Bali Photo of the Day ~ Galungan offerings in Singaraja ~ Balifornian Villas and Tours

Putu and friends carry offerings to the main temple in Singaraja during the holiday of Galungan.  Singaraja is in Bali's northern district of Buleleng just east of Lovina. It's name translates to Lion King. Galungan is one of the biggest Balinese holidays and it occurs every 210 and lasts for ten days until the holiday of Kunigan.  The Balinese Gods and ancestors come to earth during the ten day celebration.  Its a very special day for families and sacred for all Balinese Hindus as they are reminded to live a life of Dharma.

Villagers in Singaraja, Bali carry offerings in procession to the temple for Galungan HolidayBalifornian Villas and Tours can help you experience the best of Bali. Contact us today and come visit with us in paradise.

Submit your amazing Bali photographs to The Balifornian Villa and Tour Photo of the Day!

Photo of the Day ~ Surfer rips Keremas Beach ~ Balifornian Villas, Tours and Travel Blog

Our friend and great young surfer Mas Ricko shreads the waves at Keramas Beach.  This was a fairly mild day of waves but this little known break (by foreigners) is perhaps the most publicized 'new' break in all of Bali.  Known for years by surf pros and locals as being one of the best spots on the island, the new Sunrise Road has opened up access to this amazing surf spot.  Few accommodations and restaurants in the area make it difficult to get to, but our new Balifornian Purnama Villas will solve this problem in style. Professional surf contests occur here frequently but it remains an uncrowded spot for the most part.

Our buddy Mas Ricko rips the lip on this wave near our villas while surfing Keramas BeachCheck Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog for much more surfing news and events.  http://www.balifornian.com

Planning a surfing vacation?  Let Balifornian Tours handle it for you and leave all the stress and hassle behind.  We know the best spots, hidden locations, ways to beat the crowds and we can help you get the very most out of your epic surf trip.

Our Adventure Photo Safaris ~ Are you a photographer or just love to take pictures?  Contact us to find out about our special tours for photographers.  Take a look at the images in the gallery, as they are good examples of the types of images you will be able to create on our tours.  The tours are led by Michael, a professor of art and photography as well as some very special guest teachers and pro photographers.  Contact us at photo@balifornian.com today for more information.

Do you have some great images from your Indonesian travels you would like to share? Want to submit your fantastic photo for the Balifornian Tour and Travel Blog Photo of the Day?  Please send your JPEG, location and description to photo@balifornian.com  Files must be under 500 kb.

Happy travels! Salamat Jalan!

Michael and Maryam ~

Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog ~ The best website for news and information on Bali and Indonesia.

Photo of the Day ~ Mt. Agung from Amed Beach ~ Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog

Here is our photo of the day...

This is the view from our hotel in Amed called three Brothers.  There are several 3 Brothers so you need to choose the right one (see our blog post on Amed) as the others are not quite as good.  Formerly know as a sleepy fishing village, Amed has blossomed into a great beach town with an actual nightlife, amazing scuba diving and snorkling and retains a great authentic Bali feel.  There are some wonderful restaurants and lots to do but just chilling on the beach or by the hotel pool is a great way to pass the time.

Mt Agung as seen from Amed beach. Bali, Indonesia. Balifornian Villas and Tours.

Gunung Agung volcano rises dramatically in the background as the sun sets on another perfect day in paradise.

Do you have some photos from Bali that you would like to share?  Enter them in the Balifornian Villa and Tour photo of the day.  Just send them in to photo@balifornina.com along with a description and we will post the winners for you to see.

Happy travels!

The amazing and bizarre wildlife of Indonesia

Indonesia is home to a variety of bizarre and amazing creatures; some of which you've probably never even heard of before! Here's a list of six fascinating animals that will be sure to make you want to book a trip to Indonesia ASAP. These are presented by Carly, the author of The Featured Creature, a website that showcases unusual and incredible creatures. Check out her site for many more unbelievable animals!

1. Trefoil Horseshoe Bat

image credit: mamuin.blogspot.com

image credit: sudanajang.com

While it may look like an unpleasant feature to have, the Trefoil Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus trifoliatus) would be lost without its elaborate, albeit rather ugly, noseleaf as it's called.

