Bali Photo of the Day ~ Bali Surf and Yoga Retreat

Today's Bali photo comes from a surf outing with our Surf and Yoga Retreat group to Bali's most famous surf break, Uluwatu.

The Bali Surf and Yoga Retreat was run through Bali Floating Leaf Eco Retreat and they provided this amazing image. They also provide surf villas and all you need to have an epic surf vacation in Bali.

For more on surfing in Bali, Uluwatu, awesome surf photos from Bali and insider's tips, just click How to Surf Bali ~ Uluwatu ~ An Illustrated Guide [Photos]

Surfing Bali ~ Tips tricks and Insider Info

Bali Photo of the Day ~ Bali Royal Cremation

The Bali photograph for today comes from an auspicious outing for our Yoga and Wellness Retreat participants. After a powerful morning of yoga at the villa we headed into Ubud for a cultural excursion. We had been seeing the daily construction of the Bade (cremation tower) and Bull and we knew the royal cremation ceremony or Ngaben would soon be taking place. However, we did not know it would be this day.

Our Bali Yoga and Wellness Retreat was able to witness this rare Royal Cremation Ceremony in Ubud, BaliOur Yoga Retreat guests were overjoyed to be able to witness this rare rite. More images from this ceremony are soon to come and if you would like to read more about Ngaben Cremation Ceremonies and see some compelling photos, please click here and here and here.

For more on our Yoga and Wellness Retreats just click here.

Balifornian Tours Photo of the Day ~ Meditation ~ Kuta Beach, Lombok

Hello Fellow Travelers and Photographers,

Today's Balifornian Photo of the Day comes from Kuta Beach on Bali's neighboring island of Lombok. While Lombok's Kuta Beach is much quieter than Bali's beach that shares the same name, you will encouter some hawkers selling bracelets and nicknacks. However, nowhere near the intensity and crowds on Bali's Kuta.

Kuta Beach for yoga and meditation?

There are some secret and secluded beaches on Bali but most of the southern beaches are packed with partiers and sellers of all maner of goods. This is both a blessing and a curse to Bali, but the island offers many things to many styles of traveler. You can read more about Kuta, Bali here.

But back to Lombok's Kuta.  Here you can find solitude, a place to meditate, do yoga and remain relatively uninterupted.  Sure, upon arrival you may be surrounded by young girls wanting to sell you thier wares, but once you make it clear you are not interested (just tell them, "Mbak, tidak tertarik"). They will retort, "It is for my school and we need the money".  It's certainly up to you and supporting education is always high on my list, but if you want your peaceful beach stroll, just make your intentions clear and you are off to find your solitude.

Kuta Beach offers many hills and peaceful spots to sit in meditation, clear your mind and relax just as this woman was able to do.

Meditation, yoga and other peaceful pursuits await you on Kuta Beach if you know where to find them

Our Bali Photography Tours 

Balifornian offers fully custom small group photo safaris for all levels of photographers.  We can lead documentary film makers deep into little known areas and we can take enthusiasts new to the art of photography and provide education and direction on all aspects of photography from getting to know your camera to post processing and blogging.  Contact us today to find out about our special tours for photographers.  Feel free to have a look at the photos in our 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, pro photographers, local artists and more.  Contact us at photo@balifornian.com today for more information.

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

Happy and swift travels!

Michael and Maryam ~ Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog ~ The award winning Bali travel website.  Your best choice for Bali and Indonesia Tours and Travel information.

Happy New Year 2011- Making a resolution??

From all of us at Balifornian, may your new year be the best one yet.  Have a safe and fun New Years Eve.

Making a resolution?  Check out our health and wellness retreats.  Learn to eat healthy, stay active and reconnect with yourself all while touring amazing Bali.  We will visit temples and sacred sites while learning about the culture and arts of traditional Bali.  Of course there will be plenty of time just relaxing on the beach, poolside and getting massages and spa treatments.  Other possibilities include yoga, painting classes, shopping excursions, meeting with healers, cooking classes, museums, learning about specific cultural aspects that interest you, etc.  The itinerary is really up to you.  With your input we will help you design a tour that fulfills your passions, interests and sense of adventure, all the while in luxurious setting.  Learn more about our tours at

http://www.balifornian.com

and

http://www.balifornian.com/destinations

All the best to you and your family,

Maryam and Michael

Bali catamaran on Gili Air, Lombok

Want the absolute best of Bali? Balifornian Tours Announces New Tour Dates for 2011

Balifornian Tours has released thier small group custom tour schedule for 2011.  New amazing hotels, great adventure and deep culture, highlight the new imporved tour.  Now you can go anytime you like.  The more people you bring, the better the price, so let your friends, family, school group, etc. know and maybe you can even get a free trip!

Your passions will still be catered to and you can customize the tour in anyway you wish.  Want to study with a master batik artist? Done, we have one of the best in all of Indonesia.  Want to do some of the best snorkeling or diving in the world?  No problem- the tour includes a private cruise to places with incredible coral and tons of amazing and diverse fish.  Want to surf with pros (or just learn from them)? You can do it!  Want to go on a shopping excursion and get incredibly inexpensive locals only pricing? Done!  Or do you just want to relax on one of the worlds most beautiful beaches and experience a luxurious massage?  Easy!

The opportunities are endless.  Just check our tour offerings under the Tours tab at the top of the page, choose the activities that most interst you from ANY of the tours and we will work with you to craft your ultimate personalized tour.  Its as easy as that.

Balifornian Tours specializes in Hospitality tours.  When you travel with Balifornian you are part of the family and have access to deep cultural experiences that tourists will rarely see or can not achieve at all.



Contact Balifornian Tours today to learn more and start planning your best holiday ever!

http://www.balifornian.com or email tours@Balifornian.com

Want to schedule a tour at another time?  No problem.  You can work with Maryam and Michael and develop the tour you want.  Love yoga? photography? cooking? living healthy? dance?  These are just some of the tour concentrations they can share with you.

Balifornian Tours offers the best custom holiday experience on Bali and all of Indonesia.  Balifornian Travel Blog is your source for news and fun information on travel, vacationing, upcoming events and much more.

Salamat Jalan!