Bali Tourism News

In Bali, Australians are partying, no fear

AT THE Bali Aussie bar in Legian last night, they were hosting a No Fear Party. It seemed to sum up how people were feeling.

In light of the repeated warnings by the Australian Government to avoid all non-essential travel, the island is quiet.

But four friends from Perth were among the Australians heading to Bali Aussie to celebrate. There is little sympathy on the island for the bombers, but there is a resolute feeling that their executions - and any threat of reprisals - will not dampen the enthusiasm of holidaymakers, now or ever again.
“How anyone can think they can kill 200-odd people and not be punished is ridiculous, no matter who you are,” said one of the four, John Bown, who has been to Bali numerous times in the past five years. He says he has noticed a difference in the Balinese this time around.

“Before you could sense they didn’t want to talk about the bomb. Now they talk about it all the time; at breakfast in the hotel, the taxi drivers, they all seem to want to talk. We have had a great time and, in fact, we only knew about the executions because we got messages from home.”

Up town, a popular hotel for Australians is the Kumala Pantai on Legian Beach. Normally crawling with families, regional holidays are over and the current guests are mostly older.

David and Sue Pritchard, from Berrydale, NSW, have been coming to Bali since 1993, sometimes twice a year. They are happy the bombers are gone, “as long as it doesn’t make them martyrs”.

Ms Pritchard said she knew families who had asked their children to cancel their schoolies’ trips this year.

“I told them I would be far more worried about them being offered drugs, and being silly enough to take them, than anything else,” she said.

James and Karen McKay have been coming for 17 years and admitted their children were concerned about the timing of this trip. “It won’t affect us. We won’t allow it. I think the impact on the locals could be as big as the bomb. They are already fearful about the economic situation affecting tourism and they don’t want any more trouble here. We visited after the bomb and the effects were devastating on the community.”

The Balinese are both happy and relieved feeling that the Australian Government will encourage people to come back to the island, now that they see justice has been done. “The waiting has been very sad for us, but I am very happy now and I hope that our security will protect us,” said a local transport worker, Wayan Cerita.

At the entrance to the Kumala Pantai Resort, Made Diada Guatama sat quietly reading the Bali Post. “We have extra security here and we check every taxi and car coming in. We patrol the grounds all night and we hope there is no more trouble.”

One man who does not feel that the execution will bring anything positive is long-time Australian Bali resident Richard Flax, instrumental in the evacuation of many Australians as a result of both bombings and currently head of the Emergency Response Team supported by a local group.

“In view of my experience, I was contacted immediately by the hospitals and clinics operating in Bali when the first bomb went off. I think the execution will simply inspire more dissatisfied youth to acts of violence. In the spirit of reformation I believe they should have been locked away for the rest of their lives, out of the reach of media who have played into their hands.

“It is apparent to us that terrorism does not strike where you expect it to, that’s the nature of it. We all need to be very vigilant, create a kind of neighbourhood watch and protect each other.”

Source: http://www.smh.com.au/news

Add comment November 10th, 2008

Mixed feelings amongst Bali travellers

It appears some travellers in the Northern Territory have decided against going to Bali because of safety fears.

Others, however, are not so fazed about the possibility of retaliatory attacks after the execution of the Bali bombers.

Some backpackers relaxing by the pool at a hostel in Darwin said they would still consider travelling to Bali.
“I was there before and it’s a lovely place. And I will go back yep,” a backpacker said.

“You have security issues in every country and no matter where you go there’s always that risk.”

But, a worker at the hostel says others are concerned.

“A lot of people have changed, a lot of people have cancelled without refunds, you know, they just don’t want to go.”

The General Manager of Garuda Airline in the NT, Syahrul Tahir says some people have cancelled their flights from Darwin to Bali, but not a big number.

“I think it is not as significant as what I was expecting. Not so many people are cancelling,” he said.

Mr Tahir says the number of seats booked this month is on par with previous years.

There were mixed feelings among passengers preparing to fly out of Darwin for Bali last night at the Darwin International Airport.

Traveller, Allira Williams was feeling a bit nervous about her holiday.

“We tried to get out of it and change our flights to go to Thailand but it wasn’t so easy so we’re still going to head over and maybe just stay out of the high tourist spots,” Ms Williams said.

A Perth man said he did not intend to change his plans to fly to Bali next week.

“I’ve been to other countries where they’ve been hit by terrorist bombs and it didn’t stop me going to them,” he said.

Caroline Tetlie was intent on returning to study in Bali.

“If it happens, it happens you can’t go around being afraid,” Ms Tetlie said.

Wayan Arya Sutatnata was not worried about returning home.

“I feel safe enough to go to Bali right now,” he said.

Mr Suratnata welcomed the execution of the bombers, saying they had hurt tourism in his home town.

RDH response

The Royal Darwin Hospital’s general manager says the execution of the Bali bombers reminds staff of the horror and sadness of the attacks.

Len Notaras oversaw the city’s medical response to the Bali bombings six years ago.

“These individuals weren’t contrite individuals who regretted their behaviour, but as far as I’m concerned monsters who revelled in the pain and suffering wreaked on those occasions,” Mr Notaras said.

He says the hospital is prepared to help if called on again.

“Royal Darwin Hospital was recognised following the first and indeed the second Bali bombing and then the shooting of President Ramos Horta, as a national critical care and trauma centre.

“When Kevin Rudd said to the people of Timor that President Ramos Horta would get the best treatment Australia could provide, he was talking about Royal Darwin Hospital. We are prepared,” he said.

Source: www.abc.net.au/news

Add comment November 10th, 2008