How To not get fleeced Getting ripped off is all part of being a travelling surfer. In the poorer parts of the world you can be viewed as a walking ATM. It’s all part of the fun but here’s some things to watch out for in Indo… Bali and the surrounding islands are generally very safe. The only times you will get in trouble is if you are inviting it. It always pays to have your wits about you. In other words getting out your mind drunk is not cool, if you do and you wake up minus your wallet with a condom hanging out your ass it’s your own fault.
Money changers – you can often get a better rate at back street exchanges. Just watch for false counts. It’s an easy scam when dealing with 10,000s of rupiah, but it’s your money, count it at the desk as there’s no come back once you’ve left. The moped scam – Always get insurance on your ‘ped (or a lock). They are easy to steal and if you have no insurance you will have to pony up for a new one. It’s been known for the people that rent them to steal them off you with a ‘soft’ key that works on all the same model. Deadly arak – You’ll have seen on the news last year about the spate of deaths from methanol laced arak. It’s a cheap way of upping the alcohol content of the local brew. Best stick to Bintang and scary cocktails in the bars eh? Cute pickpockets – If you come out of a club steaming and a gang of grommets get in your face and harass you to buy a newspaper just be aware where their tiny hands are going… After your wallet. Drugs are bad – Fancy a stint in an Indonesian jail. Probably not all air-con and PlayStations like the ones in Blighty. Drugs are illegal and carry stiff penalties (including death for trafficking) in Indo so don’t be a dummy. The police have stooges that sell drugs to you, you get nicked, they get the cash and the stooge gets the stash back to sell again.
jason childs sharpy
It really is a dog eat dog world.
Matty Capel’s had a good winter, stint on the Goldie, a good trip to W.A and a fine old time in Indo. Warm water just makes you want to do massive double grab boosts don’t it?!
104 carve surfing magazine