I am leaving for Bali next week from Adelaide and my friends are leaving on the same day from Darwin. Their travel agent from Qantas emailed them the following info yesterday -
Dear All,
I have had mixed reactions this morning, most still traveling but just
need
some TLC AND some information. The media is showing a lot of the
pictorial shots from last time which is very confusing. The thing is
that Raja's is not as badly damaged as one would expect. The
restaurant is still standing and they are saying they will re-open in
approx one ? two weeks. The slow down to open earlier is that the
police have sealed off the area. The bombs at both places created
shrapnel rather than building damage so not that much to see and that
does not sell newspapers!
Our reports are from
1: Doctor from the hospital ? all calm with serious cases being
airlifted (Westerners or foreigners anyway ? the Balinese who suffered
the most are being treated in Bali General hospital) Most patients had
been assessed and treated by doctors and nurses before midnight. By
morning it was pretty much back to normal.
2: Staff at the Darwin airport have reported that the flights
coming
in and going out on Sunday and Monday morning were doing well with
people
not too anxious. Only one person had a teary return according to the
team
in the arrival hall. There were counselors, police and all Federal
agencies were there to support anyone who needed the help but it was not
required. On Sunday 88 passengers traveled out with Garuda and were
still keen to travel despite being given the choice to cancel without
penalty.
3: Our staff on the ground visited our hotels and offered penalty
free
returns to any Australian who wanted to go but this offer was not taken
up by any Australians ? our numbers were offered as an immediate
contact and
we received no calls. One group of 17 said they were not worried at
all
and would continue their 9 day stay willingly.
We also faxed ALL of our contracted hotels and found only two injuries
from people staying at the Bali Mandira. All other hotels reported
guests safe and sound. As these hotels in the majority are the hotels
that GOH, Creative and Qantas also use, it is a fair estimation of what
is happening.
4: I have received one story from a travel agent whose brother, a
Darwin man in his early 40's who was actually eating dinner at Rajah's,
went to the bathroom whilst his wife was paying the bill and the
explosion happened ? they had minor lacerations and a major shock, lost
each other for about 7 minutes BUT and this is the interesting thing,
he said to his sister in Darwin that he was not coming home because he
was having a good time and there were 7 days to go on his holiday. He
refused the offer of a free flight out ? apparently he thinks that
embassy staff are phoning and
offering all Australians this choice. He was off white water rafting
with
his wife as soon as his glass injuries had healed up a bit.
5: People were still shopping and life is pretty normal according
to
one of the management of the Hard Rock Hotel. People are back in Kuta
Square, Matahari etc. There is not an exodus to speak of despite
everyone being asked if they wanted to go home on the free flights.
Most people are staying.
This morning we have had three bookings, 2 cancellations and many
enquiries
about the true state of affairs in Bali. Most people want to think
about
the information that is available before making their decision and some
want to have other holiday options to consider. We have had
confirmations from many people traveling on 7 and 14 October and they
are still going. Sanur and Ubud are perfect for people wanting a quiet
time away from tourist areas.
PLEASE CONSIDER HONGKONG AND DISNEY LAND FOR FAMILY GROUPS. We do have
some wonderful specials if people feel the need to change their plans.
Please feel free to phone us to get an update or help with a booking.
Both Garuda and Qantas are being very good with cancellations penalties
not
applicable and the hotels too have been as helpful. This could have
happened anywhere and as one man said, he would rather go to Bali than
the Melbourne Cup this year as he felt that was more of a risk.
Our kindest Regards,
Moya, Kerry, Megan and Shane
Frangipani Holidays
Making Travel Less Ordinary!
Manager - Megan De Wit
All Correspondence to:
G.P.O. Box 10
Darwin Northern Territory
Australia 0801
Tel: 61 8 8942 3333
Fax: 61 8 8942 3344
Email: frangipani2@bigpond.com
Suite 15a Level 1
Anthony Plaza Smith Street Mall
Darwin Northern Territory
Australia 0800