Favehotel, Bandung, Java Island, Indonesia

Kawah Putih, Bandung, Java Island, Indonesia.

 

One of the website tagged Indonesia as dangerously beautiful. The basis of the claim is Indonesia located on the Ring of Fire. Dotted with hundreds of volcano, it crafted Indonesian mountain in a beautiful and scenic place.

One of the place is Kawah Putih or "White Crater". It is an inactive volcano crater filled with water. It is located about 40km from Bandung. If you are from Bandung, it is advisable to start you journey as early as 7.00 AM to avoid road congestion espeacially if you are travelling on weekend. The place is popular among local and foreign tourist.

Unlike Tangkuban Perahu (http://investandtravel.blogspot.com/2008/09/tangkuban-perahu-bandung.html), there is less street vendor and there should less probability you will duped by them as most of them are licensed by Park Ranger.

The air toward the crater is fresh. But as soon as you arrive at the crater, the strong smell of sulfur will suffocated you. It is advisable to wear mask and drink a lot of plain water to neutralize the effect of sulfur.

Pasar Baru, Bandung, Java Island, Indonesia

Your visit to Bandung, Indonesia is not complete if you not visit Pasar Baru.
Pasat Baru or "New Market" is literally a centre of everything you could buy from Bandung.
Located at the heart of Bandung city, Pasar Baru is easily accessible by taxi, mini bus as well as trishaw.

Pasar Baru had 7th floor shpping areas. Opening time is between 8am to 5pm only. There is also a number of money changer operated inside the building

But to get a good bargain, you must knew the trick and you have some volume to justified your offer.
As a simple rule, the start of the bargaining is 1/3 of the price and you could easily achieved 3/4 from the offered price. But it can drop as low as 40% if you buy in bulk.

Popular item including leather product, imitation goods, silk and clothing.

As reminded by my driver, always wear your backpack on the front. Don't put your wallet at the back of your pants. Be extra careful if you shopping outside the mall areas.

Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia

Tourist thanking Bali Volunteer to cleanup beach

You can learn surfing at Kuta beach

Kuta beach is a long stretch beach.

When I am teenager, I enjoy a song called Denpasar Moon. Denpasar is capital of Bali. Denpasar also international airport for Bali.

About 15 minute drive from the airport is Kuta town and Kuta beach. Along the beach there are dozen of high end hotels. But on a second layer of the building, there are a lot of budget hotels which is affordably price.

As an international destination, Kuta beach is well known among westerner. So there are a lot of bikini clad sun lover enjoying bright sunny Kuta beach.

Kuta beach also popular with surfing as the wave can reach 10 meters high. In term of safety, the beach equipped with life guard and loud speaker to warn people if there is an incoming Tsunami.

In term of cleanliness, local government of Bali cooperated with local petty seller to spend 30 minute of their time to clean the beach.

Do: Surfing, swimming and sun bathing

Don't: Think about your work. Hahaha.

Bandung Train Station, Bandung, Indonesia

Ticket price

One of the exotic way to travel in indonesia is by using train. One of the impresive route is Bandung-Jogjakarta. THe route will cross paddy field and mountain area. But the train is always full and early booking is required.

Unlike in Malaysia, to enter train station you need to pay ticket (around 5000Rp or RM1.50). At the train station there are many platform but to go from one platform to another, you need to cross the railway track. Do check whether there are incoming train before you cross the track.

Bon Appetit at Bandung, Indonesia

Restaurant at Bandung beside paddy field

Forget about Sirap Bandung. There is no Sirap Bandung in Bandung

Sunda food eat with fresh vegatable and Ikan Gurame.

Normally quite sweet best eat with unsweeten tea (teh tawar)

Padang food. Once you touch the food, you need to pay it.

Finding food is Bandung is easier compared with Bali due to high muslim population. In term of price, a cozy restaurant (sometime with traditional music) could cost you only RM10-RM15 which is quite affordable.

Along the way to Tangkuban Perahu or Ciwidey, you could find many cozy restaurant. One one the restaurant I vist is Balibu (acronym for Bawah Lindungan Bulan or under the moon). Most restaurant situated beside paddy field and cold breasy air of Bandung (as cold as Genting Highland) could increase your appetite.

Popular menu including Ikan Gurame, fresh vegetable, sup sapi (ox tail soup) and a varity of drinks which is nice (quite sweet) which nowhere could be find in Malaysia.

Bon appetit (French for enjoy your meal)

Tangkuban Perahu, Bandung, Indonesia

Tangkuban Perahu, Bandung, Indonesia is a breath taking place. The scenary is wonderful, air is cool and walking above a live volcano, hot rock and boiling water is experience you could never forget.

But beware with people who self proclaim hiking guide. They (many of them) will make you lose million of Rupiah for their fee and selling cheap but very expensive souvineer. Politely ignore them, take picture and :-) get out from there.

Better you spend your money somewhere else. Spending for food and going to the Spa is a better option.

Do: Take picture and dip leg into hot volcano mud

Don't: Go hiking (just ignore people who offer you to sighseeing)