Archive for August, 2006
The Tour de Indonesia kicks off today in Jakarta. The 1,352.2 kilometer race, ends in Bali on September 4th. In a sene the riders are very lucky, they are getting to rice across Java traffic free, something others only dream of.
I reckon drug monkeys, Jan Ullrich and
Floyd Landis, should join in, the could suck down all the jamu they want and no one would care.
24 teams to race in Tour d’Indonesia
The Jakarta Post, JakartaDefending champion Giant Cycling of Chinese Taipei will have to fend off the challenge from 23 other teams, including 12 from overseas, if it wants to retain its title at the fourth Dji Sam Soe Tour d’Indonesia from Aug. 24 to Sept. 4.
The nine-stage cycling race will cover 1,352.2 kilometers from Jakarta to the resort island of Bali.
Teams from Denmark, Germany, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Thailand have confirmed their participation in the event. Local teams from Jakarta, Banten, Garut (West Java), Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Sidoarjo (East Java) and Bali also will take part in the race.
“Three teams from Hong Kong, Kazakhstan and South Korea have pulled out from the tour to join another Asian-level championship in Malaysia,” race organizing committee chairman Ferry H. Josohadisoerjo said Tuesday.
The event is jointly organized by the Indonesian Cycling Association and tobacco company Dji Sam Soe. At the end of the race, the President’s Cup will be presented to the winner in the team category; the Sports Minister’s Cup for the top individual cyclist; and the Indonesian Sports Council Cup for the top local rider.
The opening 54.6-kilometer stage will start in front of the State Ministry for Sports and Youth Affairs on Jl. Gerbang Pemuda in Senayan, Central Jakarta. Cyclists will do 21 laps around the nearby Bung Karno sports complex.
The second stage will then take cyclists 133.1 kilometers from Bandung to Cirebon (West Java). A hilly third stage will then see cyclists 187.3 kilometers between Cirebon and Purwokerto (Central Java), before the 245.1-kilometer fourth stage from Purwokerto to Surakarta (Central Java).
Along the fourth stage, which is the longest of the tour, cyclists will zip along hilly roads and through the small towns of Sukaraja, Banjarnegara, Wonosobo, Parakan, Temanggung, Magelang, Kopeng, Salatiga and Boyolali.
The next stage will be from Surakarta to Madiun in East Java (108.9 kms), then Madiun-Malang (183.6 kms), Malang-Jember (181 kms) and Jember-Banyuwangi (116.1 kms).
From Banyuwangi competitors will cross over to Bali aboard a ferry, before taking part in the final stage, a 147-kilometer ride that will end in Kuta.
“We will coordinate with local traffic police officers along the way to redirect or reroute traffic for the cyclists,” Ferry said.
The finish will be in Kuta, on Sept 4th, so look out for local news on the event
source : www.baliblog.com
August 24th, 2006
Convicted bomber, Imam Samudra, used a laptop computer and wi-fi connection to chat online, while in Kerobokan jail. The laptop was smuggled to him by a IT lecturer who shares Samudra’s beliefs that killing foreigners is a route to salvation.
According to GulfNews, a prison warden helped get the computer inside the prisom allowing Samudra to chat online in Islamis chat rooms, such as CafeIslam, and plan the funding of the 2005 Kuta / Jimbaran bombs.
For opponents of the death penalty, I think this gives one clear reason why it exists. To stop people like Samudra, continuing to murder people.
source : www.baliblog.com
August 24th, 2006
Australian beauty therapist, Schapelle Corby is not interested in a prisoner exchange deal, according to her lawyer. Schapelle was convicted of importing 4.1kg of marijuana into Bali in October 2004, but maintains it wasn’t hers.
There are a couple of reasons she cannot and will not return to Australia. Even if prisoner exchange were possible at the moment, Corby has not finished her appeal, with one more attempt taking place at Denpasar District Court tommorrow. Assuming that fails, the thought of spending the best part of 20 years in an Aussie jail is not attractive. Kerobokan jail may not be a place many of us would want to call home, but you can get trips to the beach / shops / nightout, and a Solution could always be on the cards.
Fingers crossed for Schapelle at the District Court, this is her last big chance.
source : www.baliblog.com
August 24th, 2006
Air Bali is dedicated to the safety and the comfort of its passengers. Our pilots are Western and Indonesian professionals with thousands of flying hours accumulated in remote locations all over the world including the mountains and jungles of Indonesia. Every 6 months each pilot is required to complete a flight check and undergo a thorough medical.
