Explore Bandung

^_^

2011-12-25T19:30:00.000-08:00

(please click the images below to Explore my city, Bandung)

Bandung is the capital of

West Java province in Indonesia,

with 7.4 million in 2007.

Located 768 m (2,520 ft) above sea level,

Bandung has relatively
year-around cool temperature.

The city lies on a river basin
and surrounded by volcanic mountains.

the city experienced a rapid development

and urbanization

that has transformed Bandung from idyllic town

into a dense 15,000 people/km² metropolitan area,

a living space for over 2 million people.

Natural resources
have been exploited excessively,

particularly in the

conversions of protected upland area

into highland villa and real estates.

Although the city has encountered

many problems

(ranging from waste disposal,

floods to chaotic traffic system, etc),

Bandung however still has its charm

to attract people flocking into the city,

either as weekend travellers or living in.

(source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandung)

Eldorado Family Club

2011-12-25T19:01:00.000-08:00

When the weather is sunny, it's the best time to swim, isn't it?
One of the swimming pools that exist in Bandung is Eldorado, precisely at Jalan 438 Setiabudi Bandung. Eldorado is actually a family club with a membership system but the swimming pool (and some other facilities) opened to the public as well.

I swam here in December 2011. It was a Friday so it was pretty quiet even though the holiday season. Entrance is around 40rb for adults and 25rb for children. If you want a sauna or massage, you must pay more.

Once inside, I was fascinated with old trees beside the pool. I really like the tree, for me the tree is God's grace. But I'm sure all who see surely like them.

There are two swimming pools, one very cold water, another warm. Then another one children's pool with waterslide. Plus a jacuzzi, perfect for cold night.

Children pool is quite fun for my kids. Although some tools such as the waterslides, the seats have started to wear out but are still worth taking.

Eldorado has clean and always dry showerooms. Lockers are also available with free of charge. Food is also available here, just order. The price is really affordable. Pool attendant is always on stand by.

That's my experience. Do not forget to bring swimming gear!

Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi 438 Bandung
T. (022) 2011666 F. (022) 20007478
E-mail: mkt-pr@eldorado.co.id
www.eldorado.co.id

Paskal Hypersquare Food Court

2011-10-16T21:35:00.000-07:00

Eventhough Paskal Hypersquare is still under construction but we can enjoy the shops row at the left and right side of main road, and of course, the food court with lots of menu.

Peuyeum Ketan

2011-10-01T21:18:00.000-07:00

Peuyeum is made from black/white glutinous rice (beras ketan hitam/putih) which is steamed and then fermented. It tastes sweet and contains ethanol. Usually, peuyeum is processed into other food such as bread, pie, ice cream, mixed ice, pudding, etc. And sometimes peuyeum is colored with light green.

Peuyeum always available at certain places and supermarket.

Go try it!

Kue Pancong

2011-09-01T23:27:00.000-07:00

Hi, how're you doing today? Want something sweet?

A couple days ago I walked along Jalan Gardujati. When you visit Bandung, you can stay at Gardujati or Pasirkaliki. There's a lot of food carts at side road.

I found kue pancong in front of a church. Kue pancong, my snack when I was a child. The seller is still the same man. He's already got grandchildren and I've got kids. Long time no see!

Kue pancong is made from flour, similar to crepes. The taste is still the same, sweet, tender, and crunchy. Love it.

Baso Solo under Pasopati

2011-09-01T22:42:00.000-07:00

Rainy season has come. Hoooray!! Goodbye hot days, welcome coolness :D

During November 2011 until (maybe) March 2012, Bandung hits by rain everyday.

It's highly recommended to enjoy a bowl of baso solo under the rain, he he he. Come to Jalan Pasteur, on the left side of the street, under the Pasopati Flyover, you'll meet Baso Solo.

Baso Solo opens from 14.00 till night. A bowl of baso was only 7000 rupiah when I come.

Fun Station

2009-07-13T22:53:00.000-07:00

Fun Station is a right place for your kids to have physical play and learning. Fun Station has two area, indoor and outdoor, both are very interesting. There are sand castle, biking track, pond area, labyrinth, etc on the outdoor.

It's indoor area is quite large. My kids love to climb up and slide down, then jump into ball pool, 'fly' with the 'flying fox', jump again and again on bungy jumping.

