INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

At the break of dawn, we were ready to depart from our hotel to the domestic airport of Bali bound for Bandung City.  Approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, we arrived at Bandara Husein Sastranegara Bandung Airport.

It was raining so hard when we arrived.  The weather was conducive to just sleep and lounge at our booked hotel.  But we are always reminded that Bandung City is quite far and the opportunity to explore is rare. 

Thus, we literally dragged ourselves from the comforts of our bed after check-in to initiate exploration.  We actually have no fixed itinerary and so we just walked and went come what may.


INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

FACTORY OUTLET SHOPPING

A friend of ours told us that Bandung City is known for branded outlet stores.  We searched for Jalan Riau and indeed it is home to the best shopping brands and outlets.  A portion of the street was actually flooded on our visit, which posed as a challenge for our wandering stint.  We nevertheless went through and went home with bags of cheap branded clothes.

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

BANDUNG GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Museum of Geology was founded on May 16, 1928.  As a historic monument, the museum is considered a national heritage and under the government protection.  For new cities, it has become my routine to visit any museum that is quite interesting. 

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

But unfortunately and with lack of research, the museum was closed due to a public holiday.  On normal days, it is open every day from 9AM to 3PM except public holidays.

And so we just walked around the vicinity and found food trucks and a park before the rain fell so hard once again.

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

PARIS VAN JAVA

A walking distance from our hotel is one of the largest shopping malls in the city, Paris Van Java.  It is considered as the to-go-to place for dining and even for a stroll.  Prices may not be the same as the branded outlet stores but still the choices are of a variety and more spacious for a stroll.

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

In our case, due to heavy rains, it became our instant refuge.

On our second day, the original plan was to visit the outskirts of Bandung.  We woke up a bit late and asked locals and taxi drivers of directions on how to get to our desired destination.  A majority discouraged us.  We should have travelled early according to them.  And so we chartered a taxi driver and visited two (2) of the most popular destinations within the city of Bandung and off north.

LEMBANG FLOATING MARKET

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

We drove north of the city center of Bandung and as suggested by our taxi driver, arrived at Bandung’s Floating Market. The lake that sits in the middle of the vicinity is surrounded by well-manicured gardens of varied ornamental plants and flowers.  There are traditional Java houses as well which makes the stroll a cultural heritage tour. 

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

Entrance fee is 15,000IDR (approximately PhP54.00) but the same is consumable with drinks of choice (iced tea or coffee).  There are seats and eateries set-up near the entrance facing the lake, to give guests a panoramic view of the landscape.

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

There are varied traders on the floating market offering traditional cuisine of snacks and even full meals to every guest.  Noticeable are the installations as well that complements the vast garden and even traditional musical instruments on display.

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

I could say that despite the name of the destination, the highlight of our tour is not really the floating market experience but the stroll along the gardens that surround the lake.

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

SUSU LEMBANG FARMHOUSE

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

If not for the hobbit house replica, I would not be interested to visit the farmhouse.  Since I don’t have any itinerary in mind and I left the plotting to my travel buddies, so I just went.

The crowd was starting to pile up when we arrived.  At the entrance, a cup of milk is provided to every visitor.  We passed by houses, of colourful paintings, souvenir shops housed in colourful makeshift houses and even a replica of a Dutch village complemented by women garbed in traditional Dutch costumes roaming around and some on guard at the houses. 

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYSINDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS
 
INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

Our main mission was to search for the hobbit house.  But along the way interesting finds of well-landscaped gardens greet us.  Every corner was picturesque.  There are interesting souvenir shops and restaurants as well with exteriors and facade displaying unique arts.

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

Then, we finally found the hobbit house.  Beside the so-called hobbit house is the rabbit house.  One thing I noticed in Bandung is the presence of so many rabbits at parks, gardens and even along the road.  Why is this so?

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYSINDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS
 
INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

INDONESIA | BANDUNG CITY FOR 2 DAYS

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Bandung City is the capital of the West Java province in Indonesia and the third largest city as well by population.  Getting to know its topography, which lies on a river basin surrounded by volcanic mountains, I know there are a lot more to discover in Bandung City.  Two days is indeed not enough.

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