Balifornian welcomes a new member to the team

It is with great pride and the giddy excitement of an eight-year-old girl playing with her Malibu Barbie Dream House for the first time, that we announce the newest member of the Balifornian team.

David “Dino” Maiolo has agreed to come on board and help us out with our projects in Bali and Sumbawa. He is currently in our California office with us and will be joining us when we return to Indonesia in September. He asks that you not rob his house while he is gone.

Welcome Dino! (Dino is the one on top)

Though he has spent the majority of his life in San Diego, California, Dino is no stranger to travel. Having spent two high school summer vacations in southern Africa, Dino became so fascinated by other cultures and societies that he decided to join the United States Army as a means to see more of the world. His adventures have taken him to many regions in south, central and north Africa as well as the middle east. While stationed in Germany for two years, Dino was able to visit virtually every western European country at the time as well as East Berlin during the Cold War years.

After returning home to attend San Diego State University, Dino used his love for surfing as a means to see more of the world. This time his travels would lead to many tropical destinations such as Costa Rica, Fiji, Australia, Panama and Mexico, where he lived for two years. By far his favorite surfing destination, however, is Bali. He is enamored by the Balinese people, culture and natural environment; not to mention its world class surf.

Dino loves his life as an internet marketing consultant, helping companies promote themselves with better online visibility. He uses a combination of search engine optimization, social media, pay-per-click advertising and intense data analysis to facilitate better online conversions for his clients. Since he works from his computer, online consulting allows Dino the opportunity to continue traveling while helping his clients. His immediate plans are to return to Bali while continuing to assist his clients.

Welcome Dino! We are both lucky and thrilled that we were able to fool you into joining us!

With love,

Michael and Maryam

Photo of the Day ~ Candi Prambanan- Sunrise ~ Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog

Today we have another view of Prambanan Temple.  We arrived at sunrise to capture this ancient feat of architecture in all its splendid beauty.  Here I opted for a shot without crisp focus to capture the morning aura at first light.

Candi Prambanan in Yogjakarta is considered by many to be the most beautiful Hindu Temple in the world.  Prambanan temple is located in Yogjakarta, Java.  This masterpiece was constructed in the tenth century during the reigns of two powerful kings; Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Balitung. At its tallest, the temple climbs up 48 meters (almost 160 feet, even taller than Borobudur temple).  This photo was taken on our Eco-Adventure Tour while in Yogjakarta, Java.

Prambanan temple has three main temples all facing to the East.  One for Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva.  temples.  Each of the three also has accompanying temple that faces to the west. The grounds are beautiful, complete with gardens, fountains and 224 more temples!

Copyright © 2010 Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog ~ Michael Doliveck

Are you a photographer or just like 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.

Have great images from your Indonesian travels you would like to share? Want to 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 must be under 500 kb.

Happy travels!

Michael and Maryam