Nyepi a day of self reflection and silence

March 22
Nyepi day starts a 24-hour period of silence beginning at sunrise on 22nd March 2023, and continues for 24 hours until 6:00 am Thursday, 23rd March 2023. The period of silence begins at 6 am on Wednesday, 22 March 2023 and will last 24 hours until 6 am on Thursday, 23 March 2023. It is a day of complete stillness. On 22 March 2023, neither arrivals nor departures will be permitted at Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpsar. Every major airport in the world has been notified in advance. Check-ins and check-outs are not permitted at hotels and resorts on Nyepi Day. There will be no traffic or pedestrians allowed on the beach or on the streets. All stores and offices are closed and guests and staff are not permitted to leave the resort commencing 6:00 am Wednesday, 22nd March 2023 to 6:00 am Thursday, 23rd March 2023. We are not allowed to leave the resort grounds. My room curtains must be drawn completely from 6:00 pm Wednesday, 22 March 2023 to 6:00 am Thursday, 23 March 2023. So, electricity, water and WIFI connection is not available. They will stock my room with food and cereals, a battery powered light, a battery powered fan, extra water and wet wipes for then 24 hours. I can and will spend the day poolside and participate in some yoga and meditation with Lou. I am looking forward to the power of silence on the year's quietest day in Nusa. Only activities that is allowed in in the hospital. Lots of the hotel staff will either return to their homes or flee to Bali and stay at a hotel!

I started my day with an hour meditation and yoga rise and shine practice. Grabbed breakfast and a swim. Settled in poolside to read and nap. Around 2 pm, I headed back to my cottage to get ready for another yoga session. Dinner and then back to the cottage for a very dark and quiet night. It was pretty stuffy without air conditioning. They did leave a battery operated fan, lots and lots of drinking water, two big containers of water….one to flush the toilet and the other to wash.

Heard the birds, cows, and chickens from the neighbouring farms. It was a great day of self reflection.

March 23
I met David’s dad, Dawie, at the restaurant as I asked him if he wanted to join me on my road trip exploring the East side of the island. Dawie is from South Africa but is spending 6 months in Nusa Penida with David and Lou. Wayan picked us up…

First stop Diamond Beach. There are stairs carved out in the side of the mountain so one could go down to the beach. I didn’t because of my knee.

Second stop Atuh Beach. There were stairs to go down, Wayan said it was only a 5 minute walk down so we decided to head down. Dawie stopped half way down as the stairs were pretty steep. I kept on with Wayan. It was definitely worth it. However, going up was difficult.

Third stop Rumah Pohon Treehouse and Thousand Island view. I saw ladies hike down in beautiful flowing dresses just to get a picture.

Thousand Island view. The hike back up was brutal!

Last stop Pura Goa Giri Putri Temple, also known as Karangsari Cave is another hidden temple in Nusa Penida, Bali, but this one is unique because it’s inside of a huge natural cave. The Goa Giri cave is located halfway up a hill, so you have to climb 100+ steps to reach it. At the top, a Hindu priest flicked some holy water on our forehead as a purification rite. To enter the cave, we had to crawl through a small opening in the side of the rock.

After crawling a few meters through a narrow, slightly claustrophobic passage, the inside opens up to a huge room with high ceilings. There’s a lighting system set up inside, but a flashlight could still be handy for some parts.
We had to climb into that hole!

Back at the resort, I jumped into the pool to cool down. Then headed for my final 90 minute massage! Yoga practice next.

Since it is my last night here, Lou wanted to have dinner with me. We headed up to the restaurant only to find that David, Dawie, and Chris (I went diving with him on my first dive) was waiting for us to have dinner. We laughed and chatted all evening.