smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Balinese New Year, known as Nyepi, will take place on Tuesday 16 March 2010. Local custom requires that all people in Bali observe a day of silence from 6am on Tuesday 16 March 2010 until 6am Wednesday 17 March 2010. Authorities require that all people in Bali stay indoors, make no noise and switch off all lights for the duration of this period. The Balinese Hindus consider “Nyepi” to be the most important day on the religious calendar and these prohibitions are taken very seriously.
During this 24-hour period, tourists must remain in their hotels and should seek the advice of hotel management regarding movement around the hotel grounds. Balinese across the island strictly observe this tradition and people leaving their homes or hotels between 6am on Tuesday 16 March and 6am on Wednesday 17 March risk being forcibly returned to their homes or hotels by Balinese traditional village level security personnel (Pecalang).
This is an important cultural event for the people of Bali. Australians are urged to be sensitive and strictly observe local custom to avoid giving offence. If in doubt, seek local advice.
Exemptions on movement will only be provided to emergency service vehicles and personnel.
The airport will be closed during this 24-hour period for all domestic and international flights with last destination and first departure from Bali. Only transit, overfly, technical landing and emergency landing flights are allowed, but these flights will not be allowed to take any passengers with last destination in Bali or departure from Bali during this period. The airline crews and passengers who are in transit during this period are required to stay inside the Ngurah Rai Airport.
Harbours around Bali will also be closed from 6am on Tuesday 16 March until 6am on Wednesday 17 March.
The Australian Consulate-General in Bali will be closed on Tuesday 16 March and reopen at 8am on Wednesday 17 March 2010. Due to the prohibitions on the day, the Consulate-General’s ability to provide consular services will be severely limited. Australians in need of urgent consular assistance can contact the Consular Emergency Centre (CEC) in Canberra on +61 2 6261 3305.
This bulletin should be read in conjunction with our travel advice on Indonesia and our General Advice to Australian Travellers on our Smartraveller website.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
