I was in the same position 3 years ago as today. Back then I was 2.5 weeks away from taking a group of 16 ladies to Bali for a shopping and spa trip from Canada. We were all so excited about going to Bali and then the bomb happened. At that time, I told everyone they needed to make their own decision on whether to still travel to Bali. For some people it was an easy decision...they just didn't feel safe and cancelled. For others it was family pressure..."How can you go there when you are the Mother of 3 children"..."we'll be worried the whole time". In the end only 5 of us went.
Needless to say it was an emotional time to be in Bali but I was very happy to have the opportunity to support the Balinese and reconfirm to them that this was in no way their fault. They too ownership of the bombing and somehow felt that they had caused this to happen.
Now on Nov. 4th I have anothe group of ladies, 14 this time, booked to Bali. This is my first group since 2002 although I've been back twice since. As before, I will continue with our arrangments and I have no plans to cancel. It will be an individual decision though for the others. Some of us have a bigger risk tolerance than others. Some feel that when your time is up, your time is up.
I was in Phuket at Christmas with a group of 20 including my huband and 3 small children. We were staying at Kata Noi Beach and it was only pure luck that all of us survived that tragedy. At the time, I said to my husband, who could have imagined that such a beautiful place, which seemed so safe, could have such a tragedy hit so quickly.
Our family went back to Phuket in March and stayed at the same hotel. We really needed to see for ourselves how the rebuilding was going and wanted to know the local people we met were safe and doing okay. While we were there, on March 28th, another earthquake hit. There was a Tsunami warning and Patong Beach was evacuated at midnight. I must admit we had justified in our own mind that the chances of another Tsunami were extremely low and didn't feel we were taking a big risk in being there. After that 2nd earthquake though it really confirmed that there is no guarantee for any of us. Things happen whether it be in your home town or half way around the world.
My thoughts go out to all those affected by this latest tragedy. Let's hope the Balinese do not have to suffer as a result of this event. They need our support now even if it is from a distance.
Cathy