Mount Merbuk Intro–Lost and Missing
The Police reports are often ignored or deemed not important in Bali. Petty theft is a common occurrence when tourists leave with or without their wallets or backpacks. Cases that were never started are filed under “G” for garbage.
This is normal for most tourist destinations. While there are long-term tourists… Many must figure out ways to get things done since a lost passport or your possessions are rarely recovered. This is a headache and a terrible nuisance, but it is Bali after all. Motorcycles and cars can be stolen but as we all know they will have sustained damage and so forth.
Missing person reports though are taken seriously and when reported, most incidents are real and legit. It is not a case of getting drunk and waking up in a dead-end alleyway. Sometimes there are deaths and murders, these cases need to be dealt with quickly and efficiently to not draw too much negative attention to Bali.
When two men are reported missing while on a hike into the mountains, it is serious. Most of the time these cases are misunderstandings with timing or communication. However, when people are missing, everyone wants the case solved. No one wants bad publicity.
When the reports flowed into the police station of the two men missing, immediate action was taken. Knowing that the 15 square kilometer area is filled with lush, thick vegetation with dangerous animals and the terrain itself is horrific to traverse even for experienced hikers.
When this journal was found, in the cabin with the inhabitants and travelers missing. The police knew they had a serious case on their hands. Time is of the essence in most cases, and when missing travelers and locals seem to have vanished, the case is taken much more seriously.
