Seminyak scene today during Galungan in Bali
Seminyak is very quiet right now. The rumors of another bomb in this area were false and I hope no more trouble happens. Ika told me a friend who works in a Kuta hotel reported a lot of people leaving in the last 2 days. That could be the end of their holiday, rather than running from terror, but I am sure there have been many cancellations.
A friend of mine from Australia, the famous Jay, and his wife Debbie, are arriving this afternoon with their new daughter, 6 month old Sienna. They are heading up to Tabanan, but Ika and I will take Jevon to meet them at the airport. Barrie is also arriving today. Good on all of them! I'm sure the VOA line will be short!
Sitting at Santa Fe typing this article the place is empty, which is usual for lunchtime. The staff on duty are all Muslim, the Balinese staff have gone to their villages for Galungan, the most important time of the year for Balinese. The streets in Seminyak are very quiet as they always are on Galungan. I'm sure news crews will be reporting that Bali is a ghost town and it's all because of the bombing. This is not true, last year Bali was quiet too on this day.
My waitress at Santa Fe is wearing a kebaya, the lace top worn at Balinese ceremonies. She told me it was because today is Galungan. She also told me she is a Muslim and is fasting. There seems to be a mutual respect here in Bali between Muslims and Hindus.
Earlier this morning at Cafe Seminyak, next to Bintang supermarket, I sipped kopi Bali. My waitress Ketut, smiled as she served me wearing her beautiful blue and white kebaya and sarong. "Selamat hari raya." (basically have a good big day) I said. I asked if she was going home to her village and she said no, to the hospital. She then told me her sister was the cashier at Raja's in Kuta Square and was injured in the bombing. Her sister has a wounded arm and chest. She has undergone one operation and will have another in a couple of days. Ketut seemed quite perky about the whole thing, no hysterics, no sulking, just dealing with as if it was a motorbike crash. My thoughts go to Ketut's sister and all the other people injured.
By Nick | Permalink
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I Think the best way to defeat terrorist attacks in Bali is to have a Balines only Polisi Force. We know from dealing with the Banjar that they are much smarter at knowing who’s who and who should be her.
Having been a recipient of Polisi corruption i must say i never had to pay a Balinese Polisi. Maybe it is the ethic or the culture but all expats understand Bali is not Indonesia and better the Balinese take over Law and Order from Central Polisi.