by the verdict is because they suspect that the trial wasn't conducted with the same respect for the defendant's rights as is common in Western countries, and additionally that the 20 year sentence simply doesn't fit the "crime".

Can you imangine, the Indonesians actually want to kill somebody for possessing marijuana.

Thanks,

Jackson"
******************************************************

[Domino]

Corby's family have a criminal history; is her half-brother Clinton Rose still banged up in a Queensland jail? Talking about going overboard: Zos tells us the Aussie papers give 5 pages to the "poor drug smuggler" and her "tragic" case is all over the TV there. Papa Corby's drug bust, like Rose's litany of criminal convictions is important because the Corbys repeatedly denied that any member of their family had a criminal history or was involved with the drug trade.

There are plenty of prisoners in Australia more deserving of your sympathy. These probably include the prisoners giving dubious evidence on her behalf. Australia getting on a high horse over her only damages the legitimate rights of all law abiding Australians overseas imho though ymmv.

I visit Thailand a lot and I really enjoyed The Damage Done: Twelve Years of Hell in a Bangkok Prison by Warren Fellows, another drug pushing Aussie; it still helps keep me on the straight and narrow. He said no one deserved to be treated like prisoners are in Thai jails. Maybe not. Best way to stay out of jail is not to break the laws of the sovereign country you are in. In fact, it might actually make more sense to give visitors harsher sentences to deter the shit. That way, the rest could better enjoy their holidays.

I hope you guys enjoy yours. Always pack your own bags.

Hi Domino,

I read "The Damage Done" several years ago. It's a sobering account.

However, I personally can't get enthuastic about sending anyone to prison for even a single day for marijuana.

Anyway, I believe that the reason many Australians are unsettled by the verdict is because they suspect that the trial wasn't conducted with the same respect for the defendant's rights as is common in Western countries, and additionally that the 20 year sentence simply doesn't fit the "crime".

Can you imangine, the Indonesians actually want to kill somebody for possessing marijuana.

Thanks,

Jackson

[Ted Num]

Domino,

Nobody deserves death.

[Ted Num]

Hi guys,

As I told you I'm coming to Bali on July. Is my first time in Indo and in Asia. Never have been in this continent. Thank you JC, Zos and Dorfor for your tips. I have to decide where I'm going to stay... it seems there is not a perfect location: Kuta area for nightlife is a busy place and Sanur seems too calmed. Well, I hope I'll take the right decision. Just would like to ask another question: has Ubud any nightlife or chance to meet nice girls or is just a cultural destination?

Thanks again

[Larry Flynt]

As an Australian I find all the generalising below quite amusing, I won't be boycotting Indonesia nor will any other Australian with any sense. I'm also a firm believer in "do the crime...do the time" and if you smuggle drugs into a country then you face that counties penalties. The Corby case has been a strange one and to be honest I still don't know where I stand on it as there's been so much conflicting evidence. I'm not sure if "daughter of a convicted drug smuggler" is an apt description for a man who got caught with a joint but I guess some people just get carried away.

I'm not defending those accused just thought that a few members seemed to be quick to throw us Australians to the wolves, I'm no drug smuggler nor will I be boycotting Indonesia and I know I'm not alone.

[Smoothy]

In 2 months I will be at Nusa Dua (in one of the big *****-hotels), unfortunately not alone. So I am looking for some action at daytime, even that it would be in Kuta.

Can anyone recommend me a location? By reading all posts, most are dealing with all-nighters, but I am looking for a girl just for 1-2 hours, whereever it may be.

I have a lot of experience with that in Africa - mostly easy to get good looking girls ins daytime. Now I have to learn the asian side. I am looking for your advice !

My personal experience is that this is difficult to find in Bali. It's much easier in Jakarta. Maybe you can re-route to Jakarta? I always recommend to my friends that they avoid Bali if they are looking for that kind of thing. Or maybe someone else on here has had better luck than me in Bali?

I find it funny that you mention Africa. Every time I go to Africa, I have a girl meet me for a nooner at lunch on a daily basis.

[Labadi]

In 2 months I will be at Nusa Dua (in one of the big *****-hotels), unfortunately not alone. So I am looking for some action at daytime, even that it would be in Kuta.

Can anyone recommend me a location? By reading all posts, most are dealing with all-nighters, but I am looking for a girl just for 1-2 hours, whereever it may be.

I have a lot of experience with that in Africa - mostly easy to get good looking girls ins daytime. Now I have to learn the asian side. I am looking for your advice !