BALI, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s normally bustling Bali has shut down social media, closed the airport and shuttered all shops for a Day of Silence that marks New Year on the predominantly Hindu resort island. “Nyepi” began at 6 a.m. Saturday, emptying streets and beaches for 24 hours except for special patrols to ensure silence is observed. This year, phone companies agreed for the first time to turn off the mobile internet on the island, home to more than 4 million people. Not everyone was happy with the decision to disrupt internet access, saying it was going too far and an inconvenience for tourists and non-Hindu residents of Bali, but others welcomed it. “The decision also really helps us in disciplining our teenagers, who sometimes sneak off to play with their gadgets during Nyepi,” he said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 18, 2018 08:48 UTC