Since the bombing on October 1st the major news organizations have reported people cancelling their trips to Bali. From a 10,000ft view point I do not blame them, there were people killed and there is no guarantee further blasts will not happen. Still for those of us who love Bali it is like visiting and old friend rather than a terror spot.
Yesterday Ika, Jevon and I met up with Barrie and Candika at the Prawita hotel on lower Jl. Legian. Nothing was going to put Barrie off coming. Another Baliblog regular, Rex from Perth, showed up with his friend Emiko from Japan. Rex loves ballroom dancing and asked me if I knew any places that offered dancing (not trance or hip hop). I suggested Bahiana in Seminyak. They are a salsa place and have dance instructors on certain nights. If they make it out to Seminyak I will accompany them, although I make no guarantees on the salsa dancing.
Today Steve and Lara (go Eagles!) are arriving from Perth. Another blog reader, Caleb from Australia is arriving next week with 5 of his mates who have never been here before. They asked about the party scene. I told them its still going on, though a couple of places were closed recently (Galungan).
Interesting to see that people are still coming and with President SBY being a no nonsense guy, a former army general, he will not just let these terrorists strut their stuff over here. I think he will kick some ass and close down on this kind of activity.
As a Stand Up for Bali gesture, I am having a bbq at my house on Sunday Oct 16th at 6pm. All Bali visitors welcome.
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thanks for the invitation, maybe when i am in the area, i will check it out. well as i heard about 10% of all people cacelled, well I am one who thinks a great surf is worth the risk. greets from switzerland
Hi Nick
We are will be arriving tomorrow for a 2 week stay and can’t wait. That first ice cold Bintang is looking really good. Bugger these bastards that treat human life like it is nothing. Life is for living and making the most of it so nobody is going to stop us going to Bali and having a great time. Also, the Balinese are beautiful people who need our support more than ever.
Cheers
Kerry & Simon
Melbourne, Australia
P.S. Bit chilly here today. Can’t wait for the hot Bali weather.
Greetings from a Yank! I just wanted to give my support to all of Balinese and Expats that are there. I’ve been to Bali three times, Indo a total of five. Bali is my solace when I need to get away. These terrorists won’t defeat the spirit of the island.
Jeremy
Florida USA
The web is a very large place Tony, go sit in the corner of it.
I too am on the verge of cancelling my trip to Bali.
My wife and I had scheduled our honeymoon in Bali for November 2002, but unfortunately the 2002 bombings occurred and we decided to visit Thailand instead. We loved Thailand.
Now we’ve planned and scheduled our 3+ week vacation in Bali for mid-October 2005 and yet another set of bombings occur in Bali.
I really desire to go to Bali. I’ll will do so in my lifetime, hopefully several times, but the reality is that with suicide bombers on the loose you don’t exactly know when they will strike once more.
I do feel confident that there will not be anymore bombings/attacks in Bali for quite some time, especially since all of SE Asia is now on high alert. The world police are in Bali, so that is assuring, but I cannot risk my family’s life simply to enjoy only a fraction of it there.
Like I’ve stated, I feel that Bali will be safe for some time now. Even though I’m not superstitious nor religious, I feel that these two strikes right before our trips to Bali are somewhat of an omen for us.
We wish we could still go to Bali, but I will not put my family in danger. Indonesia must deal with terrorism. I’m not certain they are harboring terrorists, but they are definitely being too lenient on them after committing horrendous crimes.
I am greatly disappointed for possibly not going to Bali this time, but I am even more saddened by the losses to Bali. These peaceful people are not at all deserving of heinous crimes. But this is reality.
So once again we will go to Thailand, which might possibly be the best country to visit on this planet. I wish something could convince me otherwise to not change our travel plans.
tony,
I think people don’t need you to shove your opinion down their troats. We all heard your same message over and over again. It’s getting stale, mate! Why don’t you go bang your car tail pipe again :-> (I still remember that funny joke about you and a car tail pipe. Hee…heee…heee…)
For me, Tony.. its about the fact I have planned a trip to Bali, planned my tip to Lombok.
Sure there are other destinations and I will get to them in time, but I have planned my trip and the only reason to modify it is terrorism.
And that’s no reason at all..
Mat.
