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."
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.