You can visit Fun Station here :
Jl. Candra Kirana no. 1
Perumahan Singgasana Pradana
022. 5436338/39

Atmosphere Resort Cafe

2009-06-15T00:51:00.000-07:00

Me and my family love coming here. Atmosphere restaurant located on Lengkong Besar Street. Please find the complete information here.

When you arrive here, just come to their back yard. That's the best part of Atmosphere for my family.

Atmosphere provides several 'saung' at its back yard. 'Saung' is a traditional resting place for farmer in the middle of the rice field. Those saungs are very well designed and built.

On the weekend, I suggest that you should come earlier than mealtime. Saungs are favorite places for most visitors. After finishing your meal, you may sleep there, ooooh, what a very nice place to relax.

But don't worry, if saungs are fully placed, you may sit on indoor area or on the second floor area.You still can enjoy live music (at certain times) and delicious foods.

Children love to play around the artificial fish ponds.

I ordered Cheesy French Fries and a kind of beef saussage (I forget the name, sorry) for my kids. A tuna salad for myself and an Norwegian Salmon Grilled for my husband. Hmmm, delicious !

And don't miss the desert, an apple strudle or a slice of blackforrest will be nice. Atmosphere has its own cake corner.

Contact Atmosphere here :
Atmosphere Resort Cafe
Jl. Lengkong Besar 97
Bandung 40111
t. 022. 426 2815
f. 022. 426 2667

Ikan Bakar Pak Chi Met

2009-05-11T06:16:00.000-07:00

This is a nice restaurant located on Sukajadi Street, near Paris van Java Mall, Bandung. Pak Chi Met means coriander, a kind of spice. Pak Chi Met focuses on roasted fish ('ikan bakar'), such as gurame, nila, bawal, etc. On the weekend, many tourist come here and enjoy their meal with family and friends.

Pak Chi Met provides indoor and outdoor tables. There are live music in certain days in indoor area.Outdoor tables are perfect when it's a sunny day and you come with children. There are pond fish and small children playground at the outdoor side.

Last time I visited Pak Chi Met, I ordered Nasi Ulam Ikan and Nasi Ulam Ayam. Nasi Ulam Ikan consists of rice, roasted fish, roasted shrimp, roasted squid, and Indonesian salad (slices of cucumber, tomato. squash, cabbage, etc). And of course, three kind of 'sambel' completed the dish. Nasi Ulam Ayam is the same as Nasi Ulam Ikan except the roasted fish is replaced with roasted chicken btreast/thigh. The price? I had to pay around 40 to 50 thousands rupiah for each. The taste? They're delicious !! The best thing, additional sambel was free.

Flowers on Cihideung Village

2009-04-07T03:43:00.000-07:00

I can't take my eyes out of the flowers. They're pretty, aren't they? GOD, the creator, is wonderful.

All those flowers are planted by farmers in Cihideung Village. Bandung has only two season, the wet and the dry season. April should be a transition period from wet season to dry season. So, flowers bloom along the year.

Some plants are planted in plastic bags and some are planted in pots.

Besides seeds and flowers, they also sell grass, fruit plants, sand, mature plants, pots, etc. When you arrange your garden, this is the perfect place to find all you need.

Cihideung Village is passed by Sersan Bajuri Road. Some farmers use their yard as place for their plants and others farmers build a temporary green house on the side of the road. You can come here through Kolonel Masturi Lembang or Kolonel Masturi Cimahi or Sersan Bajuri Ledeng. All those roads are narrow and full of holes. The roads go upward and have many curves. And, there's no comfortable parking area. I suggest you come here not in the weekend.

The other nice sight is the valley behind their green houses.

Tangkuban Parahu Volcano

2009-03-31T18:58:00.000-07:00

Last time I visited Tangkuban Parahu, it was rain. Before the rain came, fog was everywhere. The rain came down hard while we still had to walk along the Domas crater path. The track became muddy, my body was wet but, hey, it was fun!!

Let’s go to Tangkuban Parahu!

Tangkuban Parahu Resort has two entrances, which are Lembang and Subang. When you come from Lembang, you should not take the first entrance you’ve arrived. That entry has a very bad condition road as long as 4.5 km. Please take the second entrance (the first entrance when you arrive from Subang). This entry has smoother and shorter road comparing with the first entry.

After pay some fees, I think it is quite cheap, keep driving along the road with thick trees and bushes on both sides of the road. The green color is calming your eyes. Please open your car window so that you and your family can enjoy the fresh and cool air.

