Bali customs finally get investigated for asking for bribes

Many have gone through Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS / Bali) airport and have had "issues" with the immigration and customs. A previous thread shows some of the frustration in getting through the airport and worse, trying to get something done about it officially. In the last few years, they've toned down the nonsense, ostensibly due to the SBY anti-corruption and numerous complaints to other agencies and ministries. However, it takes John Savage (actor Taylor Kitsch) to get JKT to investigate the airport openly!

The funny thing is that Taylor retold his brush with customs on Letterman but didn't correct Dave when he said the Philippines! So even Canadians are bad at geography and also follow the lead of the US in that! It's funny how something like this will bring up corruption in the Bali airport system. Of course, they didn't hit the Eat Pray Love crew with any nonsense, but then again Taylor didn't have a facilitator rush him through all that. Nor did he go through the VIP area reserved for private jets. Maybe something good will come out of this comedy of errors, which has now gotten the Philippines riled up for the mistaken airport identity.

Investigate? Maybe. Take action against? Unlikely.

A while back, as I recall reading, a number of Bali immigration officers were caught stealing money whilst on the job, but kept their jobs and escaped punishment.

On the other hand, I've gone thru there every year, 6 years running, with a pair of Nikon D2xs and a Subal housing. Never had a problem. Both were in carry-on.

Maybe my luck has run out though.

Yes that was in 2009 and it actually cleaned house for a bit. I guess old habits die hard.

I don't know who Taylor Kitsch or John Savage are and no i don't care to google it...

however.. bite your tongue mister! Don't insult Canadians by comparing our knowledge of geography to Americans... 100% of Canadians can point to the US on a map, about 35% percent of Americans could identify Canada or Mexico on that same map

I am with my fellow Canadian Mike on this one Drew. You take a pot shot at Canadians like that we may send our submarine after you when we get it functional.

Todd

Ooohhhhhh, the Canucks come out of the igloos to defend their melting ice, "eh"?

I just said that Taylor followed the lead of totally oblivious Dave by not correcting him for saying Philippines. It's pretty much general knowledge that the US leads and Canada just follows blindly most the time!

That submarine was built in the UK so I think the Americans are pretty safe for a while yet

Awww Adam, don't kick them while they are down. They may yet end up in Bali thinking it's Manila!

Don't insult Canadians by comparing our knowledge of geography to Americans... 100% of Canadians can point to the US on a map, about 35% percent of Americans could identify Canada or Mexico on that same map

Canada is on the map? When did that happen?

We only found out when the US Navy invented GPS!

Hmm, but i drink a lot of San Mig Light.. this isn't the Phils?

I apologize-very off topic!

I think Canada is safe for a little while yet

Adam

Commonwealth sub rams Bali?

Tim

Unfortunately Bali customs does have some problems, in my experience. Nothing a few hundred thousand rupiah can't fix though, just like the police stops for breakfast money.

Drew,I think you are confusing Canada with Australia. Australia is the one who blindly followed the US into Vietnam and Iraq. I hear that worked out as Canada had suspected. Even the Australians were pissed off at their governments a** kissing politicians!

Canada is the one with the commie, pinko, socialist government. Oh yeah, we have the free health care, social programs, no drug war and stable banks. Oh, and we don't spend a major portion of our GDP on the military, mind our own business and have that strong dollar, plus we don't have as many people in prison. What a nutty free for all eh?

Sorry for going off topic.

funny as hell Adam, great little film.

My wife is Canadian and she knew where the U.S. was when she snuck down here illegally before I could get her legal status. Now that she's here she never wants to go back except to either visit relatives or get away from me for her own sanity. Canadians do say 'eh' an awful lot though. Wonder where that comes from.

Steve