Balinese ceremony for Bali Bombing in Kuta Square Bali
Sunday morning there was a huge Balinese ceremony outside Raja’s on Kuta Square. I showed up to buy a cheap suitcase from Matahari, which was of course closed. The whole of Kuta Square was blocked off and a Balinese high priest loudly and passionately hollered prayers over a loudspeaker. I was not allowed to go down the street from the south end, as pecalang, banjar traffic cops as well as real cops had the area sealed off. It's amazing when I talk with people it doesn't take long before I meet people who the bomb has affected. Since the bomb at Raja's I have met a girl who's sister was the cashier at Raja's and was hospitalized. She's doing better now she is at home but still has trouble getting around. I also met a girl whose Australian boyfriend was killed at Raja's.
My latest update on the tourist scene in Bali right now is that of course the numbers are way down. In Kuta its quiet for sure, but in Seminyak its quite busy. Last night I walked home from an internet cafe after midnight and the street was pumping. Talking to Barrie yesterday he told me that Central Java is often the starting point of trouble in this country and sometimes people there get wind of things about to happen. Apparently when Ramadan is finished some people are planning riots in protest of the economic situation (rice and fuel have gone up). The poor people are sick of being poor, but I don't know what good setting cars of fire will do, apart from cause economic hardship and force the government into making bad decisions. SBY is simply reacting to market pressures, he's only a messenger. Blaming him for being poor won't make poverty go away, just delay recovery from it, like blaming your dentist when you have toothache.
By Nick | Permalink
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There is no doubt that Indonesia is in for a tough time in next few months. Doubling the price of petrol in one hit was not the smartest move, why not incrementally increase it.
One thing that would help the economy as far as tourism is concerned is to make the tourist visa at least 60 days. Some idiot decided that it was high end tourism that Bali wanted. People spending as little time as possible with dropping the maximum cash. If they had looked at Australia for example they would have found that the backpacker is the one that spends the most but they do it over a longer period of time. As a result of their visa policy outlying places like Lovina for example are practically dead. Not to mention the outer islands. Sure charge people $25 but make it for 60 or better for 90 days.