This bat is one of 30 species of Horseshoe Bats that are masters of echolocation - using its voice to screech and then listening for the echoes bouncing off of its prey - all thanks to its wonderful, wrinkly face (and huge ears of course)! The grooves in the nose allow it to notice slight variations when detecting echoes, allowing for a much more precise hunting tool.

view more photos

2. Flying Dragon

image credit: Reddit user Biophilia_curiosus

image credit: Reddit user Biophilia_curiosus

This is the real life Toruk from Avatar, also known as the Draco volans, a flying lizard that measures 8 inches from head to tail tip. If you look in the 2nd photo you'll notice what look like veins running through the wings. These are actually its ribs! The lizard is able to expand & contract its chest in order to use its wings (or not). These flying lizards are able to glide up to 55 yards!

3. Mouse Deer

image credit: news.bbc.co.uk

image credit: zooborns.com

Growing to just 18 inches tall and 4.4 pounds, the mouse deer is quite funny-looking with its big eyes, long toothpick-like legs, and a pointed little snout. But just look how cute the baby is!!! It's just so itty bitty!


4. Black and Red Broadbills

image credit: Mr No Good

image credit: Mr No Good

These breathtakingly beautiful birds are Black-and-Red Broadbills (Cymbirhynchus macrorhynchos). They have a black head, back, and tail feathers with crimson underparts. The bill is most striking, as it is a wonderful light turquoise on top with yellow underneath.

Now I couldn't find any info on this but if you'll notice in some of the pictures you can see long "hairs" near the birds' faces. They almost look like Salvador Dali mustaches!

5. Orchid Mantis

image credit: wilmott.com

image credit: Nitsirk Eel

image credit: Igor Siwanowicz, via photo.net

 Orchid Praying Mantises are tricky. Very tricky. Maybe even... too tricky?

You see if I ever go to Malaysia, Indonesia and Sumatra you should know that my #1 priority would be to find an Orchid Mantis. But here's my dilemma... it blends in so freaking well that I'm not sure I could ever possibly find one!!

I mean look at this thing, its walking legs look exactly like petals and the body coloration will tend to match wherever the Orchid Mantis was raised. It IS an orchid. So like I said... it's verging on too tricky for me.

Even as babies (or nymphs) the Orchid Mantises are masters of disguise. Young nymphs resemble ants with black bodies and red-ish legs. So they transform from ants into orchids? That really is an Ugly-Duckling-To-Swan Story if I've ever heard one!

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6. Nudibranchs

image credit: Hung & Pan

image credit: Hung & Pan

image credit: Andy Albatross

Not much to say on this guy known by its scientific name Doto sp., just thought it was an exceptionally beautiful nudibranch!

It's sometimes referred to as a doughnut nudibranch though because of its circular cerata that appear to be stacked in groups of 3 or 4 discs.

These are just one example of nudibranch species found in Indonesian waters! View more photos of them here.

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After seeing all of these incredible creatures, don't you just want to hop on a plane to Indonesia and start searching for them? If that's not entirely possible at the moment, head over to The Featured Creature to get your photo fill instead!

Ngaben; The Traditional Balinese Cremation Ceremony

These photos are from a traditional Balinese cremation ceremony, or Ngaben, in Sangeh, Bali, Indonesia from our 2011 Balifornian Culture Tour.  Sangeh is located about 40 minutes north west of Ubud in the Badung Regency and home to Bukit Sari monkey forest and Temple, Pura Bukit Sari which dates back to the 17th century.

Ngaben, The traditional Balinese cremation ceremony

According to Balinese tradition, this village is revered in The Ramayana. The epic Hindu poem discusses the legend of the monkey god Hanuman who must kill the evil demon Rawana who has taken over the colossal cosmic mountain named Mahameru. Mahameru was home to large Nutmeg trees filled with happy monkeys. One day a section of the mountain fell to earth onto the village of Sangeh and there have been monkeys here ever since. The tall nutmeg trees that surround the temple are found nowhere else on the island and have remained a sacred mystery.

Our good friend, Gung Adi, who’s family has lived in Sangeh for generations, invited me to partake in The Balinese Hindu cremation ceremonies taking place in his village. 

The Ngaben ritual which is executed to return the deceased soul and the five elements to heaven by burning the dead body in an elaborate ceremony which is followed by Hindu ritual procession.  It is among the most renowned cultural activities in the world for adhering to its ancient roots, dating back over a thousand years. The fortunate exception that has thankfully broken from ancient tradition is that the wives of the deceased no longer throw themselves onto the flaming funeral pyres as their dead husbands are cremated.

The ceremony and traditions involved in this powerful and striking ritual are covered in depth and stunning footage in the upcoming Balifornian Film’s documentary.