Hotels offer indoor activities during Nyepi

Niken Prathivi and Ni Komang Erviani, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar | Wed, 03/25/2009 1:08 PM

Hotels in Bali have prepared various activities for their guests not observing the Balinese Hindu religious holiday of Nyepi, which falls on Thursday, by offering customized indoor activities.

Nyepi, or the Day of Silence, marks the Balinese Saka New Year 1931. Devotees are expected to observe the principles of amati geni (to not light fires or lust), amati karya (to not work), amati lelungan (to not travel) and amati lelanguan (to not have entertainment).

The Westin Nusa Dua Hotel in Nusa Dua, Badung regency, is offering a lively ogoh-ogoh (papier-mache effigy) festival Wednesday, with various indoor activities during Nyepi to entertain guests.

"We will have miniature ogoh-ogoh walking from our lobby to our private beach area a day before Nyepi," marketing communication director Rainata Tjoa told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday, adding that guests could enjoy a buffet dinner after the show.

"The ogoh-ogoh will give our guests an idea of what Nyepi is about."

Ogoh-ogoh are built and paraded before Nyepi, and usually take the form of mythological beings, mostly demons. After being paraded around town, the effigies are then burned to ashes in a cemetery as a symbol of self-purification.

During Nyepi, which will be observed from 6 a.m. on Thursday to 6 a.m. on Friday, the Westin will provide sports and creative activities for adults and children alike.

"The adults may jog or play table tennis at the hotel's facilities," Rainata said.

A bit simpler than the Westin, the Four Seasons Resort Bali in Jimbaran Bay is offering cooking classes and spa treatments during Nyepi.

"We're providing cooking classes and spa treatments for our guests, to pamper them during their stay," said public relations officer Putu Indrawati.

"The hotel will close its open-air restaurant on the beach in respect of the Nyepi holiday."

For US$90, guests can also learn how to cook Balinese dishes.

"They can learn how to make sate lilit or tom yam soup, and end the day with a lunch with our chef," Indrawati said.

The Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association's (PRHI) Bali office has requested hotel keep their activities toned down.

PRHI Bali chief Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana said Tuesday the association had prohibited hotels from organizing parties during Nyepi.

"The essence of the Day of Silence is contemplation. So we expect hotels to offer holiday packages that are in keeping with the spirit of Nyepi," he said.

"Spread the meaning of Nyepi to guests so they can understand and respect the holiday."

He added Nyepi held its own unique charm for foreign tourists.

However, the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies' (Asita) Bali chairman, Aloysius Purwa, said Nyepi had yet to attract many overseas visitors.

Related Article:

Bali Prepares for Silence As Island Closes Its Doors