Then you’ll come right to the Ratu crater (Ratu means Queen). The crater isn’t allowed to be approached because it’s producing poisonous gas. You can see the crater from above.

Don’t forget to see and buy the souvenir sold there. There are many traditional souvenirs you can buy. You can buy a set of angklung less than 100.000 rupiah. Maybe you interested in nature rock or t-shirt or any other handicrafts. The price is cheap. Don’t forget to bargain.

The other crater you should see is Domas crater. There are many ways to achieve Domas crater. For the best experiences, you should use the officially guide-service. You will take a 1.2 km path with big and old trees on both sides. The guide will describe the condition of the forest while you walk down the path.

Here is the Domas crater. Stones are everywhere. Some geysers are here. Some small ponds are made here to dam the hot water so that tourists can submerge their feet. The guide will massage your hands and feet with mud. The mud will rest your tired body. The guide will boil some eggs in the boiling geyser and serve them for you 10-15 minutes later. I bet you won’t stop taking pictures.

I suggest you bring umbrellas or raincoats. When it is a sunny day, you’ll need umbrella to protect you from heat. And when the rain comes, umbrellas and raincoats are very helpful especially when you come with your kids.

The other craters are harder to get. Please go with the guide.

So, what are you waiting for? Come here and enjoy Tangkuban Parahu Mountain.

Btw, do you know the legend about Tangkuban Parahu?

Suis Butcher

2009-03-31T18:54:00.000-07:00

Suis Butcher provides steak with local and imported beef and salmon. The steaks are juicy, delicious, with fair price.

The place is in Setiabudi Street. The branch is in Riau Street. At weekend, it always crowded by visitors. Some Indonesian public figures have had meal here.

As an appetizer, you can have soup or salad. The main course is steak, spaghetti, etc. And banana splits or tiramisu cake as dessert. Enjoy beers or fruit juice for drink.

I like this place not only because of their taste and price but also their quick services.

Soes Merdeka

2009-03-17T04:03:00.000-07:00

Soes Merdeka is the most famous cream puff in Bandung. You can taste the delicious white rum cream with only 4000 rupiah (around US $0.3) each. The cream melts when you bite it. Hmmm, yummy, I like it!

The Merdeka Bakery makes and sells bread, tart, cake, and of course cream puff. There are many varieties of them (including crocodile-like bread), but the most famous is cream puff and dried 'soes' (dried cream puff without cream filling). The store is located on Merdeka Street, it's near St. Peter Cathedral.

Soes Merdeka is a perfect gift for your relatives and friends. Soes Merdeka is best served for three days only. The dried soes may last longer.

Soes Merdeka, Jl. Merdeka 25-29 Bandung, phone 022 4235534.
Branch : Jl. Buah Batu 235 Bandung, phone 022 7321221-7323842.
Enjoy it !!

Belakang Pasar Street

2009-03-17T03:36:00.000-07:00

I like kitchenware. Pans, containers, jelly or ice mold, tea pot, dinner set, etc. A couple days ago, I went to Belakang Pasar Street to buy a blender. Along Belakang Pasar Street you can find many stores sell kitchen ware. There are many varieties of kitchenware. There are kitchenware made from plastic, metal, bamboo, rattan, and coconut fiber. They are available in big and small size, very complete.

Don’t imagine the store is wide with racks line up orderly. The store is piled high with pails, pots, etc. There is only a little place for buyers to look around. So, be sure to know what to buy first.

For me, this street is a heaven of kitchenware. I can find traditional kitchen ware such as ‘keset’ (a coconut fiber mat), ’boboko’ (a bamboo container to rinse the rice for Sundanese), ‘sapu ijuk’ (coconut fiber broom), ‘nyiru’ (a bamboo wide container to dry food in the sun), 'kemoceng' (a feather duster) and a metal mouse trap. Sometimes we can see the process of making a 'sapu ijuk' or other traditional kitchenware.

The electricity kitchen ware such as blender, juicer, rice cooker, can also found here. Some stores also sell brass (baking pan) in many sizes.

The other nice thing to shop at the street is the price. My Phillips blender was cost Rp 330.000, but in department store it is cost Rp 400.000 to 500.000. The difference is quite high, isn’t it? Whether you buy one or two pieces things or you buy dozen of things, they will serve you well.

Katedral Santo Petrus

2009-02-24T00:39:00.000-08:00

This is the Katedral Santo Petrus or St. Peter Cathedral, a Catholic church in Bandung. Please read the complete history of it here. The church is located on Merdeka Street, right in front of Bank Indonesia and Balaikota Bandung.

