Officials confirmed that more than 1,000 expats currently residing in Bali have gone to Gili Trawangan, Lombok to avoid the Day of Silence celebration in Bali. As a predominantly Hindu island, the people of Bali will celebrate the Day of Silence (Nyepi Day) by meditating and staying home, while the provincial government shuts down businesses and offices from operating for 24 hours of the annual celebration.
The Head of Padangbai Port’s Authority, Ni Luh Putu Eka Suyasmin confirmed that over 1,000 expats left the island and went mostly to Gili Trawangan to avoid Nyepi Day as it would prevent them from outdoor activities.
“Many people who were mostly expats left the island using fast boats from Friday to Saturday,” said Suyasmin on Saturday evening (13/3). She explained that on Friday there were three boats that departed to Gili Trawangan, and there were another three boats that departed on Saturday.
She added that it’s a common thing for people who don’t celebrate Nyepi Day to temporarily leave the island.
“We will start to close Padangbai Port from operating for 24 hours during the celebration, including the ferry services. The last ferry departure will be on Sunday at 3:00 am” Suyasmin added. Padangbai Port will begin operating normally on Monday at 9:00 am.
She also explained that prevention protocols were implemented at the port as all tourists are required to show a rapid antigen test document with negative results upon departure.
“We also provide a rapid antigen test facility at the location, in case they haven’t been tested prior to the departure” Suyasmin concluded.
Remove All Ads & Unlock All Articles… Sign up for The Bali Sun Premium
Plan Your Bali Holiday:
Book The Best English Speaking Drivers For Airport Transfers & Tours
Choose From Thousands of Bali Hotels, Resorts, and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
Book Cheap Flights To Bali
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance That Covers Medical Expenses In Bali
For the latest Bali News & Debate Join our Facebook Community
SUBSCRIBE TO NEW POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Bali Sun’s latest breaking news, straight to your inbox.
Randy
Wednesday 17th of March 2021
The young expats fleeing "Nyepi day" may suffer from this FOMO "the fear of missing out" should one day of staying put and quiet could ruin an entire day of activities in Bali. Lacking cultural awareness of the host country is beyond rude. No other words to explain it further.
People flock to Bali for personal reasons. Many seek adventures. Many seek spiritualism. Many seek inner peace. Many seek to party hard. However respecting the host country will have the locals respecting you back.
"Cultural awareness is sensitivity to the similarities and differences that exist between two different cultures and the use of this sensitivity in effective communication with members of another cultural group. It means working from the cultural perspective of the other person, not from your own perspective".
Paul W
Wednesday 17th of March 2021
Bali will never control the virus and be in a position to allow tourists if the ingress and egress of people is not controlled from one main area such as the airport. Quite disrespectful to not even want to stay on the island for the most important day of the year for its people. If this cannot be respected they shouldn’t live there . Bali is an Island and as such should be one of the first places to be able to bring back tourists but it continues to allow boats to come and go from island to island. Why cannot the powers to be not see this. Lock down the island and vaccinate everyone and then control it Or do free movement and forget it as a beautiful tourist destination.
J West
Tuesday 16th of March 2021
Holy Nyepi is an " inconvenience" to foreigners? How rude.
Botak
Tuesday 16th of March 2021
absurd to avoid Nyepi celebration. much better than join 1000 people traveling to Gili Trawangan is to stay one day a year at home and enjoy silence.