Bali shuts down on Day of Silence<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Island of Bali, Indonesia's most famous
\nholiday destination, virtually turned into a ghost town yesterday
\nas the predominantly Hindu islanders observed the Day of Silence.<\/p>\n
The streets were deserted except for the few licensed buses
\ndriving tourists around and emergency vehicles.<\/p>\n
The usual hustle and bustle was replaced by an almost
\ndeafening silence.<\/p>\n
The streets were deserted and the heavy pollution from vehicle
\nexhaust lifted.<\/p>\n
Sunbathers, swimmers and local hawkers kept off of the beaches
\nin Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua.<\/p>\n
Yesterday marked the change of the Bali Hindu Saka Year, from
\nthe year 1916 to 1917. On this new year, popularly known as Nyepi
\n(Day of Silence), Hindu Balinese must refrain from doing earthly
\nactivities for 24 hours.<\/p>\n
Apart from meditating, the Hindus must observe four "Don'ts"
\non this day: Don't burn a fire or light, don't do any activity,
\ndon't leave the house and don't indulge in any entertainment.<\/p>\n
All lights were turned off on Friday night. All cars were
\nparked in garages or on side streets. And televisions were not
\nswitched on all day yesterday.<\/p>\n
To ensure compliance, village officers, wearing traditional
\nBali garb, patrolled the streets and questioned anyone found
\nventuring outside their home, according to Antara.<\/p>\n
I Made Wendra, a patrol officer in Kuta, said this year the
\nobservance of Nyepi on his beat was much better.<\/p>\n
Kuta is one of the most popular resorts in Bali and is filled
\nwith restaurants and nightclubs.<\/p>\n
Tourists heeded the government's request to respect the Hindu
\nreligious rite by confining themselves inside their hotel
\ncompounds.<\/p>\n
Even Ngurah Rai airport, which is normally busy with arriving
\nand departing tourists, was much quieter yesterday as most people
\nrespected the government's appeal not to travel on this
\nparticular day.<\/p>\n
The few tourists who did arrive yesterday faced a long wait
\nfor a bus or taxi.<\/p>\n
According to Antara, there are 365,000 vehicles registered in
\nBali. The Regency Administration of Badung only issued 205
\nspecial passes for vehicles to operate on Saturday. Denpasar, the
\ncapital of Bali, issued 225.<\/p>\n
The passes were mainly issued to tour operators and hotels,
\nand were to be used strictly to transport tourists between hotels
\nand the airport.<\/p>\n
Ferry services between Banyuwangi, East Java and Gilimanuk in
\nBali also stopped yesterday. (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bali-shuts-down-on-day-of-silence-1447893297",
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