...However, the money will probably win.

Not necessarily, you see in that country 99% of the wealth is controlled by 1% of the population and if their incomes become effected, they will simply deprive the 99% of more.

As for going without a drink for a week or two, perhaps some of these drinkers do that before the go on holiday. In fact, that's a pretty common scenario.

If you want to see the true exponent of the 'Ugly Aussie' tourist, then Bali is the place to go. The bars and sleaze joints are frequented by Wazza and his bleached blond girlfriend Donna, enjoying the booze and the delightful tropical climate in their 'I love Bali' tee shirts, and mandatory thongs. So I am told.

Look around folks, choose any entertainment centre, at say 1.00am in one of our big cities, the truly 'ugly Australian', of both genders, will clearly manifest themselves. Drunken, loutish behaviour, often ending in serious assaults is the norm. Visit the A & E at St Vincent's Hospital, any Friday or Saturday night, and it's like the proverbial blood house ! I was stationed at 'Darlo' on G.D's and we could fill the truck hourly if we wished, such was the conduct and thuggish actions up at the 'Cross' at weekends.

Strangely, many of those we arrested were not your usual criminal class, rather they'd get pissed, bung on a stink, and end up fronting Court the following morning ! Some might even get a month or two in the 'go slow' which often meant they'd lose their job, and end up with a criminal record, with no chance whatsoever, for a S.556a which meant they did not end up with a criminal record. All this because it was 'cool' to be an ugly Australian ?

Posted by Paul1405, Saturday, 20 August 2016 9:17:40 PM

" ... If you want to see the true exponent of the 'Ugly Aussie' tourist, then Bali is the place to go. ... "

Aduh! Paul, Paul, how to make friends and influence people. I think that it is completely unfair to characterise Bali as the paramount play pen of Ozzie tourists engaged in less than ordinary behavior. I can think of quite a few other places where you can see some of them at their best too. ;-) I can go down to Freo tonight in fact and I expect there'll be a few people going off as usual.

And, of course, there is *wAAZa* who is of course the Father of *sHAZZa* who is the wife of *dAZZZa*

sUNNy vALe rULEz oK!?

" ... We wear Uggs Bro, we do A.V.O.'s ... "

..

And of course, some people find it very hot and humid, so singlets are popular, as are quality thongs

(I prefer the orthopedic variety unless I am going for a long ride.)

Actually, I like to wear just a sarong at times.

..

And of course, being a holiday destination, people are interested in indulging themselves. And Bali, within reason, is happy to cater to the desire of the tourists (who herald from all sorts of other international places)

As for alcohol, well, it is the life blood.

The last time I looked, alcohol imports had more than 600% duty and taxes and to maintain a license to sell remains, by local standards, extremely expensive.

And for top shelf quality alcohol, the punters are more than willing to pay. And there are of course a lot of additional down stream industries that flow on from this.

Further, recognising the considerably influential, vested interests, as well as the culture of the well to do amongst the Balinese themselves and alcohols role in tradition, I think that it is extremely unlikely that Jakarta would decide to do this. But here again the nature of their public debate is unique to them and just because there are strong calls for this or that, it does not mean necessarily that a political consensus has been achieved.

..

The methanol remains an issue though I believe, perhaps more so for the locals themselves who likewise suffer from its poisonous effects all to often. Part of the problem is that it is not illegal to distill your own spirits in Bali though it is illegal to sell it without license. And the apparatus often used is antiquated old pot stills which have a relatively limited capacity (along with other rudimentary apparatus) to isolate and remove the methanol, assuming they even know, and I know that sometimes they don't.

I have long been hopeful that they would have public education broadcasts and seminars on this as I have seen them do on other issues such as when they had an energy crisis and people needed to know how to construct briquettes.

I can accept that from one point of view it seems unconscionable for them to do nothing.

Paul 1405,
The worst people I encountered on those bleary Legian Rd nights were the Germans and Israelis, the Aussies and Kiwis are tame in comparison.