For safety and reliability Air Bali Helicopters are state of the art powered by Jet Turbine engines. The helicopters are maintained to the highest international standards as set out by the manufacturer. Air Bali is a joint owned and operated Australian / Indonesian company.
We operate Bell Jetranger Jet Turbine Helicopters. These machines are fast and powerful and can seat 4 passengers + one pilot.
We also do medical evacuations, hotel to airport transfers, search & rescue operations, aerial photography, general charters and land surveys
Source : www.balitourismauthority.net
August 24th, 2006
Not everyone is sad about Amrozi and Co. slipping out of the noose. It must be a terrible thing to lose a child, but one parent of an Australian victim, has publicly welcomed the continuation of their legal defence.
Here’s more from the Jakarta Post.
Australian father of Bali bombing victim welcomes decision to stay execution of bombers
CANBERRA (AP): The father of an Australian man killed in a bomb attack on Bali in 2002 welcomed news Monday that three convicted terrorists would not be executed for their part in the crime until an appeal is heard.Lawyer Brian Deegan, whose son Josh, 21, was among 202 people who died in the blasts on the Indonesian tourist island on Oct. 12 that year, wrote to Amnesty International last week requesting that Indonesia spare the lives of Amrozi Nurhasyim, Ali Gufron and Imam Samudra.
The three Islamic militants were among 30 people convicted over the nightclub bombings.
Deegan welcomed the Indonesian government’s decision to postpone the executions scheduled for Tuesday because the three have expressed interest in appealing their death sentences.
“From a legal point of view, I am happy about the decision because everyone has the same rights as everyone else regardless of the crime so their right to appeal should be respected,” Deegan told The Associated Press.
“From a philosophical point of view, I’m totally against capital punishment,” he added.
“The only downside is that this for me delays the grieving process. I just wish it could be all put to rest so that I could put it behind me,” he said.
I still think John Mark Karr could be a positive addition to the life of the ‘deadly trio’.
source : www.baliblog.com
August 22nd, 2006
Bali will always look back on October 12, 2002, as a dark day. The bombing of Paddy’s and Sari Club wiped away many lives and scarred many more.
Here is an account of how one young lady, Polly Miller, dealt with her suffering.
Great to see someone moving ahead with their life.
A couple of nights ago Ika and I were awakended by a series of loud ‘booms’. It sounded to me as though someone was in the parking area, beating a plastic dustbin. ‘Boom, boom, boom’, it went. For a minute or so, I had a horrible feeling that it might be a series of small bombs. I settled on thinking it must be fireworks. Next morning, Ningrun confirmed it was a huge firework display at KuDeta on the beach. Thanks KuDeTa, for giving us all the shivers.
source : www.baliblog.com
August 22nd, 2006
Bali is home to many Australian expats, who like to keep in touch with the homeland. Those from Victoria, in particular, enjoy Aussie Rules football, and Bali has its own team, the Gecko’s.
Having lived in Seminyak for getting on 4 years, I am familiar with the Gecko’s, and where they hang out. Across the street from Cafe Moka, on Jl. Seminyak, is a school. Next to the school is a large field, home to a pack of the meanest mutts, you’ll ever meet, and training ground for the Gecko’s.
•Here’s what the Gecko’s website says:
On any given Thursday, a dedicated group of Aussie Rules fanatics can be found honing their skills on the newly laid turf of the Canggu Club. Although training attendance is linked directly to swell conditions, the dedication shown by these select few on the track is second only to their commitment at the bar.
Formed in 1997 as a result of a challenge thrown down by a visiting opposition team, the Mighty Geckos have forged a strong reputation as the hardest team in Asia, on and off the oval. Several forays across the region have seen the Geckos trophy cabinet at The Bottle Shop slowly fill with the spoils of victory.
In addition to tours, the Bali Geckos also host two events each year, the Bali 9s Masters in March and the Bali 9s in early October, marking the anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombing. With these events, and other fund raising initiatives, the Geckos support several charities on the island assisting under privileged children and victims of the bombings.
Members of the Mighty Geckos are a who’s who of Bali’s elite, counting among them some of the entrepreneurs, company executives and most eligible bachelors that call Bali home. Regular attendees at games and training sessions include Prime Ministers, AFL stars and Australian film and television celebrities.
