The predominantly Hindu island of Bali - surfers' paradise. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The effigies of muscular gods, flying elephants and tiptoeing wraiths were standard fare for the noisy Ngrupuk parade on the eve of Nyepi, when the predominantly Hindu island of Bali celebrates its end-of-year with a bang before a rigorously enforced day of silence.

It is more Zombie Apocalypse than Eat Pray Love, the book-adapted film that led star Julia Roberts to make the island her favorite Asian retreat.

Chinese use fireworks to dispel ghosts over Spring Festival in January or February and Thais douse each other with water at Songkran, which falls next week. But Balinese Hindus, who still burn their dead in open caskets, prefer the theater of the grotesque.

"They used to burn the dummies after the parade, but I suspect some may end up in storage this year," says Kevin Girard, director of business development at the Conrad Bali.

The resort offers cultural packages. Jakarta is also pushing to make Indonesian, and especially Balinese, art go global.

"It's a great opportunity for guests to discover the heritage and philosophies that underpin Indonesian culture, customs and beliefs," General Manager Jean-Sebastien Kling says.