Aussie Tourists Unaffected to Travel Advisory

Kuta (Antara Bali) - Australian tourists on holiday on the Indonesian island resort of Bali have said they remain unaffected by a travel advisory issued following an increase in tensions due to the recent wiretapping controversy.

"We are in no way affected by the travel advisory. The wiretapping is even embarrassing Australia," said Melissa Matheson, a tourist from Perth, Western Australia, at Kuta Beach on Saturday.

She added that the tension between Indonesia and Australia is an inter-governmental issue which did not prevent her from visiting Bali, which she calls her second home.

Melissa said she did not care about the travel advisory, which was issued by Australia on November 21, 2013, but expressed hope that Prime Minister Tony Abbott would apologize for the wiretapping incident to the Government of Indonesia.

"Australia must be responsible for the wiretapping incidents, particularly from the political aspect," she noted.

Besides Melissa, Jim Ward, also a tourist from Western Australia, said he was not concerned about the travel advisory.

"I am not afraid. I feel comfortable here," said Jim, who said this was his sixteenth visit to Bali. (Dwa)