In Reply to: When? posted by Nicki on Friday, 28. August 2009 at 18:18 Bali Time:
Idul Fitri (or Lebaran as it's known in Indonesia) is celebrations at the end of Ramadan. It is not at the same time every year as the Muslim calendar is different from the Gregorian calendar - so it falls approx every 50 weeks.
Ramadan is when Muslims fast for 30 days (fasting being no eating, drinking, smoking, sex, or getting angry from about an hour before sunrise until sunset). So you can imagine it is cause for celebration when you have got through that!
At the end of Ramadan there are public holidays and for the week following the end many Indonesians take annual leave. It is kind of like the week between Boxing Day and New Years.
Many Javanese come to Bali for holidays, and the traffic is a nightmare as many bring cars.
There are many Muslims from other parts of Indonesia living and working in Bali, and many take holidays and go home. Especially for the last 10 days of Ramadan and Lebaran.
Hire Motorbikes, cars, and public transport is in high demand and at a premium.