To Bali, or not to Bali

[GDSman]

Hi

The wife, 4yr old and I have a 10 night Bali trip booked, departing 18Nov. 2 nts InterCon, 4 nts in a villa in Ubud and then 5 nts in a villa in north Kuta. What with the potential for nastiness relating to any justice handed down to the bombers I was wondering what people on this forum would do......we're currently evaluating our options and trying to decide what to do. We've been several times since the DFAT warnings have been at their current elevated level, so that alone has not deterred us.

So what do you think? Go ahead or cancel pronto and go to plan 'B'?

 

[bambbbam2]

It's your choice, but I wouldn't be a nervous nelly.. enjoy the holiday.

 

[straitman]

You obviously enjoy Bali whereas I have many other places that I probably won't get to see and Bali is now below them on my list.

I was meant to be there at the time of the bombings but now have no desire.

It's your call and you will probably enjoy yourself so good luck and be careful.

 

[docjames]

Well, when did you book? Have things changed substantially since you booked?

My understanding is that it's not sufficiently "warned" by the govt to allow you to claim on travel insurance.

I'd actually lean on the side of not go. Especially with a 2 year old. But then i've been before, and have never been in a hurry to go back. I went to the Sari club etc, I think that psyches me out a bit actually knowing it could have been me.

I'm pretty sure Ubud would be fine, but anywhere in Kuta/Legian/Denpasar city is potentially a target.

It also depends on what you are planning for your holiday.

Big bars, tourist attractions with lots of foreign tourists - probably not the best idea. Sitting around in foyers of major western hotels would also be on my dont list.

Quiet resort, hanging by hotel pool - probably ok.

Good luck - let us know what you end up deciding.

 

[kpc]

I was in Bali last month, and didn't feel uncomfortable at all...but the situation is a little different now with the impending executions. If I was single, I would probably still go. With a family and 4 y.o. in tow, I wouldn't.

If you do decide to go, and then think you will be too scared to go out anywhere, and just stay within your villa / hotel, then I wouldn't go.

If I could get most of my money back without too much cancellations fees, I definitely would be planning a holiday elsewhere! A holiday is meant to relieve stress, not be stress provoking

I hope I haven't confused you....

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Yes....most unfortunate that the executions will most likely go ahead soon.....around the time of your trip. Certainly if you knew in advance of the timing you would not book, but then you have.


However in your circumstances I would still go....but avoid clubs and other areas where hundreds of Westerners are in the one small location...

Yes something bad happened in Bali...but read the news and you will see that here in Australia that we kill people from overseas on a regular basis. In Sydney recently 5 Asian overseas students were terrorised, 4 sexually assaulted...one died. On a reef trip two Americans were left to swim...and were never seen again. A Dutch tourist shot in Melbourne CBD while go to the aid ofa woman...unfortunatelt one with a shady past and an even shadier boyfriend...

In Bali...yes be prudent...and anything you do make sure it is with resident Balinese...if in doubt don't do the activity.



I have had similar to you...

Redeemed 500,000 points from Ansett 2 weeks before they went under for my family of 5...100,000 points per ticket..

Luckily it was with Singapore Airlines who said that they would still honour the Award flights despite Ansetts demise.

But the 9/11 happened....and yes you guessed it my destination was Cairo slap bang in Middle East!!!!

So to not go...but with no Ansett no way to vary or delay flights in any way.....so would just lose the flights and the 500,000 value = ouch!!!

After a bit of asking around (one of my co-workers was from Egypt and her sister was still a pharmacist in Cairo)...I decided to still go as the main problems were in Afghanistan at that time and not in Egypt.

As it turned out we had an amazing trip..backpacking around Egypt and Jordan over 7 weeks with my 3 daughters then aged 12, 9 & 6.

There were very very few westerners there...and the locals appreciated us still travelling and made us very welcome. No crowds also made visiting all the sights very easy...and also made for a cheap trip as everything was discounted.

 

[NM]

My understanding is that it's not sufficiently "warned" by the govt to allow you to claim on travel insurance.

What is the relationship between "the govt" and travel insurance? Any decision on TI claims will be determined by the insurance company underwriting the insurance policy, and in all cases of which I am aware that is not a government entity.

 

[oz_mark]

What is the relationship between "the govt" and travel insurance? Any decision on TI claims will be determined by the insurance company underwriting the insurance policy, and in all cases of which I am aware that is not a government entity.

Some insurance policies have exclusions where the government has advised against travel to certain regions.

 

[docjames]

Some insurance policies have exclusions where the government has advised against travel to certain regions.

Which is sort-of what i was implying.


My understanding is:

If "risk" level escalates to "ADVISE AGAINST TRAVEL", and you booked prior to this change, most compnaies will allow the claim. If it's already at that level you either wont get insurance, or wont be covered for "terrorist" activities.


If risk escalates post-booking to "RECONSIDER YOUR NEED TO TRAVEL" then most policies wont allow claim.

Current listings:

We advise against all travel to these countries:

• Afghanistan
• Burundi
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Iraq
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Zimbabwe

Destinations for which we advise you to reconsider your need to travel:

• Algeria
• Angola
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• East Timor
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Haiti
• Indonesia
• Lebanon
• Liberia
• Mauritania
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Saudi Arabia
• Sri Lanka
• Yemen

 

[straitman]

Which is sort-of what i was implying.


