Whenever I think of Bali, I don’t know, I think of “Home”.
Sounds cliche yes, but blah who cares—I really do feel so. Because every time I’m there, I feel I’m welcomed. Like I belong there. And every time I leave, unlike any other places where I’ll feel bummed because I have no idea when to come back, I never feel that way for Bali. Because I know sooner or later, no, SOONER, I’ll find myself back in the island again.
And so my way of traveling to Bali has been gradually changing. From visiting the tourist spots, either with friends or family, to the nights of endless clubbing, to island hopping, go all the way to the furthest point and finally recently just come and go in a staycationing style, now I don’t feel I have to be in a rush and forcing my time to go here and there every time I return to Bali. The island, from the place where I seek wild fun, has now become the place where I seek peace.
It finally brought me to the idea of going there during the island’s less-popular time to visit, which has always been a dream to me in past few years. Yes, I went there during their sacred day,
Nyepi
It’s a religious new year celebration for Hindu people where they will be bidding their gratitude to God for the past year, and cleansing themselves for the upcoming days, by staying inside their houses for full 24 hours, strictly no going out, no lights on, no electricity and no activity at all. And this just doesn’t apply only to Balinese—it’s for everybody, including expats, and tourists.
Coming to Bali during Nyepi, I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I saw it as a way to bring up my peace-in-Bali game to the next level. And so this year I did join their celebration.
Before
I arrived one day prior the celebration. It felt weird because the locals left the central area for their own hometowns and villages to celebrate Nyepi with their families. I’ve never, EVER seen Bali so empty. But still I went out during Nyepi eve to catch their traditional ogoh-ogoh parade -it’s a very amazing bunch of mythical creature floats operated by real people! Then back to the hotel room, to start the sacred contemplation.
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| Oh, hello, Mr Ogoh Ogoh |
During
I woke up feeling normal. Because in hotels, everything works the way it usually works. Electricity still on, wi-fi still on, staff still work—what’s different is that NO ONE can leave the hotel precinct. Not even a step out of the front gate. It’s just nice to stay inside maximizing the room and hotel facilities, read books, watch movies, snack on the provisions bought just the day before, actually talk with other guests—for us non-Balinese it’s a good way to unwind and relax yourself!
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| The vibe was totally... paradise-like... |
I several times took a peek on the residential areas behind the hotel and man, it’s totally dead empty. I imagine staying inside, with lights off, no TV and especially this year, local government helps enhancing their spiritual experience by disabling cellular connection! I crazy admire their total willingness to make the most of their ritual!
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| It's totally a life you need after months of endless working! |
So the sun starts gliding down. Dinner is served early because the hotel outdoor needs to stick to the rules of no lights. Pools cleared, lounges and lobby are emptied, and everyone returns to their rooms just before it’s completely dark. We are still allowed to turn the room lights on, but only two or three, and dimmed. Meanwhile outside, even just the corridor in front of room doors, are all out.
But that was one of the best back-to-nature experience to me. I went out, still, in complete darkness of the hallway, looked up to the sky, and the vast ocean of stars were there before my eyes. Bali was completely dark, so light pollution were totally lifted out that it made the sky so vividly clear to naked eyes.
After
6 AM the next day, everything went back to normal as if nothing happened before. There were some more traditional rituals, but most tourists felt like they needed to start exploring again and caught up to one day they ‘lost’—well, other tourist, not me.
Because this time, I was totally here to experience the celebration of Nyepi.
And so I did,
And it became the best silent treatment
I have. Ever. Received.
