The most prominent island getaway in Asia has frequently been around the mainstream media lately, not because of beauty in the Indonesian archipelago, dreadfully, the focus lies on the mortifying travellers to Bali.
For a destination that popular, it normally takes one outrageous travelling incident to keep us in check on our own travelling habits when we’re there but recently, travellers to Bali came under fire for their disrespectful manners and uninformed state about the place.
In order to avoid making the same – be it careless or ignorant – mistakes, here are some notes to take on your next trip to… basically anywhere.
1. Don’t steal things from your travel accommodation
Back on 27 July, an Indian family who lived in a 5-star resort in Bali was publically humiliated after hotel staffs caught them packing away the room amenities and decorations.
The search (which was videotaped) revealed things like hairdryer, glass soap dispenser, mirror, hangers and locally-made decorative items. After getting caught red-handed, a man from the family defended their actions and offered to pay for the things.
We can only reiterate how the staff member told off the thieves.
“It’s not about money, I know you have a lot of money. This is no respect… You come to Bali, you stay here, but no respect.”
Money can’t buy you respect. Next time, just don’t loot things from your accommodation.
A few bottles of the used shampoo are okay. The hassle of being charged in a foreign police station is not worth a few Indonesian rupiahs of hangers and towels!
2. Exercise control from partying too hard on your “retreat”
An Aussie man had to be subdued by over 10 people over his severely wild rampage in Kuta just last week. The incident happened in the early morning around 5:30am after Nicholas Carr’s excessive consumption of alcohol that led him to a drunken ruckus in public on 10 August.
Probably in the bubble of filming a Hollywood action movie, he kicked a motorcyclist off his bike on the road, threw himself on a moving car, broke the glass window of a convenience store and assaulted a local man after breaking into his home.
“I was very drunk and I apologize. I don’t remember anything at all,” Carr told The Brisbane Times.
Alcohol can be really cheap when you’re travelling, so drink responsibly and have more self-control before you pose harm to others.
After this tourist rampage, local police are certainly putting down more enforcement to crack down badly-behaved foreigners!
3. Ask around, behave appropriately and dress modestly
Just in, a pair of Czech travel “influencers” broadcasted their ignorance worldwide after filming themselves on a religiously sacred island.
The boyfriend, Zdenek Slouka, is seen inappropriately splashing holy water on the Sabina Dolezalova’s backside as she lifted her short skirt to him in what seemed like a deliberate action at a holy temple in Ubud.
Their “innocent fun” video content came under fire for being utterly disrespectful to the local’s religious practice and culture. The couple has since apologised for not knowing their actions were considered offensive in the sacred island.
While we love to enjoy our holiday in a fun fashion, take the extra step to read up and understand your destination’s local custom and dos and don’ts.
The simplest thing to do if you really don’t know? Ask around, behave appropriately and dress modestly everywhere you go.
4. Always read up and learn about the country’s restrictions before you visit
Prescription drugs and medicines are not to be considered lightly when you travel. There is a reason why its called “prescription” because obtaining it without legal evidence can land you a place behind bars.
A 25-year old social media influencer had been detained for 4 days in Bali over her prescription medication of both diazepam and dextroamphetamine, drugs for the user’s bipolar spectrum disorder and addiction.
“I was detained after going through customs for bringing my own prescription medication into the country, which I brought in pharmacy-labelled boxes along with a certificate from my GP,” Tori Ann Lyla Hunter wrote on her GoFundMe campaign.
She allegedly had been extorted for $39,600 during her detention and is now trying to fundraise for the fee.
Bali Police spokesperson denied the accusation and shared that Hunter was released after an investigation that the medicine is in accordance with her illness and medical condition.
If you are ill and would be travelling with medicine, remember to check for the legality and restrictions at the place you’re going to. Also, bring along copies of your certified medical conditions and prescriptions to be extra careful.
Text by Jessy Wong
