Hi Matt,
Flying to Manado next month from next door in Little Rock. This will be our third trip to Indo--- my favorite place to dive in the whole world.
After 9/11, I quit flying for a couple of years out of fear. Terrorism is based on fear. At some point, I decided to not be intimidated by these hijackers of Islam. Do I think about what these terrorists are doing? Sure. But, I remind myself how friendly the Muslims I met in Makassar treated me. How kind and helpful the Muslims in Paris were .How much fun I had with my Egyptian grade school friend whose expat father came to America to teach science. The times I spent at his family's dinner table treated as family.
Bad apples-- sure there are some. But the great majority are good people. We have our own bad apples too. Go and have the time of your life. Use common sense and be situationally aware--- but enjoy world class diving. The terrorists only win if we cower. The only "bad" experience I have had was a mean look from a woman running a kiosk in the Sorong "airport"(still not sure what that was about). Big deal. I've gotten dirtier looks on the streets of Little Rock. The Muslims I have met in Indo were friendly, fun loving people. Go -- we only live once.
Yes, I realize that the four persons recently accused of terrorism were arrested in Sulawesi,the central area. I probably wouldn't go there.
When I was in Makassar, the"video incident " was fresh and one of the Makassar KFC s was shut down b/c of the video with some pretty ugly graffiti --- but many other businesses generally associated with the west were up and running. We spent some time in their modern mall and were quite a curiosity but treated great. Honestly, I was a little apprehensive on that trip b/c of the recent video and repercussions. There are no guarantees in this life. Go for it.