Things to Do and What to See in Bandung

Bandung is definitely a well known place in Indonesia and to travelers who have been to Java for sure. Many locals will recommend to go there for shopping, food and cool respite. It is a popular weekend destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of Jakarta. Many travelers would say they have their best Indonesian experience here.
Here the food is cheap and delicious, the things are cheap and in huge variety and important Indonesian attractions are nearby. Therefore it is no surprise that the whole place evolved around tourism industry so come here and have fun.
Here’s our take of Top 10 things to Do and Must See in Bandung:

Bandung city, Java, Indonesia

Top Things To Do in Bandung

Shop in factory outlets
I am not exaggerating here, nobody goes back from Bandung empty handed. Especially if you go to the factory outlets at Jl Riau or Jl Dago, you will find all the hidden gems of quality clothes, shoes, bags and all else in various famous brands. All the items you find here are in good condition, brand new but in half the price!

Shopping at Bandung

Catch sunset at The Valley
If you are looking for another option to dine in Bandung, you can choose to go to The Valley for dinner. This Western restaurant is located at a hilltop with amazing sunset view. The food is good too, so enjoy your meal while watching sunset over Bandung city.
Eat at Kampung Daun
One of the Bandung’s best restaurant, many tourist come here for the relaxing ambiance with bamboo huts, streams and waterfall. Food is not especially delicious but it is extensive and inexpensive. Come here for the overall experience of enjoying Indonesian cuisine in a comfortable and serene outdoor setting.

Kampung Daun restaurant at Bandung

Get lost in Pasar Baru
This epitome of Indonesian market in Bandung, you can get lost here and find all sorts of things that delight you. Travelers come here to source for fabrics and souvenirs. Prices here are unbelievable too especially if you have special bargaining skills. Though do take care of your belongings as this place is really crowded.

Bandung Hotel Deals

Enjoy the musical performance at Saung Angklung Udjo
This traditional musical performance is one of the best way to explore Indonesian culture. It is a 2 hour show of several parts including puppet show, mask dance, Angklung performance and dances with little kids.

Saung Angklung Udjo, Bandung

Walk off the beaten path in search of rice terraces
How can one come to Asia and not be awed by towering rice terraces. Unknown to many, Bandung actually do have rolling rice fields and some rice terraces in the highlands. Bribe a local to tell you the location is and head there for a soul refreshing time. There’s one apparently in Ciwidey!

Rice Terraces at Bandung

Top What to See in Bandung

Kawah Putih
Definitely in top of the list of attractions for its stunningly beautiful lake as if set out of a movie. It is 2 hours away from Bandung city center and in the highland. The place is cooling but beware of sunburn as it is still really sunny here without feeling it. This is a sulphuric lake as it is from a volcano.The entire area can be explored in 30 minutes.

Kawah Putih, Bandung, Java

Tangkuban Perahu
About 1.5 hours from Bandung, it is yet another crater from volcano of Indonesia that is worth the visit for the sheer awe of the view from the top. This may be second best to Kawah Putih but still worth to visit.
Villa Isola
Built by an Italian millionaire and perched at the northern part of Bandung overlooking a breathtaking view of the city to the south.

Tangkuban Perahu, Bandung, Java

Gedung Sate
Built and used by the Dutch companies, it is popular for its satay food decoration. It has 6 ornaments symbolizing 6 million guldens. Now it is used as the office for West Java governor. Luckily, the place is open to public and don’t forget to have a good chill and drink at the top floor while overlooking the city.
Gedung Merdeka
Another architectural wonder built for the rich previously and then made famous for hosting the first Asian-African conference. Though not much of an attraction but worth to take a look if you are nearby.

Gedung Merdeka, Bandung, Java

There you have it, the best of what Bandung have to offer in terms of things to do and attractions to see. You will be amaze how you can enjoy yourself so much without actually really spending a lot, especially good for budget travelers who are backpacking in Indonesia, though carrying a lot of things after the shopping is another story altogether! Do read our Bandung travel guide for more information.

Read More

Things to Do in Yogyakarta Part 2

Try one of the best Indonesian food – Gudeg
Gudeg is the most famous dish in Yogyakarta, even making it a moniker City of Gudeg. This unique Indonesian dish is a stew made from young jackfruit (nangka) with palm sugar, coconut milk, meat, garlic and spices. The special taste came from the slow melding of flavours and textures to the right perfection. Get a taste of gudeg at the longest standing establishment – Gudeg Yu Djum.