Can you see the electricity wires between trees in front of the church? They decrease the beauty of the church. I'm really sorry that I couldn't get better point of view to take photo of the church.

Gedung Sate

2009-02-24T00:24:00.000-08:00

What is Gedung Sate? Gedung means "building" and sate means "skewered pieces of meat roasted over coals". On the top of the roof of this building, we can find sate ornament.

Although I live in Bandung, I visit Gedung Sate rarely. When I took these photos of Gedung Sate, I really amazed of its beauty. This building is used to be West Java governmental center building. The beauty of Gedung Sate has been a special feature of Bandung and West Java.

In front of the Gedung Sate, there is a field so called Gasibu. In Sunday or special event, many activities are held here. This is the picture of Gasibu in the weekday, so quite and wide, with Telkom building as background. Gedung Sate and Gasibu are located on Diponegoro Street.

Pasar Buku Bekas Cikapundung

2009-02-23T23:30:00.000-08:00

Hello, bookworms!!

New book or magazine may price high. What about buying the second one?

In Bandung, we can find secondhand books along the Cikapundung Street. Merchants display their collection of old books, used books, old and new magazines. The price is low as low as you can bargain.

Even more, they provide last month edition magazines. Many famous magazines are available, such as Cosmopolitan, Parent's Guide, The O Magazine, National Geographic, etc. We can get the last month or later editions with low price.

Some books are really old. Go and choose your favorite book here !

Tegallega Field

2009-02-20T20:25:00.000-08:00

Tegallega, a 17 hectare-wide field, is one of Bandung's special characteristic. Monument Bandung Lautan Api is standing in the middle of the field. The monument remind us about a historic event named Bandung Lautan Api. In March 24, 1946, the citizen of Bandung burned their own houses and properties to avoid utilization by enemy. At that day, Bandung became field of fire ("lautan api").

Now, Tegallega become a city forest. Many trees are planted and kept here.

Every morning, especially in the weekend, hundreds of people come here to do sport. Lots of them go jogging around the monument. Others do gymnastic, badminton, soccer, biking, etc.

There are also merchants. Many things are sold here. Fruits, vegetables, books, clothes, snacks, bubbles, toys, etc. I notice that cleanliness is kept by everyone here. You may also want to try some breakfast menu such as chicken porridge, noodle, etc.

This is a good notification to everyone to keep Tegallega clean. It is written in Sundanese. In English, it said: "Wise man won't steps on grass or damages the trees. Let everybody plants tree to reserve the fresh water."

This is the lirycs of the song made to remind Bandung Lautan Api event. It titled "Halo-halo Bandung".

Pasar Baru Trade Center

2009-02-10T20:32:00.000-08:00

Pasar Baru Trade Center (PBTC) was called Pasar Baru (Pasar Baru means 'the new market'). It was a traditional market that sold clothes and green groceries. PBTC is located on Oto Iskandardinata (Otista) Street, Bandung.

In 2004, Pasar Baru became Pasar Baru Trade Center, a nice and complete shopping center. People loves shopping here. Bandung citizen and tourist come here to shop. According to a local newspaper, there are many tourist from Malaysia have been here.

In the weekend or holidays, of course, there are many visitors come here and make PBTC crowded. If you want to shop in more comfortable situation, please come visit in the weekdays. This photo was taken in Tuesday.

PBTC is consist of seven floor plus two basement floor. Visitors are facilitated by escavators and elevators. And I also see many security guard in each floor. The 7th floor is park area. You may park your car outside the building, on the street aroun PBTC.

Let's see what we can buy.

Of course, many clothes available here. T-shirt, women dress, 'daster' (Indonesian women daily clothes), 'kebaya' (Indonesian formal traditional dress), Moslem dress, batik (Indonesian traditional clothes), jeans, kids dress, underwear, bedcover, etc. Just pick what you want and need.

Thera are bags, shoes, cellphones center, ATM, bank, beauty center, and food court at the top floor.

I bet you must be tired looking around all floor in PBTC. Don't worry, you can sit and eat some food in 6th floor. There are Sundanese cuisine (like 'nasi tutug oncom'), and Indian cuisine (like 'roti cane and curry') then some Indonesian food such as 'pempek rama', 'ayam goreng', and Chinese food.

