LONDON -- For many years and for many people, the resort island of Bali in Indonesia conjured images of sun, sand and sea, coconut palms and mountains in the mist, batik shirts and early morning flower offerings to the gods. Last Oct. 12, terrorist attacks on nightspots in the Kuta tourist district destroyed the Bali dream. More than 200 lives were lost. Many more victims were severely injured, physically and emotionally. Property destruction was widespread and vicious. The islanders, grievously scarred, struggle to heal.
In September last year, Polly Derby married Dan Miller. A young woman from England, Polly was working as a sales trader in Hong Kong. A young man from England, Dan was a solicitor with the international law firm Herbert Smith. Less than five weeks after their wedding, Polly was a widow. Dan was killed in the bomb blast at the Sari Club, Bali.
From Hong Kong, Polly and Dan had gone for a weekend to Bali. They were in a group of friends, all young life celebrants, on a rugby tour. "My husband, my best friend who was bridesmaid at my wedding, and seven other friends were killed in the bombing," Polly said in England. "I am the sole survivor of our group of 10." Polly suffered burns to 40 percent of her body, and is lucky to be alive.