Photo(s) of the Day ~ Napping Becak Drivers ~ Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog

These shots are some of my favorites and we have many more in this series but here are just a few.  We spotted these hard working gentleman (really they are) taking a break from thier labor while on our Eco-Tourism Tour in Yogjakarta, Java, Indonesia.

Copyright © 2010 Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog ~ Michael Doliveck

Our Photo Safaris ~ 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.

Do you have some 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 ~ Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog ~ The best Bali website.  Your best option for Bali and Indonesia Travel information.

Photo of the Day ~ Candi Prambanan, Yogjakarta ~ Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog

Candi Prambanan in Yogjakarta is considered by many to be the most beautiful Hindu Temple in the world.  Prambanan temple is located in Yogjakarta.  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

Strange Brew- Worlds Priciest Drink? Indo's Secret

By Michael Doliveck ~ Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog

It’s highly sought after and its worth its weight in silver. It’s only available from certain parts of Indonesia.  It’s the drink of choice for the ultra-wealthy.  It’s been featured in movies, Oprah swears by it, and its known as one of the most expensive coffee in the world.     What is it?  

 Well it’s called Kopi Luwak.

Kopi is the Indonesian word for coffee, and Luwak is a small marsupial also known as the paradoxurus or Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus). They only live on the islands of Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi in Indonesia. The Luwak is a small tree-dwelling animal that climbs among the coffee trees eating only the ripest, reddest coffee cherries. They then digest and eventually excrete the bean. The proteolytic enzymes in the cat-like animals' stomachs adds a unique flavor through fermentation during the digestion process.  Locals then collect the “processed” bean.  It is then washed, sun dried, lightly roasted and then brewed to yield an aromatic coffee with very little bitterness.

 Kopi Luwak is the most expensive coffee in the world.  It sells for $100 to $700 a pound and special varieties have sold for over $3000 a pound!  It can also be purchased by the cup for up to $50.  Not to worry as Balifornian Tours can take you to authentic locations selling some of the highest quality Kopi Luwak found in the islands for a much lower price (around $4-$6 a cup)

Copyright © 2010 Mikaku ~ Michael Doliveck

Photo of the Day ~ Peacock ~ Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog

Peacock- Green Peafowl, (Pavo muticus) Java, Indonesia 2010

The Peacock or Green Peafowl, (Pavo muticus) Breeds from Burma east to Java. The IUCN lists the Green Peafowl as vulnerable to extinction due to hunting and a reduction in extent and quality of habitat. s sAeen on Balifornian Tours and Travel Blogs Eco-tourism Adventure Tour in Java, Indonesia 2010.

Copyright © 2010 Mikaku ~ 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.

Photo of the Day ~Pigmy Hippo ~ Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog

This stout little fella was seen on our Balifornian eco-tourism adventure tour of Indonesia.  He was photographed while we were on the island of Java.

The pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis or Hexaprotodon liberiensis) Indonesia 2010

Copyright © 2010 Mikaku ~ 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.