Do I Need Travel Insurance?

I have been traveling most of my life and never thought I would need travel insurance.  I guess thats the young and dumb part of me that felt the risk was worth it. But times have changed.  In the course of my travels, and I am sure yours as well, I have seen some tragic and extremely sad and unfortunate events take place. In fact almost everytrip I see something happen. I don't want to scare anyone as its not always an injury but a simple change of plans can cause you to miss a flight, cut your trip short or any number of things.  Many time no fault of your own. Now, with the price of travel insurance so low and the coverages increasing, I find it to be a sound investment with low risk.

Over the past couple years I have researched many companies and tried several of them.  I have also talked to many fellow travelers to find out thier experiences. I found Travel Guard and Allianz to be the best.   If you have any questions, please email us here.

Your Bali Pics of the Day ~ High Priest in Trance ~ Balifornian Villas and Tours

The high priest or Pendanda in Balinese Hinduism performs a cleansing ritual during a cremation ceremony or Ngaben in Sangeh Village in Bali's Southwestern province.
A Pendanda performs a cleansing ritual at a cremation ceremony in Bali ~ Balifornian Villas and ToursShe sits on a raised platform after her husband carefully prepared her spiritual implements or Upakara. These include a sacred prayer bell also know as a Gantha, rings and other special jewelry, trays with many varied flowers, gold and silver vessels containing rice and sandalwood powder, a holy-water container or Siwamba with a silver sprinkler (Sesirat) and a longhandled ladle called a Tjanting, an incenseburner (Pasepan) , and a bronze oil lamp ( Pedamaran).

A Balinese Hindu High Priest goes into Trance at a Cremation Ceremony ~ Balifornian Villas and Tours
She will light incense and begin chanting to cleanse herself and then fall into trance as she removes special flowers one by one, recites a prayer and tosses them away. Pranayama, a special type of breathing, will enable her to fall into a trance in order to carry out the prayers and rituals necessary for the deceased's journey to the after life.

A Balinese Hindu High Priest enters into a trance in Sangeh, Bali ~ Balifornian Villas and Tours

Your Bali Photos of the Day ~ Lake Reflection of Temple in Bali ~ Balifornian Villas and Tours

Sangeh village, about 20 km north of Denpasar, houses the Pura Bukit Sari Temple built around the 17th century. A shrine or plankiran reflects in the lake of Bukit Sari Temple located in Sangeh, Bali.  Inside The Bali Sangeh Monkey Forest in southwestern Bali grow enormous nutmeg trees over 40m high. The trees are a mystery as they grow nowhere else in Bali and are believed to be sacred.  The monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) of the forest are also believed to be sacred and they interact with those paying their respects at the beautiful temple.

The Temple in The Sangeh Village Monkey Forest in Southwestern Bali. Balifornian Villas and Tours 2011.Balifornian Villas and Tours wishes you the most joyous and prosperous Holiday Season and safe and exciting journeys in the New Year.

Bali and Indo Surf Film- Balifornian Villas and Tours

Hello Balifornians!

Today we bring you a great little surf video from various breaks in Indonesia.  The surfing is top notch, matched only by the epic surf spots where it was filmed.  This short video by Ricardo Borghi was shot in Indo locations from North Sumatra to Bali and contains some secret spots, big barrels, clean water and beautiful scenery.  Enjoy!

Your Bali Photos of the Day ~ Bad Ass Rice Farmer of Bali ~ Balifornian Villas and Tours

Hello Balifornians!

We have a double shot for you today.  I was able to capture a shot of this bad ass rice farmer outside of Amed, Bali amongst the electric green rice fields of Eastern Bali, Indonesia.  These folks work extremely hard and here Nyoman takes a well deserved break with a hand-rolled cigarette.  His machete gleams in the sun and his stoic nature is apparent.  I have great admiration for these men and women who lead a rough life but are so kind, humble and good spirited . They provide a crucial role in Bali and provide food to the island.

A rice farmer in Bali takes a smoke break- Balifornian Villas and Tours 2011I also wanted to include the following image to give some added perspective of the location and its beauty.

The luch rice terraces of eastern Bali. Balifornian Villas and Tours 2011.Our new villas overlook rice field like this and are just minutes away from world-class surf breaks as well.  Check them out here.  Happy holidays to all and a healthy and happy new year from all of us at Balifornian Villas and Tours.

How are you celebrating the holidays?