Is it safe to go to Bali now

Firstly I hope that everyone is ok, and my thoughts and prayers are with all of you out there. I'm supposed to be arriving in Bali in 3 weeks and i just wanted to know if people are being advised against heading out there? if anyone could let me know what the situation is and if i should still come over, i would really appreciate that.

They said before the first bomb that Bali was safe and afterwards they all said it was safe so is it dabgerous only on bomb days? No clearly it is not.
When the govt only gives 18months to the boss of the first bomb (under extreme US pressure) it would be fair to say that Indonesia is a terrorist nation and one must ask is it morally rioight to support such an economy?

There are a lot of things we do that are more unsafe than going to Bali... I guess it just depends if you rate dying by bomb worse than dying by car crash *shrug*

There are also a lot of things we buy every day that contribute to terrorist economies, guns and drugs being obvious (and illegal), but ties have been shown in the gold, diamond and tanzanite industries, and here's a good one for ya: there was a substantiated link in the U.S. between TOBACCO sales and terrorist organizations (read, ring uncovered by cigarettes in low-tax states, then reselling at an increased price and sending the money to terrorist groups).

Just some food for thought.

A little off the topic I am sorry but in response to Da Wizard Balinese people need your support. They are very peacefull people, they are not resposible for the bombings. In fact they aren't even generally islamic. That is a misguided view.

Spazza

My wife and I were sitting on that beach eating a delightful meal just 5 months ago. It came as a shock to read yesterday about this. The bombing was made all the more real becuase I could picture the place, the people, the food, etc. Just so dam sad! Sorry Bali, hang in there.

F Terrorist...YOU SUCK!

Just got back from Bali two weeks ago.Having been there eleven months previously when Bali was almost bereft of tourists we were elated to see the tourists back and our lovely Balinese people starting to thrive once more.
A lot of redecorating and refurbishing was happening even our small hotel--Puri Raja in Legian-was planning to close at the end of October in order to refurbish the bathrooms and redecorate the rooms.
My husband and I feel totally devastated for these beautiful people.
Having been born and reared in Northern Ireland I know only too well the effects of terrorism and fanatasism.I will not be deterred from my holidays to Bali.
To live in fear and avoid taking risks is not to live but merely exist.

hi dani.k

My brother is also there in approximately 3 weeks time and he also questioned whether he should still be going or not. He has decided to still go as would I if I had been booked to fly out any time soon.

I went back to Bali after the first bombings and then again after the bombings in jakarta. I don't think I can stop going to Bali...I love it so much, the people and the island.

It really is up to each individual person to decide if they want to go or not. There are warnings to not go and also warnings of another possible attack on the island, but having said that there are also warnings of possible attacks on Australia. So I don't see much of a difference in being here or there.

I hope you make the right choice for yourself and if you do decide to go, have a good time and don't worry otherwise it may be better that you don't go. It may ruin your holiday if you are too nervous and anxious the whole time. Good luck and have fun!

quote:

Originally posted by spazza:
A little off the topic I am sorry but in response to Da Wizard Balinese people need your support. They are very peacefull people, they are not resposible for the bombings. In fact they aren't even generally islamic. That is a misguided view.

Spazza

They are not Islamic as I know (I still have a business there) but there must be some form of collective repsonsibilty for these heinous acts. The 100% corrupt Balinese Police, the hypocrisy of the Banjar all have their role in these disasters but my point was at Indonesia as a Nation that only gave the boss of the first bomb 18 months for sending those boys out!
The previous VP of Indonesia sated that "Abu Basyir is my friend. God has smiled upong Basyir and should he die God will take him to heaven". This quote is from Newsweek so please tell me how this is NOT a terrorist nation?

http://bangkokexpat.blogspot.com

"In fact they aren't even generally islamic."

From that, I take it that some of you blame Muslims for all of this. Well, let's think again. These terrorists maybe Muslims but I believe their religion did not order them to do so. Don't blame them because of their faith, let's blame them for being brainless and heartless f***en losers. Don't you think anyone from any religoins could do that too?

My Australian boyfriend and I are still going to Bali in January. He's the brave one in making this decision in spite of the fact that most foreigners (especially Australians) are too scared to go to Bali after the 2nd bombing. We have some reasons why we sre still going there and I have posted it (see I'm still leaving for Bali (Bali Travel Forum))

You guys too almost made me cry when am reading your posts. We, Indonesians, need friends like you. Please come to Bali and enjoy.

I live in Bali with my wife Ika and son Jevon. I know future bombs could happen, but the chances of any of us being in one are small.

You have more chance of being injured in a traffic accident or drown swimming. I have to say that after the first bomb a tremendous amount of construction of new businesses and renovation of older ones, has taken place. Foreingers and locals have put their wallet on the line and its not all for nothing. We have tremendous product in terms of a holiday destination and its popularity maskes it a target, the same as Las Vegas's popularity may make it a target someday.

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please tell me how this is NOT a terrorist nation?

quote:

From that, I take it that some of you blame Muslims for all of this.

.

Sorry, I don't mean it to sound like that. I am very aware that other people are more than capable of such heinous actions. All we have to so is look at Northern Ireland, Oklahomah, Czech rebels etc. But the nature of the attacks and the location may imply that they are muslims.

The point I was trying to make is that it may be a terrorist nation but the Balineese people are far from terrorists, they would hate them more than we do. So if you don't want to go because you feel unsafe, so be it but if you wouldn't go to punish Indonesia it is the Balineese who are going to suffer not the wealthy VP.

Please note I am not trying to argue just merely expressing my view. In return I am also listening to all of yours.

spazza

Bali is a target because it is a hindu enclave in a muslim country. If you go to a muslim country YOU ARE A TARGET. It dont matter if you black/white english/yank thanks to the american governments support of isreal we are all a target. 7/7survivors know this, cheers dubya. C U Next Tuesday

Scarpa i agree that GW Bush and his boyfriends TB & JH have made Americans, British people and Australians targets, but that's life. Bali is a still a great destination and i hope a little terror won't put you off.

Don't you love spirited discussion! I totally encourage everyone to post their comments, opinions and thoughts. Rip me to pieces and let's hear what's really on your mind.

Regarding the question 'Is Bali safe?' I would say that safety is a relative thing. Do you feel London is safe? How about New York? Will your feelings change if those places get more terrorist attacks. Should there be travel advisories on London and New York? What about Sydney, surely that city is in the cross-hairs.

Bali is a soft target and as such cannot guarantee total security. I think there are more tempting targets around he world and that SBY is trying to work with his resources and clamp down on terrorist activity over here.

I have to agree. Safe is a relative term.

I know I've had people scared to death to visit me in L.A. cause they heard it is full of Gang Members and you're likely to get shot on the freeway. That or that famous legend of California falling off into the ocean.

I've lived here 42 years and haven't once been shot at.

Cheers.