Long-distance scooter trips across Bali and even the entire Indonesian archipelago have become a favorite among adventurous travelers. With breathtaking landscapes and rich culture, Indonesia offers the perfect setting for a journey on two wheels. But not every road trip goes according to plan.
Russian traveler recently set out on a bold route—from Bali all the way to Lake Toba in North Sumatra, a straight-line distance of over 3,000 kilometers. The idea was simple: ride as long as energy allowed, then stop to rest wherever seemed safe.
While accommodation is easy to find on densely populated Java, parts of Sumatra are wild and remote, with long stretches of jungle and few places to stop.
Near the city of Palembang, during a rainy stretch of road, the traveler pulled over next to a closed roadside warung to take a nap. Using a backpack as a pillow and leaving the scooter just a meter away, they drifted off on a bench—only to wake up and find the scooter gone.
Along with the vehicle, a drone, a camera, and a flash drive full of travel footage had disappeared. After reporting the theft to the local police, the traveler rented another scooter and kept going, not expecting to recover anything—stolen scooters are rarely found.
But in an unexpected twist, local police came through. They spotted the scooter listed on Facebook by a reseller offering it for a suspiciously low price—with no documents. The drone and camera were visible in the photos as well. After a short investigation and a bit of surveillance, police caught the suspect red-handed.
The traveler soon found themselves at a press conference with police officers celebrating the recovery. The suspect may face up to 8 years in prison, although it’s likely they weren’t the actual thief—just someone who bought the scooter secondhand.
The vehicle will be shipped back to Bali, though the traveler will still have to pay 50% of the rental fee and shipping costs. Judging by the photos, though, everyone involved looked relieved and surprisingly upbeat.
Indonesia—especially Bali—may feel like paradise, but no place is completely immune to risk. Always stay alert, don’t leave your scooter unattended in remote areas, and if something goes wrong, report it. You might be surprised by how helpful local authorities can be.
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