Bandung, Indonesia: Easter Weekend 2015

Travel Dates: April 3- 5, 2015

I am finally blogging about this trip. Finally. I have recently renovated my blog (check it out!) and life has been crazy, thus, late post of more than month. *sigh*

anyway, every start of the year i always look forward for a long weekend holiday every easter. As for this year, i have decided to spend it somewhere near yet far from Jakarta. To make it more fun, i have planned this trip together with some of my Jakarta friends.

Having visited Bandung numerous times, we have opted to make this trip a laid back and quiet staycation. 

the staycationist. WHUT?!

Let me share the details of our trip...

IDR = Indonesian Rupiah

GETTING TO/FROM/AROUND

Personally, the easiest way to reach and explore Bandung is via car rental. However, given we were staying for 3 days, we opted to commute all through out as we don't have a tight itinerary to follow.

Jakarta to Bandung via Xtrans Shuttle Bus - 100,000 IDR/per person*

*discount for children is available

We have been using this medium of transportation since last year. So far it's reliable. Since it was a public holiday, we took the 8:00 am departure and it took us 5 freaking hours to reach Bandung proper. Traffic during public holiday is crazy. 

TIP: reserve your seats at least 2 weeks before your intended date especially if your travel dates are within public holidays. Be there at least 30 minutes before your time of departure.

Bandung to Jakarta via Xtrans Shuttle Bus - 100,000 IDR/per person 

TIP: if you're taking roundtrip xtrans shuttle bus, confirm your return reservation upon arrival in Bandung. this is for your peace of mind as they don't accept advanced payment for reservations.

xtrans terminal in Bandung

Around Bandung via Blue Bird taxi - minimum fare 

we specifically wanted blue bird taxi to take us around Bandung as most taxi doesn't use meter. though minimum fare for ordered blue bird in Bandung was 40,000 IDR, it was fine with us. 

ACCOMMODATION

Looking for accommodations in Bandung was not really a hard task to do. there are plethora of choices ranging from cheapest to grandest ones in every corner of Bandung. We have scaled down the choices based on 3 things: location, price and 2 bedroom - accommodation. Thus, we have chosen Aston Braga Hotel and Residences for our 3 day - stay.

I have booked the 2 bedroom condotel directly through their website to avail the 15% discount. Total amount for 2 nights was 995,588 IDR inclusive buffet breakfast for 3. We have added 100,000 IDR for the extra breakfast.

PROs

• clean apartment
• spacious apartment
• comfortable bed 
• friendly and accommodating reception and hotel staff
• fast housekeeping service
• that cauliflower dish in the breakfast buffet (hehe!)
• attached to a mall
• walking distance to some nice spots around Braga area

CONs

• not so pleasant view
• need deposit for the balcony door key
• need deposit if you want to make outside local calls
• restaurant for breakfast is small for its crowd
• no exhaust in the bathroom
• mall entrance is only until 10 pm
• extra payment for extra pillow in the room
• kitchen utensils are incomplete

2 Bedroom Condotel Photos

2 bedrooms

Living Room 

kitchen

bathroom

Hotel Facilities

Left: Hotel Lounge | Right: Reception

Kids' play Area

Basement for drop off/pick up and parking

TIP: to avoid breakfast crowd, have your breakfast around 8 in the morning. 

Swimming pool and breakfast buffet choices

ITINERARY

Day 1: April 3, 2015

Late lunch at Braga Permai

This is one of the historical restaurants that is apparently still operational. You can find more about its history at their website. 

Anyway, their menu ranges from local to western. We ordered pasta and pizza for sharing. I have likewise ordered their famous mocha cake. Pasta was so - so. I was disappointed with the cake. Sad.

Note: Price range is not for the cheapskate. I spent around 150,000 IDR (seafood pasta, share of pizza, mocha cake)

Recommended food to try: Pizza

Day 2: April 4, 2015

Shopping at Rumah Mode

Personally, Rumah Mode is the best factory outlet in Bandung. I never leave this outlet empty handed. haha! It was crowded as usual but we were still able to score some good finds.

