I just got back from a week in Bali, had a ball and didn't get blown up.   I had the misfortune of having taken my last trip there the week before the first Bali bombings in 2002.  Back then the place was buzzing with tourists and the Balinese I met were obviously very happy as business was swift and the economy was doing alright.  Since then many tourists and locals have lost their lives in terrorist attacks in popular areas, and this has had the effect of scaring away the hoardes of comparatively rich western tourists who descend on Bali every year.  While this will save many Balinese from being horribly offended by fat white drunken pricks making complete assholes of themselves (as so many Australians do while overseas) it has no doubt ruined many businesses.  The flow on effect of reduced tourist dollars will inevitably mean more poverty, more people having to "do without" and more hard times for the locals.  In my experience the Balinese are some of if not the friendliest people on earth.  Smiling is a form of communication in their culture and it's used to express many emotions, so you'll never go anywhere where people smile so much (without the use of pharmaceuticals).  They are peace-loving hindus, and are genuine in their affection and interest in meeting foriegners.  Unfortunately, despite the travel warnings, on this trip I felt completely safe.  That's because there were no other tourists there to blow up.  Any quieter and there would have been tumbleweeds in the street.

If you want a tropical holiday and you have a philanthropic bone in your body go to Bali.  They need your money more than you do.  The places you can stay are amazing, the culture is rich, the food is delicious, the weather (in the dry season at least) is phenomenal, and the people will floor you with their hospitality and kindness.  And it's cheap.  If you get blown up while you're there at least you'll have died helping people who are suffering due to the highly successful "war on terror".  Do you think a group of Hindu islanders deserve to suffer for the attack on the WTC?  Have you heard of any Balinese Al Qaeda ringleaders?  I bet George Dubya the leader of the free (free that is to act and think as stupidly as he does) world doesn't even know where Bali is, let alone understand the impact that having Australia as an ally is having on a country that is far more susceptible to muslim extremist attacks than anywhere in the US, and as we've seen far more susceptible to economic compromise when they do happen.  The war on terror is complete bullshit.  Everyone knows that.  Don't get sucked into the culture of fear that is chanelled through your idiot-box every night telling you to not travel because the terrorists will get you.  You're far more likely to die from cancer or heart disease or a million other things.

I'll be heading back to Bali for sure, and if any muslim extremist wants to kill me for being there (thanks very much John Howard and George B for inciting them) I'd happily give my life to save a Balinese.