On Bali blast

On Bali blast

I am an Australian who has visited Bali 35 times over a number
of years. I have also been a visitor to a number of other places
in Indonesia and have traveled extensively all over the world.

I have probably spent about three years of my life in Bali and
those three years would be the happiest of my life. It has always
been a very special place for me. I do not consider it to be a
cliche to say that it really is a paradise. Not only is it
physically beautiful but it is probably the friendliest place on
earth.

The events of Oct. 12 have totally overwhelmed me and even now
I am having an emotional time writing this letter. This has been
the most senseless loss of human life and an attack on all people
not just Australian or Indonesian but every nationality that has
ever set foot on the island of Bali.

My heart goes out to everyone who has suffered a loss as a
result of this tragedy. I think of all my many Indonesian friends
living in Bali both Balinese and from other areas of Indonesia. I
know how badly they will be affected both emotionally and
financially and I sit here wondering what I can do to help.

One thing that I know I can do is to continue to show support
by not changing my travel plans and continuing to travel to Bali
on a regular basis. I will be there in 10 weeks time with all the
friends that I can encourage to travel with me. I will also
continue to encourage people to travel to Bali. We must not let
terrorists stop us from doing this or they will have won.

Many of my work colleagues want to know what they can do to
help. Many would like to donate money to the hospital in Denpasar
but do not know how to go about it. I feel the governments
representing the different nationalities that were treated in
that hospital should be putting money forward to improve the
facilities in the hospital. Locals and tourists are always
falling off motor bikes or having other needs attended to at the
hospital and improvement to the infrastructure would benefit all.

Since Sept. 11 the security at Ngurah Rai Airport has
improved. Now may be a good time to look at the security checks
and baggage screening at the ports where the ferries come into
Bali as well as having checks at the place of departure.

My greatest hope is that from this terrible, terrible tragedy
that things improve in every way possible. Not only in terms of
security but in closer links and even greater friendship between
Indonesia and Australia and Indonesia and the rest of the world.

MICHAEL BOWDEN

Victoria, Australia