(12/28/2009) New Year’s revelers in Bali would be well advised to allow lots of time for moving around the southern part of the island on the eve of 2010. Traffic in many popular night spot areas of the island turns to grid lock as tourists on New Years eve, many of them from Indonesia driving their own vehicles, attempt the impossible and seek parking space in Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and Denpasar where bars and night spots are in full swing to usher out the old year and welcome in the new.
Four days prior to New Year’s Eve, Bali Police Department (POLTABES) are still discussing which roads will be closed or changed to one way traffic, betraying an indecisiveness that may add to the confusion on Bali’s streets.
The best advice when considering driving on New Year’s Eve is: Don’t. Consider leaving your vehicle parked, taking a taxi to a outlaying area of Kuta and walking into the bar and restaurant scene for your end of the year night on the town.
Roads will be closed in the Kuta and Legian area (we just don’t know which ones) from 5:00 pm on December 31, 2009 until 6:00 am on January 1, 2010.
Thousands of extra police and military officers will be deployed on the streets, at police stations and at hundreds of special “security posts” set up across Bali.
Also on watch will be numerous new CCTV surveillance cameras allowing police to monitor public order in the busiest parts of the island.
