Johan Hensen Column The writer is a retired hopitality consultant and living in Bali. Any comment about this article, please email at johan@bits.bali.com or HP 081558582853

Open Letter to Western
Governments and Communities

I wish to express myself to those western governments that impose travel warnings on Bali. As a foreigner living in Bali, I am quite annoyed by the ease with which they impose those often high level travel warnings, what they are based on, from where they have the information and most importantly, the reluctance to withdraw them. As those governments are just representatives from their own societies, I am addressing myself directly to them, people to people.

Please don’t be afraid about Bali, its people or its safety. There are many of you who ignore those warnings and still came (or come) to Bali. Listen to them, how safe it is: how peaceful and friendly the Balinese people are. Absolutely no violence! If you happen to visit us for example this month of October, you will experience many colossal ceremonies in which the whole community takes place.
Last week I happened to be part of 2 major ceremonies: one in Songan village in Kintamani and one in Selat – Duda village in Karangasem regency. Down in the volcano crater of Mount XX, I visited this very traditional village with its very old and original ‘(H)ulun Danu Batur’ temple complex. For 4 days they held the "Manca Wali Karma" ceremony, which is only held once every 20 years. Thousands of inhabitants and relatives from outside the area attended this unique and peaceful ceremony. If you experience the ambience and environment of this all, which is a real reflection of their daily life, then you will realize how safe and peaceful Bali really is.

An inspiration for all worldwide!
Also in the Selat village, situated between the Besakih mother temple and Karangasem on the East coast, I was lucky and honored to participate and experience the annual "Usaba Dansil" ceremony. After 12 days of preparations and smaller ceremonies, the highlight of the ceremony was held last Saturday, October 7, 2006. (But all over Bali we will and can come across smaller or bigger likewise ceremonies).
This village comprises 26 hamlets or banjar as they called here. From the total population, around 10.000 villagers (!) participated in this stunning event. So impressive, so relaxed and still so disciplined as these people behaved, without the need or presence of police or other security forces. It really makes you wonder what is the sense of prohibiting our foreign friends visiting Bali and sharing this unique experience with us.
Who are those (probably) embassy officials in Jakarta that supply your governments with these negative advices? Do they ever come out those embassies? Do they ever visit the "Real Bali". Do they ever experience these events and ceremonies, undergo the way of life in Bali? If they would, I am sure there will be a different kind of advice.
Australians for example, have been coming to Bali for almost their whole life and have become close friends with many Balinese people and families. It is definitely not Australian – like to turn away from friends, just like that. I know the Australians! There is just a stubborn unwillingness from the government side and a lack of information and communications. Better media and people to people communications would bring a quick end to this all. Those who do communicate, are still coming, regardless the travel warnings and have no regrets! The same goes for the many visitors coming from my home country Holland and other European countries.
Therefore, my request to you all is not to punish the Balinese, as they are also the victims, but to have an open, honest dialogue, open communication with them directly. They care about you as much as you care about them.
By giving in to those terror minorities outside of Bali, who like to create gossips of threats, you give them the result they are looking for. By doing the contrary we can beat them. Now you are more or less deliberately "killing" this island and society of unique culture and inspiration. Please consider my thoughts.
To those of the visitors still coming to Bali or as I prefer to call them "Bali Friends", I wish you a very pleasant and inspiring tome In Bali. Thank you for trusting the Balinese society, we will welcome you with open arms as usual. And please tell your friends back home about "the Real Bali". Tell your media and governments, as maybe they will listen to you, because they don’t want to listen to us.