Guests are always welcome, but be warned: training sessions can often run into the wee small hours of Friday morning.
•History of the Bali Gecko’s:
If the surf is no good, on any Thursday afternoon at in Seminyak, you’ll find a bunch of expats honing their skills of their beloved Australian Rules Football. While the beers are being chilled at the Bottle Shop, one of the Geckos’ preferred watering holes, astonished locals watch, wonder and laugh as the sweating expats kick, handball and swear at each other.
The Geckos, as they affectionately known, were formed in 1997 when a challenge was thrown out by a traveling Jakarta Bintang Footballer to an expatriate Australian living in Bali. Since then, the Geckos have taken on teams from over the region and have enjoyed a huge amount of success both on and off the field. With many AFL teams using Bali as the destination for end of season trips, the Geckos have often had AFL stars at training and entertained them socially. In October 2003, The Geckos received much media attention after the very successful Bali 9s, where ex-AFL star Jason McCartney pulled on the Gecko jumper. Australian Prime Minister John Howard also tried out the Gecko colours, but, to his disappointment, did not get a run on the field during the final.
The Geckos have a core of about 20 players, with the majority being Australian expatriates residing in Bali. Added to this are the many tourists who join the Geckos periodically whilst holidaying in Bali. This includes former and current AFL or state level past and present players. Apart from players, the Geckos have many supporters, both in Bali and Australia.
•Gecko’s Song:
Here are couple of songs the guys sing.
Geckos forever more
Geckos are we
Taking marks and drinking beers
Chicks love being with real winners
Geckos forever more
Geckos are we
For we are the mighty Geckos
Geckos are the greatest team of all !!!Alternative Geckos Anthem sung to the tune of Waltzing Matilda
Once a group of Aussies
Left for a Bali beach
Looking for the shade of a coconut tree
And they drank and they laughed
As they sat around at Billy’s bar
Come & live in Bali and it’s all tax free
Chorus
Geckos forever, Geckos forever
I’m proud to be a Gecko for the world to see
Geckos here, Geckos there
Bali geckos drinking everywhere
We’re proud to be the Geckos from Kuta, Bali
Down came the Geckos
To drink at their waterhole
Every thursday night with barman Robbie
Either too hot for training
Or it’s always bloody raining
They’ll be at the sports bar for a drink or three
Geckos forever, Geckos forever
I’m proud to be a Gecko for the world to see
Geckos here, Geckos there
Bali geckos drinking everywhere
We’re proud to be the Geckos from Kuta, Bali
Down came the pres
Looking for his Gecko boys
”how many beers you had?”
one, two, three !!!!
There were cans and there were stubbies
Of bintangs lying everywhere
Come and have a beer with the Gecko team
Geckos forever, Geckos forever
I’m proud to be a gecko for the world to see
Geckos here Geckos there
Bali geckos drinking everywhere
We’re proud to be the Geckos from Kuta, Bali
Written by Brian Carr, Geelong, Australia
Brian Carr, don’t give up your day job yet mate.
•Gecko’s charity:
Its not all beer drinking, scaring the locals and trying to kill each other. The Gecko’s have a heart and a part all proceeds raised through matches, competitions, raffles, and merchandising will be distributed amongst charities throughout Bali.
The Bali Geckos currently are involved in raising funds for Yayasan Sri Kandhi, a non profit organization founded by victims of the Bali bombings which aims to support the victims’ families.
•Game day locations:
Game Day venues include :
The Yakka
The Canggu Club
The Ground across the road from Bali Bungy (Lapangan Tri Sakti) .
The recent opening of the Canggu Club, the first private members club in Bali, has given the Gecko’s a new fancy, shmancy home. I reckon teams visiting from ther parts of SE Asia will be well impressed.
•Upcoming events: The Bali 9’s
The Bali 9’s creates an opportunity for teams to challenge each other in a unique, modified version of the great Australian game. Teams consist of only nine players on the field, with six substitutes available. Played on a soccer field, which is much smaller than the field usually used for Aussie Rules, and with halves of only twelve minutes, the games of 9’s is faster, more action packed and higher scoring than the normal-ruled game.
This year will see the event being held for the fourth time. Over the past year’s we have seen teams from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Perth, Batemans Bay, Sydney, Melbourne and two teams from Indonesia; hosts, the world famous Bali Geckos and the Jakarta Bintangs.
