I remember after 9-11, I had two trips to MCO in November.

A few days before I left for the first people said to me, "what? you're still going to go to the US after what has happened there?". Err yes of course I was. i could have quite easily cancelled my flights and accomodations for both trips. I didn't, and the USA was appreciative.

Every morning i travelled past a couple of signs on my way to see Mickey and Minnie:

1. 'United We Stand'

2. 'Thanks For Visiting' Florida Tourist Board

Whilst I may not completely agree with the way that Jon worded his intial post, I think some of you are misconstruing his points. English is not and will never be his strong point.

Imagine if everyone thought like the people that i spoke about in the first point, the US would be having real economic problems if the tourism industry disappeared. Especially in places like Florida.

I've never been to Bali, but I'm sure that it will need all the help we can give them at the moment. So lets concentrate our efforts there.

Thanks,
Richard

....or subtlety.

I agree with the main point of his post in that life must go on. The Balinese economy is heavily dependant on the tourist industry. Should these kind and friendly people suffer because of some cowardly ba5tards?

Last year I was in NYC at New Year. People asked if I was afraid that that the terrorists would mount an attack to get publicity. No. I was not afraid. I was not going to let anyone spoil my holiday.

jon's comment about cancellations is very true. During the Gulf War many Americans cancelled vacations in Europe over fear of attacks. Before anyone makes a comment, I am NOT bashing American's. What I say is fact. It is a sad fact of life that at the first sign of trouble people cancel holidays to areas of the world that need tourist money. This in turn leads to economic problems and provides a breeding ground for radicals and fundementalists.

I too think we ought to cut jongar some slack here. Sure his comments might sound trite and insensitive at first reading, but come on, he has survived attacks from some of the top terrorist organizations in the World (Basque Separatists-ETA, Northern Ireland-IRA, and Al Queada, according to his post). How many of us can say that? Heck, given his survival I�m tempted to join him in Bali, where my tourist dollars will definitely make things better in that part of the World. (Although I am concerned about possibly making the locals a target based on my presence.) Also, I think we need to understand that English might not be someone�s first language, and that shouldn�t detract from jongar�s comments. Let�s all be a little more understanding of the "message" rather than how it might be �typed�.

I think the people of Bali would rather welcome jongar at a cheap room rate than see him/her pay a higher rate in (say) Fiji.

------------------
"Yes, but at least mine will be found in a first class seat." -- Peattie and Taylor

All of us. We just didn't happen to be present at the exact location of the attacks at the time. But we did survive them.

I've also "survived" attacks by The Symbionese Liberation Army, E.L.F. and FARC.

I'm kind of new here but I think the posts about jon were kind of harsh too. I took his initial post to be an in your face to the terrorists. I cannot understand the rational behind bombing Kuta. It is not a wealthy hang out. And Bali is such a low key place to begin with. It's said that this was about Americans, but we are still a minority of visitors to Bali and the rest of Indonesia. The entire time we spent in Indonesia we were asked if we were Australians or Canadians, no one asked if we were from the US. And all seemed pleasantly surprised that a family of 4 would visit from the US. Perhaps this is an attempt to scare future US visitors away. How much easier to incite hatred if we don't know each other.

edited for being off-topic

[This message has been edited by tazi (edited 10-15-2002).]

We can all voice our own oppinion so here is mine.
I personally am not happy at all about the fact that this subject has come up.
People are in Bali dead, people are trying to leave as quickly as possible yet there are people here who have the nerve to think about deals and making the most of this situation.

There are hundreds of people MISSING, There are hundreds of people DEAD.
It sickens me that you people hold this thought if you could see what I am seeing on TV now, you would be sick.
I agree that we should support Bali, it is essential that we do but not at present,
DON'T just think of the People of Bali, think of all those families from all over the world, INCLUDING YOUR OWN who have lost loved ones, who are trying to find loved ones,and who will never see them ever again for there loss can never be measured in $ it is much more than anything of value.
FT is a board where we can express anything about travel, this topic IS realted to travel BUT in doing so we hold respect for those other people on the board, in no way is this respect for the people of Australia or the members of FT who's countries have been effected in any way shown.