Hi there I am from New Zealand, and I am going to Sumbawa via Bali in March for the first time. This second round of Bali bombings have kind of scared me, but as I have been told I am more likely to die by being hit by a car than terrorism, and I dont avoid crossing the street despite these risks. So I am still going.
I know this isn’t the right forum but seeing as this list is quite active and written by people who are there / have been there, can anyone tell me if there are any orthodontists / dentists who can correct braces in Bali?
I would be really grateful for any information
Paul Smith email: paul@annode.net
tony S,
“There’s not a lot of chance of being killed by terrorists in Baghdad either.”
I guess with an italian face like yours, the iraqis will probably think you are one of their own (italians do look like arabs, don’t they?). You’ll blend in with them, mate! So no worries, go visit Bagdad, matey. You’ll be fine! Just don’t stick your finger at the Yanks lest they blow your brain to pieces. hee..hee…heee…
Tony S,
You’re outnumbered by legions of Bali-lovers, some blindsided by the island’s charms, culture, people, landscape etc. Unfortunately an equal number especially first time visitors, shall we say Bali virgins know of Bali as one beach/surf/pub/clubbing/shopping playground, which can be replicated in many other beach resorts worldwide. I too used to visit Bali quite al ot and I mean all the far corners and regencies and except for the airport did took pains to avoid the south.
Even before the 02 bombs, crowds, traffic, shoddy souvenirs wasnt my idea of a holiday.
Instead of incurring the wrath of these Bali lovers, why not convince them of other places which you think to be just as good or better/safer? Already, Bali’s loss is going to be Thailand’s gain.
dont think millions people in the world will have same opinion like u Chris. Dont be so proud..it just ur taste. u like dirty sex with drugs like thailand.
bali without western tourist also good..so bali can come back to its virginity. western tourist only bring bad deeds..sex disease , drugs, bomb
tony S,
It a fact that 95% of Arabs look like italians.
usil,
you are an idiot. You sound like tony’s side kick. I bet you and tony are the same person.
Chris W,
I appologize for my idiotic comment above.
I must confess that I am a f**king moron.
tony, i must agree with Chris that you are a stupid idiotic guy.
“Next you’ll tell me all asians look the same. Don’t be a racist clown.”
I think they do :->
tony, if you wear a turban on your brain-less head, you’ll look like Osama bin laden. :->
Tony,
What’s wrong with you man? You seem to get into a fight with almost everyone in this blog.
I read you postings. For some reasons people don’t like you. First you had a spat with tom, then you quarelled with Godinho, tuyul, Chris, scotty, LilyPond and some girls. You attacked almost everyone including Nick. You insulted Barrie, and made indecent propositions to some girls here.
It looks like everyone here is ignoring you except tuyul, who is equally as insane as you.
Take it easy man….
Usil,
There are 65 million Thais waiting for you to apologise for inferring that ‘dirty sex and drugs’ are abundant in Thailand.
I’m very proud of my tastes. Cant you tell I like Bali?
Bali ‘03 ‘04 ‘05. 500km titanium mountain bike rides each year. North Thailand and Laos 1000km titanium road bike rides each year. 300 sit ups/push ups each morning.
Separate facts from moronic emotional opinions/outbursts. I dont recall calling anyone ’stupid’….yet.
Tony S,
Isnt it ironic that a lot of tourist literature describe Lombok as Bali decades ago? Trying to sell its charms before mass tourism takes over. The three Gilis are also almost as nice as the Maldives.
Hi Nick
We are comming to Bali on the 12th and will be there for two weeks. We are staying at Alum Kul Kul and would love to come to your bbq. Where are you at and how do we contact you?
Hey Nick
Say Hello to Lara & Steve for me. I am glad they went! Lara, you rock!!! Look forward to hear about your holiday when you return.
Lil
Hi Nick
We are in Bali and would love to come to your bbq. We are staying at Puri Santrian in room 202. If it is OK to come, lets us know what your address is and what we should bring with us (eg meat and drinks).
B4N
Terry & Anne Morris
Hey Nick , glad to hear people are still arriving daily in Bali. I feel there is no sense in living in fear. Carrie and i are arriving nov15. Cant wait to experience Bali. I missed it last time i booked to come in 2002. They were not fling anyone in at that time. Im still trying to decide on good place to stay in Kuta. There seems to be alot of choice. Any suggestions . Anyways this is agreat sight lots of info . thx. Mike and Carrie .Canada.