Naturally this groups made up of mostly people that have been to Bali and love it,..and of course are only giving positive information and advise on Bali as a holiday destination to those thinking of going.
How ever while they may be giving advice in good faith,.. the object to any negative comments.
A few people do frequent these groups that have vast more knowledge of the both side of Bali, and while it may at times be negative, it's given in good faith to help people be more informed.
Bali like all other places does have a dark side,..deceit and deception is how they survive,... it's done with a smile,....i'm not accusing ALL balinese of this,... as i've travelled there many times since 76,... lived and worked in the tourist industry in Bali for over 5 yrs,..
While I keep in contact with friends in Bali, I returned to Australia some yrs before the first Bali bombing,.. as the Bali I once enjoyed had gradually disappeared and safety was a concern even before the 2002 attack,.. a paradise lost!....in my opinion,... I don't intend to return.
Now while many on this group will disagree,..ask those ex pats that have known Bali for a long time and lived there.....
However,. those that are committed to go, I do when I can offer advice that may assist them,....
Constructive criticism does more good than being over the top with the every body so friendly, they 're beautiful and honest people,.. they're all so poor,...and so on.
Last night on TV they interviewed a Melbourne Doctor that was in Bali during the attack in 2002 with his wife both stayed and helped the many injured,.. very admirable,.. when the returned to Australian the set about raising funds and equipment for Bali ,.. again a great effort,.. they have since built a villa complex in seminyak,.... Now the good Doc last night stated Bali had recovered from 2002 capacity of accommodation was full,... his complex didn't have any cancellation after the attack and checking other hotels they reported the same,.... he then claimed those heading home hadn't cut their trip short,.. it was just the normal return of those holidaying during the school holidays.....
Now the above's all misleading rubbish,...While it was peak season in Bali and some hotels reported good occupancy,...over all Bali was at about 60% occupancy rate,.. not the 100% reported,....Qantas put on extra flights,.. the very day after the attack bringing home some, 500+ that had cancelled the balance of their holiday,.... people had flooded the airport trying to get out,..... many people interviewed on return confirmed they had cut the holiday short,......Tour companies and travel agents have received many request for cancellations....
Misinformation does nothing to help tourism,....While many will return to Bali regardless,.. those that are thinking of going for the first time should be fully informed,...those that decide not to go do so for a good reason.
The fact that radical extremist find places like Bali a very easy target,...make the probability of more attacks very high,...
I've a good Balinese friend that married an Australian girl,.. the lived in Melbourne for some yrs have two young kids,... they went back to Bali to live in 2001,... he has informed my he now plans to return to Australia with his family,...