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The meaning of Nyepi Day in Bali

Ogoh-ogoh

Nyepi Day is the day of the Saka (Isakawarsa) year. The celebration that is held once a year takes place on the day after Tileming Kesanga on the date 1 sasih Kedasa. Nyepi has a philosophy where Hindus ask God (Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa) to purify human (Bhuana Alit) and nature and all its contents (Bhuana Agung). Nyepi means silent or quiet. During Nyepi, you cannot do activities, such as going out of the house (except being sick and needing treatment), turning on the lights, working, etc. The purpose of Nyepi is to create a quiet atmosphere, silence from the hustle and bustle of life and silence from all the desires or greed of human nature to purify the universe and the humans. Before Nyepi day, a series of ceremonies were held which meant that the Purification of Bhuana Alit and Bhuana Agung could run smoothly. The series of ceremonies varies, depending on the Local Wisdom Genius and the recollections of each region and the policies set forth together. Nyepi Day has several stages to begin. Starting from the Melasti, Mecaru, and Dredging Ceremony. Then followed by the peak of Nyepi Day itself. And the last is called the Ngembak Geni.

1. Melasti or Melis ceremony is held a few days before Nyepi day. During the Melasti ceremony, various pratimas or sacred objects will be purified by being taken to the Segara (sea) or river. In ancient times, various objects were paraded by being carried / placed on the head.

- Melasti = melelasti = nganyudang malaning gumi ngamet Tirta Amerta. Wash away the impurities of nature using the water of life. Segara (sea) is considered the source of Tirtha Amertha (Dewa Ruci, Pemuteran Mandaragiri). However, as time goes by, the wisdom of the human mind makes or modifies by giving wheels to Jempana to be easily paraded towards the sea. Jempana is a place where various objects that are sacred and sanctified by Hindus will be placed there. After pratima is purified then it is left in the Village Temple for a day. after Nyepi day, these various pratimas are placed in their respective temples. Pelelastian must be completed and purified pratima must already be in the grand bale before Tilem afternoon.

- Mecaru / Tawur Mecaru, or Tawur is held on Tilem Sasih Kesange day, a day before Nyepi. It is a ceremony held in every home or family, village, district, etc. By making offerings addressed to the Bhuta Kala or can be called negative things so that in the future does not interfere with human life. Hindus carry out "Bhuta Yadnya" ceremonies at crossroads and neighborhoods by taking one of the Caru types (a kind of offering). The Bhuta Yadnya are each named Pañca Sata (small), Pañca Sanak (medium), and Tawur Agung (large). Tawur or renewal itself is purification / pemarisuda (Bhuta Kala) and all the "leteh" (dirt) is expected to disappear altogether. "Caru" which is carried out in each home, consists of manca (five) colors, totaling 9 spares / packages along with side dishes such as Ayam Brumbun (colorful) accompanied by "tetabuhan" arak / tuak. The Bhuta Yadnya is addressed to the Blind King, Blind Kala and Batara Kala, by pleading that they do not interfere with the people.

- Dredging Ceremony is usually held one day before Nyepi celebration. Aiming to expel Bhuta Kala or evil. This ceremony is held in the afternoon (Sandhyakala) after the Mecaru ceremony is performed at the home level. Starting with rice tawur, torching the house, spraying houses and yards with gunpowder and hitting anything that can make a noise. Enlivened by the Ogoh-ogoh parade which is an embodiment of the Bhuta Kala' which is paraded around the village. This is expected to expel the Bhuta Kala from the home, yard and surrounding environment. In each village, the Ogoh-ogoh procession is a manifestation of the Bhuta Kala which has a negative character. After being paraded around the village, Ogoh-ogoh will be burn with the aim that negative things would disappear and not interfere with human life.

2. Nyepi Day. When Nyepi especially in Bali, all must be quiet or silent. There are no activities on this day. At that time the Catur Brata Penyepian was held consisting of:

- Amati Geni is not allowed to use lights or light a fire and do not do things that bring lust.

- Amati Karya is not doing physical work activities, but increasing spiritual purifying activities.

