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