Just a quick posting to let you know that I am still here in Bali. Havent bothered to post as nothing here is happening to post about.Went for a walk just before lunch time down around Kuta Square, both Poppies Lanes & Legian St & would not have seen more than twenty tourists & they were Europian.
Plenty of very sad looking faces from the sellers at their stalls. Talked with some & most of them said they had not sold anything for a few days & had no money to buy food for their families. They seem to be under the impression that if they can hold on until Xmas the place will be full of tourists again & everything will be okey.
What can one say to them? Tell them that this place will not start to pick up for at least another twelve months & destroy the last bit of hope they have.
I went down & paid my rent to my friends Leo & Sue who have Baliboun Tours & they told me they had two hundred & fifty five bookings for the month of November which is a lot down on last year. After the bomb business they now have thirty three. How many other agents are in the same position?
The Puri Raja has six rooms occupied at the monent & the Bali Padma thirty nine & you know the size of the Padma.
My friends Russell & Lyn & their four friends were the only six people that went out on the Bounty cruise the other day.
Sounds like my report is all doom & gloom but I can only post on what I hear & see.
Was down at the bomb site also today & it was a hive of activity as there were a couple of high ranking officials inspecting the site all surrounded by FBI personal & the local military carrying guns.
That part of Legian St is still closed to traffic but people are now allowed to walk through.
Most of the little shops down Poppies 2 have reopend but the area opposite the Bagus Bar is history.
I have taken over a hundred prints of the area including inside the Sari site & Paddays. I will probably just keep them at home to remember what that area meant to so many of us over the years as being the heart of activity for joy & happiness. I think everyone in Australia has had enough of the whole thing being shoved down our throats but thats only my opinion. Others may differ.
Still been going to a few restaurants. Wayan & Friends, Kori, Bali Aussie, Uncle Norms, Warung 96 & Warung Yoga & the food is still up to standard.
Looks like I will stay until the 9th Nov as Tony & Jo from the Gold Coast arrive early next week & also Brian from Wollongong.
Ted is still here & we have been having a "few Bintangs" together. Jodie my grandaughter goes home Sunday & also Russell & Lynne.
S & S are still getting a bit of trade but thats about all that is happening on the beach.They have been in their village for two nights for a special ceremony but will be back tomorrow ( Fri )
A big night is coming up tonight as my friend Mr John who has been the chief chef at the Bali Padma for twelve years has invited us around to his flat which is underneath the tennis courts. He has great set up there with a huge TV, DVD Stereo system complete with smoke machine & it belts out out great dvd concerts of the Rolling Stones, Meatloaf, Bryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen & others. A huge hangover is assured for tomorrow when we all go to the International Sports Bar in Sanur to meet the Perth people.
Thats it for now.
Rate for $A is RPH 4950 to 5050.
Bye for now.