In a word - YES

Bali is probably still one of the safest places in the world.

In December 2004 a devastating Tsunami hit the north western coast of Sumatra.

Some potential visitors have asked if Bali was affected. The answer is no. While Bali is part of the same country it is geographically a long way from The Tsunami area probably as far as northern Scotland is from southern Italy. There was no effect noted in Bali.

In 2002 the Kuta bombing shook the world. Another smaller bombing followed in 2005. It proved that the world has changed and that nowhere is now completely safe.

These incidents were "hit and run" incident carried out by people from outside Bali virtually all of whom are now in prison. The man responsible for making the bombs and recruiting the teams was killed during 2005.

There has been universal condemnation of the act across Indonesia and the world. At no time has Bali been unstable Bali is a country of peace loving friendly people.

Other than that one incident Bali has always been a very safe place. David Attenborough once said that the Balinese are the friendliest people on earth.

The fact of the matter is that London, New York and Sydney are far more dangerous places to visit than Bali.

Travel Advisories

(also see Times article)

A number of governments around the world have placed travel advisories advising against visiting Bali. As a result it is sometimes difficult to get travel insurance and travel agents are hostile to people who want to visit Bali.

The British Government has removed its travel warning about Bali several years ago and British people are onec again coming to Bali. Australia and America still maintain their advice. Australia in recent months has been repeatedly warning of imminent threats, each time nothing eventuates. The warnings are in fact playing into the hands of the terrorists.

Some people consider these travel advisories as an overreaction or a "back covering" exercise by governments.

Other people believe they are politically motivated, a theory strengthened by the continual reutterance of warnings against travel to South East Asia by the American government.

Richard Branson (head of Virgin) has roundly condemned the advisories saying they are unjust and unjustified.

Australians are now returning to Bali in spite of the travel advisory.

Perspective

In fact the most dangerous part of your trip to Bali will be your journey to the airport as you leave your home country.

The thing that travel advisories lack is perspective.

Spain suffered a terrible terrorist attack and the bombers were notb caught. For years there have been bombings by ETA. There was no travel advice against going to Spain.

In Turkey the British Consulate and a major British bank were blown up. The bombers have not been caught. The travel advisories against travel to Turkey were lifted after only two months!

Violent crimes such as muggings are commonplace in Britain, America and other parts of the world. Violence against tourists is virtually unheard of in Bali.