When you come to Bali, be prepared to encounter a variety of animals, some of which may even venture into your room or villa. These are just some of the experiences that foreign tourists have shared while vacationing in Bali.
Bali is part of the tropical country of Indonesia. It is home to many wild animals that may enter your living space while you are there.
Take a viral TikTok video uploaded by @_side_by_side. The video shows a gecko entering their room.
@_side_by_side this is the sound you would hearing all the night around Bali. Get used to it before getting there or you’ ll have countless sleepless nights 🤣🤣 #gecko #bali #indonesia #terrortiktok #سفرتي #travel ♬ original sound – Side_by_Side🦋
The distinctive gecko sound is almost heard all over Bali, and for foreign tourists, this can be a culture shock.
The video already has thousands of comments, such as:
That’s a tokay gecko! The name mimics the sound they make. Apparently, if you hear the noise 7 times in a row, it’s good luck!” wrote a comment from the account @notmegagain.
“So, that noise was a GECKO! We heard it all the time and thought it was a bird!” wrote another account named @Tayshan.
The sound of geckos is quite loud compared to lizards, even to the point of disturbing the house residents.
Behind the seemingly disturbing sound of the gecko, there’s a fascinating cultural significance that many people are unaware of. The meaning of the gecko’s voice is intricately tied to the number of sounds it makes, a unique aspect of Balinese culture.
The meaning of the gecko’s voice is related to the number of sounds it makes. There is a Balinese myth that says each gecko sound has its own meaning.
If the gecko sounds are odd in number, it means there will be a good sign.
Meanwhile, if it is even, it means that there will be a misfortune or misfortune that occurs.
Other viral videos show the presence of uninvited animals on the TikTok account @tasia_tayson21.
@tasia_tayson21 #islandlife#spider#nature#bali#girl#vacation ♬ original sound – tasia_tayson21
But if the previous video showed a gecko, this time, it was a spider that was finally expelled by the video owner himself.
There are also comments that say if the animal is kolomonggo. “In Java, it’s called kolomonggo, if you meet one with 8 legs, it is said that you will get good luck” wrote the @keliiiin account.
Other tourists also praised the courage of the video owner, writing, “What a brave woman. I would’ve died of a heart attack.” wrote the @risingwoman account.
While finding wild animals in your accommodation during your Bali vacation can be surprising, there’s no need to worry. By following these practical and effective tips, you can be prepared for any gecko encounter.
Tips for keeping geckos out of your room:
Use Garlic and Shallots
Shallots and garlic have a scent that geckos don’t like. You can simply slice the onions thinly. The onion slices provide a stimulus that repels geckos. Cut the onion in half and then leave it in a gecko hiding place, as you know. Geckos usually like places that are quite warm (not hot) and quiet, like the entrance from outside the house.
Use Egg Shells
If you have leftover eggshells, don’t throw them away because eggshells can scare away geckos. Because if geckos see eggshells, they will think it is a “predator”. Leave two halves of eggshells in areas around the house, such as at the outside entrance or in the kitchen. Do not crush the eggshells just leave them split in half.
Putting a pair of two halves at each entrance is enough. It is guaranteed to keep the geckos away, keep the eggshells fresh, and replace them every three weeks to a month.
Use Mothballs
Next, you can use mothballs. In addition to repelling insects, it turns out that the smell of mothballs is stinging if it is less favoured by geckos. Mothballs can be placed in the wardrobe. That’s why geckos like to live in the closet.
Use Coffee Dregs
Don’t throw away the grounds when you’re done brewing coffee because you can place them in a container and dry them (bask in the sun for a few hours). Dried coffee grounds can be a powerful weapon to repel geckos because the smell of coffee can make them leave.
