Young Aussies have such strong fondness of holidaying in Bali that the recent spy controversy does not stop them from travelling to the country, The Jakarta Post reports.

In fact, there were still hundreds of Aussie students who flocked at the Ground Zero site in Legian, in remembrance of the Australians who died during the 2001 bombing. They said that they saved from their allowances just to get to Bali in time for the event. After that, they enjoy the nightlife in the area.

"We were saving hard and working part-time in order to get the money for the year-end holidays," Jarrot told The Jakarta Post. Jarrot saved A$2,000 for his holiday in Bali. He said that he particularly loved the night life in Kuta and Legian that the spy feud between his country and Indonesia is not an issue for him. The cultural sites and the Balinese culture hold a soft spot in his heart he said.

Paul Mergard of Red Frogs, an Australian non-profit organisation, said that the travelling Aussie students to Bali are observing proper conduct and decorum despite the tension between the two nations.

In Bali, Red Frogs and its 31 volunteers were helping the Aussie students to get to know more of the Balinese culture and social orientation. While back in Australia, the organisation provided future travellers with relevant information about Bali and what to expect about its culture.

"Bali has more than just a glittering night life. The island's rich culture and tradition and the people are there to be explored deeply in order to increase understanding about different cultures," Mr Mergard said.

Meanwhile, SBY showed positive impression about Prime Minister Tony Abbott's letter. During a press conference with Indonesian press, he highlighted three positive points from Mr Abbott's letter:

  1. Australia had agreed to Yudhoyono's proposal to reshape the cooperation framework, including the exchange of intelligence - by drafting a protocol
  2. Abbott's commitment not to do anything that could be harmful to Indonesia
  3. Australia's wish to maintain good relations with Indonesia.

"The final step after the two countries, especially Indonesia, restore trust and the protocol is completely implemented, then I'd say bilateral cooperation, which obviously brings mutual benefits, can be continued, including military and police cooperation," President Yudhoyono said.