Heard so much about Bandung for its shopping outlets and also the cool weather. So we decided to go to Bandung for a short retreat. BANDUNG RETREAT 2012!
Arrived at Husein Sastranegara International Airport Bandung in the evening and were greeted by our pre-booked driver. As we already had our dinner in the plane, ala the usual Uncle Chin’s chicken rice and Pak Nasser’s nasi lemak, so we headed straight to the hotel to check-in.
At the front Office of Amaris Cihampelas Hotel
Amaris Cihampelas Hotel, a boutique hotel located in the heart of Bandung.
However, the driver Pak Izuan was nice and kind enough to take us around the city area near the hotel.
Quiet and almost empty street early in the morning
After breakfast at the hotel, we walked down Cihampelas Street to enjoy the cool morning breeze.
FYI, Bandung is at 800m above sea level. The first itinerary was a visit to the Gunong Tangkuban Perahu, a volcano which is situated about 20 km from Bandung, 2084m above sea level.
At the volcano crater
The entrance fee to this volcano is Rp 20,000 per person.
The most annoying thing about this place is that there are lots of peddlers following you whenever you go to pester you to buy their souvenirs like keychain etc so much so that you would feel unsafe to walk around. So we only stayed for a while taking some pictures. If not for these peddlers, we would have stayed longer to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the cool weather.
On the way back to Bandung, we stopped at the tea plantation to have a closer look at the tea plants which according to the driver was already 15 year old.
Tea Plantation
Then we stopped at the Ciater Hotspring. But there is nothing much to shout about as the place is already privatized to a hotel resorts. So nothing is natural there.
Do you find any mistake in this information board?
Well it’s lunch time. The driver took us to Kampung Daun Lembang for lunch. The restaurant is a ‘pondok’ situated in the greens as it is surrounded by trees and plants. We ordered grilled gurami fish, ‘penyet’ chicken and oxtail soup with rice, strawberry and avocado milk shake. The bill came out to Rp 249,000.
Note: RM 1.00 = Rp 2,900 approximately
This is where we had our meal
Gourami is a fresh water fish.
Ayam penyet is a popular dish in Indonesia
Milk shakes
Hatur Nuhun means thank you
We also stopped at a straw berry farm.
These ladies must have thought that I am a reporter as I carried a camera around. They asked me to take a picture for them!
I told them I would put the photo in the internet. They laughed!
It’s shopping time after lunch! We went to few outlets. Alas, most of them are selling ‘branded’ imitation apparels. Most of the outlets have food courts.
It’s refreshing to stop by for a cold drink.
Before heading to airport for our departure back to Malaysia, we went to Pasar B aru. It is a 7 storey-building with lots of stores selling cloths, shirts , scarfs, very great place to shop for our Muslim friends especially those who are planning to get married.
Our driver, Pak Izuan
Stopped by the road side to buy my favorite fruit
A short and not so enjoyable trip!
Goodbye, Bandung!
Hi,
Lovely photos!!
Would you mind sharing your driver (Pak Izuan) phone number/email. I would like to book him for my upcoming trip to Bandung.
Please also share how much is his rate (per day).
Is tips required in Bandung?
Thanks..
Hi,
Just log on to mpvrentcar.com and make reservation thru the website. The rate depends on the no of hours per day. We engaged their service for 3D2N and the cost was 700K Rp. With regards to tips, it all depends on individual. They won’t ask.
Have a nice trip!