Monday, December 31, 2007

Kota Bandung



Had a few days of leave to clear by year-end, so flew to Bandung recently. It’s our 2nd time there. Didn’t quite enjoy the place the first time but after reading and hearing about the place from others, hubby and me thought why not we give the place a second chance. This time around, Mama (MIL) and Papa-in Laws (PIL) joined us.

Highlights of the trip:

Makan Places
Dakken Cafe & Restaurant
An old bungalow turned into a Dutch-Colonial café. According to one of the waiters, Dakken is a Dutch word that means roof. I see! Food was good. Had nasi with sup buntut (ekor) and the ever-popular alpokat (avocado juice). Ahhhh..pure bliss!

The restaurant

Jus Alpokat (Avocado Juice)

Sup Buntut

Kampung Daun
If you are looking for a great place to eat in Bandung, you really have got to try spending some time at Kampung Daun. It’s more for the atmosphere than the food though. But it’s really worth your money. Found out that it was originally opened and operated by a Frenchman married to a local. Kampung Daun is located up higher from Bandung downtown. It's an eating place designed as a 'kampung' along a 200m stretch of a waterfall and stream.

The first step into Kampung Daun, it makes you feel as though you are entering a mysterious forest. Patrons are seated in private dining huts (they call them saung). We had Sundanese food. Ikan Gurame, Ayam Besengek, Ayam Bumbu Bali, Alpokat (of course!! MIL's and my faves!) and Durian Juice!!!

Sundanese Lunch

Our private dining hut

Other dining place in Kg Daun
Kuih-muih tradisional Bandung

Tangkuban Perahu
Tangkuban Perahu is a volcano, 25 kilometre north of Bandung direction of Lembang. The name means overturned boat and it is the only crater in Java accessible all the way by car. This is Bandung's most famous natural attraction. It was really windy and cold when we arrived and kinda felt like I was back in UK at that time.


The still-active crater

Sempat shopping..Good and cheap knitwear sold here

Hammocks sold along the road

Places to Shop
Factory Outlets
There are like over 30 FOs (Factory Outlets) in Bandung, and we did not have the time nor energy to go to all. The brands that they carry are Abercrombie & Fitch, MNG, Nautica, Fendi, Elle, Hugo Boss, DKNY, Esprit, Calvin Klein, Armani, Nike, Gap, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Polo, Adidas, Victoria's Secret and many more. I personally favour Rumah Mode (the biggest FO) and outlets along Jalan Dago atas. These factory outlets, offer overruns and seconds on export garments at bargain prices. The shops carry both Grade A (best quality overruns) and Grade B (seconds with something wrong with them so they didn't pass quality inspection). Some also carry factory rejects but they wouldn't broadcast that fact! Don't be surprised if you see 'Made in Korea' or 'Made in Thailand' tags on the clothes too as many of the shops buy from agents who represents factories in these countries. Or, they are really made in Indonesia and mis-labeled on purpose! Buyers beware because some of the stores also sell fakes along with the factory seconds.


Factory Outlets buys..Gosh, baru perasan it's all black & white!

Rumah Mode

Pasar Baru
Pasar Baru is also a good place to shop for Batik, kebaya, other textiles and 'ole-ole' at really cheap price. We really shopped till we dropped here-spent 7 hours in this place alone! Rambang mata tengok all the kain. Bought quite a lot. I don’t think I’ve ever shopped this much! Maybe coz ada shopping expert with me kot! Hats off to MIL! Next time nak shopping, I know whom to ajak :)


Ready-made lace kebaya
The man tu tengah modelkan selendang for Mama
Hasil tangkapan from Pasar Baru
Paris Van Java Mall
It's a new shopping place. It’s more or less like The Curve here. Believe it or not, it snowed when we went there. Hehe, fake snowlah, sempena Christmas agaknya!


Well, we’re sure glad that we gave Bandung a second chance. Good food, good shopping, good hotel (we stayed in Holiday Inn) and good weather (was around 20 degrees Celsius-sejuk, tido kat hotel tak payah pasang air-con ok!). But then again, maybe its much better this time coz we had good traveling mates! So, Mama, Papa, where to next? ;)

1 comment:

zamildrift said...

Japan lah! Haha.

Sup Buntut? Ape tuh. Hahah.