What to Know Before You Go to Bali

Traveling to a new place, especially an island like Bali in Indonesia, is an amazing experience! Everything is new, exciting and very different. There are different foods, vehicles, cultures, people, roads, houses, clothes etc.

Don’t get us wrong – Bali is paradise. The island is rich in nature, culture, waterfalls, incredible beaches, friendly people and delicious food. It’s uniqueness, sprawling rice paddies and wide beaches make it a total haven for people from around the world. Yogis and surfers alike flock to this island to bliss out, and it’s easy to see why.

Our team has spent the last 5 years circling the globe, in search of the best cities, apartments, workspaces, fitness studios and spots to eat, so we know a thing or two about traveling and dealing with new environments and customs.

That’s why we put together this list of things to know before you go to Bali! We want you to know this in advance to make your experience the best it can be and to better prepare you! Read on for some tidbits and goodies about all you can experience on this beautiful island…

Culture & Traditions

  • Bali is not your home country – it is unique and wonderful because it is different
  • It’s very important to note that you’re a guest in Indonesia, please respect the local culture and traditions like the below…
  • Balinese Hinduism is the main religion on the island of Bali

bali culture

  • You’ll notice the above on streets and sidewalks. Called “canang sari” they are colorful daily offerings made by Balinese Hindus
  • Making them, filling them with gifts, and performing this ritual is a process so please be respectful and do not interrupt someone during it or step on the offerings.
  • Any time you go to temples or religious buildings cover your shoulders and knees or bring something to cover up.
  • Haggling is very common. Often the first price you’re quoted is double the actual price so don’t be afraid to haggle (but be respectful!).
  • Tipping is not expected but very appreciated! Many Western places do include a service charge (a tip) though.

Food & Drink

  • Definitely do not drink the water (brushing your teeth and showering with it is ok though)
  • The food is different (you’re probably super excited about the delicious new food) and there is plenty of international food
  • That said, there are some foods that might look, and smell, weird to you – it’s part of the experience (although, you definitely don’t need to try them all).
  • Western kitchens are not common in Bali, most people do not cook at home as there are many delicious restaurants to try!
  • Food delivery is very cheap – thanks to GoJek (it costs less than $1USD for delivery!).
  • Iced coffee’s are a ‘yes’, tap water is a ‘no’ (ice comes from ice companies).
  • It’s unlikely that you will encounter this, but if you head to Kuta or ‘backpacker’ areas like Gili T, be aware of super cheap drinks (15k IDR). They will be made with ‘arak’ a local moonshine that contain very dangerous amounts of methanol.

Wildlife & Critters

  • You’re living in a tropical island paradise, there’s going to be bugs and some wildlife.
  • You’ll likely see lizards slithering around, in and out of restaurants, cafes and your accommodation – they’re harmless and actually killing mosquito’s for you! 
  • There are rice paddies all around Canggu, so mosquitos and bugs come with the territory.

bali wildlife

  • If you see monkeys or go to Monkey Forest in Ubud, please do not touch the monkeys — people get bitten by them sometimes and you do NOT want to deal with that.
  • There are many stray dogs around Bali, they are mostly friendly, just be mindful of them.

Getting Around

  • You can rent a scooter (this is how many locals get around).  Keep in mind there can be a lot of traffic and Western driving rules definitely do not apply. Exercise caution while driving and learning the local ways.
  • If you’ve never scootered before or are just learning we highly recommend taking a class
  • If you’re not scooting – walk, bicycle or catch a ride on the back of a Go-Jek motorbike
  • Scooter tip – in recent years there’s been instances of people snatching bags off while you’re scooting by. To be safe please put your purses and backpacks in the storage spot under your seat instead of wearing them.

Climate

bali nature

  • It’s a jungle, it will be hot and humid! Don’t forget sunscreen (or bug spray!) and keep hydrated.
  • Most importantly… have fun!
  • One other thing to note: rainy season is Oct – April, dry is May – September, but all year round is a great time to visit Bali!


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How To Use Things You Own to Reduce Stress and Boost Motivation

What’s your most cherished value? We all have driving forces that keep us inspired and motivated, whether it’s supporting our loved ones, giving to those in need, finding fulfillment in our work, or making a difference in our community. 

