Bali Photo of the Day ~ Beach Festival

Today's Bali Photo of the day comes to us from our sister company Floating Leaf Eco Retreat.

This was taken during a current wellness retreat tour. We took our retreat participants to Jimbaron Beach for a sunset seafood farewell dinner and to our surprize there was a huge ceremony and festival taking place.

What a great send off for our wellness retreat and we are so happy they had such a rewarding experience in Bali.

Our Wellness Retreat participants were treated to a resplendent beach ceremony and festival at Jimbaron Beach, Bali

Another amazing day of Bali surf at Uluwatu.

Pura Uluwatu is one of Bali's most striking temples and it looks out onto one of the best known waves in the world. Uluwatu is almost always working as it consists of several breaks next to one another. These include The Racetrack, Temples, The Peak and when its really big, Outside Corner and The Bombie pump as well.

Recognized as one of the best surf breaks in all the world, Uluwatu in Bali never dissapoints.

Uluwatu is in the Southwest tip of Bali on the Bukit Penninsula. Due to its fame and the fact that it almost always has some swell, it can get crowded. Its best to come early and never drop in on the locals. It is an exposed reef break and for experienced surfers only. It can be sketchy as you need to paddle out through a cave and the current is quite strong. Please contact us if you are headed there for the first time as there are many things to know before attempting to surf Uluwatu. 

A surfer shreds Uluwatu's The Peak break in Bali's bukit penninsula.Bring your booties, have a very strong leash and watch the tides and the shallow reef. If you don't want to test yourself, just kick back with a Bintang at one of the restaurants carved into the cliffs for a spectacular view.

A surfer shreds Uluwatu's The Peak break in Bali's bukit penninsula.I am always shocked when I return to Uluwatu as there are now many hotels, villas, restaurants, etc. It was not too many years ago when there was just one place to stay. But surfers want surf and Uluwatu always delivers. We have found an even better place in Sumbawa though and we will be surfing Scar Reef with just a couple friends soon! But don't tell anyone.

I would be remiss to make a blog post on Ulu and not discuss the Temple. So here is one last shot from the Temple above. Want to shoot surf photography? Check out our new photo tours! Just click here.

A monkey ponders the moon at Bali's sacred Uluwatu Temple.

For more photos check out our gallery and let us know what you think!

Have you surfed in Bali? Please leave your comments below. We'd love to hear from you.

Bali Sunsets ~ Seminyak Beach from La Plancha

When we happen to be in upscale Seminyak in the early evening, one of our favorite things to do is head to the beach and enjoy a mojito at La Plancha. I know its a bit trendy but thats Seminyak. There are many other great little spots at the beach but I like the chill music selections and the atmosphere.

Another spectacular sunset in BaliWe recently took our tour group there and here are some shots of the sunset from the balcony.

Bali sunset from La Plancha in SeminyakHorses on the beach, chill music and a cold mojito make for a great Bali sunsetAfter the sunsets, the tables turn into lights, the DJ gets spinning and it turns into a proper beach party.

Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog 2012Come have a mojito with us! And come take photos with us...

Just announced ~ The Bali Deep Culture Photography Tour ~ Oct 19-26 ~ Click here to reserve your spot today!

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.