Gudeg Yu Djum, Yogyakarta

Hike the ruins to Mount Merapi (Volcano)
Even if you are not a serious hiker or climber, you should try the short hike towards Mount Merapi and find yourself amidst the leftovers of houses and such after the recent volcano eruption in 2010. You will find yourself humbled by the immensity of nature’s wrath and how people respond to it bravely. If you reach the place of Mbah Maridjan, you will learn how a keeper of spirits stood by his duty even when the volcano erupted.

Ruin houses at Mount Merapi, Yogyakarta

Sneak into Water Castle (Taman Sari)
Use a back way from the other side of the castle and try to sneak your way in through rundown defense walls and scattered village houses. Once you got in, you will find yourself in mazes of underground water holes, secret chambers and gardens and pools. This castle is a huge complex that use to be a former royal garden of Sultanate of Yogyakarta used for various functions including bathing place. You heard me right, bathing place, which personally I find the most intriguing, with a calm blue pool surrounded starkingly by pink buildings.

Bathing pool at Taman Sari, Yogyakarta

Enjoy the sights and stories at Kraton Yogyakarta
A well maintained palace from the days of Sultans of Yogyakarta, you will find unique architecture and heirlooms of the days of glory here. All travelers will be accompanied by a local guide who amazingly can speak all kinds of language, and though you may wary of a guide idea, you will definitely find it enjoyable as you listen to myths, rituals, stories and even humor as you go along the palace grounds. Indeed a must visit to understand the deep rich history and culture of Jogja.

Reading at Kraton Palace, Yogyakarta

Join the local myth and try your luck crossing between two trees
After Kraton, walk further south to the Southern Park (alun-alun) where you will find two huge banyan trees side by side in the middle of the square. Local myth has it that if you manage to walk between the trees while blindfolded, you will get what you wish for. There are many entrepreneurial Indonesians hanging around here to sell you this service by lending you a black cloth to blindfold, then they will proceed to ‘help you’ to walk from the end of the park to cross between the trees by shouting “left! right!” But even with their help or not, you will find it almost impossible to walk straight in between the trees and many had failed. Therefore the myth persists and continues to draw many people to come and try their luck!

Crossing between the Banyan Tree Myth at Yogyakarta

Chill out at a cafe

Cafes at Jalan Prawirotaman, Yogyakarta

At the end of a long day walking and exploring Yogyakarta, you can have your evening chilling out at one of the many cafes, there are many to choose from at Jalan Prawirotaman (road) . Here you will find good atmosphere to just sit for a long time and probably catch up on that email or with friends. Food choices among the cafes are a mix of local and international of main meals and snacks. Drinks may range from local sweet drinks to lassi and of course coffee. Get to one of the cafes here to mingle with people or just sit at a corner all tuck in by yourself. Bonus number 11:
Venture out to the serene Borobudur
Technically not in Yogyakarta but many will definitely do this day trip (only 1 hour drive from Yogyakarta to Borobudur) or few days trip out of Jogja just for a visit to Borobudur (better choice if you have the time). Yes it is worth the trip and it is even better if you can stay the night nearby and catch the temple at the dawn of light (if you pay for the sunrise tour) or at least be the first to go in when it opens at 8am. This is how to best enjoy it, when it is at its most quiet, with just a trickle of travelers like you who appreciate the silence and marvels at the beauty with respect. This 9th century temple is an Indonesia UNESCO Heritage site and one of the largest Buddhist temple in the world, consisting of six square platforms with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha status. Thousands of Buddhists does their pilgrimage here in Borobudur during Waisak day.

