Bandung Travel

Technorati Tags: Bandung Travel.Paris Van Java,Bandung

Bandung Travel may not sound exotic at all, but it has its own element of charm to satisfy the whole family quality time. Bandung has it all; even to meet three generations of family requirements into a single trip purpose. Furthermore there are plenty of choices for those looking for educative aspect into their family trips, one good example would be Leisure Activities version of post-exam trip.

Our quality time version on Bandung Travel may also depict; Ciwidey Volcano Trip and its All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) facility, Bosscha Leisure, The Little Farm and many more. Both Ciwidey and Bosscha represent historical portion of Bandung. White Crater, Ciwidey at the turn of 20^th century was a Sulphuric Acid factory and thus the oldest one in Indonesia perhaps in Asia. Where as Bosscha is also the oldest within most Southern Hemisphere Observatory in similar period.

While ATV at Ciwidey speaks for itself, the Little Farm offers a glimpse of farm learning activities for children education purposes. The children could learn how to grow and harvest a few vegetable species. And by the end of farming activities their unleashed energy could be released into outdoor action type of activities such as Jumping Fox.

To some, Bandung’s attraction may also represent itself through its Heritage Buildings. There are certain areas which still preserve the era of 1960s for example. The recent film making of Barack Obama when he was attending a primary school in Menteng, Jakarta; it is in fact being conducted around Lapangan Supratman St. as well as Cimahi for outdoor and indoor shooting backgrounds.

It is due to such preserved Heritage that today we could think of Bandung as it was named the Paris Van Java. By the same token the name is also used for an open space mall. Paris Van Java Mall attracts Bandung’s visitors and the place is full packed of crowd on every week-end. Though the mall has “One Stop Shopping” including restaurant mostly fast food retails but the famous city’s Culinary Cooking are available elsewhere scattering the whole region.

Bandung New Year’s Eve

Would you share your unique Bandung New Year’s Eve with others? You betch ya do! After all those bumper to bumper traffic jam at the punishing Cikampek Cipularang toll road to arrive at Bandung, the story must have been worthwhile to tell.

As Bandung has many Look Out Points being surrounded by a ring of mountains, it is easy to get the magnificent view of firecracker fierce battle from a high vantage point. Leisure Activities was a bit reluctant to drive across the town during the New Year evening considering such high concentration of traffic jam along some or perhaps most of popular main streets, but we had a birthday party invitation as well.

An invitation from our own in-laws, there was no way we could have refused. The venue was held at "The Valley". Sure enough it took us almost two hours from Saskava Guest House, just 5 minutes drive from Gedung sate at normal time. Getting to the Gedung Sate alone took almost an hour, the street was full packed with any vehicles mostly motorbikes. Though eventually we could have a good vantage point overlooking the Northern part of the city, and exactly at the midnight the exhilarating rewards came forward.

People visiting the place were scrambling to the front edges of The Valley's terrace just prior to the big time, eager to watch 2010 fire cracker war above the sky. It was simply amazing and wonderful scenery to watch with the loved one and together with our family. All those stresses due to chronic traffic jam were fully paid off period.

And exactly at midnight the birthday lady our in-laws was having a great moment as well, every family members was busy wishing for her. The atmosphere was accentuated by two of teenagers both wearing the theme masks.

  These two teens would probably soon spend the next New Year's Eve on their own with their mates not with us the parent, so this was the moment worthwhile to share. Some last action from adjacent building ended the festival, and soon back into another traffic jam returning to the Guest House. This time it was full two hours standstill!

New Year’s Eve Vacation

By the time you read this article we should be well on the way into our New Year’s Eve Vacation to Bandung our favourite resort city. We are hoping we could beat that peak season trip’s hassle and along the way we also follow a strict guidance on the Tips to Avoid Stand Still Traffic Jams; need we say more?

It is pretty obvious that every now and then the local radio blasts traffic jam announcements along the country sides. The Jakartans are flocking their ways to the neighbouring resort places. Perhaps swarming them would be the correct word to describe! Bandung is estimated to be swarmed in by no less than 30,000 vehicles on the December 31st.

