As we raced down the highway, I curled up in the front seat with my Harry Potter audio book playing (while Harry was first discovering his hidden Quidditch talents) on the way to the airport to leave Indonesia. I’d been in Bandung for 5 days and weirdly felt like I was in America on the highway.
It was a mixture of the A/C SUV, the actual lines on the highway… and the people following the lines, using their blinkers, and NOT honking their horn to pass. The bright green grass and fluffy trees all along the highway were just like in Ohio. There were no decorated trucks, no rickshaws, and no local buses or trucks with people hanging out the back and sides.
I’m sure most people coming from America to Indonesia for the first time wouldn’t notice similarities, and this made me realize how far removed I was from my American life in India. Another reason that Indonesia reminded me of home is that everyone was smiling and friendly; a true staple of American people. I love India, but it was so nice to experience another culture.
us bloggers posing with the police per their request
Why was I in Bandung and where is Bandung?
I went to celebrate and document the 60th commemoration of the Asia African conference with a group of Asian bloggers. I think I was an honorary Asian ;) because of all my Indian readers. I didn’t know where Bandung was at first and had never been to Indonesia, so here’s a little information in case you were as clueless as me:
- Bandung is the capital of West Java, Indonesia – called the “Paris of Java”
- The city lies in a basin surrounded by volcanic mountains!
- It’s also known for tea plantations, started by the Dutch
- The Dutch left in 1945 when Indonesia became independent
- The city is incredibly modern, but traffic is crazy!
- It’s full of creative, smart youth and the people from Jakarta come here to see the art, music, painting, and fashion on the weekend. It’s a university town.
The conference is a sort of platform for all the countries to come together in Asia and Africa that have achieved independence from their previous rulers.
What to do in Bandung
I’ll be telling you more about Bandung, later but here’s a peak at the highlights:
Highlights in North Bandung: touring hot springs (and showering in them!), seeing the huge volcanic crater Kawah Ratu and mountains of Tangkuban Parahu, trying local food at the floating market, and learning to play the local instrument, angklung, and watching a cultural performance at Saung Angklung Udjo.
Highlights of South Bandung: were the white crater called Kawah Putih, traditional lunch at Sindang Reret, and the tea plantations of Walini Ranca.
The main city itself also boasts the largest indoor theme park in the world, the only 6 star resort in Asia, the Tran Luxury Hotel, massive shopping malls, and famed factory outlet stores. It was a really cool city and perfect to host the parade for the conference.
Trans Studio Theme Park… clearly like a kid in a candy store. Perks of being a blogger.. cutting in lines, WHAT! I know! We rode a roller coaster than went up 90 degrees and then dropped backwards.
Trans Luxury 6 star hotel… I had never been in a 6 star hotel before, so clearly the nicest places I’ve ever stayed. So amazing! More later.
with Mei and Dawn, two fellow bloggers from Malaysia and Singapore
The Parade from the 60th commemoration of Asia Africa Conference
In 1955, 29 countries came to Bandung to discuss peace, security, and economic development, where issues were mostly caused by conflict between East and West. Although quite a serious event where delegates talk about their partnerships between each country, there was some fun: a huge parade in the city, and everyone in town came for it… actually 2x more people than they expected, so they made the parade even bigger!
nicest volunteers showing us around & local food.. hey guys!!
We had top row seats on a “media” double-decker bus to take photos… but I’m not going to lie, it was my first time seeing selfie sticks and I was blown away by the number of people in groups taking shots with their GoPros or iPhones on a stick. So, let me just show you what it was like looking at people taking selfies in every direction:
The news called for rain and I asked this girl Melody who worked in management with IBIS hotel (and was so sweet!) if they were worried. She explained that a “rain man” came and hopefully can make it not rain! I thought that was pretty cool.
Here are a few professional photos from the tourism board, since I’m sure you all know I am no professional photographer (or writer!), ha ha.
A few extra tips for Bandung:
Do not miss the Trans Studio theme park. If you want to know where to stay in Bandung, I can verify that the Ibis hotel was amazing and affordable. The connecting Trans Luxury hotel was over the top incredible with amazing food, a Swarovski crystal dragon, and a pool with sand!
four girls demolished all this food! mmm!
There is a huge mall attached (great for expats with a Wendy’s and Starbucks- haha I can’t help myself!). It’s a central location. OH PLUS, the massages were insane at the Trans Luxury!!! I loved the spa facility.
Also to check out the Pasar Baru a 7 floor shopping and trading center. Famous buildings you can see on city bus tours are Heritage Building, Gedung Merdaka, and Gedung State. Feel free to walk around “old Bandung” as well at Braga street. I had a blast in Bandung and can’t wait to tell you more. There will be two more posts coming up.
I was on this trip thanks to Wonderful Indonesia, Pesona Bandung, and all those involved in the Asian African Conference, but all opinions are my own.
I love that you’re an honorary Asian ❤
Looks like a fun weekend, nice hotel! I had to laugh at those selfie stick photos, they make me miss SEAsia so much! They remind me so much my travels this time last year in Malaysia and Indonesia :)
yeayyyyy…..let’s take our selfie picture Rachel…:)
hahaha :D
Sounds like you had a fantastic time – I love Indonesia, and I’m glad you had fun :)
The selfie stick pictures made me laugh. I’ve seen quite a few people here in London use them as well. Don’t think I ever would though.
It’s great that you got invited to the conference. How exciting!
Also, I didn’t know there was a thing like 6 star hotels. That must be quite the luxury! :D
I KNOW! 6 star! it’s so crazy
It looks like you had such a fabulous time! You’ve actually inspired me to schedule a trip to Bandung. It’s kind of ridiculous that it’s technically part of Jakarta and I have yet to make it there. The traffic is killer though…that’s the one reason I haven’t made the trek yet! Anyway, I’d really love to go to the volcanic crater and that sulfurous lake. Any other recommendations on what to do there?
no to be honest since i was on the trip wiht the tourism board, we did a set schedeule so i had no time to explore!
Glad that you like Bandung! :D
I think Bandung is a great travel destination. I saw that it’s only $10 a night for a hotel room. My goodness… That is my kind of price. Bandung has so much to see, and so many people. I like all of your photos, especially all of the people taking stick selfies. That was wild and unexpected. The food looks great and the people look so friendly. I think my only fear of Indonesia would be the tsunamis. If you go somewhere and they start yelling “Run!” they probably mean it.
http://askmelissaanything.blogspot.com/
Ok so my favourite part of this post was that it was your first time seeing selfie sticks??! No way! I’m totally envious that you hadn’t seen them until now haha! There are so.many.selfie.sticks here in Beijing. Everyone is taking photo of themselves all the time! Like always and for no reason and there must be a selfie stick involved!
haha yea they haven’t really kicked off in INdia, and certainly not in my home town in ohio – but since now, when i was in hawaii i saw a couple at a luau
Glad that you like Bandung! :D