Bali Bomb II
Unfortunately enough we are more connected to the latest wave of terror in Bali then any of the previous incidents, but luckily we are all safe and sound.
On Saturday October 1, 2005 we were invited to a wedding party in Jimbaran. It was a beautiful garden party in a private villa set right on the beach. Surprisingly I found a dress that fit (thank god for stretchy fabrics). We arrived about 7 pm, just as the bride and groom were making their entrance. Needless to say, the bride, Julia, was stunningly beautiful and her groom, Andreas, was looking equally dashing.
It was a garden party with a scrumptious buffet, and after getting some dinner, Hengky and I went to explore the grounds and enjoy the sea view (my mandatory five minutes of romance). As we were staring out to sea, watching the planes make their approach and the lights of distant boats shimmer on the water, we heard an explosion. It was incredibly loud and we looked at each other with the same dread in our eyes asking each what else could it be if not a bomb. Other guests began to trickle to the beach, joining us in our speculation. Some figured it could have been a gas tank exploding. But just minutes later, another bomb sounded, and there was no doubting now that this was not an accident.
Word started trickling in that the bombs had occurred just down the beach at the grilled fish restaurants. Some of the villa staff took off running. Wedding guests poured onto the beach to see if anything was visible in the distance. Reports came back that there was a gaping hole in the candles dotting the restaurant tables. As time wore on sirens could be heard in the distance.
Hardly an auspicious start to a marriage. We were confused as how to proceed. On the one hand, we were all aware that there was nothing that we could do, and we all wanted to celebrate Julia and Andreas’s union. But on the other, how was that possible knowing that so many were suffering so nearby. Cell phones came out all around, and everyone was trying to squeeze their sources for more information.
Rumors were circulating wildly, but one that we all hoped couldn’t be true, was. Raja’s restaurant, owned by Julia’s family, had been bombed. It was unbelievable. Julia’s mom quickly changed out of her party dress and left with her son. Still there was no solid information to go on. The party stopped but the guests lingered as we were worried that roads were closed and, more importantly, we wanted to leave the roads open for emergency vehicles.
The wedding next door, also open air, proceeded without a pause. One wondered should we carry on as they are? What is the etiquette for such a tragedy? As we milled around, we were bombarded by their music, and then their fireworks. The first explosion had us all jumping out of our skins and the villa staff were quickly dispatched to ask that they stop the display and show a bit of respect.
Eventually we decided to drum up some enthusiasm for the wedding, continuing with the planned cutting of the cake, serenades by gifted friends and the couple’s first dance. But our efforts were in vain. The cake was cut but not distributed, and it was hard to keep up the momentum knowing what was happening.
As the night wore on, more solid news trickled in. As feared, Raja’s had been hit. Guests huddled around the televisions in the villas trying to learn more. They were assaulted by grisly sights of ambulances pulling up at Sanglah hospital. Rumors still abounded of bombs that hadn’t gone off, of street closings, of hundreds feared dead.
Julia, who had managed to hold herself together remarkably well through the evening, earning the Grace Under Extreme Pressure Award, could no longer keep herself from crying as she learned of employees lost in the blast. With the bride in tears and certainly no good news to come that night, we decided to finally excuse ourselves and try our luck on the roads.
As we drove home we passed police at every intersection. The next morning we turned on the television and were greeted by images of waste and destruction. So much devestation… and for what?