Aliceinbali
[b]RE: cinema/dvd's[/b]I lost an extremely nice house that I had built to a not so honest Balinese guy in Ubud.
Bert Vierstra
[b]RE: cinema/dvd's[/b]Why?
Pat
[b]RE: cinema/dvd's[/b]AliceIf not too personal, it will be great to hear the details of your story about losing your house.Sampai Jumpa
Aliceinbali
[b]RE: cinema/dvd's[/b]Well, Ill explain it as briefly as I can. 7 years ago or so I was working In Bali, and from a friend of a friend of a friend I met a very fat tall Balinese guy Named Made, he was suppose to be some very reliable business man in the Ubud Area. His rental Car Business seemed to be pretty good and I had always long termed rented from him. So the trust had been established and an offer was made to me for me to build a large home right Inside Ubud, about 5 min walk from everything. When i arrived at the site, it was a rice field with a 2 building famliy compound. They seemed to welcome me and all the plans greatly.As contruction began things were going smoothly but very very slowly.I rented a home outside Ubud and was very comfortable in that home along side a river. As the trust grew with Made, I had put a little more faith in my needs being carried out in construction as well as thier needs being met. I had to attend a trade show in the States, so i drew up some clear defined plans, agreements and left that with Made along with 8k US dollars, to cover the needed expenses and then some. The house should have been completed months before, but I did'nt pass any blame and was assured when i returned it would be completly done, including the Landscaping ( I purchased every single plant, tree and brush prior to leaving, inclduing the fish for the huge pond/waterfall).When I returned, nothing had changed accept one thing, my money, plants and fish were abis! gone. poof. vanished. I remained calm and tracked him down after a week. He gave me a story about cerimonies, religous taboos on the plant selection, cats ate the fish and the ran out of supplies and workers. Yet I still remained calm, I asked when it would be done because i was moving in within the week! Roof or no roof! Tiles or no tiles! I told him that I would be back in one week and it will be done.I do believe he laughed. Not a normal thing for many Balinese.One week later.. there was a roof, there were tiles, none of which I had agreed too. There was also a HUGE stone wall carving , stunning yes, insanely expenisve. And mostly, something I never agreeded to pay for or want. I moved in, slept on the cheap tile floors ( paid for marble ).A week later my custom Made Jumbo Bambo bedroom set was delivered.I went back to the village I worked in for week to calm down, but decided to return earlier then Mde had expected. Guess what? A tourist was living in my house! In my Bamboo bed!I had taken badly, with no help from anyone, no understanding of laws, ( not many at that time) and no husband to kick that fat ass!
Terry
[b]RE: cinema/dvd[/b]This is the kind of thing that is worring me too, Its hard enough trying to get started & the last thing you want is to get parted from your hard earned cash. plus it gives the Balinese a bad name ! I bet he didnt get fat through hard work ?Terry
Aliceinbali
[b]RE: cinema/dvd's[/b]nope. He was a sight for sure.
Bert Vierstra
Where did you go wrong Alice?(we are going to make this an educational thread, if you don't mind,there are plenty of people how experienced more or less the sameas you did, and by explaining a little in this forum we may helpsome others not to walk into 'traps' they help to create themselves.I also hope that this thread makes other people come forth to telltheir similar stories, which can be difficult because my guess is thatpeople can feel ashamed about it.. Especially when there is arelationship with a 'lover' involved.)
Aliceinbali
I think the first place I went wrong was thinking that all the smiling kind looking faces were truly kind. And the blind thinking that I had legal rights like in Bali as I do in the States. In efforts to respect their culture and religious practices it was easy for me to be misled with the basic fact that no matter where you go there are scummy people.I've was overly trusting many times in Bali, had many wet eyed nights alone, blaming myself for being so stupid and trusting. But in the end, People are people, regardless of color, race or country.Bali has a way of capturing the heart and dropping the defenses.
Bert Vierstra
What kind of legal documents did you make? (or didn't make?)How about the land where the house is build on? Who owns this?
Aliceinbali
At that time there was'nt a whole lot of legal help in Bali. I had a written agreement at best.I had a friend that was Austrailian and legal help only got him black listed.He had started making too much money and a group of very powerful, rich people wanted a piece of the pie. When he refused and went about his business, the corruption hell began. 1 Year later after seeking legal help, The immigration ended up at his door to escort him out of the country. He was married to a Balinese lady. He eventually made it back to Indonesia ( a year later) to find his business detroyed and being ran by the people who sent him away.
Aliceinbali
Us Westerens are very spoiled in our "Legal Rights ". Most are invalid the moment you leave your country. :(
Aliceinbali
I agree. I thought I could truely trust them. It hurt deeply when it went bad, not only for the money but the betrayal.I had other types of betrayals while working in Bali but that one hit me hard. :(
a playful dragonfly
I was in a situation of betrayal too. I agree, it hurts deeply when things go bad, especially when you are betrayed by someone you have known for years and trusted 100%. In terms of money lost it wasn't a hugh sum...I guess I was one of the lucky ones...but the betrayal was heart breaking. In many ways I miss Bali but I haven't been back there for a few years. I "think" I'll go again...but when.....
Bert Vierstra
Yo Dragon,you make it sound as the "betrayal" (what was it anyway) keeps you from going to Bali.... Is it ?
a playful dragonfly
Jeez Bert...that was a fast comment! You, being a man of few words, will understand my brief reply...YES.
Bert Vierstra
Have been up since 5 you know, Oleh raga di pantai...Come on, what was it :roll:
a playful dragonfly
It was simply a situation of me going to Bali to do buying. I did this for several years, once a year. One time I stayed for 6 months and the other trips were for 2 months each. Well, I had a good friend, NOT a sexual relationship mind you...but a close friendship. He took me everywhere and picked up orders when they were ready, took me to village activities, we prayed at his family temple in his compound, I helped him do some additions to his compound, and on and on. When I would return home and need to replace things that had sold I would wire transfer money to him and he would ship the things to me. In many ways we were in tune with each other. He married his pregnant second cousin and I thought we would continue our business relationship...but alas...it ended the following year. I made my usual trip and saw the new baby. Precious little baby! When I got home and needed more things I called him and placed an order. Well, it was a small order of about $400.00. Thing is, it never arrived. Whew! I never would have thought he would betray me in such a manner...but he did. When I called him on it he gave me an excuse about needing to use the money for other things. You know, I would have been happy to send more money but he chose to just keep the cash and not bother to send the stuff or EVEN call to tell me he wouldn't be sending my order. That hurt. I felt used and abused. It really turned me off going back to Bali. I felt that there was no way I could trust anyone if I had been so wrong about my friend. Okay Bert...enough?
Aliceinbali
After I was betrayed by the house deal and 2 large business deals I left Bali. I am returning in August with my daughters for two weeks. I loved Bali so much but are still affraid the old feelings of loss will come back. :shock:
a playful dragonfly
I really hope you will tell us how your trip goes. I'm still not ready to go back. The last thing I need is to dredge up old memories and unpleasant feelings. Soooo, I'm excited for you and hope you have a wonderful time, and if you do, maybe there is hope for me too.
a playful dragonfly
Yes, I agree with you 100%.
