With all that is happening in the world today and the focus on terriorism, are there any vacation spots in the Pacific that you feel we should avoid? I am posting this topic as it came up over lunch the other day and felt that the FT family would give me a well rounded response. My friend said that he wasn't going to Bali as originally planned due to Moslem unrest in that area. How safe is Tahiti and Bora Bora? Would you even consider visiting the Philippines with the number of Americans and other foreign nationals being kidnapped and held for ransom?

Perhaps we can list the places that we feel are safe and also the ones to avoid and state the reasons why you believe this to be true.

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I'd stay away from Indonesia and the Philippines for obvious reasons. Since the Tahitians haven't revolted against incredibility inept and exploitive French rule in all these many years, it's probably the safest place on earth. I was there a few years ago, and they even celebrated Bastille Day of all things.

Actually, Bali itself is Hindu, not Muslim. I knew somebody who was there about 3 years ago when there were riots in Jakarta due to the economic crisis. After he returned and everybody was asking if it had ruined his vacation, his reply was that it was about like being in New York when there were riots in Los Angeles.

I got back last week from Bali on my honeymoon, and we felt 100% safe there.

As mentioned in an earlier post, Bali is 90% Hindu and at no time did we feel uncomfortable to be Americans there. Everyone there was extremely nice and was delighted to have us visiting their island.

Bali is 90% Hindu, but Indonesia as a whole is 90% Islam.

There is constant unrest in Indonesia. A few decades ago, literally one-third of the Chinese population was murdered in roiting. The word amok comes from the region. When the Indonesians roit, they really let loose.

Bali has been peaceful, but who knows. When one-third of a large ethnic group can be murdered with impunity. Wow.

I can't speak for Bali but the other poster is right about Tahiti and French Polynesia in general: It is one of the safest places on earth -- and one of the most beautiful. I'd stay away from Fiji, though, because it is in the second year of infighting and coup attempts.

I was in Fiji during the coup/unrest in 2000. I wasn't where the "action" was but felt very comfortable as it pertained to my safety.

I've been to Bali twice and agree with the others who suggest that it is probably safe. Bali is technically part of Indonesia, but it's quite different from the rest of the country in lots of important ways.

Bruce

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My sentiments as well.

Of course, I honeymooned in Bali!

Yet I was also in BKK watching the rioting in Indonesia on the TV and it wasn't pretty at all.

It's a personal decision I guess!

One of the best ways to evaluate the risks if any of visiting a country is to check out the travel advise released by the relavent government department in your country.

The websites for some of them are listed below

Australia: http://www.dfat.gov.au/consular/advice/index.html

USA: http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html

Canada: http://voyage.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/destinations/menu_e.htm

UK: http://193.114.50.10/travel/

Beck

[This message has been edited by bugsy (edited 01-22-2002).]

Americans are probably safer in 90% of the world outside the USA than they are back home! With the exception of one or two vacation spots, you have little to worry about in this part of the world. The Phillipines are facing domestic insurgency on an ongoing basis, and so too is Sri Lanka. But most vacation spots in Indonesia and Malaysia -- the largest Muslim countries in the region -- are not likely to pose problems. "The Street" has been widely over exaggerated and did not rise up in support of the Taliban or bin Laden and company. 90% of Muslims worldwide have little interest in seeing their countries become fundamentalist states, and thus do not support movements such as the ones we've seen around the middle east and Afghanistan. And as a proportion of people in the Muslin-dominated countries of SEAsia/Pacific, it is likely 99%. Mexico can be more dangerous for Americans and Canadians!

Doc finally i know something about you! I hope you had a great vacation there in BKK and Bali!

I second that Bali is one of the safest! My friend also went there for vacation and he absolutely adored the place.

I travel to the Philippines on a monthly basis and feel perfectly safe. Just do not travel to the extreme south of the country. The people there are some of the nicest anywhere and the resorts are wonderful (and very cheap). I highly suggest Boracay!
Salamat

I'd be a little skeptical of State Department advisories. They have diplomatic concerns besides the safety of travelers.

As for assurances of those who have visited here and there. It's kind of like the guy who walked up and down the worst part of town and says look how safe the area is, I'm still alive.

Vic,

Surely there is some truth to whay you say - but what are we all left with to do?

Should we just wire the local terrorists or email them to get the pertinent info?

Or perhaps simply head out there to check it out for ourselves!

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BTW, Al, I've been to both places many times for various reasons and I've always enjoyed these trips and will likely continue to do so! Thanks!

-Mark