Families pay tribute at site of Bali blast

As the clock struck 11.08pm – exactly one year on from the Bali bombing - there was absolute silence.

Bereaved families and friends huddled in groups or stood alone to contemplate last October’s tragedy which tore through the heart of the island.

One man cleared away a small patch of earth at the site of the Sari Club, revealing white floor tiling beneath.

He lit two candles and placed a hand on the ground – as he bowed his head, tears pouring down his face.

It had been left up to the relatives to decide whether or not to make their way to the site of the Sari Club and Paddy’s Bar in Jalan Legian – one of Bali’s busiest tourist streets.

The road was closed off as the families passed through heavy security and armed soldiers to make their pilgrimage.

The fencing in front of the Sari Club was totally swamped with floral tributes, Balinese offerings to the gods, photographs of the 202 victims and personal messages.

Many mourners stood on the site of the club reliving the moment when the bombs exploded.

Some sobbed uncontrollably, others looked incredulous as though they could not quite believe it was real.

Still more of the bereaved had a dead look in their eyes – tired of grieving.

Over the loudspeakers, prayers and messages were read out to the hundreds in the crowd.

“Friends of Bali – what can we do to create beauty from this tragedy and come to an understanding where nobody feels the need to make such a statement again?” asked one woman.

At one point, the announcer told the sombre crowd that there were three wallets belonging to three victims who died.

The mother of Australian Jodie O’Shea collected her daughter’s belongings - no-one stepped forward for the other two.

Candles were distributed throughout the crowd to families, friends and all those who had come to pay their respects.

Everyone was asked to sit down on the ground and be silent for more prayers.

One Indonesian speaker repeatedly broke down, sobbing into the microphone as he tried to make his tribute.

His grief echoed through the crowded street.

One Australian woman wept openly for her lost loved one, clutching a handkerchief and praying to the recently erected marble memorial.

The tribute to the victims bears the names of all those who were killed and was covered with flowers and candles.

Many westerners listened to the unfamiliar Indonesian words and stared at the ground.

But hope was restored and people clapped and cheered as several white doves - symbolising peace – were released into the clear night sky.