TIP: put all desired items in the shopping bag and slowly edit your choices while on queue. The queue to the cashier is usually long. 

Lunch at Cafe Oz

I have read good reviews about this australian cafe in Bandung in Tripadvisor so i wanted to try it. So from Rumah Mode, we walked going here instead of taking a cab as we wanted to avoid the crazy traffic. If you're used to walking and hiking, reaching this place will be fine. But if you prefer the convenient way, better take a transpo. it took us 15 walking minutes to reach this place. the walk uphill drained our energy. hahaha!

There is no indoor a/c area though the entire space is airy. Since we were sweating by the time we got there, it was a bit of a let down at the start of not having an a/c area. 

Each of us ordered different dishes and we all enjoyed it except for their mashed potato. My friend was greatly disappointed with her mashed potato side dish. I, on the other hand, immensely enjoyed my meal. Moreover, staff were attentive and helpful. 

Note: Price range is not for the cheapskate. I spent around 150,000 IDR (meat pie, iced lemon tea, sticky date pudding) BUT super worth it!!!

Highly recommended food to try: meat pie and sticky date pudding

Oleh Oleh at Kartika Sari

Oleh oleh means souvenir or in tagalog, "pasalubong"

Bandung is also known for its brownies. one of the famous brownies store is Kartika Sari. It is a must for us to drop by at one of the branches every time we visit Bandung. Besides brownies, their outlets also sell various oleh oleh products. 

Recommended oleh oleh to buy: chocolate chip brownies

Disco nap at Hotel

After our oleh oleh side trip we decided to go back to hotel as the continuous downpour hindered us to go elsewhere. Around 5 pm, we prepared for our dinner and night out.

The red wall of the apartment was a nice backdrop for some photo ops so we made sure we maximized the opportunity. hahaha! Theme: Familia Zaragoza. One for the books!

TIP: Bring tripod

Dinner at The 18th Restaurant and Lounge

Being the #1 Restaurant in Tripadvisor, i made sure to include a visit to this restaurant.

I have reserved a table prior to our arrival but i guess the downpour intimidated people as there were only a few guests when we arrived. i must say, the entire place boasts sophistication and class.

moving forward, the continuous downpour was a let down for us to enjoy viewing the bandung city at night. Anyway, they have a glass floor area at the side of the restaurant to which i think is a great addition to the whole vibe. 

Food was expensive and the taste was unremarkable. We obviously paid for the ambience and experience.

Note: Price range is for 5 star dining experience. I have spent around 200,000 IDR (chicken parmagiana, iced tea). There is no minimum amount to spend so if you're only aiming for the view and experience, a drink will suffice.  

Recommended food to try: quesadilla 

Day 3: April 5, 2015

Sleep

I love marshmallow pillows and sheets so i spent the entire morning dozing and savoring the softness of a hotel bed before checking out. haha!

Jalan Braga walking tour

While i was enjoying lounging in bed, Bex, on the other hand, walked around Braga to explore its surrounding area. He was able to share to us the photos that he took while walking around. There is a nice park near the hotel. Moreover, he was able to witness some artists painting, drawing and sketching historical sites around Braga. 

I was ecstatic with the paintings he bought for me. Something to remember about our short trip in Braga.

200,000 IDR for each painting

#OOTD/#OOTN

One word: HUMID

TIP: wear comfy yet appropriate clothes 

yellow tank top: h&m | batik pants: custom tailored pants | purse: charles & keith | nude sandals: rubi | hat: gift   

maxi skirt: zara | cropped top: cotton on

dress: unbranded from australia | purse: charles & keith | espadrilles: zara

Last Thoughts About Bandung

Honestly, this is the best easter weekend since i started working overseas. Granted it was only a staycation but somehow, the laid back itinerary, food trip and the crazy company made the trip fun and memorable.

This trip also made me realize that i am now starting to like local paintings as souvenir ideas which i am excited to display for my future home. The future home details are still debatable but i know someday, local paintings from my travels will be a nice way to reminisce my travel experiences.