It would be the busy time as well for the merry Hoteliers as the place could be fully booked. Though scrambling around seeking out rooms are not wise enough today, but if you are patient searching into brand new Bandung Accommodations you are still have plenty of lucks.

Almost every district or section of the city has new Hotel sprung up offering bargain rate year after year, in particular on lower side of scale. This is the suitable niche that most travellers need. A Bandung trip mostly involve hours of shopping or just window shopping, but which ever the case the Hotel room merely serves for refreshing rests.

Furthermore everyone will certainly spend the New Year evening elsewhere and definitely not inside a room for the obvious reasons! Thrashing in is perhaps the right word for the room’s main usage purposes. You might click and head for this article keys to get a glimpse of what’s available at either Paris Van Java or one of popular Hotel’s venue, yet as we are traveling in a three generation span of family we might prefer quieter restaurant with oldies live music as we did last year at “Roemah Nenek”. It was excellent ambient food place with less crowded surrounding.

Technorati Tags: New Year’s Eve Vacation

Hot Spring Ciater

Ciater is one of many Bandoeng’s natural Hot Spring, not only it is one of long established and integrated resort compound complex but also better equipped close to international standard with many decent amenities if not superior than others. It was the last location that our kids enjoy immensely during the last school holiday.

If the time permits make schedule for Hot Spring Ciater a bit late in the afternoon. There is an opportunity for some sight seeing just prior the dark night falls and a good hot spring dip after the dark, the cool breeze air in combination with warm or hot dip bath is quite sensational. In fact our late auntie who had been resided in Holland for decades used to love the place and visit very late night well into 10 o’clock pm.

We’re just finished strolling within the biggest observatory in Southern Hemisphere the Bosscha by 5 pm and subsequently continued the trip to Ciater, we arrived there just as the dark set in. There are many pools available but instead we choose to stretch our leg and dip part of them in smaller one, it is not as crowded and we only interest in dipping ourselves not to swim. Incidentally the swimming pool cost a bit in addition to the entry fee, but it is very affordable and worthwhile to go.

The boys who had been reluctant to be photographed earlier in Bosscha is now appear eager and enthusiastic to immediately throw away their clothing and jump to the small but naturally built pool with slightly amber lighting. Later on we move to the nearby hot spring waterfall and experience a bit of massage simulation.

There are two alternative ways to get to Ciater Hot Spring; one through the Bandoeng city itself where you could stop by on the way to Bosscha Observatory, Lembang Traditional Market as well as the Tangkuban Perahu crater. Or else through the Cipularang Toll road and exit at either Cikampek or and the one that head straight to Subang. Make yourself fresh and fully alert by also stopping by at any rest area there, though it is advisable to stop at Cipularang Rest Area Km 57 or Km 43 or Km 19.

Technorati Tags: Hot Spring Ciater,Bandoeng's Trip,Kids holiday,Bosscha Observatory,Cipularang Rest Area Km 57,Tangkuban Perahu crater

Corn Break Bandung

Not many has this particular plant, we used to have one in our Grandma’s in Bandung (it was twenty years ago that I could not recall she told me its name). Hypothetically the plant requires cool temperature, not so for Bandung today. The recent population explosion and relentless City expansion has degraded both the quality and ambient temperature.

The Kawah Putih (White Volcano Lake) at 2,300 m altitude provides a perfect condition for this plant to grow in abundant quantities; we have seen a dozen of them around the car park area. Continuing our family trip saga to this crater; I would like to dwell further what’s sort of activities our kids have pleasure to do so. Later at the end of the crater trip they would enjoy working out above ATV for a cross country lap. But I have saved it till now for the next article. Just be patient…

They say “patience” is one good virtue of the Javanese. This family trip has been specially requested by one of our nephew ever since she learnt that we have made frequent trips to our beloved Bandung city. The fact that she lives in Batam island makes all of us to make the most to ascertain her request fulfillment. The recent school holiday was the perfect gift for her birthday coincided with the trip.

As mentioned earlier it was cloudy mid day when we arrived; not a good recipe for nature photographic session. The visibility was further hampered by hovering fog like appearances limiting the hilly mount Patuha panoramic scene. It might have been the harmless derivative of Sulphuric acid gas reaction with fog.