- Amati Lelungan, which is not traveling but introspective.

- Amati Lelanguan, which is not looking for fun / entertainment but to concentrate on Ida Sanghyang Widhi.

This Brata begins one day or 24 hours. According to Hindus, everything that is transitional is always preceded by a dark symbol. So that Nyepi Day implies the day of purification the human and the universe. Throwing away all the dirt or all the negative things that have been past, to welcome the new year (saka). And start a new year with something new, something positive and of course a new spirit to navigate the next life. In the silence of this Nyepi holy day we hold introspective, unite the mind, and unite the creativity, taste and intention towards discovering the nature of our being and the essence of the universal life. Perform Brata Penyepian Upawasa (not eating and drinking / fasting), Mona Brata (not communicating), and Jagra (not sleeping).

3. Ngembak Geni. Done a day after Nyepi (Ngembak Api), as the last series of Saka New Year celebrations. Conducted by visiting between family and neighbors or acquaintances, and forgive one another. Holding Tattwam Asi's principle, "I am you and you are me". We are all the same before God, even though we have different religions or beliefs, we should live in harmony and always be peaceful. With a new atmosphere, a new life will begin with a clean heart. So, if the year ends every December 31 and the new year begins January 1, then the Saka year ends on "panglong ping limolas (15) sasih kesanga (IX)", and the new year begins on the date 1 sasih kedasa (X).

Thus a little picture of the meaning of Nyepi, especially in Bali. Hopefully the celebration this year will run smoothly, even though the visit of tourists both domestic and foreign are still busy coming to Bali. And there are some special tourists who come to enjoy or know the situation of Nyepi Day celebrations in Bali.

Hideaway Gem In Peaceful Candidasa, East Bali. "Pondok Bambu Dive Resort"

Hideaway gem in peaceful East Bali, make you want escape from the hustle & bustle to enjoy the serenity.

Pondok Bambu Dive Resort is located right in the heart of Candidasa. Only one and a half hours drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport.

Pondok Bambu is designed in a Balinese-style bungalow that blends perfectly with the surrounding tropical gardens. This beachfront bungalow not only offers comfortable accommodation and a good location with beautiful views, but also high-standard services that will make you feel right at home. With stunning sea views and easy access to interesting places that Bali has to offered. From natural beauty, beaches, temples to historic sites.

Not only that, Pondok Bambu also has a waterfront restaurant. Overlooks the ocean with incredible views. It offers a selection of local and international dishes and there is also a bar to entertain with a wide selection of drinks ranging from fresh juices, cold drinks and cocktails to enjoy the beauty of the sky at sunset. The restaurant is open daily from 8 am to 11 pm. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and can accommodate up to 70 people.

>>> PONDOK BAMBU RESTAURANT

In addition, Five Star Padi Dive Center Bambu Divers is one of Bali's best diving schools. Speak multiple languages (Dutch, English, Indonesian, South African, and German) Prioritizing "safety is first" for divers, by using new and well-maintained equipment and Padi certified staff who lead you through your dive experience. No matter if you want to dive, snorkel or just relaxing, Pondok Bambu Dive Resort is just perfect for this opportunity.

>>> BAMBU DIVERS PADI DIVE CENTER IN CANDIDASA

Nembrala - Rote Island - NTT (4 Nights Stayed in Nembrala)

A Day Trip to Waterfall and butterfly Park in Gianyar, Bali

Virgin Beach / Pantai Pasir Putih in Karangasem - Bali!

Sunday Funday Swimming with The Children at Pondok Bambu

Candidasa - East Bali by Drone

"Bambu Divers" Five Star Padi Dive Center in Candidasa - Bali - Indonesia

Diving in Bali means to dive at some of the best dive spots in the world. Five Star Padi Dive Center Bambu Divers is one of Bali's best diving schools. Speak multiple languages (Dutch, English, Indonesian, South African, and German) Prioritizing "safety is first" for divers, by using new and well-maintained equipment and Padi certified staff who lead you through your dive experience. No matter if you want to dive, snorkel or just relaxing, Pondok Bambu Dive Resort is just perfect for this opportunity.

