March 19, 2007

Selamat Hari Raya Nyepi….happy New Year in Bali. What a wonderful way to bring in a new year. The new year in Bali is celebrated with 24 hours of total silence. It is like a miracle on this hustling, bustling Island. But it actually happens. The Balinese day does not start at midnight as in the west. It starts at sunrise and ends 24 hours later, again at sunrise. So at 6 a.m. on Nyepi morning, wherever you are is where you stay for the next 24 hour period. The streets are totally empty, all businesses are closed, and a great silence envelops the island. Hotel guests must stay on their hotel grounds and may not venture out. The ‘pecalang‘, (I have always referred to them as the ‘temple police’ because one of their main jobs is to direct traffic during temple ceremonies, cremations and other busy religious activities) are the only people on the roads and their job during the day is to insure that no one else is out.

As impossible as it sounds, the airport is closed! Only medical evacuations are allowed or, heaven forbid, an emergency landing. Scheduled incoming or outgoing flights are 100% cancelled.

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Anyone considering travelling to Bali in the month of March should be aware that a major religious holiday will take place that could impact on scheduled itineraries. On 19th March 2007 the Balinese will celebrate Nyepi and for a period of 24-hours all activity throughout the entire island literally comes to a standstill. Out of respect for this cultural tradition visitors are obliged to remain within the confines of their hotel until the occasion passes. For some holidaymakers the peaceful ambience comes as a welcome relief, but others may feel disadvantaged at losing a day of shopping or sightseeing.

In accordance to the ancient lunar calendar Nyepi is the symbolic Balinese New Year which is marked by a day and night of quiet solitude and contemplation. Any form of activity is strictly prohibited and even the airport is closed. The underlying philosophy of Nyepi is to appease evil spirits and cleanse the island and its inhabitants from all impurities or disturbing influences that may have accumulated.

It is locally believed that once a year all the evil spirits of the unseen world roam the skies searching for a place to descend and wreak havoc. With the island shrouded in silence and noise and light kept to a bare minimum, Bali holds little interest and the negative forces pass it by for another year.

Traditionally on the evening prior to Nyepi the local communities carry giant monster effigies around the streets in a noisy parade with gongs and flaming torches. The purpose of this is to frighten away the negative forces of the underworld that are an intrinsic element in Balinese Hinduism.

Whist remaining within the hotel grounds guests’ are free to swim, partake in regular in-house activities and enjoy buffet dining. However, the Balinese in their own homes often fast during Nyepi and take the opportunity to meditate and reflect on the coming year.

Keeping an island the size of Bali free from daily activity is truly a unique phenomenon. This ‘sense of silence’ on such a grand scale can only be experienced in Bali and as things return back to normal there is a general feeling of renewal.

During this annual event, please keep the following things in your mind:

The silence begins at 5 a.m. of March 19 and the next 24 hours.

The airport will be totally closed on March 19, so there will be neither arrival nor departure in the airport on that day. All connecting airports around the globe have been informed about it in advance.

If you take surface trip, you should not plan your arrival in Bali on March 19, there is no activity in the bus terminal and most importantly there will be no traffic on that day in the whole Bali island.

You should stay inside the hotel. Do not go out of the hotel. Should you need food or anything to buy, do it on the previous day because on Nyepi Day all shops do not open.

Since all activities throughout the island are held, put your plan before or ahead of Nyepi Day.

Should you want to make a light or play the music, keep it minimum, no light and sounds are allowed.

Don’t make any over-noise sound while you are at hotel.

There are many good restaurant and warung in the Ubud area. Each has unique characteristics and special values. Below are some place to eats out of hundreds restaurants and warung around Ubud.

Ary’s Warung
Located in the heart of Ubud, overlooking a major historical temple, Ary’s Warung maintains its long and impeccable reputation of providing friendly yet professional service and surprisingly knowledgeable as well and of course, excellent food.

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Nyepi day is approaching, traditionally on the evening prior to Nyepi the local communities carry Ogoh Ogoh (giant monster effigies) around the streets in a noisy parade with gongs and flaming torches. The purpose of this is to frighten away the negative forces of the underworld that are an intrinsic element in Balinese Hinduism.

Ogoh ogoh is made from wood frames and bamboo intricately weaved and tied then covered with papier mache. The figure of Ogoh Ogoh is mostly evil giant like. Every Banjar has huge one and small one is for the kids - so they can carry easily.

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Masks or topeng, as they are known as in Bali, are popular crafted souvenirs sold in various forms in almost every art shop or gallery around the island. The range is diverse, from those that take on the forms of animal faces to imaginary creatures, either in the traditional or pop art sense. These topeng have developed over the years from the more classical masks that are used in Balinese dance.

In epistemology, topeng means to cover ones face in order not to be recognized by others. The covering can be made from wood, paper, cloth or other materials found within the island and used to create human and animalistic facial expressions. However, the most popular topeng in Bali are those used by dance and drama artists to portray their characters in accordance to their performance.

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Speaking about public bath place in Bali, you cannot expect well sanitized public bath place as you will see in Japan. Public bath place in Bali offers a totally natural approach to the art of bathing. Public bath place in Bali mainly Tukad (river) and Pancoran (nature formed shower which derives its water from underground water supply).

Taking a bath in the river is a daily activity for Balinese in rural area. Although almost all the Balinese have their own bathroom in house compound, they prefer to take a bath in the river than in their own bathroom.

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