and thanks for the memories.
After more than 30 trips over 10 years. I've almost come to a point where I call Bali my second home. But as of today it will be very very unlikely I ever return to my favorite place on earth in the coming years.
I've supported Bali wholeheartedly. I've been back immediately after the 2002 bombings. I cared enough to persuade others to go. On the premise that it is unlikely that there will be another terrorist attack there, that security would have been beefed up and people would learn their lessons. But no! It has to happen again. At the loss of innocent lives.
Now you can all cry 'think of the poor Balinese' but I'll tell you, helping them is not by going there and showing that you're not afraid. Helping them is for them to realize unless they can get their act together and make it a safe place for tourist, there is no way I and possibly thousands others are ever going back. The people there, both Balinese and the Indonesians as a country have to have some sort of better intelligence gathering and vigilance.
Be in denial as you wish but if you return there in throngs, it only goes to show that a bombing is not much of a big deal. The tourist will still come. Life is still normal. But the fact is, life is NOT normal anymore.
It isn't the swaying palms, tropical paradise. Lovely Balinese music fantasy land anymore. What you will hear is some lovely Balinese music with a twist. It ends with a loud bang!
For me, I want to remember Bali at its best. Sweet and peaceful. Goodbye Bali! Its been a lovely affair.