Borobudur at Central Java

Read More

Things to Do in Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is the capital city of the Yogyakarta Special Region in Central Java, Indonesia and also can be known interchangeably as Jogjakarta or Jogja. If someone asked me where is one place to go in Java I would say it is here as there are many things to do and also to see here.
Wedged strategically between two powerhouse of ancient temples – Prambanan the magnificent Hindu temple and Borobudur the renown Buddhist temple, this place holds more wonders than just that. You can explore the main streets and narrow alleys for hidden treasures of bygone days, taste the best Javanese food and soak yourself in history, art and culture.
Unsurprisingly, it is one of the major tourist hub in Indonesia, due to its uniqueness and all the tourist attractions, sightseeing places and many things to do all packed into one.
Here are our top 10 things to do in Yogyakarta:

Prambanan at Yogyakarta

Be awed by the magnificent Prambanan Temple
Candi Prambanan (temple) or also known as Candi Rara Jonggrang, is a well known ancient Hindu Temple in Indonesia. It is built during the 9th century for Trimurti as an expression that God is the Creator (Brahma), Preserver (Vishnu) and also the Destroyer (Shiva). The temple compound lies just 18km east of Yogyakarta and can be easily reached with the Transjogja public bus, which is by far the cheapest and best option to visit Prambanan. It is one of the Indonesia UNESCO World Heritage Site, being one of the largest Hindu temple architecture in Southeast Asia.

Candi Sewu (temple) at Yogyakarta

Unearth the secrets of Sewu Temple
Located just 10-15 minutes walk from Prambanan temple, is definitely worth a visit if you want to be greeted with temple ruins that are eerily captivating. The place, a good respite from the crowds in Prambanan, seems to hold many secrets in its many hidden and dark corners. The name Sewu means thousand, despite that it only has 249 temples, due to the legend of Loro Jonggrang. Partially restored, it seems more authentic and self exploration allows your imagination to run while you do your own interpretation of the place, its structures and carvings.

Candi Sambisari (temple) at Yogyakarta

Admire the reconstructed puzzle of Sambisari Temple (candi)
By no means in anyway stand out from the shadows of the above temple, it is still a good stopover when you are making your way to Prambanan. Sambisari temple use to be buried five metres underground for hundred of years until the first slab of stone was discovered in 1966. This temple that took more than 20 years to excavate and reconstructs seems to stand as a bold testament of many archeologists best effort in restoring the glory of the past.

Jalan Malioboro at Yogyakarta

Shop at Jalan Malioboro and Pasar Beringharjo
Yogyakarta is almost a shopping haven too after the likes of Bandung, with a lot of cheap things to buy. At the streets of Malioboro and at the Beringharjo market you will find lots of stalls line up selling anything you can think of from clothes to bags to rattan products and silver jewelries, food and anything you thought you might find in Indonesia.

Read More

DI Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta (or Jogjakarta) has been known as The Neverending Asia. Many say that a single visit to Jogja is never enough.

The list of things you can experience in Jogja may seem overwhelming, ranging from natural splendors, art and tradition and heritages to culinary adventure. This is why Jogja is the second most visited destination in Indonesia, next to Bali.

In addition, there are about 70,000 handicraft industries and other facilities like various accommodations and transportations, numerous food services, travel agents, and proper tourism support, and also tour security team support called as Policemen of Tour, locally known as  Bhayangkara Wisata.

Jogjakarta's geographical condition also supports the variety of existing tourism objects. Friendly climate ensures that you can plan your trips more intensely. The beautiful landscape along the way makes your travel to each destination worthwhile.

Among the 31 cultural tourism attractions and 19 natural tourism beauties, try to make sure that you visit Borobudur, Prambanan Temple and silver handicraft in Kotagede.

You can also try Selarong Cave, Pandansimo beach, Gajah Mountain, or Vredeburg Fort. To understand the history of the sultanate, try visiting the Kraton of Yogyakarta and Tamansari.

A visit to Jogja is never complete without experiencing Malioboro street. Rows of shops and outlets sell many kinds of souvenirs you can bring back home. If you want to test your negotiation skills you can try The Haggling Game with the street vendors. All's fair in love and shopping.

Read More

Lombok Tourist Attractions

Lombok Tourist Attractions

Gili Islands: These small coral-fringed islands are famous for their white sandy beaches and are an ideal place for those interested in sun and sand. The place also offer wonderful opportunities for snorkeling. The absence of automobiles and hawkers add to the pleasure.

Kuta: Kuta is an upcoming beach resort of Lombok. The place offers quiet and laidback atmosphere to the tourists.