The event will be held on Saturday October 8th at Lapangan Samudra, Jalan Blambangan, Kuta. The tournament will begin at 8.30am, with games being played basically non-stop until the top two-positioned teams play in the final, scheduled to be played at 16.30. Entrance is free, and food and refreshments will be available.
•For enquires or further information regarding the Bali 9’s Australian Rules Football Championship, please contact Tournament director, Peter Muir on +62 818 563 474 or at coach@baligeckos.com
If you are in Seminyak and like Aussie Rules, why not stop into the Bottle Shop on Jl. Kunti and see who’s around. (Songwriters welcome).
source : www.baliblog.com
August 22nd, 2006
To get into the backpacking mentality, you have to think longterm. Backpackers are often on a year long, around the world trip. All over the world, guesthouses and youth hostels are the places backpackers aim for, simplicity and cost being the key. Even as I get older, I still feel most comfortable checking into a cheap guest house, as its low stress, and I feel as though I have the time to take it easy, explore, and do whatever without the meter running to fast.
•Arriving in Bali and getting downtown:
Arriving at the airport in Bali, you can find guest houses within 2 miles, located mostly in the Poppies Lane area of Kuta.
Getting there should cost around 30,000rp using an airport taxi. You could try waiting for a bemo, or independent taxi, to pass outside the airport, and save some money, but for the hassle, its not always worth it.
Some taxi drivers will attempt to drop you in Tuban at a low end hotel. This means they can get a commission sometimes and turn around to the airport quickly. If you buy a taxi ticket to Poppies Lane, do not let the driver say “Here okay boss?” and drop you on Jl Kartika Plaza.
•Cheap accommodation in Kuta:
Taxis can drive into Poppies I & II off of Jl Pantai Kuta, the beach road, so you’ll have a choice of places to stay. Both Poppies I & II have affordable options and its worth checking out 2-3 places before making your decision. Signing into a guesthouse is simple, they’ll need your name, address, passport number, flight number etc. The whole thing will take 2 minutes. I travel in Bali and don’t even bring my passport, I tell them I live here.
Most guest houses in Kuta are fan / cold water. some of the newer ones have the option of AC, for a higher price. In the old days many guest houses used to have a shared bathroom, but that’s a thing of the past, at least in Bali. One of the things I always check out before choosing a place is the ventilation of the bathroom. Nothing worse than a stinky cement room, that
ventilates through the bedroom. I need at least a window or extractor fan.
•Transport:
Many backpackers don’t want to get into hiring a car, due the expense. I advise you not to try to explore Bali by bicycle. In the villages okay, but not for getting around the island. Hitch hiking is out too, as most people don’t do it and people who might stop will want money. The safe route is taking the Perama bus to locations in Bali. Back in 1993 we used bemo’s, but the result is the same. Perama bus’s office in Kuta is located at the bottom end of Jl. Legian. You buy a standard ticket and the bus pulls up, according to the schedule, for set locations. For a more freestyling trip, you might consider using bemo’s.
The most obvious place to go from Kuta is Ubud.
•Getting to Ubud:
The Perama bus from Kuta takes about 90 minutes to get to Ubud.
•Where to stay in Ubud:
Perama will drop you at the bottom of Jl. Hanuman in Ubud, which is downtown and has many affordable guest houses right there. You will also find more guest houses in the Jl. Kajeng area, which is off of Jl. Raya Ubud.
Ubud guesthouses, often called ‘homestays’ are cool because they are often located inside a family’s compound. You’ll be there in your little structure, while the family carries on with their daily life right in front of you, rituals, ceremonies, food preparation, artwork, all going on. This makes the Ubud guest house scene cool and a big attraction for me.
•What to do in Ubud:
Ubud has the status of the Arts Center of Bali. Ubud itself is quite relaxed, totally without the frantic, shopping and nightlife of the Kuta area. There are many nice shops, offering artwork and fine restaurants and warungs. Hanging out downtown for a few days is cool. Around Ubud and the surrounding villages are famous art galleries, including the ARMA, NEKA, Simon and Antonio Blanco. Villages such as Nyuhkuning, Campuhan, Peliatan and Penestenan, are famous for producing a range of artwork from beaded purses, to paintings, to carved masks. Very enjoyable to cruise around and explore.
There are a couple of cool hikes in the Ubud area that are worth checking out. The Rice Paddy Hike is a 2 hour, 30 minute, almost circular hike, starting at the western end of Jl. Raya Ubud, between Casa Luna and the aqueduct, and finishes at northern end of Jl. Kajeng. Along the way views of rices terraces and the Walter Spies like views are to be seen. This hike is best done at day break.
