Bali Bombing anniversary: Kuta Bali

The anniversary of the Bali bombing took place on Jl. Legian at Poppies II in Kuta. The ceremony started at 8am and was over by 9am. In contrast to 2004, when we were all standing for hours in blistering sunshine, everyone melting and trying to find shade and water, this event was fast. The cops had the area blocked off and to get downtown I had to do a tour of the neighborhood, riding down Jl. Majapahit and around to Pantai Kuta. While the ceremony was going on I was actually in Starbucks eating an almond twist and when I showed up things had wound down. Security was tight with a line of police at both ends of the street and another set on Poppies II, including female police with metal detectors. The atmosphere here in Kuta is one of relaxed awareness. People do not seem panicked or overly emotional, both locals and foreigners.

I saw Aussies strolling around on Pantai Kuta while the ceremony was going on and this tells me people are moving on. Probably there will be an anniversary ceremony each year for who knows how long and the huge TV coverage will lessen over time.