In Reply to: Time for Caution posted by Lothar on Friday, 31. January 2003 at 15:20 Bali Time:
than the beautiful memories of days gone by on Bali, is the reality that those days are gone. As I've live here for many years and don't trust my tainted judgement in this area, I've recently been asking business people as well as tourists who've come to Bali numerous times, "Does it seem different to you here than in the past?" or, "Having a good time?" and the answers are inevitably the same. Although all of my friends here have stayed through the bombing, and theres not a single person I know that has left running away, the business people are trying to get their work done as soon as possible, see a few friends and get out of here. They tell me what I've sensed over the recent weeks and months. The tourists who've come for a good time are finding that there isn't much going on, and the streets are quite empty. I don't go out at night so I ask tourists how their evenings are. They all say "Very Quiet" or "Drank too much...."
Yes, beautiful scenery and interesting culture. etc... ...Some long term expats have begun talking about alternative places to move to......
The atmosphere has changed here folks, and it's not just me, but everyone I have spoken to has noticed a serious alteration.
There have been close to 100,000 jobs lost since the bombing and another 100,000 are expected. The look on the faces of Indonesians has changed. Everyone watches T.V. on Bali. Are they getting their news from B.B.C., N.B.C., C.N.N. or the Islamic news stations? There is no good news about Indonesia, Bali, tourism, nor is there good news for any Indonesians.....
Thanks for reminding vacation hungry tourists what time it is as the sun has set on the Bali of days gone by.
peace.....
mystic (^_^)