Arrived home yesterday and was very glad to put two feet on aussie soil again. I have travelled to many places around the world in the last 15 years and never have I felt so pleased to get home.
This is not to say that we felt unsafe or threated this past week in Bali, but it just means that we now have a greater appreciation of the world climate in regards to terrorism. This is something we are yet to experience here at home in Australia, but I feel it is only a matter of time before we do.
After our return the events that took place in Bali on 1st October seem completely surreal. We were there but we were not directly a part of the tragedy, so we were able to carry on as no personal trauma had been experienced by any of our group.
We were very careful in the days following the bombs, stayed close to the hotel and avoided going out at night to crowded or popular areas.There seemed to be a lot of rumours circulating, but these appear to of mostly originated in Australia.
We stayed for a week after the bombs and when we left our hotel the occupancy rate was down to 38% from 100%. More than 40 people had lost their jobs in our hotel alone, with further terminations expected. The hawkers on the street are becoming despondent, they know only too well what will happen in the coming weeks.
So many Balinese were asking us if we will return to Bali, we have been several times and never thought we would have to consider this question so carefully. I have done this now and have to say that in all truth I honestly don't know if we will return.
On a lighter note some highlights from our trip this time:
* a daytrip to geger beach (Nusa Dua)
* all day tour with Putu Ardana from arunja chariots (this included ubud, kintamani volcano, rice paddies, temple visit and visit to his home)
* iced coffees at black canyon (beachfront entrance at Discovery Mall)
* Papa's italian restaurant - big screen movie for the kids, half price cocktail hour for us and great food.
* Massage at Soul Asylum (front of Waterbom Park) reeeeeallly nice
* Waterbom Park of course
* Learning more Indonesian this time
* Leather from Venus in front of Dynasty - outstanding
We still had a great time as always, just took it a little easy in the second week.
Whether we make it back there or not in the near future we will always love Bali.