REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, DENPASAR – Both domestic and international tourists are prohibited to go to Bali in Nyepi or Balinese New Year. The Hinduism worship that takes place on March 23, 2012, is well known as time for silence and contemplation.
“The tourist planning to go to Bali can come one day before or after Nyepi. In Nyepi, all transportations in Bali are paralyzed,” the Head of Public Relation Bureau in Bali, I Ketut Teneng, said on Friday.
He said either air or sea transportation to Bali from any departure or vice versa is not operated for 24 hours. They are closed from 06.00 Indonesian Central Time (WITA) on Friday until 06.00 WITA the next day.
The six ports in Bali, some are Benoa (Denpasar), Celukan Bawang (Buleleng), Gilimanuk, and Padangbai, are paralyzed. So are Tanah Ampo in Karangasem which is specially designed for foreign cruiser and Nusa Penida in Klungkung, a land separated from Bali’s main island.
Teneng added, Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali is also closed for all departure flights. And all land transportations stay on its park while Hindus are closing their house to conduct Tapa Brata Penyepian or contemplation.
Tourism agencies offering Bali package have been asked to explain the meaning of Nyepi to the tourists to avoid misperception. Bali Govenor, Made Mangku Pastika, has also sent a letter to four ministers in United Indonesia Cabinet related to the temporary closing of Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali and six ports.
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