Yet we’re fortunate to have order spicy barbequed corn prior to crater descend; having such produce snack whilst enjoying the view is quite a leisure there. It is not even comparable to expensive meals at posh restaurants.

Kids seemed to enjoy themselves; the corn and stone throwing. No dipping though, none of the visitor was seen dipping their feet. If they did their skin would get sulphur rash. We’ll do the real dipping later on in Ciater.

Ciwok & Paris van Java Mall

As you come out of Cipularang toll and drive off Pasteur gateway, you will be greeted by a bewildering array of retailers, restaurants, hotels and shopping mall. There are no less than two malls, each on your either sides along the way. And there is another two as you are approaching a big fly over bridge cutting through the Northern part of Bandung. The bridge was incidentally funded by some Middle East financial resources, after a long period and many years of construction delays. You would get spectacular views of Bandung along the bridge drive, yet should your destiny be one of those two shopping malls getting off the bridge is the first priority.

Both malls offer outstanding branded shopping experiences with many world class restaurants and fast food facilities, it is a far cry of over any traditional cuisines. But on many occasion they often have live music entertainments mostly during the week-end, and both are designed to offer a kind of one stop center of shopping activities. Food, groceries, clothing wear, bookstores, cinema etc. you name it, they are all there! As Bandung is blessed with cool breeze air especially during the evening, open space on most of the part of center is the name of the game. Indeed taking a stroll amongst those shops and food stalls is fun.

Shopping Mall in Bandung

If this is what you are looking for then head off to Sukajadi St., the Paris van Java is the larger one offering lots of open space-ness. Paris van Java

name is derived from Bandung’s own beauty attractions as the famous nickname given in 1930s era. You would be the judge for such reputation for today’s time. The biggest tenants include Gramedia bookstore and hypermarket the giant French Carrefour. As soon as you pass through the gate you are immediately welcomed by rows of open space restaurants spanning across the length of the complex. However, inside there is a big open space corridor in between two rows of shops. Merely strolling or window shopping is attempting indeed!

Just around one block further away off the Cihampelas St. is the other yet smaller complex; Ciwok, derived from Cihampelas Walk. Ciwok is located midway of one way traffic street, whereby the whole Cihampelas St. is full choked of retailing shops from one end to another mostly clothing wear shop. As the name suggests walking by amongst the shops is the main idea, actually it is Ciwok being the first kind of one stop center selling its openness prior to Paris van Java’s.

 

Technorati Tags: Paris van java,shopping mall in bandung,bandung leisure

Shopping Mall Paradise

Shopping Mall in Bandung

Every big city in Indonesia are all seemed to race each other, they are racing neck to neck for building the most super complex and huge shopping centers. Whilst elsewhere around Asia is suffering with many new property developments on hold or simply being postponed, the property sector here resumes a booming period.

Surely enough it would be our capital city, Jakarta that enjoys the most. Since the Jakartans are shopping maniac, there are now dozens of new projects on shopping centres. One of the biggest is a 30 Ha super blocks in Western Jakarta. The evidences of shopping popularity is quite obvious, every mall in the city is fully packed at week-end. And getting a park space is also a struggle. What’s more similar evidences also occur to the neighbouring cities including Bandung itself.

Electronic, Gadgets and Games

Our Kid was looking for PSP games a few weeks ago while we were in Bandung. And after a few inquiries as well as a few miss-directions, we finally found what he was looking for at Bandung Electronic Centre (BEC). It turned out it was in very close proximity to our “Old European District” area, the old Dutch Indies housing complex within the Northern part of Bandung. Indeed we could save our time for other important outlet hunting instead of going to the biggest shopping centre over here the Bandung Super Mall, which is inconveniently located to the other direction in the Southern part of the town.

We were hunting for new outlet at Sumatra street, the kind of Branded outlets. In fact if you could notice there are more than three new commercial buildings around Dago or Djuanda St. alone. They are; the recently shifted Uptown outlet, Kartika Sari a restaurant and a small mall as well as just across the street a new Boutique Hotel. Does it all its new property development booming still justify Bandung’s own nickname of Paris Van Java? Each new property along Dago St. has its own unique architectural style, for me personally the Art Deco style is still prevailing in heavy concentration. You would be the judge yourself, visit Bandung in the coming week-end!