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is a 90 minutes, circular walk, that starts from the grassy area behind Pura Lebah, and heads in a northerly direction, around th outskirts of Campuhan. The hike finishes at the main road, 1.5km NW of the NEKA Gallery. Along this hike you’ll see coconuts trees, savannah, rice terrraces and beautiful nature.
•Where to eat in Ubud:
Backpackers love the cheap places and there are some in Ubud. local warungs, serving Indonesian food will always be a good deal, your bill including drink may be around 10,000-15,000rp. One of my favourite places for a snack in Bali Buddha, on Jl. Jembawan, which serves delicious sandwiches, cakes and drinks. Jl. Hanoman has a selection of places selling juice, sandwiches etc. that are inexpensive.
Heading up Bedugal, the location of Lake Bratan, and the lakeside temple, Pura Ulun Danau Bratan, is often people’s next step, as it provides a change in climate, the skies often overcast and the temperatures refreshingly cool.
•Getting to Bedugal:
Perama serve Bedugal.
•Accommodation in Bedugal:
On the southern bank of Lake Bratan is some cheap accomocdation, where you’ll get a simple room for 50,000rp a night. To the west of the lake, in an area known as Candi Kuning, you’ll find several more places of the same caliber.
•What to see in Bedugal:
Hike Gunung Catur. Lake Bratan has boats available for hire, allowing you the traquility of a lake cruise. The main temple, Pura Ulun Danau Bratan , is one of the most important temples in Bali and is seen on many postcards, jutting out into the lake.
There is hiking around the area, including one starting from between Lake Tamblingan and Lake Buyan, at the Bukit Kember guest house, around the edge of Lake Buyan to the bemo terminal near Pancasari. A really good hike is around the sounthern edge of Lake Bratan, past Taman Recreasi, up to the top of Gunung Catur. This 4 hour hike will give you great views of the whole lake. The top section is a tad steep, so only healthy people should try this hike.
•Where to eat in Bedugal: Limited options at night as most places cater to the passing tourist trade in the day and close at 8pm. Ask at your local guest house where the nearest place is. When I stayed on the south bank of Lake Bratan, there were a couple of places about 2 minute back up the hill towards Bedugal, serving cheap Indonesian and Chinese food.
Lovina is a handy stop on the north coast for some R&R after cold nights in the mountains and limited food variation.
•Getting to Lovina:
Perama goes to Lovina and will drop you off at the Perama station, which is located across the street from the petrol station in Anturan.
•Accommodation in Lovina.
Best place to stay in Lovina is probably Kalibukbuk, if you are on a budget. Its the center of the tourist scene and has a good selection of accommodation, including the Nirvana Seaside. Lovina used to be a backpackers hideout years ago and has been going upmarket. However you can still find homestays here and there.
•What to do in Lovina:
Lovina has an 8km black sand beach. The ocean is safer to swim in the on the south coast and activities such as snorkeling are popular. Lovina can be a good place to take it easy in a beach environment that is lower key than Kuta. You can catch local bemos to waterfalls and hotsprings nearby.
•Where to eat in Lovina:
Kalibukbuk’s main street is lined with inexpensive options. Its all bamboo shacks, but nice to have somewhere to hang out in the evening. I ate at Bombay which was decent.
Batur / Kintamani, the mountain, crater and lake offer a certain allure and the area is pretty in places.
•Getting to Batur / Kintamani:
Perama serves Batur / Kintamani.
•Accommodation in Batur / Kintamani:
The best accommodation is down inside the crater. Spending a night there makes for an intersting experience, I mean how many times have you slept beside a lake, inside a volcanic crater! Guest houses are relatively simple and cheap, maybe 40,000- 50,000rp.
•What to do in Batur / Kintamani:
Check out the huge Pura Ulun Danau Batur temple on the main road above the crater. Also you can drive out of the crater, around to Blandingan (check your amp and ask locals). Here’s a hike I did last year.
Hiking Batur crater part 1
Hiking Batur crater part 2
Hiking Batur crater part 3
Hiking Batur crater part 4
Hiking Batur crater part 5
Hiking Batur crater part 6
•Where to eat in Batur / Kintamani:
Its the guest house’s kitchen mate. That’s it aprt from a couple of places inside the crater entrance.
