Going for a walk is usually one of life’s more innocent activities, but one American tourist in Bali discovered that stepping outside during the country’s most sacred day of the year can lead to trouble.
Karl Adolf Amrhein was detained after officers spotted him walking along the main road in Sukawati village during Nyepi, the island’s Day of Silence.
This Hindu holiday is strictly observed to convince spirits that the island is uninhabited.
For 24 hours, normal life is put on pause — airports close, entertainment venues shut down and all outdoor activity is prohibited.
Information about Nyepi is widely distributed, including in airports and tourism venues. In fact, hotels are required by law to inform guests of the holiday. But, Amrhein found himself in hot water when he didn’t observe the day.
Amrhein, 57, was spotted by a patrolling officer at 7.:15 a.m. on March 20, the day, out on the streets, and going against local customs.
He told officers that he had been forced to leave his hotel in Ubud, according to Hey Bali.
Gianyar Police Chief AKBP Chandra Kesuma told reporters that his stay at the hotel had “expired.” Amrhein checked into a new hotel after being warned by the police against further violations of being on the street.
He isn’t the first American tourist to break Nyepi rules.
In 2020, a U.S. national was arrested on the sacred day for refusing to stop his morning run.
Online commenters were quick to criticize Amrhein, with one stating: “So disrespectful. We all know this is important to Balinese culture. We have to respect it.”
