by Trevor Arnold Professor, School of Health and Human Performance in the Faculty of Arts, Health and Science at Central Queensland University.

I have just arrived back home from my first trip to Bali. The reason for the trip, a conference, seems rather insignificant now. The trip, of course, wasn’t. Some colleagues and I arrived for a conference on physiology the day of the blast.

Our hosts saw us as representatives of the Australian nation. They made special mention of us and provided constant moral support. Even the Deputy Governor of Bali, who was at the opening ceremony, shared our grief. He was delegating for the Governor who had been called elsewhere as a result of the bombing.

At an official function later in the week, hosted by the Governor of Bali, I was summonsed by the Conference Chairperson. The Governor wanted to speak to "the Professor from Australia". I was taken to a room away from the ceremony and had a private conversation with the Governor. He pleaded with me to inform Australians that the Balinese community loved Australians and that they should not be seen as being instrumental in the events. He was concerned that Australia's love of travel to Bali would be jeopardised. He explained to me that tourism by Australians to Bali contributed to 90% of Bali's economy and tourism in total to Bali contributed 10% of the Indonesian economy. He explained to me the impact upon Balinese families who survive on less than $AUD1 per day and that many of these were dependent upon tourism dollars. The hotel where I was staying had over 700 units of which only 6 were occupied at the time of my departure and two had floral wreaths placed at the doors of relevant rooms.

He pleaded with me to spread the word that Bali would continue to be a safe place for Australians seeking a peaceful holiday. During walks in the streets of the community, many Balinese citizens, particularly elderly women, would approach me, instantly recognise me as an Australian and beg me for my forgiveness for what had happened. I had to continually explain to them that I did not blame them for the actions of others and wished them well in their recovery from this devastation. The Australian Consulate Office was like a warzone emergency waiting room the morning after the blast.

By the following day it was a virtual shrine. The Balinese community had placed thousands of wreaths around the boundary fences.

----- Editor's note: Yvonne Toft, Peter Reaburn, Darren Joubert also atteded the conference in Bali.

Also, anyone wishing to contribute to the Red Cross Bali Fund may do via the office of DVC-Resources through their department.