My wife Sahyli and I honeymooned in Bali for 3 weeks this summer after our wedding. We had an incredible experience. We learned a lot about the world. We learned how to fill the hours in each day with life. We learned how to travel together.

Here are some more knowledge bits from the road:

Look straight ahead, because you’re responsible for what’s ahead of you.

Indonesian driving laws give responsibility to drivers for anything that’s ahead of them. If you’re driving and someone else turns out ahead of you and you two crash, you’re at fault. When surfing, you must look straight ahead, or else you’ll lose your balance.

200 meters or 500 meters, no problem, same thing.

Numbers are often estimations. We received walking maps without distances. 10 minutes until a right turn, 20 more minutes until the waterfall… it’s all the same. You’ll get there.

Honk to show your position.

Honking while driving is not rude. It’s useful to alert others of your position. If you don’t honk, you practically don’t exist. This is crazy to American drivers.

Everyone is brother or sir.

The beach is chill, brothah. And anyone can be sir when there’s a chance for business. Vendors and taxis love to flatter foreigners for a sale.

Hustle to get bargains. Check multiple shops.

If you see it and you want to buy it, you can probably find another one down the street. Or next door. Vendors in a certain area sell similar stuff.

Haggle like you can walk away.

Assume the price they offer is at least 3 times what they’ll sell it for, and 5 times what they bought it for. Offer a low price with respect and kindness. Walk away and then you’ll get that price.

Go where the crowds aren’t.

Bali has gone through the Instagram reactor. More tourists are showing up to the popular photo opportunities throughout the islands. Ask the locals for the little-known spots. Instead of driving, try walking from A to B to see a whole lotta C.

Start early.

Crowds gather at destination locations starting at 9:00 am. Book a driver the day before. Get up at 5:00 am and get out by 6:00 am. You get hours of secluded enjoyment by sacrificing a bit of comfort.

Sleep early.

See every sunset you can see. But then after that, get sleep. Maybe a hot stone massage in your room before bed. You’ll value the serenity of the morning light over the mountains more than the bumping and grinding of clubs that you can find anywhere. However, ignore this if you go night diving or sunrise hiking because that stuff is cool.

Befriend your drivers, masseuses, etc.

People are amazing. We met the nicest people by talking and asking about their lives. Local people are much more interesting than tourists.

Say hello.

Do it, even if you’re not buying what they’re selling. Especially the kids. Everyone is so nice and it lifts your spirits. People just want to have a good time.

When in doubt, just ask!

You could find your way, but what better excuse to ask the local people? They know the best ways. Often, those best ways are not coded into Google Maps or Apple Maps just yet. Watch, learn, and ask, and you’ll find some hidden treasures. Hidden beaches, waterfalls, or cuisine.

Get massages. Full body, feet, and reflexology.

If it hurts, it’s working. So worth it.

It’s impossible to clean sand.

Enough said. Separate the sandy clothes from the rest and pray.

Cockroaches aren’t actually deterred by light.

They’ll come out whenever they want. But sleep with the lights on anyway if it makes you feel better. The more you know.

Refill your thermo water bottles.

The tap water is not safe to drink. So, you’ll buy a lot of plastic water bottles. Use every opportunity to refill thermo water bottles with clean water whenever possible. Look out for the environment one sip at a time. Plus, thermo keeps water cooler than plastic.

For every song that exists, there’s a chill, acoustic version that is played in Bali.

The modern island soundtrack includes every song that exists. I mean EVERY song.

Part 2 coming soon. Terima Kasih!