When the trip organizers told me I wouldn’t be able to visit Borneo during my tour of Indonesia I was quite upset. My first thoughts were purely selfish. As a traveler who had long dreamt of going to the ultimate jungle, to see the orangutans, knowing that plans had to be changed was a big let down. Then I started feeling a different level of sorrow: Borneo is buring, people! The forest is being destroyed, the animals are dying, pushed away from their territories, unable to find food and completely intoxicated by the haze. And this really does make me sad.
The immediate issue was a practical one though. If I didn’t get to visit Borneo, where else would I go? According to the organizers, we’d to go Bandung instead. Band-what? I don’t even know where that is! Is it interesting? Is it actually worth going? What is there to see and do there?
Despite my initial reluctance, I must admit that I was positively surprised by Bandung. The capital of West Java is also the fourth largest city of Indonesia. It was once considered the Paris of Java but the uncontrolled development of the last few decades has turned it into a chaotic web of narrow streets and large suburbs. This may not sound too appealing, yet I think that Bandung well deserves a visit – and here’s a few reason why.
Reasons to visit Bandung, Indonesia
Access to the beautiful surrounding volcanoes and craters
If there is one thing that should never be missed when visiting Indonesia, it is exploring its many volcanoes. There are many scattered around the country, and a few are not far from Bandung.
Tangkuban Perahu is at about 30 km north of the city. This is the very large crater of an active volcano whose last eruption was registered in 1969. It is known locally as the “upside down perahu (boat)” due to its shape which resembles that of a boat and which is a consequence of the collaps of the crater walls uner the weight of the ashes.
The incredible crater of Tangkuban Perahu
Smoke still comes out of the crater and the typical sulfur smell that goes along with it can be “appreciated” too. It is possible to walk along the crater, and I highly recommend doing that to get a proper feeling of this impressive site and to get away from the area right next to the parking lot, which is crowded with vendors and market stalls.
Taking in the view of Tangkuban Perahu
South of Bandung there is another gorgeous site, Kawah Putih – a beautiful crater at around 2300 meters above sea level. Smaller than Tangkuban Perahu, the main attraction of Kawah Putih is that the crater is now a gorgeous green lake, which makes the whole landscape unique (if not a bit surreal) and simply stunning.
The beautiful Kawah Putih
A good introduction to Indonesia’s multiculturalism
Indonesia is culturally very diverse – something that it is hard to appreciate when visiting for just a few weeks. A good way to appreciate the many ethnicities and cultural traditions of Indonesia is through the Saung Angklung Udjo show in Bandung. Although mostly geared to tourists, it truly is an enjoyable experience and a show that is fun to watch and, more than anything else, fun to be part of.
The first part of the show consists of a representation of the various traditional music and dances of Indonesia. Dancers all wear the very colorful traditional costumes of the different regions of the country. The show is very rhythmic and captivating.
Children practice the angklung
The second part is yet more interactive. That’s when the director of the institution, Mr Udjo, teaches the audience how to play the angklung, a traditional instrument made of bamboo. Shaken with varying movements and levels of intensity, the resulting sound differs, as Udjo demonstrates. By the end of the “lesson”, the audience, under the direction of Mr Udjo, manages to play a whole song.
The overall result is very entertaining, but more than anything else it is great to listen to Udjo’s message on the importance of being united in diversity, and to be always respectful of each other.
Fantastic restaurants
Despite not being a proper foodie, I enjoy trying new foods and Indonesian cuisine has definitely left a positive impression on me. Bandung and its surroundings are packed with some of the best restaurants in the country and between the fantastic locations, the tasty food, the settings and the atmosphere, the overall experience is a very good one.
I have particularly enjoyed three restaurants, for various reasons. Dusun Bambu is located on gorgeous hills in an amusement park which is a favorite of locals at weekends. The food is delicious and the views fantastic.
Indonesian food is delicious
The Peak is in a perfect location – on top of a hill, with stunning views of the city. It is perfect for a romantic night out as it also has some very intimate tables, live music and a great choice of wine.
Kampung Daun settings are also incredible. It is completely surrounded by a luscious jungle and bamboo forest, there are various small as well as larger huts that can be used as eating platforms, each one of them completely surrounded by nature. It is a very relaxed and relaxing setting, and needless to say, the food is delicious.
Dining in Dusun Bambu and taking in the gorgeous surroundings
I am glad I got to visit Bandung, it is definitely one of my favorite places in Indonesia and I think anybody visiting Java should make it a point to go!
