Dear Sir

With regard to the letter from James Dell-Robb, I am sorry that I am not able to regret my criticism of the postal services in Bali.

James Dell-Robb says he lives in what is sometimes called the “Wild West of Bali” and that services such as electricity supply and telecommunication are sometimes irregular. I do not understand what he means; this has nothing to do with our debate about the postal services.

Bali is such a beautiful island, a very nice culture. I have, in some of my books, mentioned that nowhere in the whole world can you find others so polite or friendly as the Balinese people. But the postal services are shameful. And it will never be better as long as James Dell-Robb tries to defend the many mistakes instead of trying to improve them.

In the last week of November 2008, I send Christmas cards to friends in Bali. I wanted to be sure they would be there on time – even though I would be visiting Bali in the first week of December and staying there for two weeks. When I was there the letters never arrived, and after coming home they had still not turned up. My friends finally got them in January.

In March I had an SMS from a friend in Tabanan, saying he received on March 9 a letter I sent him, which is a little better, after 21 days.

When I go to Indonesia I arrive after 18 hours. Why on earth do you usually get letters delivered to your gate after 10 days? Letters from Denmark to Australia are delivered after three days. Letters from Denmark to India are delivered after five to six days.

I don’t use post codes for Bali mail, because my friends don’t know them.

Sincerely

Svend Aage Laursen
Frederikssund,
Denmark