Tourists not rumbling
Visitors unfazed by tremors
MORE than 82,000 people have been evacuated to shelters as Bali’s Mt Agung volcano continues to rumble but Australian tourists are in no hurry to cut their holidays short and head home.
Mt Agung recorded its biggest tremor so far late yesterday, registering at 4.3.
Ten airports around Indonesia are being prepared as alternatives if the expected eruption causes Bali’s airport to close but experts still cannot say when the mountain will erupt.
The volcano is more than 70km from the tourist hot spots of Kuta and Seminyak.
David and Kellie Smith, from Newcastle, NSW, are on their first Bali holiday with their two daughters and say they are not concerned by the possibility of an eruption.
They have spoken to locals who say the most concern rests with the villagers closest to the mountain. Like many Australians, their travel insurance appears sound should the volcano erupt.
“We are all covered. I have spoken to our travel agent and she said as soon as she gets notice [of any problems] she will email me,” Ms Smith said, adding they monitored social
“If the locals are not panicked, we are not too worried.”
Melbourne man Brett McKenzie was at the Double Six beach yesterday while his sons, twins Ryan and Jackson, 13 and Bailey, 11, had a surf lesson. media for developments.
The family arrived on Sunday and Mr McKenzie said he and his wife had had no reservations about coming.
He said they had checked the DFAT Smartraveller advice and had insurance.
“It is a force of nature, unavoidable. If we have to stay longer (if the airport closes) we have to stay longer,” he said. Mr McKenzie said due care was needed to avoid any risks.
“I think one thing we are aware of is the unpredictability of the volcano,” he said.
“Our concern is more with the local Balinese people.”
Hundreds of earthquakes were recorded within Mt Agung yesterday.