Bambu Divers offer fun dives at all the best dive sites in Bali Coral reefs such as, Gili Mimpang, Gili Tepekong, Blue Lagoon, Tulamben with the shipwreck of USS Liberty, Amed, Nusa Penida, and many other locations will fill you with enthusiasm. Big corals, unreliable colors, manta rays and mola mola (ocean sunfish) and one of the best dive areas for nudibranchs, creatures and all other types of macro life.

If you have never tried diving you can start with Discover Scuba Dive or begin your Open Water Course and become certified for life! GET TANKED AND GO DIVING, IT IS TIME TO GET WET!!!

Buy Like a Local In The Traditional Market Amlapura - Karangasem

Amlapura traditional market is the largest market in Karangasem Regency. Located in Amplapura, about 25 minutes from Candidasa. The market is open from 3am to 1pm every day. There are many traders selling everything from vegetables, fresh fruit, meat, fish, spices, prayer equipment, clothing, souvenirs and more.

Prices on the market are usually cheap. My advice, you must be good at playing the price by bidding on the items you want to buy at a lower price so you get the same price as the local price. Sometimes if you are a tourist the price will be different from the local, at least double the normal price (sounds discrimination :)) ...)

>>> FIVE STAR PADI DIVE CENTER IN CANDIDASA: BAMBU DIVERS

Interacting with local residents and traders on the market can create its own experience. So if you want to see how people in Bali go to the market, buy their daily needs, how they bid prices to get cheap prices. Maybe the Amlapura market can be a shopping destination for your daily needs.

>>> PONDOK BAMBU HOTEL

>>> RESTAURANT IN CANDIDASA: CRAZY KANGAROO

TENGANAN PEGRINGSINGAN FESTIVAL 2019, PANDAN WAR (MEKARE-KARE) IN TENGANAN VILLAGE - BALI

Every year precisely in June, Tenganan village holds festivals ranging from art and culture, exhibition, culinary and tradition pandan war (mekare-kare) where, a friendly duel between all villagers especially men, who fight each other with a small rattan shield in one hand and a pack of leafy (Pandan) on the other side. You as a tourist can also join together celebrate the feast of victory and also a tribute to Indra, the god of war.

Perang Pandan (Pandan war) is one of the traditions performed to honor the God of war. They carry on a tradition of pandan war each year to relive their freedom over the cruel and cruelty of Maya King Dena and to honor the god Indra who is also known by the Hindu community as a God of War.

During this celebration you can also see the fabrication of Geringsing 'double ikat' valuable heritage, which the villagers use as part of the family during the ritual. The views of the village houses are gracefully decorated, and the girls ride on the big wooden swings as well as the various local food that you can try.

My Open Water Dive Course Experience with Bambu Divers Candidasa - I Am a Padi Diver!

Proudly declare that I am a Padi diver. Yes, I am qualified as a diver. I've finished my Open Water Dive(OWD) course with Bambu Divers in Candidasa. The OWD course takes 4 days. Theory, skills, exams, and then go to open water. Oh yes, before continuing the story, this is not the first time I dive. I have done 4 dives (Discovery Scuba Diving) 7 years ago. But out of fear, I don't want to dive anymore. I always think of scary things before diving. Therefore I decided that diving is not for me. Wrong, And I'm back again, to change that thought. I want to fight and conquer my fears and enjoy life. And I did that.

Anyway, continue. The first day of OWD is theory, here we learned about many important things about Scuba diving. Learning the basics, rules, history, equipment etc.

The second day is a skills test. We did all the skills tests in the pool, we learned how to clean the mask and mask removal, buoyancy, BC removal, hand signals and so on. Now we have two days to study all the theories and be ready for the test.

