Year-end Family Trip to Bandung

 

Not even 24 hours after the engagement of my nephew, we, including his mother, who is my sister were on the way to the airport.

13 of us, all family members were heading to Bandung , Indonesia, on our 2 days 3 nights trips. We only spend about RM 1200 (USD400) including the airfare and all-in (transportation, tour, accommodation and breakfasts + lunches + dinners).

It was only yesterday my M.I.A maid called to say that she wasn't coming back too soon due to a very STRONG reason, that, she was JUST MARRIED. So…I left my house in and mess and came back still in a mess. Fine…enjoy your honeymoon.

By 8am, we were already surrounded by the busy-ness of Bandung traffic. I had earlier set my expectation as such, so the noise didn't bother me.

     

 

We took a tour bus all around town.

Grace in Denim jacket, is a very friendly and informative Tour Guide.

As in my every trip to this part of the country, its always fun to observe the way of living and culture.

 

We passed by the national Mosque..

   

The mosque of The Chinese converted to Islam caught my special attention. It is named Lautze mosque, painted in Red, a meaningful color for Chinese.

We passed by many more historical buildings and monuments.

    

My eyes could not get off from looking at those Factory Outlets. It wasnt time for shopping. They were yet to open, then.

    

My dad were once been to this place, he said, but I guess, it was too long ago and he is too old to keep those memories fresh still.

  

 

 

We made a photo shot stop at Gedung Satey.

 

Everything is sold by the road side of Bandung. Be it a software or a hardware.

 

It was quite a long hours in the bus, waiting for the clock to point at lunch time. We have seen many building not only once. We went round and round, did a shopping stop and at last……lunch time at The Palm.

 

We had Karedok, we had…..err…ops I forgot. I just remember they were excellent. So tasty..!!

          

       

You can judge the taste through our seriousness when facing those dishes.

Next, we checked into our very cozy 4* hotel room at Golden Flower Hotel, just 1 block away from the all time favorite ‘Pasar Baru’ where local stuff are sold.

  

But, uh..! forget the coziness, lets go folks! Its shopping time again..!!

Before the time, we were ready waiting for our guide at the lobby.

I was too busy shopping and didn't bother to take more picture at Pasar Baru where local Batek materials and clothing are sold.

    

On the next day, at 8am, our bus was out there waiting. About 1.5 hour journey to our destination. We passed by Cihampelas shopping area, and Baven, among others.

The traffic was was quite congested, somehow we had fun watching those road side performers, stalls and interesting signboards too.

     

 

Along the way, were occupied by hawker stalls selling local food. Ubi  Bakar Lembang is a well-known baked sweet potato from the place called Lembang. Its a must taste food.

I also tried others, like grilled glutinous rice, grilled fermented tapioca, fermented tapioca and grilled banana. Interesting..!!!

That was my 1st time eating Blue Berries. Sweet and yummy.

At last, we reached our destination.

 

 

We were approached by determine sales men, upon our arrival. Key chains, hats, scarves, pens, wood carved figurines and many more. I bought sulphur for Rp30K per bottle.

Hey Hold on to your shopping, ladies. Enjoy your surroundings….

 

See how beautiful God’s creation can be.

    

Adri and his father could not let go the picturesque sights. So couldn't I.

Krater Ratu, at Tangkuban Perahu promised a perfect view. Grace told us about the legend, but I was too tired to remember.

We captured the moment.

    

I really appreciate the nature displayed.

 

HAH..!!! more to buy…  

The Angklong (music instrument made of Bamboo) seller followed my dad and my sister all the way until my sis decided to stop him by buying them. Problem solved.

 

Having Indo mie (local product instant noodle) in this cool breeze ..hmm.. good idea, my son.

Horse ride adds excitement to kids and kids-wannabe.

   Fun..fun..fun..!

 

Next destination, hot spring. Soak your feet.

Let me tell you that …Its HOT..!!!!

At the camera shots, we pretended.

SMILE…..!!! and the moment it clicked.. Ouch..! ouch..! ouch..!  burning hot.

            

 

Certain sites are too tiring for my nephew, Haikal and mom & dad to climb. A bench came in handy though..phew..!

 

For my youngest twins, Jia &Jerry every trip must come with adventure.

 

And I can be a  kid’s challenger, at times too..

Aiman Hakim, watch your Aunt. ……..BANG…!!   

WWHOAAHH……!! see that…?

On the way back, we stopped for a great lunch at Balibu Restaurant. Perfecto..!!

       

 

After lunch. All posed with happy expressions in a middle of a Tea Plantation. Drizzle caught us, so we continued our journey.

 

 

Back at the hotel……

hush..hush… lets leave the oldies and the youngs in the room. We need a trip to a SPA. Ah..!!!!! my sisters and I needed a good body massage (Rp140K/hr ~ RM47). My hubby , my  son, my mom, my brother and sister(EB), made do with a badly-needed foot reflexology. (Rp75K/hr~RM20)

We all had a good sleep that night.I thought of my sisters-inlaw, as we did the same thing once.

The next morning….

shopping and shopping and shopping…..then…treat yourself with Durian Ice-cream.

 

I called a little road-side guitarist to the bus to entertain our trip. Big tips he got.

 

Then back to the airport and time to say good bye to the guide, Ms. Grace.

We reached Kuala Lumpur at 7pm.

Home sweet home. I looked around the house. OMG..what a mess. I gotta do spring cleaning. I while doing it on the next day,

Ting..!..Tong..!

I opened the door “Ma’am I’m home..!!”

My maid who had been absent for a week without notice appeared at the door.

“GET OUT..!! I don't need you anymore..!!!” I wanted to tell her that, but thinking of the mess that I needed her to handle, I changed my statement to …..

“oh its you..come on in..I need your help to clean up”

She walked in happily  as if nothing happened.