For an East Bali beach experience check out Candi Dasa / Padangbai. Both were sleepy fishing villages until hippies found the white sand beaches. Both places boomed a bit in th 90’s, then slackend off.
•Getting to Candi Dasa / Padangbai:
Both places are served by Perama. You can get there directly from Kuta in 2-3 hours.
•Where to stay in Candi Dasa / Padangbai:
Accommodation in Candi Dasa’s main street is lined with places. You can get a room for 2, AC, with pool for 150,000rp a night.
•What to do in Candi Dasa / Padangbai:
I call Candi Dasa, ‘The Gateway to East Bali’. If you have your own transport it helps a lot. Exploring the villages and going on small day trips up to Tirtaganga, and enjoying the ‘Bali atmosphere’ is what its all about. Candi Dasa’s beach has deteriorated, but further around the bay at Manggis, Sendiku, Mendira and Buitan its in better shape. There is also some hiking in the hills behind Candi Dasa. Padangbai has 3 beaches, the main beach which is also the fishing beach and 2 quieter ones, including Blue Lagoon, a 15 minute hike away. Snorkeling is popular and it is advisable to go with a boat.
•Where to eat in Candi Dasa / Padangbai:
Candi Dasa has a string of busget places to eat. At night the town seems dead, which is good if you want quiet…with some choice. The main road goes through Candi Dasa, so make sure your room is not next to the road. Padangbai is at the end of a dead end road, terminating at the beach. Its main selection of guest houses run along the beach. They are all virtually the same, bamboo places with fan, cheap and okay. Take your pick of which grilled fish place you want to eat at.
Amed is the ultimate East Bali chill out spot, you can’t go any further east.
•Getting to Amed:
Perama goes to Tulamben from Lovina, so you could take that across the north coast, then catch a bemo. Ask at the Perama office, the company i always expanding its routes and tours, and even goes to other islands.
Where to stay in Amed:
Amed to Selang offes the most choice. Amed Cafe is very inexpensive. Another cool place in Good Karma, a bamboo style place on the beach, 150,000rp.
•What to do in Amed:
This is relaxation central. Even the cheaper guest hotels have a pool and in this part of Bali, life is very laid back.
Snorkeling and diving are the main activities, however, I always seem to end up drinking tuak (palm beer) with the local fishermen. I tell you, the more you drink, the better your Indonesian gets!
Where to eat in Amed:• Many good places, thoguh itys not a lively scene. Wayan John (Blue moon Villas) and The Pavillion, in Selang, are both fun and serve good food.
Kuta: Kuta once again makes a handy transit stop. Up until your last moment in Bali, you can shop, eat good cheap food, hit the beach and not have to stress about being late for your plane.
So as a backpacker with limited cash, you can get around Bali using a combination of Perama bus and bemo’s. Kuta, Bedugal, Lovina, Batur, Candi Dasa / Padangbai and Amed, all have budget options.
source : www.baliblog.com
August 18th, 2006
Indonesian Justice Minister, Minister Hamid Awaluddin said today that an agreement over the transfer of prisoners with Australia, may be possible, by the end of 2006.
Mr Awaluddin, will shortly be visitng Australia ans said whiel the location of certain prisoners may change, the length of their sentence will not. Said Mr Awaluddin, “I hope this year it can be signed. It has reached the finalisation stage,”. Members of the Bali Nine, excluding the 2 awaiting the death penalty, will be eligible. Schpelle corby will not immediately be eligible as she is still contesting her case. Hope this moves along and brings some comfort to the families of the Bali Nine.
source : www.baliblog.com
August 18th, 2006
Terrorism expert Sidney Jones, a member of the International Crisis Group, based in Jakarta, has warned that we are entering the season for trouble again.
After the first Bali bombing, on October 12th 2002, one might think there was soem kind of pattern (NYC Sept 11th 2001). Some experts think there is not a specific pattern, although there is a general cyclical timing pattern. Ms. Jones said although JI (Jemaah Islamiyah) had been splintered, it was still dangerous.
Here in Bali the mood good, there are not signs up or warnings about terrorism. Expat who live here do not even talk about it in conversation, they are more likely to talk about the price of land or the name of a new nightlclub. Visitors coming to Bali should know that by staynig out of high profile shopping / dining/ drinking establishments at night, they lessen the chance of being a target by 1,000%.
source: www.baliblog.com
August 18th, 2006
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