The third day of OWD was the day I waited nervously and excitedly, all mixed up. We go to open water by boat from Candidasa. 2 dives in two different places/sites, Jepun and Jepun Wreck. Dive with a depth of 18 meters. The water is warm 30 degrees, clear and calm. We saw soft corals, triggerfish, moray eels, trumpets, the wreck and more. I keep my focus (calmly) and stayed close to my instructor and my buddy. What I do is serious but fun. After all the skill tests while diving, we enjoyed the beauty of the world under the sea and I was stunned. The same day after diving. We take the final test, which we have to pass above 80%, otherwise we will dive in the bathtub rather than on the reef! Finished and of course I passed the exam. and so are my dive buddy. All of that was a great and tiring first day in open water.

The final day of OWD we did two dives in two different places. Performs some skill tests at a depth of 7 meters and after that we swim around the coral wall or often called Drop Off. After the first dive is finished, we dive at the Sculpture Park site for the second dives. It was beautiful and this time, we had time to enjoy the surroundings without having to do any test again. one word I can say it was Amazing!

Still, I am so glad that I did not let fear stop me from giving it try. Even though it turns out I am a person who is afraid of everything and easily panic in the water. But proud that I did it at all. I had other opportunities in the past and never took them out of fear. I never thought it was something I 'd gathered the courage to do. Many thanks to Gerard for not letting me out of the course. One thing that makes me believed in going diving is because of his experience. I have qualified as a diver, so I look forward to the opportunity to go diving again!

Do one step at a time!

One thing that helped me was to take it step by step. I know I'm afraid to go scuba diving in the sea. But I don't have to do that first. All I have to do is wear my wet-suit. Then all I have to do is get on the boat. Can I do that? Sure.

Then all I have to do is put on my gear and fall back into the water. Can I do that? Yes. At that time, all that remained was to go underwater and I scuba diving in the sea.

You only need to answer yourself if you give up or are afraid. Take a deep breath and you can do it. Get out and conquer your fears. Even if things get really bad, you will achieve more than you ever dreamed of, that you can do.

Yayasan Permata Bali (Orphanage) in Karangasem - Bali - Indonesia

The children of the Yayasan Permata Bali were children at risk. They worked or begged on the streets to survive. These children had either been abused by their parents or abandoned as their parents were too poor to provide for them. Their last resort of survival was the streets. These children are left defenseless, and many times are forced into child prostitution. Without protection, these children would be homeless, starving, abused, uneducated, unloved and alone; fighting each day for mere survival.

Yayasan Permata Bali began as a small social work/community development to the street children who lived in the slum areas. This ministry was pioneered by Ibu Tina, a fiery single mom from the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. By actively working with and supporting the street children Ibu Tina discovered that many of the children were living in abusive situations, or had been left abandoned with no one to care for them. The need for a safe home became very apparent. With blind faith, Ibu Tina rented a home and began taking in children one-by-one as needs arose. Over the years, foreigners have come to either help volunteer their time in the home or give donations. Since the very beginnings of the home, God has faithfully provided the daily needs of the home without fail.

The Yayasan Permata Bali currently provides love, hope and an education for 24 children. Yayasan Permata supports 1 additional new baby girl.

Following this concept they will never stop expanding, offering an ever-growing number of otherwise destitute children love, hope and a meaningful future.

Tour to Kemenuh Butterfly Park, Tegenungan Waterfall and Tegallalang (Ubud)

This time, we visited a place that I had never visited. I live in Candidasa and takes approximately 1 hour drive. Visiting Kemenuh Butterfly Park, Tegenungan Waterfall and Tegallalang in Ubud. To enter all this tourist attractions is not free. You must buy a ticket to enter. In Kemenuh Butterfly Park, you have to pay 100K IDR per person. The place is very beautiful and flowering with many kinds of butterflies.

At Tegenungan Waterfall, you have to pay an entrance ticket about 20K IDR per person. The scenery with a beautiful waterfall and to take a closer look at this waterfall you have to step thousands of stairs down. But all the hard work to go down will pay off with a beautiful view and you can capture and make memories of visiting Tegenungan waterfalls

In Tegallalang, you have to pay an entrance ticket of 10K IDR per person. Beautiful and green rice fields. You can explore and walk on the edge of rice fields, capture every moment. There are some extreme swings. You can try your guts, only with 100K IDR, you can feel flying over the rice fields which is very cool.