Travel Warnings for Krui and Tanjung Setia area
Theft increases at all locations
Poverty makes thieves, as love makes poets.
Pesisir Barat is the 4th most poverty stricken district in Lampung so theft has always been a big issue in the Krui area. This years huge increase of new arrivals from Bali has seen petty crime blossom into a viable occupation for both locals and foreign grifters.
Visiting foreign tourists foolish enough to leave valuables in their scooter lost phones, cameras, binoculars, cash, sunglasses, surfboards and boardbags. While longtime expat resident surfers were shocked to have their cheap t-shirts and flip-flops stolen on every surf session at Way Jambu.
The north end of Mandiri has become notorious for scooters having batteries and parts stripped off them in the short period of a surf session. The Peak once more became a favourite place for naive tourists to lose phones and sunglasses.
One unfortunate tourist had his gear stolen while his girlfriend sat watching the ocean only meters away from their scooter at Way Jambu.
Be warned it is now unsafe to leave anything in your locked
scooter compartment ... even that dirty old t-shirt is no longer safe.
Alice in Wonderland: A cautionary tale ...
You arrived in Tanjung Setia late in the evening and your now ready for your first morning on the coast of South Sumatra. You don your bikini that was so poular in Bali. Wearing less than a Bangkok hooker you do a quick inspection in the mirror ... l-o-o-k-i-n-g good. Outside your boyfriend awaits proudly on his motorcycle, a bare chested and bronzed surf warrior. Everything is new and exhilarating.
First stop refuel your scooter. Arriving at a small wooden stall selling fuel a young women greets you in traditional, long dress and hadjib. She asks where you are from USA, Australia, France? Smiles as she takes your money. You drive away feeling good and ready to explore.
What you are completely unaware of is: your very first interaction with the community has reinforced the systemic belief amongst the locals that foreigners are disrespectful, self centered and probably sexually permissive.
There are now 2 young guys on a motorcycle following you and making obscene hand guestures. You suddenly don't feel safe turning onto that dirt track to the beach.
What went wrong?
Ignorance and insenstitivity for local customs or white privilage and neo-colonial tourism?
