In Reply to: travel alerts posted by RoyalChic on Saturday, 25. October 2008 at 09:15 Bali Time:
friends we are travelling with are a little nervous. This is their first time to Bali in over 20 years.
This is our 7th trip to Bali in 4 years and both hubby and I have lived in terror prone countries/areas previously including Spain during the ETA bombings and campaigns, Egypt (during the tourist bombings) and Philippines (down south during bombings and kidnapping campaigns).
For those of us contemplating going to Bali we have 3 options:
Option 1: Don't go (extremely low risk - boring and lets the terrorist win)
Option 2: Go but play safe. (low risk - you get to still play but modify your activities)
Option 3: Go and don't change your behaviour...hit all the tourist spots, nightclubs and western eating places (medium to higher risk - you still have to be in the wrong place at the wrong time)
Because we have our concerned friends with us we are opting for Option 2. We are staying in Sanur at the Besakih, only going once or twice to Kuta during the day for shopping, organising the tailor and to pick up essentials, but are not staying at night or eating there in the evening. We will only be going on private day tours with our driver and an overnight stay to Lembongan. So low key but just as enjoyable.
Really this trip is a "stay by the pool and sleep" holiday..one very much needed by us and our activities will not be of much interest to terrorists methinks.