My understanding is:

If "risk" level escalates to "ADVISE AGAINST TRAVEL", and you booked prior to this change, most compnaies will allow the claim. If it's already at that level you either wont get insurance, or wont be covered for "terrorist" activities.


If risk escalates post-booking to "RECONSIDER YOUR NEED TO TRAVEL" then most policies wont allow claim.

Current listings:

I think I'm safe here. Not too many on either list that are on my, needs or wants list :!:

 

[GDSman]

As far as I know the DFAT level has been at 'Reconsider need...' since the 2002 attacks. My understanding of insurance is per Docjames, so we would not be compensated if we cancelled. I could live with that - certainly when compared to the worst case scenario potential outcomes.

I guess where I was going with my question was based on what people's personal sense of risk was for this sort of location. We are not nightclubbing types and with a young one would expect to be eating early and off the streets by 7.30pm. We're saying at pretty small (20-ish) villa complexes with the exception of a couple of nights in a big resort (which I would think represents the biggest risk location).

Thanks kpc for your extremely pragmatic comments - tend to agree and certainly this is my biggest consideration. Having travelled a lot I feel I have a good sense of what constitutes a risky situation but I am always interested in taking advice from others.

cheers

 

[straitman]

Having travelled a lot I feel I have a good sense of what constitutes a risky situation but I am always interested in taking advice from others.

A story.

A couple of years ago now my sister and her husband were in Durban and were victims of an armed robbery just metres from their hotel. Fortunately neither were injured but got a huge fright.

At the time they definitely fitted the category of "a good sense of what constitutes a risky situation" as they were returning from the second lot of four years as Australian Defence Attaché in Pakistan.

I guess the point I'm making is that even when you think you have it all under control there can be factors at play that you underestimate or don't know about.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

A story.

I guess the point I'm making is that even when you think you have it all under control there can be factors at play that you underestimate or don't know about.

True....

Years ago here in Melbourne my sister was in a bank.

I was held up..and she had a shotgun put to her head. She would not go into banks for years afterwards....

Somethings cannot be predicted. Now sure Banks are held up...but what are the odds on it being when you are there???


Now sure here we are talking about a time in Bali when the odds have become shorter....but you way up the risks and decide.

I still enter banks, and I still travel....but yes I also alter my behaviour and destinations at times.

 

[vt]

my 2 cents...

I have never been to Bali and sadly I think I never will. There is a slight sense of loss that a place that everyone raves about has risks beyond my threshold.

Foreigners are obviously not welcome. Not by the people but by those who have their own agendas. Although there are arguements that not going is losing to the terrorists and the people will suffer; I'm fine with that as I wont place my family and I in that perceived or real danger.

There are many places in the region that offer similar, vanuatu, fiji .. etc.

Your risk threshold may be different, but the world is a big place. If I am not welcome in a place, I wont go there.

Beyond the financial penalties, your after a holiday. If your going with the family, I'd imagine your not going for the nightlife. Sunshine Coast or one of the Australian Islands would be pretty good this time of year.

 

[docjames]

I guess the other thing to consider:

If you go on your holiday and have to spend significant amounts of time worrying / modifying plans, how relaxing a holiday are you likely to have? Isnt that the point of holiday - get away from stress, have a nice time etc?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I guess the other thing to consider:

If you go on your holiday and have to spend significant amounts of time worrying / modifying plans, how relaxing a holiday are you likely to have? Isnt that the point of holiday - get away from stress, have a nice time etc?

Well that depends on how one defines "holiday"....and whether "relaxing" is ones only goal.....and also what "worries" one which will very widely from person to person.

But then I like crossing glaciers etc...as well as idle time on tropical beaches....but that too much "bliss" will drive me batty. each to their own though.

 

[docjames]

I think my point (perhaps more generically then ) is:

Will your holiday achieve it's aim (with or without the stress / complications) or not.

If not, better to change.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I think my point (perhaps more generically then ) is:

Will your holiday achieve it's aim (with or without the stress / complications) or not.

If not, better to change.

True...

I could go (be cautious)...and not be stressed.

But some would feel themselves too stressed to enjoy.

 

[Dave Noble]

My thought is that if you are concerned enough to be posting to ask, then you have concerns and may likely not be able to fully enjoy the holiday and so would suggest going to another destination

There is no benefit to going there just to make a point about not seeming to be affected by perceived risks ; go where you feel happy to go

Dave

 

[Keith009]

My thought is that if you are concerned enough to be posting to ask, then you have concerns and may likely not be able to fully enjoy the holiday and so would suggest going to another destination

There is no benefit to going there just to make a point about not seeming to be affected by perceived risks ; go where you feel happy to go

Exactly what I was thinking.

I'd still go to Bali but that's only because personally I don't believe it to be a risk and hence don't feel at all stressed when I'm there. Were I to have even the slightest concern I'd go elsewhere rather than attempt to enjoy my holiday in fear. Then again I also take the 'cough happens' approach with many things, for instance I couldn't have predicted that I'd spend part of my visit to LA in Feb this year in ER.