Wednesday, 15 August 2007

Let me take bag, yes?

One of the downsides of travel, especially in the Far East is the amount of hassle you get. Mostly it's good natured and you can't really resent a bloke showing you a suitcase of knocked off watches whilst you eat your Nasi Goreng (fried rice) in the local Warung (food stall).

It becomes more of a problem in other situations though. This morning I took the public ferry across from Bali to Lombok. As you aproach the boat a gaggle of blokes abound to take yuor bags on board the boat for you. Obviously this invovles a tip. The big problem occured when a couple of the 'porters' just grabbed some random bags and ran on board with them, and then demanded money from the people once they caught up to claim their bags!

A full on row happened in the middle of the 'lounge' deck of the boat. The 'porters' were demanding money for their services and this danish couple were refusing to pay. A sort of mexican stand off ensued for the next couple of minutes before the porters eventually sulked away! Well after that exciteent the next 5 hours of the ferry ride were an anticlimax of bad pop videos and overpriced snacks. Ahh the joys of travel....

1 comment:

phizz said...

Hey Mike!!!
sounds like fun was had by all?!?!?
but it definately sounds better than being back home...of which i have been for a whole month now!!!!
youre so lucky youre still out there seeing the world!!!!
you up for a reunion when you get back?!?!?
take care
Phizz xx