Bali wins best island in Asia

Once again the readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine voted the paradise island of Bali in Indonesia as Best Island in Asia and second Best in the World in the magazine’s Annual World’s Best Awards 2011 Readers Survey, as announced on July 7.  Bali is consistently on the top of these polls for its sweeping beauty, incomparable culture, incredible shopping, delicious food and its kind hearted people.

The Best Islands were rated according to natural attractions, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people, and value.  All of which Bali excels in along with the strong spiritual elements, some of the world's best surfing, and much much more.

 The beautiful island of Bali beat out The Great Barrier Reef Islands in Australia, Cape Breton Island, Boracay, Philippines, , Sicily in Italy, and even the Big Island in Hawaii. After years of topping this survey and many others, Bali placed 4th in 2010's favorite island in the world but is now back on top.

A monkey ponders the huge moon over the great surf break and temple of Uluwatu

Bali boasts almost all of our world-class hotels and resorts are among global traveler’s favorites and overall, Asia has, again, proven itself to be the world’s favorite place to stay.

Balifornian Tours is the best way to see the most of the lushious island, avoid the crowds, get the best deals and have the vacation YOU want!  Contact us now for more! m@Balifornian.com

“You are looking fatter”

Bali Tours and Travel Blog

Don’t be upset or self-conscious if you hear this greeting from someone you have met previously in Bali or Indonesia.  It’s fairly common actually, and unlike in the West where it would be a strong insult, here it means you look like life is treating you well and you are happy. 

So just enjoy!

Balifornian named Top Indonesian Blog by The Go Overseas Organization!

Go Overseas ( www.gooverseas.com ) has just selected Balifornian Tours and Travel blog as a Top Indonesian Blog!  We are thrilled and honored. 

We are currently traveling and leading tours in Bali but we will be back to posting more great material soon.  Thanks so much for your support and happy travels!

Salamat Jalan!

Michael and Maryam

The Ultimate Adventure Expedition ~ West Papua

Balifornian Tours announces The Ultimate Adventure Expedition.  We will be touring Bali and then head off to one of the most remote regions left in the world, West Papua also know as Western New Guinea (formerly Irian Jaya). 

Its beauty and magnificence is unparalleled from its pristine beaches, ultra rare flora and fauna and the deep traditions of its tribes, which have been virtually untouched by outside influences. 

Travel is difficult on this tropical island for many reasons from snow capped rugged mountains to some of the most impenetrable jungles.  Many areas of this remote island are off limits to tourists and others require permits, but we will have unique access, as we will be chaperoned by local officials and members of the military. 

This is a once in a lifetime trip allowing you to interact with former headhunting and cannibalistic tribes of primitive cultures whose development is said to have ended in the Neolithic period (younger Stone Age).  We will be making a documentary film during this tour in which you can participate (and be credited). 

This expedition is for experienced travelers and requires extreme sensitivity and thus the exploratory party will be limited to only a small group.  If you are interested, please contact us ASAP papua@balifornian.com as we depart in June 2011.  For more information go to http://www.balifornian.com

Balifornian Tours ~ Best Tours.  Best Adventure.  Best Experience.  Photos above from Public Domian.

Update on Friday, March 18, 2011 at 4:25PM by Michael Doliveck

Update:

The response has been strong so I wanted to provide a bit more information.  We have a great opportunity here and I am working hard to get everything arranged.  Some details are still being worked out as it always is with these projects.  

If you do have strong interest, I am happy to provide more information.  I'd say you would need to buy air fare before too long as prices are predicted to rise due to oil prices worldwide but now they are still reasonable, though a bit more than usual for this time.  All team members are responsible for their own expenses.
The plans are liquid at this point as we are still gathering information and coordinating with our contacts in Papua.  I think we are looking at 8-14 days there and I am trying to lengthen it.  We will be in Bali for a couple weeks as well.  Papua is a bit pricier than other spots in Indo but still very reasonable and we will be able to save money by traveling with family (who also conveniently lead the Navy).  I can take care of all the permits and coordination.  It looks like we may have a small crew of videographers so its shaping up to be a great trip.  The rubber dates to be in Papua are June 22- July 6th or so.  All we ask is that, all footage gathered would remain the sole property of the shooter, but we be given permission to be used in the documentary we are producing.  All credits will be given to the shooter in the film and we are still filling positions (editor, sound tech, etc.)
I have a great travel agent if you want his name.

Thank you,
Michael

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prof. Michael Doliveck ~ Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog ~ Your best source of news and information of Bali and Indonesia
m@balifornian.com

Photo of the Day ~ Mbok Salak Pondoh ~ Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog

Salak Pondoh also know as Snake Fruit or simply as Salak (Salacca zalacca) is a species of the palm tree family native to Indonesia. The leaves of the palm can be 6 metres (20 ft) long!  The fruit is almost the size of a baseball and the snake fruit moniker comes from it reddish-brown scaly skin.  The fruit inside is sweet and a bit acidic and crunches like an apple.  It almost looks like garlic and consists of three lobes, each containing a large inedible seed.  Salak pondoh is an important fruit in Yogyakarta province and sold throughout Indo including Bali.  

This kind woman (mbok or mother) is selling the Salak Pondoh and we spent quite a while chatting with her and learning about her family while on our tour of Bali and Java.

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