Bali: Is it safe to go back in the water?

Tourism is staggering back to life after the 2005 bombings. The main travel market, in real terms, meaning Aussies, have yet to return in numbers. Some people are asking, ‘is it safe to go back in the water?‘

My answer to that question would be the same as if I asked, ‘is it safe to swim on Kuta beach?’ or ‘is it safe to ride a motorbike?’ In all cases it can be perfectly safe, but does carry some risk. You actually have more chance of having trouble in the water, or on the road, than you do in a terrorist event in Bali. Its the fact that the terrorism is designed and directed that alarms people. For sure many people lost their lives in the Sari Club bombing, and let’s hope we never see that kind of thing again.

Tourist accommodaton in Bali is moving from large hotels, to small boutique hotels and villas. Currently there are over 2,000 villa constructions going on. Staying in a small, low-profile place immediately reduces your risk. All the previous bombing in Bali were in high profile, tourist packed areas on saturday night. So far they haven’t gone for the lone warung, cafe, or restaurant.

Is it safe to go back in the water? I live here full time and don’t feel like I’m in a danger area. There is a chance an event will happen sometime in the future, but we’ll move on and not let the thought of that spoil what Bali has to offer.