Nyepi Day 2007

Nyepi Day is the Balinese day of silence, it is the day when the island of Bali ceases to function, at least in modern terms. Once every 210 days Nyepi shows up on everyone’s calendar and people make plans. Balinese people will spend the day in their family’s house, with work, eating and talking supposedly prohibited. In modern times some people are lax, but the fact that this day is taken seriously, is evidenced by the absence of any flights in or out of Bali. Streets are empty, shops are closed, bars are shut. Tourists must stay in their hotel, surfing is prohibited.

This year Nyepi falls on March 19th, a Monday. If you are staying in a hotel with a restaurant an pool you’ll be able to use those. If you are staying in a guest house, you might want to think about checking into a hotel with a restaurant an pool. This day really gives value to any resort experience. You might actually get to use those 5 restaurants, 3 pools, tennis court, gym and sauna.

For expats living in Bali, there are 4 options, as I have stated before. This are:
1. Leaving Bali to Lombok / Singapore / Thailand.
2. Finding a friend with land and holding a BBQ party.
3. Checking into a resort
4. Locking yourself in your villa with someone you find attractive.

Last time Ika and I stayed home with her brother and sister. We could BBQ as our perimeter wall is high and away from the street. Nyepi could be a fun part of your Bali experience, but not if you are planning an outdoors adventure.