Nyepi continues to be the best time on the island, and proven once again just yesterday. I love the chill, the dark and the silence. No need to rush around. I try to fast every year during Nyepi, which makes it really easy and just let everything slow down. Then, before you know it, it is all over. Happy Balinese New Year to you all and let’s go, it is time to get it moving again. Photo above from Annabel North Lewis
Photos Above: Here are some photos from the day before Nyepi at my daughter Paloma’s birthday on Sanur Beach and then later on Seminyak Beach with the gank. Nyepi and Nyepi Eve are such great days to be on the island.
Meanwhile, some foreign dude was mouthing off and getting negative about Nyepi last night on Instagram, probably thinking it was cool, ganster like, or funny, but I’d say just looking for attention and a response of some sort. He got that response for sure as the entire local, social stratosphere got on board for a pummling and now that he has Niluh J on his back he better watch out. Deportation will be a lite punishment and I’m sure it will not be far away. It’s not the first time foreigners have gone rogue during Nyepi, but lately they seem to have been East European types. This guy looked a little Ruskie but appeared to be from Switzerland – from his IG account (@luzzysun). The language could be an issue, where they don’t understand the situation, don’t understand how important Nyepi is, and basically don’t understand anything. I suppose he is understanding more now. Another thing I would like to add is about the people posting anything in general on social media on Nyepi. Don’t you understand everyone is supposed to be silent on that day??
And speaking of the authorities. When are authorities going to do something about the full black tinted windows on vehicles? Like ban them. I don’t like to whinge, of course, but it is getting out of control now. Not only drivers can’t see through the cars to view on-coming traffic, but I’m sure the driver with the tinted windows can’t see anything out of their windows, including the windshield, either, which is absolutely ridiculous. They probably do it for privacy, or to keep the car cool, but the safety angle is beyond measure and it must be time to do something about it. How many times do you come across a slow moving car, trying to navigate a corner, so slowly you would swear they have some kind of disability, and in fact, they do, they can’t actually see where they are going. Crazy and very dangerous. While I’m here, another thing to be rid of as soon as possible are the firework rockets at the beach. There you are relaxing down the beautiful beach at sunset and next, boom, a fireworks bomb goes off right next to you. What’s the point? Sorry, I don’t get it. I go down with my dogs sometimes and it drives them crazy, too. Time to get rid of them and all the shops that sell them please. Maybe there could be a ground swell of anti black tinted cars and firework rockets on the beach. Who can say? At least it would give the elephants a break!
Photos Above: Some of the action from last weekend. The reopening of the Roof Top at Mesa Bali was kinda fun and adds something to the Berawa early nightlife scene with cocktails and live music under the stars. Later over at Riviera Berawa with Papü on the decks and the place on fire! Of course, we wound up at the Home of House and Techno, Red Ruby for the last hurah Saturday night and then the Revolver HQ Opening Party, which I am sure will be a major hot spot in Umalas in the near future, on Sunday before Nyepi set in.
Have a good weekend and New Year ahead you all!
Also Happy Idul Fitri to all our muslim friends and there are many. Have a wonderful time with your friends and family over this Eid period and coming Lebaran.
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