Rising from the ashes of destruction

A year on, life has returned to an everyday semblance of normalcy, but things will never be quite the same as before the bombs ripped through a Saturday evening's revelry in Kuta.

The official toll is 202 -- perhaps many more were blown to pieces by the huge force of the blasts -- and the number does not take into account the shattered lives of all those relatives, friends, colleagues grieving for the victims.

People were not the only casualties: In a matter of seconds, Bali's coveted reputation as a peaceful paradise, where people from all over the world came together, was destroyed.

In the terrible wake of the bombings, there has been some good.

It emerged in the first hours after the bombing, when communal groups came together to help protect avert unwarranted reprisals against minorities.

And it's seen today, as visitors, refusing to let the terrorists succeed, are returning to sample the island's delights.

These examples of solidarity and togetherness are the best message to send that Bali has risen from the ashes of hatred and fear.

-- Text and photos by Murdani Usman