Bali

I have been attending the conference on the human dimensions of global environmental change over the last few days. Tomorrow I and my colleague Aysem will present our paper on partnerships for sustainable development.

The conference is held in a guarded tourist compound. Since the three bomb attacks in Bali, security measures are omnipresent. Tourism industry has been hit hard. Since about 80% of the Balinese have tourism related work, you could imagine the Balinese drama.

At the conference I'm trying to overcome my shyness, with limited success. One of the most important things about science conferences include networking, which I'm really bad at. Moreover, I feel like I've nothing to say among such a knowledgeable community. If you read this in time,... pray for a good presentation and good relations with relevant others.

Tomorrow I'll leave the guarded compound and go to to Kuta, the main tourist center in Bali (actually also quite empty since the terrorist attacks). Then I'll cross the Bali strait to Java and visit the Bromo vulcanoe and the famous Borobodour (Buddhist temple). I'll also go to Jogjakarta, which has been virtually destroyed by last year's earthquake. Indonesia's got its share of suffering...

Bali,Indonesia,travel,terrorism,conference