Is Schapelle Spotting next big thing for Bali?
The release from prison of convicted drug trafficker Schapelle Corby may ignite a new tourism niche in Bali: Schapelle Spotting.
The 36-year-old Australian was released on parole after nine years in Kerobokan Prison for smuggling marijuana into Indonesia.
The conditions of her release mean that she will have to spend up to two years in Bali.
While Corby sipped beer at the Sentosa resort in Seminyak amid speculation that she has sold her story for a million or two to the Channel Seven TV station in Australia, curious tourists were seen lurking around the resort, along with a large media contingent.
The Sentosa resort website boasts: "Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or are just looking for a way to unwind after a hard day (or nine years in Kerobokan, perhaps?), you will be entertained by top-class recreational facilities such as massage, fitness centre, spa, outdoor pool."
Not so impressed was Cynthia T of Singapore, who wrote about her Sentosa resort stay on the Agoda.com website: "The stay was pleasant. Only issue was that bed sheets weren’t clean. It smelled a bit musty and we saw some stains. It wasn’t changed for the whole duration of our four nights stay."
And Jing T of Singapore wrote: "Their glasses are super fragile, make by super thin glasses, you can’t even cheers with your friends as we broke few, good thing is they never charge us."
Schapelle and friends better go easy with the freedom toasts.
Ian Jarrett
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