Friday November 5th 2004 in Kuta Bali

Friday in Kuta Bali our scorching Indian summer continues.

Not a drop of rain but plenty of sunshine and high temperatures. Perfect for beach goers and people coming from northerly latitudes dreaming of the tropics.

My day consisted of visiting the Gazebo Beach Hotel in Sanur to gather more info for my report including speaking to the Sales manager. He wasn’t around so I re-visited hotel Camplung Mas in Kuta for a brochure and a chat with their Sales guy. No luck there either so I went to the Bakung Beach Cottages on Jl. Kartika Plaza where I did get to fulfill all my requirements as far as picture taking and info gathering.

While there I saw the most wrinkled lady on Earth who had a lizard’s skin. She was still walking around in a skimpy top to boot. People with my complexion really need to take care out here and I go through plenty of sunblock as well as using a hat, sarong and long sleeves. I think a bit of sun is alright but living out here you have to pace yourself. Very different from locals who are already tanned and don’t go in the sun because they don’t want to get darker.

The other day I got to meet a gentleman who lost his son in the bombing and asked him if the media coverage of the anniversary helped him in his mental recovery. He said it did and he loves the cameraderie of the Australian relatives. That’s great and I hope the media is sensitive to their needs and doesn’t try to make a personal time of remembrance a media event.

He told me (this is why I don’t mention his name) that he met a guy who claimed he lost half a dozen friends in the bombing. When asked he can’t remember their names and tries to change the subject. According to my friend this character shows up the day before the media arrives and hangs out at the memorial all day wearing his flag and posturing for the cameras, leaving the day after the media leaves. My friend told me he suspects he fellow is a bit of an attention addict and maybe doesn’t know anyone lost in the bombings. “I was about to punch him last time”, said my friend “but I didn’t want people to see that on TV back home.” Perhaps the intense media blitz surrounding the bombings have encouraged this and maybe the genuine friends and relatives of the victims will feel resentment over hangers-on gate crashing their very personal time. I hope the relatives are given space and freedom to heal.

Internet access in Kuta wasn’t the best today but you cn’t have everything.