The One Day You Should Avoid Bali and Not Have S#x in a Temple

By TravelWiseMar 13, 2013 19:22 PMOther
Share:
The One Day You Should Avoid Bali and Not Have S#x in a Temple
The One Day You Should Avoid Bali and Not Have S#x in a Temple

You might not even realise that it’s happening until it’s too late. The signs are subtle, but they are there for anyone paying attention. The shops at the International Airport in Bali close early. The ATM’s are switched off, planes are grounded. Hotel staff finish their night shift early and at precisely midnight the air conditioners will stop working. You might already be asleep at that point so you won’t notice straight away, but in a few hours a thin layer of glistening sweat will have formed against your skin.

When you wake up in the morning everything will seem normal, but little do you realise you are about to wake up on the real life set of a zombie movie. Try to switch on the television in your room and nothing will happen, not even a flicker of power. Flick the light switch and you’ll have the same problem. You might think nothing of it until you arrive at the hotel restaurant to pick up breakfast and find all the plates are out with food on it, but no staff present. It’s at this point that you will probably find a polite letter from the hotel asking you nicely if you can stay in your room for the whole day, the reason; it’s Nyepi. Unless you knew it was coming, you will shortly discover that this very public Balinese holiday will completely ruin your trip to the island.

So just what is Nyepi? 

The Bali New Year is also known as Nyepi for Bali’s Hindu population, which as far as you are concerned, means everyone. Unlike in America this is not a time where everyone celebrates with a drink and partying. It’s the complete opposite in fact, this is a time for reflection. It is a day when you should do as little as possible, preferably within the confines of your own home. For tourists, the hotels in Bali also set aside time for the ritual. Some travelers feel this is the best place to visit and experience total peace. You’re not allowed to use motorized transport, no cell phones, nothing. I’m not sure if this means that they turn off the emergency generators at the local hospitals, but I’m imagining not.

If you do happen to be in Bali for Nyepi next year and you can’t take any more introspection, whatever you do don’t have s#x in one of the Hindu temples. Not only does it not go down very well with the locals, but you’ll find yourself facing a hefty Rp20 million fine like an Estonian couple did earlier this week.

Date to Miss: March 31 2014.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
ScotRail train at an empty station platform

ScotRail Boosts Late-Night Services to Ease Travel During Edinburgh Festivals

Jul 30, 2025 07:38 AM
Passenger using smartphone during flight

Two Tickets in One Click: JetBlue and United Simplify Complex Routes

Jul 29, 2025 23:43 PM

Florø Prepares to Expand Accommodation Options for Visitors

Jul 29, 2025 21:36 PM

Southwest Changes Boarding Rules and Adds New Winter Destinations for 2026

Jul 29, 2025 19:28 PM
Modern hotel room with double bed, armchair, and wall art

Hyatt Centric Anjuna Goa to Open in Town Center, Bringing New Stay Option to Anjuna

Jul 29, 2025 17:42 PM
Woman checking travel information on her phone during a flight

Philippine Airlines Introduces Pre-Flight Emails with Essential Travel Details

Jul 29, 2025 02:35 AM
Railway workers performing track maintenance during engineering works

Weekend Engineering Works to Affect Rail Access Between Stalybridge and Dewsbury

Jul 28, 2025 23:25 PM
View of South African Airways wing over landscape during flight

New Non-Stop Route from Cape Town Opens Up Mauritius for Travelers

Jul 28, 2025 21:32 PM
A woman using her smartphone while sitting on public transport

East Midlands Railway Cuts Fares on Summer Routes Across UK

Jul 28, 2025 20:47 PM

New Ryanair System Changes How Travellers Book Through Agencies

Jul 28, 2025 16:26 PM

Holiday Inn Express Brings Overnight Option to Changanassery’s Lively Local Streets

Jul 28, 2025 14:33 PM
American Airlines aircraft preparing for departure on the runway

Denver Departure Chaos: American Airlines Flight Evacuated After Smoke Alert

Jul 27, 2025 23:54 PM
View from airplane window showing coastline and river below during flight over Borneo

Malaysia and Indonesia Open New Direct Air Routes to Simplify Travel to Borneo

Jul 27, 2025 20:31 PM
Train navigating complex rail junction under overhead infrastructure

Rail Disruptions in Liguria: RFI Construction Projects Will Impact August Travel

Jul 26, 2025 23:41 PM
Condor Airbus A330neo with green and white striped livery on airport runway

New daily Condor flights reshape the flight map of Europe

Jul 26, 2025 21:37 PM

Gdańsk Opens New Direct Route to Agadir, Simplifying Travel to Morocco’s Coast

Jul 26, 2025 20:26 PM

New Direct Flights Connect Taipei and Phoenix, Expanding Access to Southwest U.S. Destinations

Jul 26, 2025 19:43 PM
Rail maintenance machinery working on tracks in South Wales

South Wales Rail Upgrades to Impact Travel Access in Early August

Jul 26, 2025 18:39 PM
easyJet aircraft on airport tarmac with boarding stairs

Euro Final in the Sky: easyJet to Announce Scores to Passengers During Flights

Jul 25, 2025 23:27 PM
Multiple railway tracks with red signal and overhead wires

Expect Delays: Leicester–Peterborough Line Closed 2 and 3 August

Jul 25, 2025 21:34 PM
Steam train crossing a historic stone viaduct through misty hills

Steam-Powered Day Trips from London Unlock Access to Britain’s Hidden Landscapes

Jul 25, 2025 20:42 PM
WestJet airplane in flight against a blue sky

New Air Partnership Opens More Direct Travel Routes Between North America and Africa

Jul 25, 2025 15:28 PM

New Wizz Air Flights Open Southern Europe to Gdańsk Travellers

Jul 25, 2025 10:35 AM

Verona and Vicenza Rail Line Closed in August Affecting Travel Plans

Jul 25, 2025 01:48 AM
Stylish hotel bed with modern cushions and lamps on both sides

Budapest Welcomes Radisson Collection Hotel Near Key City Attraction

Jul 24, 2025 15:32 PM
Person using smartphone in a modern workspace

Air New Zealand Uses AI to Make Flights More Reliable and Passenger-Friendly

Jul 24, 2025 13:26 PM