Bali Governor I Wayan Koster has invited officials of Jetstar Airways and the Australian media to celebrate the arrival of the first Jetstar flight at Bali Airport since 2020.
After two years of not operating the Melbourne-Denpasar route since the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, Jetstar Airways finally landed its first flight in Bali Ngurah Rai Airport on Monday (14/3).
As part of the celebration, Koster invited the officials of the airline along with 23 Australian journalists and 9 travel agents for dinner at his office in Denpasar on Monday evening.
“I personally invited them for dinner because Bali has become the second home for many Australian travelers. Before the pandemic, 1.3 million Aussies would visit the island every year,” Koster added.
During the event, Koster also introduced his guests to a Balinese traditional beverage called Sugarless Coffee with Arak (Balinese liquor) to promote Bali local businesses.
“We served this beverage for them to introduce the products from local farmers. The drink is beneficial for our body, and this traditional arak is as great as sake from Japan and soju from South Korea,” Koster concluded.
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Andrew
Saturday 19th of March 2022
Until these crazy restrictions end we won't be back.
Paul Morris
Friday 18th of March 2022
Great to see the Governor recognise Australia contribution to the Balinese economy because without the 1 million plus Aussies holidaying in Bali every year it would be an economic disaster for the island.
Randy
Wednesday 23rd of March 2022
@Paul Morris, the Balinese daily life that I have witnessed recently was nothing out of the ordinary. They were no starvation, homelessness, or beggars at any tourist spots or in Denpasar for that matter at the end of the two years' restrictions in Indonesia. It is a different assumption what you made Bali to be about without the Australian tourists dollars.
So let's bury the hatchet and move on.
Randy
Wednesday 23rd of March 2022
@Paul Morris, let me tell you a story that was a shock to us when we (college buddies) visited Indonesia for the 4th time in the mid 2000's. One of my college buddy was in the pool of the hotel resort when he was approached by an Aussie who raved about Bali but was racist toward the aboriginal people of Australia and how some Australians felt a similar attitude like him. How lazy and backward the aboriginal people were... That openly biased perspective left a bad after taste in the mouth for all of us during that journey in Bali. Something we will never forget...there have said it.
Randy
Wednesday 23rd of March 2022
@Paul Morris, several Americans on the same level of my thoughts, and age prefer to stay at a distant from drunk, loud and obnoxious Aussies. Can't hold your liquor time to stop drinking.
Never was a mention that everything was back to the pre-pandemic way. No beggars or starving Balinese as you make it to be. Indonesians are still resilient with or without the central government's support. Hello comparing to the 25 million or so Australians, Indonesia has more to feed.
Regarding the best country in the world I would say the great USA. No need for jealousy over Australia...You kept repeating how I may feel about Aussies you are partially wrong. Only to expose the double standard that you "people" may have about the country Indonesia by painting a big brush as if they may be inferior. People other than me can actually read between the line from several on here. Nothing is ever sincere. Anyone can complain. But do complain with constructive and solutions and not from a personal standpoint because things just did not get in the way you hope to be. There have said it.
Paul Morris
Tuesday 22nd of March 2022
Listen here Chuckles just because a couple of thousand of International tourists arrive on the island doesn’t mean that everything is back to normal there are still 100s of thousands of locals without jobs and have been for 2 years and still with no support from the government. I said to you once before last year that you hate Aussies but I’ve changed my mind your absolutely jealous of Aussies and the best country in the world by miles. Chuckle to that 1/2 wit.
Randy
Monday 21st of March 2022
@Paul Morris, oh please... Denpasar is lively as ever. Businesses as usual No starving people or beggars on the streets in Bali. Everyone is busy as they have ever been before the pandemic. Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and Canggu are still quiet albeit many expats are still out and about. We love it. This is the best time to visit without the traffic congestions and drunk Aussies. Chuckles.
ray
Friday 18th of March 2022
still too expensive, $1500 for two people travel insurance with pre existing,$380 for two people pcr before departure, $300 pcr test in bali for two people, $100 voa for two people, three nights in approved hotel minimum $600. somethings have to change before they get to previous numbers
Randy
Monday 21st of March 2022
@ray, Strange quotations !! Never heard it before.
Randy
Thursday 17th of March 2022
CDC is still rated Australia as level 4 "Do not travel" Covid-19 very high where as Indonesia dropped a notch to level 3 Covid-19 high.
Some fully vaccinated international travelers may think that they are immune from the disease, they are fully mistaken.
Darren
Thursday 17th of March 2022
Still waiting for Brisbane-Denpasar flights