The pain, fear and horror of the 2002 Bali bombing was still obvious on the faces of survivors and families and friends of victims in Bali for last week’s 10th anniversary.
The memorial on the site where Paddy’s Bar stood had a “ground zero” feel about it as hundreds filed past all week, most stopping to silently read the floral tributes and the list of 202 names on the big black marble plaque.
The Balinese mark the anniversary with a nine-day event including cleansing and remembrance ceremonies culminating with the Kuta Karnival - a Celebration of Life attended by thousands.
But Bali has moved on, the tourists have returned and it’s business as usual in the streets of Kuta and Legian.
Opposite the memorial, the Sari Club site continues to cause angst with many believing it should be turned into a peace park. The dusty block is currently used as a carpark and regularly becomes an unofficial urinal for nightclubbers as they wander down Jalan Legian after a night out.
Paddy’s Bar has been rebuilt further down the street and is known as Paddy’s Bar Reloaded.
In some ways Bali is a better place for tourists since the bombings.
There’s a greater police presence and many security measures in place while the emergency departments of major hospitals have been upgraded and improved, thanks to foreign assistance.
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