Tips : again and again, please come in weekdays to avoid crowds. Don't forget to bargain the price offered and please look in some merchants to know the best price.

Rujak Bebek

2009-02-02T00:25:00.001-08:00

Eating fruit is healthy. You can eat unripe pisang batu, bangkuang (juicy tuber), kedondong (some fibrous fruit), pineapple, ubi (sweet potato), unripe mango, jambu air at the same time and with delicious taste by ordering rujak bebek.

Rujak bebek is made from those fruits, terasi (fermented shrimp paste), salt, sugar palm, and chili (if you like) that are pounded together in a tube. The tube is made from wood. Usually, the wood is taken from jackfruit tree.The tube has a wood cover and a stick to crush out the fruit. Tug tug tug ...

You can enjoy a bowl of rujak bebek only by paying 2500 rupiah. Rujak bebek is cheap, delicious, and healthy. I like it !!

Pasar Andir at Night

2009-01-31T06:53:00.000-08:00

Pasar Andir is a traditional market. Here you can find many green-groceries including variety of vegetables, fruits, chicken, meats, and spices. Pasar Andir open in the morning and night. At night, the merchants pitch their tents in line along Waringin Street and Sudirman Street. Each tent is hanging a lamp. The lights look like fireflies in the night.

You have to be careful walking here because Waringin Street is water-logged, puddles are almost everywhere.

The green groceries here are fresh and cheap if comparing to those sold in supermarket. Please come and feel the athmosphere of traditional market. Don't forget, you have to bargain the price.

Kepatihan Street

2009-01-26T16:28:00.000-08:00

Kepatihan Street is near Alun-alun Bandung (Bandung town square). The street is crowded by visitors every weekend and holiday.

Here, you can find King's Shopping Center. You may want to buy clothes, dress, toys, or play in the indoor children playground. The place is clean, the fare is cheap, and there are many toys provided.

You can also find and taste some of Bandung snack. Here are some snacks.
Bandros ...

Cilok (steamed tapioca flour with peanut sauce) ...

Cimol (fried tapioca flour with variety topping) ...

Kue Cubit ...

You'll find many sellers on the sidewalk. They sell dress, belt, beads jewelries, bags, illegally copied-DVD, etc. You have to bargain the price and choose the stuff you want to buy carefully.

Used Plastics Laundress

2009-01-22T03:56:00.000-08:00

Some people in Bandung wash and sell back used plastic bag. This work is seen disgusting by some people because they use dirty ditch water. But, I think they are including to those who are implementing the environment program, 3R (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle).

Baso Malang Mian Muara

2009-01-15T21:03:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite place to enjoy a bowl of Baso Malang (meatball from Malang). Baso Malang Mian Muara is owned and run by Mian. Look, he's laughing! Come to Muara Residence, find the only church in the residence named GBIS Kristus Pembela then right in front of the church you'll find him and his delicious basmal.

There is a primary school besides the church. Parents, students, and teachers are eating there by turns. So, come early.

Mian made the basmal himself. Try the meatball, egg-filled meatball, many kind of fried, noodle, bean sprout, etc (in Indonesia : baso halus, baso urat, baso telor, aneka gorengan termasuk pangsit, mie, soun, tahu, dan sayuran).

For the drink, you may have a bowl of mixed fruit ice at Wahyu's Es Campur cart, next to Basmal Mian Muara. Just try it or you'll regret !

Toko Sidodadi

2009-01-08T16:01:00.000-08:00

Toko Sidodadi is one of the most famous bakery in Bandung. Even tough there are many modern bakeries spring up like mushroom, Toko Sidodadi doesn’t lose its fans.

Toko Sidodadi are located on Jl. Oto Iskandar Dinata Bandung, near King’s Shopping Centre. Toko Sidodadi place on an old fashion house as you can see at the photos. The place is narrow so that sometime the place is full with customers. Don’t worry about this, Toko Sidodadi has many servants to serve you as fast as they can.

Mainly Toko Sidodadi bakes and sells bread, old fashion bread. It provides chocolate, cheese, chocolate banana, cheese banana, coffee, smoked beef cheese, milk, peanut butter, blueberry, and many else for filling. Toko Sidodadi also sells ‘jajan pasar’ (Indonesian traditional snack) such as lemper (sticky rice filled with spicy chicken), bangket (my favourite, you should try it), risoles, kroket, etc.

My favorite bread is chocolate banana. One is not enough for me!