Bali

Understand

Balí is not named after the Indonesian island. An educated local told me that it is from the word "Vali" that means "Prince" This contradicts the Lonely Planet's guide book that says it is from the old Turkish word for "Honey" Honey was produced there during the Turkish rule.

Wearing black is a Crete custom and you'll see both men and women do it. Cretans are mainly orthodox Christians, so most shops outside of pure tourists villages like Balí close on Sundays, restaurants are open also on Sundays. Holding rosaries aren't always for praying -a local told me that they fiddle with them for reducing stress.

Cretans seem to smoke a lot and smoking is allowed/tolerated almost everywhere including at the McDonald restaurant in Heraklion I didn't think McDonald's main office allowed that!. Don't expect smoking bans to be enforced 100%.

If you don't like air-conditioning, bringing or buying a fan if you stay in the middle of summer is highly recommended. You can get a a small desk-fan in Rethemnon for as little as 13 Euro. Otherwise, most hotels offer air-conditioning.

Almost all guide-books for the area and information from travel agents tell you to save on electricity by turning off the lights every time you leave a room, but I observed a lot of street-lights and other outside lamps that was burning also all day long.

Water is heated mainly by solar power, so don't expect warm water for showering when there is no sunlight.

Don't

Don't flush down the paper, use the bin -I'm not certain that the fear the locals have of blocked pipes are well funded or just “sewage paranoia”.

Don't come to Balí if you are mobility disabled and don't have assistance - the entire island of Crete seems to be ridden with wheelchair obstacles. Balí hotels are often situated on the steep hills around the village, and I haven't seen any lifts nor escalators anywhere.

Don't expect all bars/restaurants to accept credit cards as some accept cash only. There is an ATM on the road up from town Between the Doctors office and Mythos restaurant, so withdraw before you dine.

Don't come to Balí for the wild parties that last all night long as they don't seem to exist. There are other desinations and other Greek islands that has a more happening party scene.