Indonesia-bound tourists ignore warnings
11/10/08
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PEOPLE flying to Bali yesterday said they would not let the possibility of revenge attacks stop them from holidaying on the island.
Despite the Federal Government advising people bound for Bali to reconsider their travel plans, passengers waiting to check in at Melbourne Airport for the 10.55am Garuda Airlines flight to Denpasar, Bali's capital, were philosophical about the possible dangers.
"It made us quite anxious, but we're not going to let the bastards beat us," said Dot McGuiness, who was travelling with her husband, Barry, to a "gated resort". "The wills are up to date, though."
Other travellers noted that although the Government had asked people to reconsider going to Bali, it had not raised its travel advisory to the next, and highest, level.
"If the Government was really concerned, they would have upgraded the warning," said Pat Barber, who is staying with three friends near Kuta, the site of the 2002 bombings.
"Look at other countries; I think the USA has actually downgraded its warning."
The Federal Government said yesterday it had "credible information" terrorists could be planning attacks as revenge for the executions.
"The executions could prompt a strong reaction from their supporters such as demonstrations, acts of violence and reprisal attacks," a travel advisory said.
"You should exercise great care, particularly around locations that have a low level of protective security, including where Western tourists gather such as beaches, bars, malls and other venues associated with foreign interests."
The Government referred specifically to young people holidaying in Bali for "schoolies" holidays in the next few weeks, advising them to "exercise heightened caution".
The threat level remains the second highest of five, with the Government asking people to "reconsider your need to travel". The highest level is "do not travel".
A spokesman for Garuda Airlines, Kerry Timms, said the prospect of the bombers' executions had not dampened people's willingness to travel to Bali.
"(The execution) has been on the cards for some time, but there have been hardly any cancellations," he said.
"Most people have already made a decision about the environment. Our loads outward bound have been really strong."
Friends Sarah O'Connell and Vanessa Smith said they discussed cancelling their trip about two weeks ago, but decided they would take the risk.
"Anything can happen wherever you go," Ms O'Connell said. "It could happen to you at Flinders Street station."
"If it really was a big deal, the Government would have raised the travel warning."
Surfer Daniel Shergold described his attitude to the possibility of a terrorist attack as "when your time's up, your time's up".
Mr Shergold said he would be passing through Bali on his way to the nearby mainly Muslim island of Lombok.
"I'd be more worried about someone there attacking me in the street with a machete than I would be about bombings," he said.
"But I really don't think at this stage that anything's going to happen."
Australian travel advisory aletts
1. Be alert to your own security
2. Exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety
3. Exercise a high degree of caution
4. Reconsider your need to travel - Indonesia, including Bali, is at this level
5. Advised not to travel
http://smartraveller.gov.au
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/11/10/1226165429240.html
Despite the Federal Government advising people bound for Bali to reconsider their travel plans, passengers waiting to check in at Melbourne Airport for the 10.55am Garuda Airlines flight to Denpasar, Bali's capital, were philosophical about the possible dangers.
"It made us quite anxious, but we're not going to let the bastards beat us," said Dot McGuiness, who was travelling with her husband, Barry, to a "gated resort". "The wills are up to date, though."
Other travellers noted that although the Government had asked people to reconsider going to Bali, it had not raised its travel advisory to the next, and highest, level.
"If the Government was really concerned, they would have upgraded the warning," said Pat Barber, who is staying with three friends near Kuta, the site of the 2002 bombings.
"Look at other countries; I think the USA has actually downgraded its warning."
The Federal Government said yesterday it had "credible information" terrorists could be planning attacks as revenge for the executions.
"The executions could prompt a strong reaction from their supporters such as demonstrations, acts of violence and reprisal attacks," a travel advisory said.
"You should exercise great care, particularly around locations that have a low level of protective security, including where Western tourists gather such as beaches, bars, malls and other venues associated with foreign interests."
The Government referred specifically to young people holidaying in Bali for "schoolies" holidays in the next few weeks, advising them to "exercise heightened caution".
The threat level remains the second highest of five, with the Government asking people to "reconsider your need to travel". The highest level is "do not travel".
A spokesman for Garuda Airlines, Kerry Timms, said the prospect of the bombers' executions had not dampened people's willingness to travel to Bali.
"(The execution) has been on the cards for some time, but there have been hardly any cancellations," he said.
"Most people have already made a decision about the environment. Our loads outward bound have been really strong."
Friends Sarah O'Connell and Vanessa Smith said they discussed cancelling their trip about two weeks ago, but decided they would take the risk.
"Anything can happen wherever you go," Ms O'Connell said. "It could happen to you at Flinders Street station."
"If it really was a big deal, the Government would have raised the travel warning."
Surfer Daniel Shergold described his attitude to the possibility of a terrorist attack as "when your time's up, your time's up".
Mr Shergold said he would be passing through Bali on his way to the nearby mainly Muslim island of Lombok.
"I'd be more worried about someone there attacking me in the street with a machete than I would be about bombings," he said.
"But I really don't think at this stage that anything's going to happen."
Australian travel advisory aletts
1. Be alert to your own security
2. Exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety
3. Exercise a high degree of caution
4. Reconsider your need to travel - Indonesia, including Bali, is at this level
5. Advised not to travel
http://smartraveller.gov.au
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/11/10/1226165429240.html
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