Museum Negeri Nusa Tenggara Barat: This modern museum has exhibits on the geology, history and culture of Lombok and Sumbawa, and is worth visiting. If you intend to buy any antiques or handicrafts, have a look at the daggers, silver or gold-threaded cloth, basket ware and masks.

Pura Lingsar: Located 6 km east of Mataram-the capital of Lombok-this large temple complex, built in 1714, is the holiest place on Lombok. The temple combines the Balinese Hindu and Wektu Telu religions in one complex. The Hindu temple in the northern section is higher than the Wektu Telu temple in the southern section. It's an especially fascinating place for those interested in Wektu Telu, Lombok's indigenous religion.

Taman Narmada: Laid out as a miniature replica of the summit of Gunung Rinjani and its crater lake, Taman Narmada derives its name from the sacred Indian river, Narmada. Its temple, Pura Kalasa, is still used and the Balinese Pujawali celebration is held here annually.

Rinjani: Rinjani, the highest mountain in Lombok at 3,726m, is an active volcano. The volcano is a popular destination for hikers and treks to the caldera are common. The hot springs located on the northeastern side of the caldera are thought to have amazing healing powers.

Senggigi: Senggigi is the most developed tourist spot on Lombok. It has beautiful beaches and good snorkeling facilities.

Shopping in Lombok
Intricate palm-leaf wedding trunks and armoires with mother-of-pearl inlays is one of the favorite shopping items in Lombok. Bone, wood, and bamboo are good buys, along with ikat and songket, a fabric with silver and gold thread running through it that was traditionally used for sarongs worn by royalty.

How to Reach Lombok
Mataram is the capital city of Lombok, and is served by an International airport. It is also possible to reach Lombok by ferry from neighbouring Bali.

Read More

Things to Do at Lake Toba

Lake Toba in Sumatra, Indonesia, is the world's largest volcanic lake, and also one of the best places in Asia to chill out for a few days or longer. There may not be an abundance of things to do at Lake Toba, but the atmosphere is so pleasant that you probably won't even notice! Renting a motorbike or private car is the best way to visit several small sights in one day.
Pulau Samosir, a newly formed island inside the lake, is blessed with great scenery, friendly locals, and a pleasant vibe.

1. Visit an Ancient Batak Village

Perhaps most famous of the things to do at Lake Toba because of the accessibility, the ruins of an ancient Batak village along with stone chairs and head-chopping block can be found in the nearby village of Ambarita.
The stone chairs were used for meetings by the local king, and both a torture stone and chopping block were once used for brutal executions.
Ambarita is located three miles northwest of Tuk-tuk along the main road. The stone chairs are not on the main road, ask in town about how to get there. Hiring a Batak “guide” inside the village is both entertaining and well worth the $1 -- prices are variable -- for learning about the cannibal rituals and Batak culture.

2. Tomb of King Sidabutar

Just three miles southeast of Tuk-tuk in the village of Tomok are more stone remains and ancient tombs. The site is small but interesting, however, you must negotiate a labyrinth of tacky souvenir stalls to visit the site. Find the ruins by taking a right from the main road in Tomok through the narrow alley lined with souvenir stalls.
Most people find the carved man on the front of the largest sarcophagus strangely out of place!

3. Drive Around the Island

Circumnavigating the whole of Pulau Samosir may require a very early start, however, riding along the lake on a motorbike is a very enjoyable way to see everyday village life. Old churches, volcanic scenery, and daily life keep every mile you drive interesting enough to see what's around the next bend.
Overall, the roads are in fairly good condition, however, rough patches and random animal crossings keep things extra exciting. Helmet and international license laws are rarely ever enforced on Pulau Samosir.
A motorbike can be rented for $7 per day; the price includes a full tank of gas which you do not have to replace. Cheaper rates can be negotiated if you take the motorbike for more than one day.

4. Visit the Hot Springs

The hot springs are located on the side of the island opposite Tuk-tuk, outside of Panguruan -- the largest settlement on Pulau Samosir. While the hot springs are interesting to see, the sulfuric smell is noxious and the water is too hot to enjoy.
Skilled motorbike drivers can brave the terrible road higher into the hills to see the source of the hot springs. The views of Lake Toba from above the hot springs is spectacular -- the best place to grab a photo of Lake Toba.