Determining your most cherished value and using it to your advantage can drastically change your approach to your work, infusing you with additional internal motivation, says Rebecca Greenbaum, Ph.D., professor of human resource management at Rutgers University’s School of Management and Labor Relations.

That’s where value triggers come in. Value triggers are items that represent something that matters deeply to you — for example, a key ring that belonged to your grandmother can be used as a value trigger representing how you prioritize family. “A value trigger is a physical reminder of your core values,” Steven Hayes, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Nevada and author of A Liberated Mind, tells Thrive. “It is there to help you refocus back on what matters most to you, making you more inclined to act in line with your highest ideals.” 

Value triggers are especially effective at keeping your work life on track. “Having purpose prompts employees to want to go to work and do a good job, without focusing as much on external rewards,” Greenbaum explains. “When the going gets tough, an employee’s sense of purpose reminds them of the importance of their work, and gives them the fortitude to move forward.”

Here are four expert-backed tips for finding your own value trigger:

1. Do some soul-searching

Before you choose an object to act as your value trigger, it’s important to make sure you’ve chosen a value that truly resonates with you. Hayes stresses the importance of avoiding choosing certain values due to pressure from others. For example, if your mother greatly values tradition, but you value independence, make sure to follow through with what youbelieve — not with what will make others happy.

Additionally, Hayes urges against choosing values you believe you should have — that will only create internal distress. “Values chosen out of emotional avoidance or entangled ‘have to’ thoughts push you down rather than lift you up,” he tells Thrive. “True values are something you seek — they are not methods of running away.”

And make sure your value integrates naturally into everything you do. “The ones that work best are intrinsic to being and doing, such as behaving honestly or lovingly,” Hayes says. “Values like that protect you from stress reactivity and burnout.”

2. Choose your item carefully

Value triggers come in all shapes and sizes. A few common examples include pictures, jewelry, or even a Post-It note, Hayes notes. He also suggests using more intangible things, such as a mantra or ringtone. Greenbaum proposes displaying quotes in your office, or creating an email signature that is meaningful to you, to serve as daily reminders of your core value.

The key here is choosing something that fits naturally into your daily life. Set yourself up for success by making interaction with your value trigger inevitable. “If you want to be reminded of the values you bring to your home life, pick a trigger, like the keys of your car, that you will have to interact with before you go home,” Hayes says. “If you take your wedding ring off at night, use that little moment of putting it back on in the morning to think about the kind of spouse you want to be that day.”

Many people already carry around value triggers without realizing it: pictures of loved ones in your wallet or on your desk, wedding rings, or award certificates hanging on your office walls. The trick is making use of that trigger.

3. Tap into the power of rituals

Value triggers are effective — but only when you actually use them. Hayes explains that value triggers are something of a use it or lose it scenario. Simply having a value trigger isn’t enough to reap the benefits.

In order to get the maximum benefit, you have to make a habit of finding meaning in your value triggers, Greenbaum notes. Rituals can enhance a person’s self-control, and allow them to focus on what’s most important. Employees should start their work days reminding themselves about their values, and how they’ll uphold those values throughout the day, she says.

4. Reflect and reevaluate as you go

Remain mindful about what matters and never take values for granted. Both experts emphasize the importance of deep reflection throughout the process of choosing and utilizing value triggers.

Reflecting on values regularly allows you to continually determine their importance in your life. “Make a concerted effort to reflect on your values before entering a situation where those values may be challenged,” says Greenbaum. “By actively and strategically thinking about the application of your values, they will become an integral part of how you work — rather than something that you attend to only when it is convenient.”

And don’t be afraid to reevaluate your values as the need arises. People change over time, and so do their values. By reevaluating, you can make sure that the value you choose to prioritize always matches up with where you are. “It’s okay if your values change. The idea is not to find the ‘ideal’ value, but to be actively engaged in the process of finding out what matters most to you. Hold them lightly, but pursue them passionately,” Hayes says.

Written by Katie Santamaria, Former Thrive Global Editorial Intern & Editor-at-Large for Columbia University. Originally shared on Thrive Global.


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