How do you spend Nyepi?

[spicyayam]

The Jakarta Globe reports that hotel bookings are up for the Nyepi "day of silence"

Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya, head of Bali’s tourism board and owner of the Segara Village Hotel in Sanur, said on Sunday that the hotel was 70 percent full for Nyepi, the local name for the holy day. The observance begins at 6 a.m. on Tuesday and ends at the same time on Wednesday.

He said the majority of guests were Europeans, although he noted that occupancy rates were still below high season.

“Most of the tourists who come are those who have never been to Bali, or those who have been here before but never visited during Nyepi,” he said, adding that Nyepi packages offered by the hotels could be one of the factors that attracted tourists.

During observance of Nyepi, which demands no artificial light, no activity, no traveling and no entertainment, tourists are advised not to leave their accommodations.

Tasya Aluia, spokeswoman for the Holiday Inn Kuta, said it had promoted Nyepi packages in advance and was at 60 percent occupancy for its 195 rooms.

Dutch tourist Frans van Dijk said he has been to Bali three times but never during Nyepi.

“We want to see for ourselves how Bali can become so quiet,” said van Dijk, who traveled to the island with his wife and was staying in Sanur.

Meanwhile, large numbers of non-Balinese residents and workers opted to leave the island by ferries to Java.

“The number of passengers has been increasing since Saturday and we have anticipated it by providing 127 ferries,” said the Gilimanuk port’s operations manager, Ospar Silaban.

On the island, the Balinese are preparing a range of activities to welcome the holiday, which also marks the Saka New Year 1932 on the Hindu calendar.

On Monday, thousands will flock to Puputan Square in Denpasar to be sprinkled with holy water in the cleansing ritual of Tawur Agung Kesanga. That evening, cities across the island will host Ngrupuk parades, in which huge, demonic figures known as ogoh ogoh are meant to bewilder evil spirits.

During the holy day, all access to Bali, except in case of emergency, will be closed for 24 hours including seaports and airports.

[ronb]

Dutch tourist Frans van Dijk said he has been to Bali three times but never during Nyepi.

“We want to see for ourselves how Bali can become so quiet,” said van Dijk, who traveled to the island with his wife and was staying in Sanur.

Interesting - but as they should stay within their hotel complex - they don't get to see how quiet and dark the streets may be.

For us, we stay at our house and will make sure lights are not visible (or barely visible) from the street. While strict observance says not to cook, we will cook as usual and may watch TV quietly. I believe our village (Temukus) is fairly strict, as is Kalibukbuk, whereas Kaliasem is said to take a relaxed approach and people move about on the local streets.

[spicyayam]

Kaliasem is said to take a relaxed approach and people move about on the local streets.

Now why doesn't this surprise me too much?

[Markit]

What cracks me up is that just like last year everybody asks me in that hushed tone "have you bought enough food?". Anybody that knows me would realize that I could probably weather 10 Nyipis in a row without any food and still come out the end whole and hearty - but thinner!

Will sleep, cook, eat, possibly abuse myself if the mood takes me and then sleep again

Selemat Nyipi
Markit

[motormouth]

My wife and kids are up in the family village Depehe at Singaraja, I am the sapam at our house in Brawa, here in Canggu.Went into Denpasar this morning for some shopping, went into Sakura, the DVD store near Ramayana, it was 10.30 am and the store was packed, @ 40 people in this small store all locals, me the only Bule.My father in law sits in a small room in the village and doesn't eat or drink for 24 hrs, me like most,blacken the bedroom so I can watch some DVD's and do some spring cleaning

[Markit]

Ahhh, "spring cleaning" is that what it's called now?

[Jesse]

Like Halloween, Nyepi could be a local escape to do costume parties.