There was something in the air in Bali today. Every Balinese person in warungs, shops and hotels was in traditional attire. The special occassion was Melasti, a part of Nyepi. All the ladies at Cafe Seminyak looked lovely today. A fellow expat once told me he doesn’t find the Balinese costumes at all appealing, but I do and as well as the graceful ladies. the Balinese men always appear wonderfully regimented in their matching outfits.
The Melasti Ritual is performed 3 or 4 days prior to Nyepi. It is dedicated to Sanghyang Widhi/Vishnu-Devas-Bataras and is performed at the beach to respect them as the owner of The Land and Sea. Pura Petitenget would of been the scene of mass ceremonies today and this evening at 7pm the whole of Jl. Dhyana Pura stopped to allow a massive procession to pass, coming back from the beach. For me its a great thing, to pull over, turn off my engine and consider for a moment the cultural significance of all this. Nyepi is on Monday March 19th, so anyone who is in Bali and hasn’t figured out waht they’re doing, better get on it. Nyepi day is one of those times when having a big house pays off. My house is perfectly adequate and we’ll cook food, try not to make too much noise and do stuff online.
I reckon the Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta could be a fun place to spend Nyepi.