MY GOD PEOPLE, LET THE DUST SETTLE.



[This message has been edited by MRSTARALLIANCE (edited 10-15-2002).]

Hi Jongar,
I was heading to Bali this weekend for a weeks holiday with my wife and 4 friends. We had already paid for the trip, (No award seats avail) and were looking forward to our 5th visit.As it stands now, I cannot go due to the fact that Qantas will not let me go. I love Bali and the people there. If i were you, I would go and pay what ever room rate is offered. Good on you for going. Bali will miss out on at least $10 000 that we were planning to spend on accom, meals, transport, trips and general shopping. I cannot believe that people realise the amount of lost tourism that Bali will suffer from this. You paying $100 per night (oz dollars) is far better for the balinese than you skipping the country all together. Support the Balinese by visiting & spending heaps there...maybe a little less on accom, but more in Bintang Beer and Nasi Goreng!
Enjoy your stay jongar, I wish I could buy you an cold arak.

No commendations, nor any judgements against jon from me here, as usual!

Glad to learn you're well, however!

Stay that way please!

And lets all PLEASE be kind to everyone, thanks!

BTW, more on the Bali situation, here:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum...ML/005126.html

-Mark



[This message has been edited by doc (edited 10-15-2002).]

I will be in Bali between the 19th and the 27th of october.

IainF, mate, I couldn't agree with you more!

Besides you have to have meet Jongar to truly appreciate him.

Jongar please post about your trip to Bali after your visit.

[This message has been edited by wingless (edited 10-15-2002).]

My god people have changed.
There used to be a time where we valued life, now were just a number using a Holiday to Bali and the EXCUSE of not giving into these people as cover for taking advantage of such a time like this.


WHERE IS THE RESPECT IN THIS WORLD?


[This message has been edited by MRSTARALLIANCE (edited 10-15-2002).]

MRSTARALLIANCE, you can look at it that way if you wish.

I don't look at it as taking advantage of a horrable situation in a negative sense. Or an "excuse" in a negative sense.

I look at it as trying to activly help out in a bad situation. While others are fleeing, at least jongar is looking to go there!!!

And what's wrong with looking for the best deal there if you would normally be looking for the best deal there?

And what's to say that the money someone saves on hotel, might not be spent just the same on some other worthy part of the economy there?

I was not planning a trip to Bali in the next year, or even two. But the combination of now wanting to help the travel economy there, not giving the terrorists what they want, and perhaps it becoming (because of these horrible events) a more affordable destination, I might just go.

What's wrong with that?

I've seen even more horrible pictures than have been published (or ever will) of the carnage in Bali. I've been there many times (and probably to that very club). I love the place and the people.

And I would invite any caring person who feels safe and/or wishes to make a "statement" about terrorisim and/or just wants to visit one of the most wonderful places on Earth, to feel guilty conscience-free and "take advantage" of the situation to go to Bali during this most difficult time for them.

I'm sure the people of Bali will appreciate it.

Law Lord said it best: Only I don't believe it's a "think" situation. I believe it's a positive "fact" now.

You write: Then, the terrorist's harm continues. They need immediate tourism. NOW. Every day that goes by where the repercussions of their actions continue to effect the economy, is another point on the terrorist's scoreboard. And another very difficult day for the people of Bali.

This is where the United States failed misserably in the immediate days following 9/11/01. We did much more harm to ourselves than the terrorists did to us. IMHO.

You gotta pick yourself up, dust yourself off, spit on your hands and get back to normal, ASAP.

Mourning does not always mean stopping the world or normal daily activities. Especially when that is the explicit goal of the criminals who commited the acts to begin with.

IMHO.

For those that have never visited, a few streaming videos can be viewed at Travelocity.


[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 10-15-2002).]