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.

Bali Photo of the Day ~ Tanah Lot Sunburst

Today's Bali photo comes from a recent yoga retreat's pilgramage to one of Bali's most famous and picturesque sea temples. Pura Tanah Lot is on Bali's west coast and for more on its signifigance and history, please click here.

Surfing Bali's Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot is also a great surf spot. For more on surfing Tanah Lot and some tips, please click here.

This shot is on the way down to the ocean as you approach the temple itself.

Yoga retreat to Tanah Lot. One of Bali's most beautiful and dramatic templesFor much more information on Tanah Lot temple, surfing and the religious signifigance, just enter a search term in the search box to the right.

Bali yoga retreats

Click here for more information on yoga retreats in Bali.

Bali Photo of the Day ~ Monkey Forest Bridge

Balifornian Photography Tour at Ubud's Sacred Monket Forest

Today I wanted to follow up with a couple additional shots of the Dragon Bridge in Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest to give you a bit more perspective.

In previous Bali Photo of the Day blog posts, I featured the bridge itself and the Komodo Dragons that protect the Sacred Bathing Temple that the bridge leads to.

Today I wanted to show the Komodo Dragon carvings from the bridge. Here is a wide shot from the bridge overlooking the gorge...

The Dragon Bridge of Bali's Sacred Monkey ForestAnd here is a closer view...

A pair of Komodo Dragons keep watch over the Sacred Bathing Temple of The Monkey ForestAnd here is another shot of the elaborate carving of the Dragon on the bridge...

A detail view of the dragon carving on the bridge in Ubud's Monkey ForestI hope that helps complete the experience for you and come see it for yourself!

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Bali Photo of the Day ~ Komodo Dragon Sculptures Protects The Holy Bathing Temple

Balifornian's Art and Culture Eco-Tour

Todays Bali Photo of the Day comes to us from a recent Art and Culture Eco-Tour. We stopped into Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest, crossed the Dragon Bridge over the The Holy Bathing Temples where these two fellas have kept watch over the natural springs that pour from the side of the Monkey Forest Gorge.

Bali's Sacred Monkey Forest features two Komodo Dragon Carvings that protect the Holy Bathing SpringsSome say these beautifully carved Komodo Dragons have been overlooking these sacred Bathing Springs for hundreds of years. The Balinese still use these springs to cleans themselves and don't be surprised if you see naked or nearly naked locals taking part in the ritual.

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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.