Canggu Steve
Just saw the following in the Jakarta post letters section and thought I would share:
Indonesia safe for tourists
Recently I was to travel to England and decided to look at the Australian government's travel warnings on its website, and was amazed that the warnings given were of such a low level considering the recent terrorist issues there. For travel to the United Kingdom, it warned people to exercise caution even though the UK raised the threat level to "severe" on Aug. 14., which means that an attack is highly likely and indicates a continuing high level of threat to the UK.
I then decided to check the status for Indonesia and the warning level was "reconsider your need to travel", and for some areas not to go at all. This was mainly based on information from December 2005.
One wonders why the difference in the alert level. I first went to the UK in 1975 and the IRA was detonating bombs in England and this continued for some years. Later there was the Iranian Embassy siege and lately the bombing of the underground and the thwarted attack on aircraft.
One wonders what the Australian government's alert would be for their own country, where tourists have been murdered, travel hostels have been burned down and numerous other crimes committed against tourists, and now the possible or imminent threat of a terrorist attack in Australia.
It appears to be a concerted scare campaign against Indonesia, where one can walk most streets at all hours without fear, and yet there are many areas in Australia where it is unsafe to go even during daylight let alone at night.
To the Australian ambassador, who most likely never goes for a beer down at the local, or sits and eats longtong or nasi goreng at the outside stalls, if you read this think about the great Aussie belief of a "fair go". Indonesia is a much safer place to be at the moment than England, the U.S. or Australia.
FreoGirl
Steve Irwin - will be missed, in many ways his absence will be measured by what didn't happen, that would have happened had he been here to make it so. If that makes sense. He had a lot of plans and was a man who made things happen.
He was much 'bigger' in the US than in Australia. Most Aussies knew who he was, but only in quite recent years. After all, we have only had pay TV for a relatively short time, and his show reached a much smaller audience in Australia. Many Australians were embarrassed by his antics, assuming it was a put-on. Apparently not.
My heart goes out to his wife and 2 kids.
Mark Wales
Steve Irwin epitomised all that was good and decent in human beings.
His intrinsic regard for the preservation of Nature was an inherent part of his life. My teenage son who is an ardent admirer of his work called from India to speak to me as he was quite upset with Steve's untimely death.
I hope that Australians realise what Steve did for their country. I sincerely hope that his work is carried on with the same grit and enthusiasm.
Adele
As an Aussie who loved his antics and for what he stood for, I am at a loss for words when it comes to the grief felt for his death. He had so much to look forward to, and so much more to offer the wildlife and animals that he loved so much. The pain I feel for his beautiful family and his best mate his Dad is at times overwhelming. It has been highlighted in our papers and news for four days now and the tributes not just from Oz but from around the world just keep comming in. He was one of a kind, passionate, dedicated and an amazing husband and proud father. He will be sadly missed and pray that his spirit and legacy lives on in is beautiful children, wife and all who have continued to support Steve's efforts in the future.
Tim
The whole world was stunned with Steve Irwins death. I was wondering if he had spent time in Indonesia "doing his thing", that's good to know Roy.
Best regards,
Tim
Roy
Steve, I’m very happy to third your motion, and bring it to a vote!
Most unfortunately, these travel warnings have become a seesaw game based more on diplomatic and economic ties than a realistic evaluation of where the next danger is likely to be found.
Welcome to the forum, and I’d say that, even if your next post wasn’t a fresh breeze of air coming from down under.
I guess also, likely because of your name, it’s time here for someone to share their grief over what I regard as a loss of Australia’s greatest ambassador, Steve Irwin.
My three boys all loved his shows on Animal Planet, and who can argue how much attention he brought to wildlife preservation, and OZ as well? I agree with his dad that a state funeral would not only be inappropriate, but most certainly not what he would want, but, what an honor to be offered such final recognition.
I guess his dad’s point was, there will be no final recognition as Steve’s work will continue. Steve’s unique style, likely not seen since the days of P T Barnum, was not everybody’s “cup of tea” but his message was unmistakable, and that message reached millions.
Steve did quite a lot of work here in Indonesia, and that work that he did here has paid off a lot in awareness. That, as I understood this wonderful man, was his daily message...awareness.
Ipanema
Fristly welcome Steve.
I agree totally and I would love to know a way to get this out to the Australian public. I go to Bali at least three times a year and was taking my great niece in a couple of days. She is 20 and a pharmacist assistant. All her customers were begging here not to go to Bali as it is too dangerous.
There is a guy at work who goes to Thailand a lot and I asked him why not Bali. His reply ' he will not go to a muslim country' OK that's his choice and I can't argue with that but I told him almost all Balinese are not Muslim they are Hindu. Now he is more than happy to go to Bali.
Steve Irwin - I couldn't understand all the fuss about Lady Di but I fully understand now. I cannot express my feelings about him passing. I am a huge animal lover so I admired him for what he was doing for the animals all around the world. I live in Brisbane and I don't know what it is like around the rest of Australia but we are still talking about him on radio, TV and amongst ourlseves. I don't give to charity very much but the only way I know to honor him to to give to his Wildlife Warriors which most Australians are doing. Steve wasn't a religous man - I think his religion was earth. His kids Bindi and Bob, his wife Terri and Dad Bob I know will carry on his work. Knowing them I know this is how they will remember him and keep him alive is to do what he loved doing.
quirkyartist
Steve,
I couldn't agree more about the travel warnings. It is arritating me like crazy. I was in London from 1969 to 1973 and the IRA were bombing places, but we never thought much about it and just got on with stuff. I KNEW this government would not alter the travel advisories. I hate to be proved right this time.
Adele
So if Australia are warning people against going to Bali, why are all the airlines at the moment having all these special travel fares to Bali? :?
tintin
A good observation, my dear Adele. :lol:
Dyah
Yes..yes! I´m very optimist... During the first week in Bali-Exhibition in Hamburg i have nice impression from visitors... they come to me to say... how they were enjoying their visit in Bali, and how they miss Bali after they... or their plan to visit Bali etc... :lol: [/img]
dandan
Steve Irwin was great. My girlfriend was in tears and I admit I felt choked up with emotion once or twice myself. He had such a positive impact on people and he will be missed. :cry: Him dying had more of an effect than if a certain Prime Minister was to die I"m sure.
