The Bali Blast Monument is a poignant reminder of what occurred on 12th October 2002 when bombs tore through a popular nightclub and a popular watering hole in Kuta killing 202 people and injuring 240, mostly young western men and women holidaying on the island. The attack obviously targeting foreigners drew world attention to Indonesia as it was the worst act of terrorism that had taken place in the country in the 21st century. The impact of the bombing not only left a permanent scar but it adversely affected the Indonesian economy as tourist arrivals to Bali dropped drastically and left millions of tourism workers unemployed.
Among the recovery efforts after the bombings was the establishment of a permanent memorial to mourn the loss of life and to offer some sort of closure to the families of the victims and the injured. A monument was built at ground zero, on the site of what was once Paddy’s Pub on Legian Street that was wiped out in the blast. The centre piece of the memorial is a black marble plaque bearing the names and nationalities of all those who died in the blast. It is surrounded by an intricately carved piece of traditional stone sculpture which is flanked by flag poles to hoist the national flags of each of the victims. Steps allow visitors to go right up to the plaque to see and touch the names of their loved ones and a paved area in front of the monument has space to lay flowers and offerings to honour the dead. The memorial was dedicated on 12th October 2004, the second anniversary of the incident. Prior to the dedication traditional Balinese Hindu ceremonies, interfaith purification ceremonies and prayer meetings were held in Kuta and during the ceremony mourners were given the opportunity to lay flowers and make offerings. In the tradition of many memorials and monuments around the world, this unostentatious memorial in the middle of Kuta while being a stark reminder of a threat that is now prevalent around the world, terrorism, that can take lives without warning or reason is also a memorial to the young lives that were snuffed out there.
Perched on a cliff at the southern end of the island, Anantara Bali Uluwatu offers sensational vistas from almost every point in the hotel be it garden or ocean. As one of prominent Bali resorts guests have access to a range of services and amenities from spacious rooms with kitchens, direct access to the beach below, enchanting dining destinations, infinity pool and spa tub, rejuvenating spa therapies and luxurious in room amenities. Stay at one of popular Uluwatu hotels to enjoy a fabulous beach destination.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