What hot in Bandung this week-end?

Do you still need more convincing tell-tale story what’s to do there? For a start the food is more affordable than that in Jakarta, so is the temperature. At some part of the city you do not need the air conditioner, particularly during the night! So strolling the downtown in the evening is a joy. What’s a foreigner thinks of the best leisure activities she enjoy the most in Bandung? And what is highly recommended things to do by the local?

Incidentally for those who remember my recommended cappuccino at “Sam’s place”, they resume the business already as of the beginning of this March. They were closed for a period due to….new building construction… for a new shoes or footwear outlets.

Roemah Nenek

It was late evening on the last day of 2008. We had been passing around this Grandma's House a couple of times. Its title alone intrigued us. Did it serve the kind of dishes which our Grandma used to provide us? Did it only sell its old colonial building concept?

As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed by the buzzing of new year's eve preparations. There was a sign post indicating people to line in at the entrance gate. Yet it was too early for any queue in, that we could grab just any table we like. The obvious choices were outside at front court for smoking section and vice versa inside the house. We were a platoon in numbers so we did take the available large tables outside.

The house itself was a typical 1930s colonial building. A reminiscent of "Art Deco" architectural style with equal antiquated interior decorations. For further heritage traits description, please click here! For a real leisure activity tip, read on!

I have deliberately designed two separate sites for these purposes! The Journey of Preserving Heritage Building (For those who interested in Heritage traits description) and this site for leisure activities tips. Pressing on .....

We all sat nicely as orders coming in. They were Soto Bandung, Strawberry juice and two pots of tea. One being lemon flavoured tea while the other is a plain one. The younger generation ordered Western culinary dishes, apparently they took longer to prepare.

Ribs steak, omelette, french fries and those desserts! On top of these, the growing kids were also ordering a variety of local dishes.

The first casualties were french fries for their appetizers, then the main course which were essentially anything with rice. Then....

Desserts...

Candlelight tables!

 

My half attacked steak

 

Live music

 

Toddler mocking around while awaiting for order..

 

Some one was still hungry enough impatiently grabbing Pizza while a picture was being snapped!

New year trumpet.......

 

Lush surrounding environment with rows of hawkers at foreground....

Technorati Tags: family quality time,culinary,bandung

An $ 80 dent to the wallet. For such nuance and delicious dinner to feed platoon of 10 including 4 commandoes, it is a memorable new year's eve!

Though it was not close to our beloved Grandma's (Mine not these youngsters). We finally had the answer!

Arriving on Bandung : Accommodation

Finish your breakfast @Cisangkuy st? And your children need bargain clothing as the one that they are wearing get dirty due to the horse riding? A few hundred meter away at Supratman st. you will find an outlet "Cargo".

Now it is the time to check on accommodation. There is a nice and lush colonial style hotel nearby "Bumi Asih" at Banda st. in the other direction next to Gedung Sate. Banda st. is parallel to Cisangkuy st. Bumi Asih website is just recently refurbished.

Further away heading for Riau st. by taking the first right turn from Banda is another budget, clean and quiet hotel "Progo" at Progo st. Along the Riau st. there are further hotels, both budget and 3 stars. Among others; Santika and recently Grand Serella (opened in 2007) etc.

By following this direction, I have made up my promise in offering you the second less congested route to Riau st. And directly driving from Pasteur toll gateway.

Driving further from Cisangkuy, following the main road as you pass the lush park as entering Cilaki st.; To your left is Wisma Cilaki, a cheaper home stay alternative. On the other direction following Supratman st., Hotel Mitra, Corsica, Barito and so on. Both Supratman and Cilaki meets and merging at another park "Supratman", formerly Ciujung. During the Dutch Indies era known as Houtman Plein.

The whole encompassing area mentioned above was once known as part of the "Old European District" in 1930s.

