When my husband, John, and I were making arrangements for a March ’13 hotel stay in Bali, Indonesia, we were advised that we could not arrive on March 12th because that was Nyepi Day, the Balinese day of silence, a 24-hour respite from all noise. Even the airport is closed. 

We stayed at the Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort (Jalan Raya Tanah Lot, Box 158, Tabanan 82171, Bali, Indonesia; phone, in US, 877/324-4856). The rate for a room booked online at that time was $195. We...