In Reply to: nyepi day posted by yevisha on Wednesday, 1. February 2006 at 09:12 Bali Time:
I was in Bali last March 05 and March 04 for Nyepi. In 04, shops remained open until late afternoon, evening of Nyepi eve. Some restaurants were open, some closed. It was encouraged to dine early and get back to the Hotel by around 10. I think Bali closes at midnight. (No ogah-ogah parades as banned due to concern of political unrest due to up and coming elections).
Last year was different as there was also Galungan 2 days before Nyepi, so the stalls and lots of shops were closed for 3 days or more. (Sindhu market in Sanur didnt have a stall open for 3 days).Banks were closed from Tuesday until the following Friday, or could have been Monday. Hindus prefer to return to their villages for these important days.
This year just Nyepi, so there will be parades in the streets on Nyepi eve, late afternoon and night. The ogah-ogahs are very 'scary', wonderfully colourful, and great fun to watch. The kids get right into carrying their evil models throughout the streets, clanging pans, yelling and scarying away all of the evil spirits.
Yes we have seen 2 guards walking along the beach, checking that no-one is outside their hotels etc, but no-one is out in the streets.