Hello to all

is Bali a safe destination for Americans right now? Any word of new problems since the horrible nightclub bombing?

also - any tips on 5 great things to do in Singapore? (museums, walks, sights, good photo ops, historical significance etc.)

thanks

Paste the following link into your browser to see my comments about safety in Bali as well as my trip report:
http://www.balitravelforum.com/archive200307/11747.html

we particularily liked the orchid garden in the botanical gardens

I loved the Night Safari, it should not be missed...Also the Jurong Bird Park was really cool if you like birds...

My husband and I just returned from Bali and are happy to report that we had no problems. I am African-American, my husband is Caucasian; it may not be very obvious that we are American. As with any country in which we are visitors, we make every effort to respect the local customs and treat our host countries with respect.

We stayed in Jimbaran (Ritz Carlton-nice, but sterile resort), Lovina (Damai Lovina-lovely group of 8 villas in the hills, excellent staff and food, a lovely time we did not want to leave), Tulamben for diving the Liberty Wreck (Emerald Tulamben - kind of run down, and I got food poisoning, went diving anyway...), Candi Dasa (can't remember where we stayed), Ubud (Kokokan - very unique rooms , a very special place).

We met so many kind people who were indeed surprised that two Americans were in Bali. They asked if we were afraid to be there. My husband and I live in NYC, our chances for grave bodily harm are probably higher at home than when we travel abroad. Bali has not been the same since that nightclub bombing. And since much of the local economy relies on toursim, Bali has been very hard hit.

With all of this said, personal safety is a personal decision. I would go back to Bali in a second.

Re: Singapore, I personally would not spend terribly much time in Singapore. In my opinion it is a little sterile. But, having spent 18 plus hours on a plane to arrive in Singapore - not bad at all. Things are very orderly. Everything works, everything is in English. It's less shocking to your system than some countries in the West. I have yet to experience the Night Safari at the Zoo(and I've been to Singapore as a stopover at least 3x). I do hear wonderful things about it, I imagine it is worth a visit.

There is very good Indian Food (either in Little India at some wonderful local places or a few great restaurants throughout the city). The riverfront is okay, lots of shops and restaurants. There is a great park in the middle of Singapore, it is basically a mini rain forest. Great for some easy hikes.

Have a safe and fun trip!

One last thing, we did NOT go to Kuta (location of the nightclub bombing). This decision had more to do with friends and other travel resources that described Kuta as a gathering place for young, boisterous surfers and a scene reminiscent of Tijuana or Tangier (two places I have been, and need not go again).

We were just in Bali in May, and were welcomed wholeheartedly by everyone (we're Americans). The government has taken steps to increase security, but the US gov't travel warning still remains in effect (travel.state.gov). While a risk does remain, personally I thought that the risks of an attack like that happening again, let alone while I was there and in the exact place I was, were astronomical - I'm just not that "lucky", statistically speaking. While we would never go directly into a war zone, we try to be pragmatic about the actual level of risk.

80% of the economy in Bali relies on tourism, and the people there are really suffering. They were so happy to see us wherever we went, and many of them told us to return and tell all of our friends that it's safe to visit.

It was a wonderful trip, and 2 of our friends who were planning to join us but didn't because of the travel warning now wish they would have gone.