Paddle for Peace Ceremony on Kuta Beach Bali

October 12th is a day that will go down in history as one of the worst days for Bali and tourism in Asia.

A year ago a massive car bomb ripped apart the Sari Club on Jalan Legian in Kuta and killed 202 people, injuring many more.

A year on and the long awaited anniversary included a beach ceremony attended by visitors from all over the world. The event was due to start at Kuta Midway at 4pm and as I arrived crowds had already gathered around the stage area and the testimonials had already begun. I was wondering what the agenda was going to be since the Balinese themselves are not into anniversaries, content to have a single cremation ceremony for the dead. There were many Balinese people in attendance including banjar people and local families and representatives of the media.

The setting on Kuta Beach seemed appropriate to me as it’s a natural setting and one that most people associate with Kuta.

The most notable guest was Australian Prime Minister John Howard. I think I saw him taking a break before the main event.

As we sat there, banjar men politely asked people to sit so others could see. Balinese ladies came around and passed out flowers and a cup with a candle. Speakers from several countries took to the microphone and gave hope about Bali’s future and encouraged people to keep coming and to feel �one’ with the people here. Common themes were �give peace a chance’ and �don’t let terrorism stop you travelling.’ Thanks were given to the Australian government and there were also cheers of �Aussie, Aussie, Aussie.’

With the high profile visitors ( Mr & Mrs Howard plus entourage ) security was tight. Polici Patroli were all over Pantai Kuta and guys on foot were on the beach. That said, nobody was getting searched and anyone could of brought a backpack and sat there.

I saw a varied assortment of people ranging from locals, to muslims, to couples to solo tourists. Many people stopped for a personal moment. One happy face I saw was Gede who looked his usual cool-self. Every time I want to take a photo of him he says he doesn’t look good. What do you think?

As sunset was approaching we got ready for the �paddle for peace’. Everyone formed 2 lines down to the beach and the lifeguards and others involved took their canoes and surfboards down to the beach and headed off in towards the horizon. Most people lit their candles and walked to the water’s edge tossing the flower into the waves and planting the candle in the sand. I did the same and set my candle in a ring of many.

It was a lovely sight watching the sun go down with the canoes and surfers on the horizon. Suddenly a signal was given and they all raced in. The ceremony was over and people started to depart. While the mood seemed emotionally charged it wasn’t the total downbeat affair you might expect. I think because a year has passed and the Balinese led the way by getting on with life, other people can follow.

I’ve talked to local Balinese about the idea of holding an annual ceremony and they say that for them a single cremation is enough, no need to do it every year. One guy told me that if tourists want an annual ceremony, that is good because it will help tourism.

Riding home I something to eat and prepared myself for the evening memorial event at �ground zero’.

[This article took me 4 hours to upload here at Internet Outpost on Poppies II].