This week we tell you about the good and bad headlines surrounding Indonesia that might change your mind and your plans of that Bali trip.

 

Hindu Day of Silence

March 31 is the Hindu Day of Silence or Nyepi where the Balinese people will be performing pre and post rituals. This Hindu Day of Silence is celebrated by Balinese people where they do abstinence like not working, not lighting any lights, not traveling but just staying at home and not doing actitivies that redound to the definition of fun or enjoyment, with the ultimate goal in entering the mind in a state of self-contemplation, meditation, and evaluate oneself on what has happened the previous year, and to look forward to the coming year. During this time, public services, transportation, and other tourist-related activities are put to a halt.

So if you guys are planning that Bali trip this time, make sure that you respect these rituals and practices by Balinese that you will not do any scandalous activities that might disrupt the rituals.

Bali prostitution

A massive commercial sex complex in Surabaya, East Java was recently closed down, and this news spread fear to the residents of Bali that the commercial sex workers from that complex will shift their services to the Bali area. An estimated 400 people tested positive for HIV/Aids in Bali, this as they say, is only from those that were tested, which is fearfully less than what is actually the exact number because of the limited amount of resources, and the unwillingness of these workers to get tested.

“While specific places where prostitution practices are not formally permitted by Bali’s government, those living in areas where prostitution is rife are, somewhat ironically reminded by the government, still subject to the law.” This is a startling revelation since some of these officials may be bribed or may just allow these practices since they are already used to such trade. This should not be allowed. Bali is a tourist destination not just for couples but for families with little children.

Earthquake in Bali

An earthquake hit Bali last March 19, 2014, 78 km South East Kuta in Bali with a magnitude of 4.4 SR and deepness of 30km.

Earthquakes are a common occurrence in Southeast Asia. Indonesia’s neighboring country the Philippines was also hit by a massive earthquake just recently in the last quarter of 2013.

In Indonesia, although the earthquake that hit was not that such a strong magnitude, still, the residents near the affected areas must take precaution and always prepare themselves for anything and follow what the local government authorities will instruct them, always remembering not to panic as this might cause more harm than good.

So far, have we changed your mind or have you already gone and booked your tickets? Let’s move further shall we.

Bali traffic solution?

Bali traffic has been an ongoing problem for awhile, with the influx of tourists, this town has now become a commercial area with lots of businesses and people willing to invest in the island. As a result, more vehicles, more people, more traffic.

Introducing the new Toyota i-ROAD technology vehicle – an eco-friendly mix of mountainbike and a car. We won’t really go into details as this will already amount to us advertising it, so better read the full story here in The Solution to Bali’s Traffic Problem?

New flights to Bali from Hong Kong-based airline company

Dragon Air will now fly you to Bali starting the month of April. The Hong Kong-based airline is now offering flight destinations to Bali, as this is part of their expansion to the luxury island to further cater to tourists. The jakartapost reports of this in their article found here in this article post.

So, after reading those 5 news, what’s your decision now? Whatever it is, make sure you don’t have regrets. 🙂

We leave you with an adorable picture of 2 different kinds of animals who unusually got along with each other.

Sources:

http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=10403

 www.thejakartapost.com

www.balidiscovery.com