DENPASAR, Indonesia -- In most parts of the world, Sept. 11 marks the most infamous terrorist attack in living history. But in Bali it is an auspicious date on the Hindu calendar -- one that seemed like the perfect timing to reopen international borders and provide a much-needed boost for the tourism-dependent economy.
Those hopes were dashed in late August, however, after the central government announced Indonesia would remain closed until sometime next year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
