Silence is sacred: Reflection and mindfulness are baked in to Balinese culture. In fact, for one day out of the year, the entire island comes to a complete halt. Flights are paused for 24 hours, all the lights are turned off, no one is allowed to drive or walk around, and everyone is meant to stay indoors and speak softly. Nyepi, Bali’s Day of Silence, is an opportunity to relax, meditate, and look inward. (Funny enough, English-language websites call it “a day of imprisonment” and some published “Nyepi Day survival guides” ... Says a lot about our values.)