Friday May 29th in Kuta Bali

Vincent did say that
And Vincent now says …………..

Yesterday (29 May) the story was on the Jakarta Post website.
I downloaded it and the text is set out below.
Today it has “disappeared” from the JP website!
Didn’t dream it as it is also referred to on Bali Forum and News
http://www.baliforum.com/travel/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=25381&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=31&fpart=1

It is also in on an Indo language site called Astaga
Presiden Megawati Soekarnoputri Tunda Cabut BVKS
http://astaga.com/warta/article.php?id=66266&cat=359
29 May 2003 15:15

I don’t speak/read Indo so pls advise if it says “You’re a silly sod to believe what you read in the Jakarta Post”.

I emailed the Indo Embassy in London & Jakarta Post re clarification. Heard nothing.

Govt Postpones Revocation Of Free Tourist Visa
JP
29/05/2003
The Indonesian government has postponed until further notice its controversial decision to revoke its visa-free policy, apparently in deference to appeals from famed tourist destinations Bali and Yogyakarta, agencies reported Thursday.
Bali provincial public relations chief I Gde Nurjaya told Antara that he had received a letter from justice and human rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra stating the revocation of the visa-free policy, due to go into effect on October 1 this year, had been postponed.
“As a tourism destination, Bali should be grateful for the minister’s letter, because a delay in the imposition of the free-visa revocation policy will help Bali’s tourism industry recover in the wake of last year’s bombing tragedy,” said Nurjaya.
Nurjaya claimed the postponement was in response to appeals from Bali and Yogyakarta, Indonesia’s two main tourist destinations.
The government announced on March 31, 2003, it would revoke its past policy of providing free 60-day visas on arrival for tourists from 41 countries, including major markets such as the U.S., Europe and Japan.
The decision was made in an attempt to stop foreigners from working illegally in Indonesia and for the sake of national pride, providing free visas only to countries that granted reciprocal privileges to Indonesians, and charging other foreign nationals US$45.

So all this weird stuff - cat urine, anal DJs, etc… massive list… and then “STand up comedy too!” That’s just hilarious…

Hope you have a good time though Nick. And be sure to tell us, other than the color what’s the difference vodka and cat’s piss, anyway?

You can’t smell vodka on your breath.

About the Indonesia Visa “fiasco”…

You can find some recent articles here:

http://www.laksamana.net
http://www.balidiscovery.com

Haven’t seen anything on the Jakarta Post side.

Sounds like the “powers that be” finally came to their senses, but I should say this with caution, for perhaps they’ll change their mind and add a few more laws that made similar sense. I can see it now…

1) NO bintangs sold after 2PM.
2) No surfing when the waves are over 3 feet
3) No eating rice whatsoever.

In any case, this is great news. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope that more people will finally start heading back to enjoy Bali.

Jason
Waikiki, Hawaii

I’ll find out tomorrow about the visa policy when I arrive in DPS. Although I have a Social Visa, I will ask the tourists that enter through immigration.

You just never know, there mught be some entrepeneurial fellows at the airport!

I hope “Robertosucks” does not refer to me.

Never made it to the free-flow drinks party. Went down to Santa Fe Bar and saw a ton of Aussies which was encouraging. I tell you when this place starts hopping it resembles the bar scene in Star Wars.

I drank a Bintang, 2 arak madus then went to water.

Went down to Spy Bar who are having their anniversary party today and saw among other people Ida from our road trips.

Went home about 2am.

Barrie looking forward to meeting you.

You must know a very different Bali than I do…….
Jeffrey

Jeffery,

Yes - there is the Party scene that Nick referes to in this post and the Ubud scene - which is totally different of course. Surely there are other scenes as well.