We are on the beach at Petitengit on the day of cleansing, Milasti or Melati, which proceeds Nyepi, the day of darkness, the first black moon after the equinox. Each village from miles around carry their most holy relics from their temples to cleanse them in the ocean. Then, all of Bali shuts down. No airplanes or boats are allowed in or out of the island. No one is allowed out of their houses or hotels. All lights must be extinguished, no noise can be made for 24 hours. It sounds severe. But we all love it. Of course us shameless heathen non-Hindus cover up our windows so we can have a few lights on, be with friends, and enjoy the silence that falls over the island like a warm blanket. The idea is to cleanse the body and soul through meditation, then houses are cleaned and swept, loud noises including bamboo cannon and fireworks are made to drive the evil spirits away. Large horrific effigies are made and then paraded through the streets with more cacophonous clamor by the 50 or so  half naked young men  drunk on local rice alcohol who are careening theseup to 1 ton papier-mâché monsters through the streets. The effigies are then burned on the beach. After scaring away these evil spirits, we all retreat to our homes for 24 hours of silence and darkness, so any returning spirits will think no one's home and go somewhere else.