Every year there are hundred additional rooms being built, in 2009 alone it is estimated to be 1,200 rooms. This figures are officially from the relevant municipality as they announce 7 new hotel establishments plan. It is unknown though the recent effect of Global downturn crisis to this plan!

Customer wise expect fierce competitive pricing of room rates. Either way room rates is getting more and more affordable especially during low season, that is week-days. However during long national holiday rate is hike up markedly as it is difficult to get a booking. Home stay option is quite abound, one family may rent a whole house. You may search them through Internet, some are being advertised in English.

It is worthwhile to mention that there are certain nieches of hotel type suitable for nostalgic stay. For example; Art deco style Grand Preanger (Charlie chaplin was here), Savoy Homann. Smaller and thus more of homely type of stay; Sawunggaling, De Tropis guest house and recently on trial running Saskava guest house.

There are further list of hotel available if you click any of the hotal above a few will take you there. For hotel reviews you could consult tripadvisor. Here many visitors are gladly sharing their experiences of staying, click on either Sawunggaling or De Tropis.

*Relevant articles in the past :

• Bandung map guide @ "Old Indische European District"
• why-paris-van-java
• Adventurous leisure
• shopping
• gifts
• mighty-detroit-succumbs-to-dc

Why Paris Van Java ?

Technorati Tags: Dutch indies building

Do you know why that Bandung was designed and developed as a beautiful city as those of european major cities ?

In 1916 the Dutch Indies government decided to shift their capital city from batavia (now, Jakarta) to Bandoeng. They commissioned a number of well known architect to design ; town plan, parks, government buildings, government officer housings. You could still see the evidence today. Though a large proportion of those buildings have gone, some are being revamped into well known outlets. One example is the Heritage outlet, see our Leisure Guide to locate this Factory Outlet. That is why driving around Gedung Sate is such a pleasure, there are quite a number of old houses still existed.

Are you still with me ? Should I bore you, you could skip this article and proceed to look at the excerpt of Bandung History below,

Problem with your browser ? Head to this link :
http://picasaweb.google.com/saskava.van.amboeloe/BandungLeisure#5264648169302048466

The impact of colonial design is being regarded as the embarking footstep into current Indonesian architectural basis. These Dutch architect did not just copy the trend of their era, but also some manage to blend european style with the traditional one. One being the case is ITB's building.

Such contributions by prominent architect in early '20s like among others Ghijsels, Mclaine Pont, Aalber, De Waal, Schoemaker, H Thomas Karsten and many others had earned Bandung in 1930 nicknamed : "Paris van Java". Hence, we all know by now the beauty, the charm of Bandung's attraction is due partly to these circumstances.

Further reading on characteristic of colonial building is available. Hit the link on my blog lists under the heading of Heritage Building.

Bandung Paris van Java

We used to spend an hour or so at Cisangkuy Park, whenever we’re on a trip to Bandung. Our kids love riding the horses, one lap around the park costs about Rp. 3,500. That was way back then in early 2000. For them a trip to Bandung is nothing without horse riding. The same goes for the Moms, as their main target are to spend at Factory Outlets (FO).

As for the Dads (and the rest of family; grandma, grandad etc.),Bandung offers a pleasant change with its cool breeze air. Less humid air provides more ease for the oxygen getting into our breathing cycle. Well, you get the idea. And, the foods variety; from the freshly pick and process fruit as well as vegetable to those well known uniquely bandung culinary dishes.

Bandung apparently has been designed for leisure since the inception of Dutch Indies government’s itention moving the capital from Batavia in early 1920s. Even today we’re still able to recognise some landmarks such as city parks, colonial style buildings, art deco hotel and villa (savoy homan and formerly villa isola) as well as other natural tourist attractions, FO and recently agro-tourism.

Located amidst the surrounding mountains at an elevated of 700 mtr above sea, it’s indeed provide one of comprehensive leisure attractions. Other places which have equal magnet attracting thousands are among others Ancol (Northern Jakarta) and Puncak (90 kms or two hours drive from Jakarta). None however could beat such beauty and charm as Bandung has to offer. Hence, regarless of its chaotic city planning these days nor pathetic traffic (particularly at weekend) ; “Paris van Java” charm and beauty has maintained

Bandung as city of leisure

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