The bombings on the paradise island of Bali have shocked people who have holidayed there. Katie Barlow, who spent her honeymoon on the island recalls her happy memories.

BALI'S image of a palm fringed paradise is certainly true - it is definitely the most beautiful place I have ever visited.

With crystal clear water and stretches of white sandy beaches, it has become a magnet for visitors of all nationalities.

It is hard to describe how beautiful the island is. It seems to have some kind of pull, which makes you fall in love with it and is difficult to explain unless you have actually been there.

The fantastic scenery looks as if it has been painted, with rice fields tip-toeing down hill sides like giant steps, volcanoes and tropical jungles. It is really picturesque and often leaves you feeling like you have stepped straight into the pages of a glossy guide book.

That is maybe one of the reasons so many couples decide to get married on the island and why many more choose to spend their honeymoon there. It was certainly one of the factors behind our decision to spend half of our honeymoon there a month ago.

We had been told that if we simply wanted to relax, then Bali was the place to go and it was true.

Holidaymakers seem to spend their time just reading by the pool enjoying the intense heat or taking a short walk along one of the beaches. Everything seems to be done in slow motion compared to the hustle and bustle of everyday life in England. Although the Balinese are friendly and cannot do enough to help you, they do it in their own time.

Another deciding factor was, after September 11, we thought Bali would be one of the safest places to go, with many different religions and cultures having rubbed along together for many years.

Hinduism is still the main religion and is reflected in day-to-day life with the numerous ceremonies, festivals and temples and palaces and although there had been talk of upheaval in Bali, we never once felt threatened.

I am not sure if the island is crime free - we certainly didn't come across any problems while we were there.

We stayed in the Nusa Dua resort, which is about a twenty minute taxi ride from Kuta. Although we didn't visit Kuta it is hard to believe that something like this has happened.

We had said we would return for our fifth or tenth anniversary, but I want to cling to the memories of the island while we were there and so I don't think we will be going back.