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Stillearly

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Posts posted by Stillearly

    What are you listening to right now?

    in General topics

    Posted

    56 minutes ago, misteregg said:

    Sade “Smooth Operator “ on the playlist

    I thought you said your preferred tracks for the bar had to be over a certain beats per minute , great song but surely that would be too slow , unless it's just before last orders and encourages guys to barfine 😉 

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    TransferWise - Wise (Threads Merged)

    in Other Money Matters

    Posted

    17 minutes ago, boydeste said:

    What were the fees to do this and for what amount mate, PM me if private.

    I just did £1k as a test , fees £6.81 , not sure what the optimum amount to send is regarding fees hopefully someone will know 

    if it's a small amount I might do a regular monthly payment to spread the exchange risk and build up my holiday funds 

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    Scooters, Secrets, Keys

    in Business Section

    Posted

    Newsflash ....Secrets forum is still open , if you have something to say about Secrets then why not continue posting there .., ? 

    I post regularly on three forums and sporadically on three others , but bringing the whinging and whining about about Secrets and it's members ( past and present) is getting boring 

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    An old frog Indonesians exploration

    in Indonesia

    Posted

    On 3/3/2019 at 9:09 AM, Thai Spice said:

    NYEPI or how to shut down completely a province / island of over 4 million habitants.

     

     

     

    One of the most important and sacred Hindu celebration in Bali is NYEPI, or “Day of Silence”

     

    Quote (Wiki) : “Nyepi is a Balinese "Day of Silence" that is commemorated every Isakawarsa (Saka new year) according to the Balinese calendar (in 2018, it falls on March 17). It is a Hindu celebration mainly celebrated in Bali, Indonesia. Nyepi, a public holiday in Indonesia, is a day of silence, fasting and meditation for the Balinese. The day following Nyepi is also celebrated as New Year's Day.[1][2] On this day, the youth of Bali in the village of Sesetan in South Bali practice the ceremony of Omed-omedan or 'The Kissing Ritual' to celebrate the new year. The same day celebrated in India as Ugadi.

     

    Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection, and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are no lighting fires (and lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and, for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali's usually bustling streets and roads are empty, there is little or no noise from TVs and radios, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. The only people to be seen outdoors are the Pecalang, traditional security men who patrol the streets to ensure the prohibitions are being followed.

     

    Although Nyepi is primarily a Hindu holiday, non-Hindu residents and tourists are not exempt from the restrictions. Although they are free to do as they wish inside their hotels, no one is allowed onto the beaches or streets, and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles responding to life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth.[3][4] « 

     

     

     

    See some more details in the following links.

     

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyepi

     

    https://www.bali.com/nyepi-day-of-silence.html

     

     

     

    It is a very unknown event to most of westerners and I must admit I had no clue about it when I arrived in Bali.  I have known / seen a lot of strange customs or believes in my travels but this one was a new discovery of how far religion / believes / traditions can push things.

     

    During 24h the whole island is on lock down, everything is closed, no light is allowed to show, no sound, noise, no going outside of your place or hotel, airport is closed and all flight are suspended for 24h (260 domestic and 200 international flights), ferry traffic is stopped, since last year even internet is shut off including the one through your phone, and this year they speak about shutting down TV and radio as well. And the special “religious police” is out there patrolling the streets to enforce it !

     

    Needless to say it comes a bit as a surprise for the tourists present that day !

     

    Personally, even I respect local traditions, when pushing it too far and applied mandatory to everybody, believer or not, I strongly disagree with it. Same as with alcohol restrictions in Thailand on religious days or election days. OK, its just 1 day, but still, for somebody who has “LIBERTE” as main rule in life I can only disagree with this kind of dictatorial things.

     

    Hence this time I stay a bit longer in the jungle and will return to Bali only on 9th March.  In fact, in a general way I plan my calendar according to the “events” on both sides, like avoiding being in Java during Ramadan because of the additional prayers, or Galungan because of 3 days non-stop visitors to the house, avoiding Bali during Nyepi etc….

     

    Yes, I know, so much for “integration” but TBH I don’t give a shit about it. Done enough of those “obligations” during countless years because of the job, and no way I am going to assist to something I dislike now I am retired.

     

     

     

    I was there once for Nyepi , hotel gave us warning , we went to the local supermarket loaded up on beers and Arak beforehand and had a great night in .. 🙂

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