It’s chaos, stressed SA student says

STELLENBOSCH University student Lara Peach was among thousands of tourists clamouring to leave Bali ahead of an anticipated volcanic eruption.

“All flights in Bali have been cancelled‚ the airport is sheer chaos and no one knows anything – other than the anticipation of a bigger eruption. Not a good end to a holiday‚” the second-year humanities student said in a post on Facebook.

Authorities‚ fearing a massive eruption‚ are in the process of evacuating residents in the 10km exclusion zone around the volcano. Peach said yesterday that the situation was tense. “It is also the first time I have travelled overseas alone [without my family],” she said.

“We are all exhausted from the stress and adrenalin. People looked incredibly worried‚ dishevelled and annoyed at the airport.”

She and three friends spent months planning a trip to Bali, but their nine days of bliss ended on a chaotic note. They were supposed to fly home yesterday evening.

Describing the scene at Ngurah Rai International Airport‚ also known as Denpasar International Airport‚ she said that people were worried and stressed because flights had been grounded.

“We have been moved to the Melia Bali hotel in Nusa Dua for the night‚ after waiting for two hours at the airport,” Peach said.

“It was chaos at the airport‚ with all airlines opening information desks at the lower level‚ as well as a consulate with EU flags.”

Adding to her anxiety is the prospect of not arriving home in time to write exams.

“I have to write an exam tomorrow‚ two on Thursday and one on Friday,” Peach said.

“One exam is a rewrite‚ and the other three are second opportunity exams I chose.

“If all had gone according to plan‚ I would be back in time to write all three‚ but now I am unsure.

“What I am most worried about is the fact that the university refuses to make any exceptions.

“They have informed me that I will immediately fail any module that I do not write the exam for.

“What they don’t seem to understand is that it is a natural disaster.

“If I do not write these exams‚ I will fail the year. So‚ in the past 12 or so hours‚ I have had to deal with the stress of possible danger and the possibility of failing‚ for something that is completely out of my control.”–