Bali Is Shutting Down for 24 Hours to Observe a Day of Silence
In Bali, everything has gone quiet.
Starting at 6am on Thursday, March 7 — that’s Central Indonesia Time — the international airport in Denpasar (DPS) closed for a full 24 hours. No flights will land or takeoff here, and mobile internet will remain shut off until 6am on Friday.
It’s all part of the island’s Hindu New Year holiday, Nyepi, or Silent Day — a celebration marked by the tenets of Catur Brata Penyepian: no work, no fires or light, no entertainment and absolutely no traveling.
According to The Washington Post, tourists have even been arrested in the past for wandering around outside during the sacred day. Only emergency services are pardoned during the 24-hour period.
Travelers currently in Bali will be forbidden from leaving the hotel grounds. Check-in and check-out will not be permitted, and public beaches and spaces will close. As a result, many resorts on the island have to tempt travelers with Nyepi packages. Guests at the Ritz-Carlton, for example, will be enjoying a complimentary breakfast buffet and 20% off all other food and beverage purchases and, for those terrified at the prospect of being cut off, complimentary Wi-Fi that will still be available throughout the 24-hour stretch of silence.
Some AccorHotels in Bali (like the Fairmont Sanur Beach), on the other hand, are providing movies to compensate for the lack of cable TV broadcasts, dimming interior lights, turning off outdoor lighting and asking guests to speak quietly and avoid laughing.
And at the Conrad Bali, a two-night stay during Nyepi includes daily breakfast, one three-course lunch and dinner for two and free Wi-Fi for Hilton Honors members, among other benefits.
TPG contributor Susan J. Young is currently staying at the InterContinental Bali Resort, and said that, upon arriving at the hotel the day before Nyepi, she received a letter from the hotel's general manager, Michael Koth.
"Any form of activity outside of the resort is strictly prohibited," Koth wrote. "Guests staying on the island are requested to respect this unique tradition by remaining in the confines of the resort for the entire duration of Nyepi ... All lights and noise will be minimized. Swimming in the ocean or strolling on the beach is not permitted ... Curtains and shutters in your room should also remain closed."
Young said the resort is providing TV on Demand, internet radio and access to YouTube, as well as standard internet access, and that hotel staff members have been "welcoming" and "gracious," despite giving up important family time to work during the Day of Silence.
Though visiting Bali during the auspicious holiday may sound extremely restrictive, many travelers position themselves in Bali specifically for Nyepi. Guests may not be required to fast or repent, but many do take the opportunity to meditate and unplug.
Italy-based travel journalist and cookbook author, Robyn Eckhardt, traveled to Bali during the Day of Silence years ago for just this reason. She told TPG it was, "a wonderful day of quiet reflection" following a series of exuberant New Year's celebrations.
"We slept late, and awoke to utter peace: no sounds of motorbikes, not a person to be seen anywhere. We spent the day in silence (writing notes when necessary), kept to ourselves, reading or just staring out at the rice paddies."
Eckhardt said it was her favorite of many trips to Bali, and she would absolutely recommend it to travelers. "Plan to be in a village, preferably in a private home or guest house, rather than in a big, anonymous hotel where you can't feel the spiritual, communal side of the holiday."
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.