February 10th, 2009
Local authorities are planning to close Ngurah Rai International Airport for the whole day in observation of Hindu holiday of Nyepi on Thursday, March 26, 2009, Antara has reported.
Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika has sent official letter for the closing to the Transportation Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Home Ministry, and Communication and Information Ministry as well as 29 government agencies in Jakarta and Bali, said Ida Bagus Made Parsa, Bali administration spokesman, on Tuesday.
He said the airport has also issued a letter to domestic and foreign airlines on the closing of the resort island main airport during the holiday.
Parsa said the closing would be the 11th annual airport closing in observation of Nyepi holiday.
During Nyepi holiday, the tourist island of Bali will become a silent place, with most Balinese staying in doors and tourists asked to keep a low profile.
More than three million Balinese Hindus are expected to observe the holiday, which is also the Saka New Year 1931, in total silence and later in darkness, turning off all lights and machinery and extinguishing cooking fires. (dre)
Source: The Jakarta Post