5. Visit the Batak Museum

Located in Simanindo approximately nine miles from Tuk-tuk, an ancient king's traditional house was restored and converted into the Batak Museum. The museum is small, but a must if you are interested in understanding more about the extremely interesting Batak culture; admission is $3.
Traditional dancing is sometimes performed at 10:30 a.m. each morning -- assuming that any tourists have shown up. The dancing done at the museum is far more authentic than the tourist-oriented variety performed in guesthouses.

6. See Traditional Batak Dance and Music

Bagus Bay and Samosir Cottages, two popular guesthouses, regularly have traditional music and Batak dance on Saturday and Wednesday nights around 8 p.m. Like anything else, the number of tourists in attendance determine if the show goes on.
Shows typically begin tame as everyone is still eating, then progress into fun drinking songs and animated performances by very talented locals who play a mixture of modern and ancient instruments.

7. See a Lake Inside of a Lake

Tucked away in the island interior west of Tuk-tuk is Lake Sidihoni. Interestingly, there are very few lakes within lakes in the world.
Getting to Lake Sidihoni is tricky. You must brave the rough road between Ronggumihuta and Partungkoan on motorbike, then hike the slightly obscure path.
If lost, try asking someone “di mana Danau Sidihoni?”

Read More

The Origin of Toba Lake

It is estimated that Toba Lake was formed during a volcanic eruption about 73.000-75.000 years ago and which was the most recent super volcano eruption. Bill Rose and Craig Chesner from Michigan Technological University estimated that volcanic materials that were spewed out the mountain totaling 2800km3, with 800km3 ignimbrites rock and 2000km3 volcanic ash that is estimated was blown (wind) to the west for 2 weeks. This incident caused mass death (destruction) and to several species also causes extinction. According to some DNA proof, this eruption also shrinks the humankind population to around thousands back then.
After this eruption, a caldera was formed that was filled by water afterwards and now known as Toba Lake. The pressure from the dormant magma, which has not yet erupted, caused Samosir Island to emerge. The region that now known as Samosir Island originally was a peninsula that attached to the Sumatran mainland. In this peninsula the Netherlands built the water canal 10 m width.
For the first time visitors, going through Medan-Parapat route seeing a lake as big as that made Samosir appear like an amazing grand island. However, the island perspective will certainly faded with the increase in Toba plateau visitor, Nias and the other places in the south, through Medan-Berastagi route. Samosir occupied a central geographical position in the Toba plateau region. With the declaration of the Toba Samosir Regency (the inhabitants 302.000 lives, the area with wide of 3.440 km including the lake) it finally ascend from only a shadow into a Regency. Moreover, the width of Samosir Island exceed Singapore (647 km), in fact Toba Lake almost twice bigger than Singapore. The Samosir image in tourism books as the backpackers location must be changed because this historic place must restore the greatness of its past.

Read More

Toba Lake

World famous is the crater Toba Lake in the Batak highlands; approximately five hours drive from Medan. Toba Lake is the largest lake in South East Asia and also one of the most spectacular, surrounded by tall mountains and with the large island of Samosir in the middle. If we descend from the mountain we see the lake glittering in all its beauty. The Dutch writer Rudy Kousbroek even called Toba Lake, 'the most beautiful place on earth'. Most visitors stay on the peninsula of Tuk Tuk on Samosir, named after the linguist Herman Neubronner van der Tuuk. In general people stay several days on Samosir to discover the island, to visit traditional Batak villages, to swim in the lake and go to the hot springs in Pangururan.
The centerpiece of North Sumatra, Lake Toba's bracing climate and magnificent panoramas clear the mind and soothe the soul. For decades a magnet from regional and foreign visitors alike, Toba has developed into a full-featured highland resort while retaining the rustic charm and relaxed ambiance that define Toba's attraction. Formed by a stupendous prehistoric volcanic explosion, the 100 km long lake is the largest in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest and the highest in the world. The drama of that cataclysmic birth persist in 500 meter cliffs dropping into the blue-green waters, surrounded by steep, pine covered sloped, the climate is fresh and pleasant, with just enough rain to support the lush vegetation.
Toba Lake is a 100kms x 30kms volcanic lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Toba Lake has become one of the main tourist attractions for a long time in North Sumatra apart from Bukit Lawang and Nias, visited by both domestic and foreign tourist.

Read More