Considering What We Missed

Whenever we talk about our time in South-East Asia, we always get asked if we’re desperate to go back. Of course, there are times when we miss the obvious things like the amazing food and the reliable good weather. However, when it comes to certain countries, we do feel like we’ve spent enough time there and there are other new places that we’d rather explore.

We lived in Chaing Mai and Bangkok in Thailand during two seperate periods and spent many weeks travelling to other parts of the country, we also spent a lot of time in the neigboring countries of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam so they too are not top of our list to visitagain either. That can’t be said about everywhere in South-East Asia though, two places we didn’t spend much time at all were the Philippines and Indonesia.

It’s the latter that makes it to the top of our list though, the Philippines got a little bit more of our time and we visited a few different areas of the country and were able to get more of a feel for the place. When it comes to Indonesia however, we committed the most obvious of backpacker sins… we only went to Bali.

While parts of Bali were lovely, it definitely didn’t feel like we were getting to see the real Indonesia. Since then we’ve always kept an eye out for attractions in Indonesia that might give us a reason to go back and recently it’s Bandung that has caught our eye. It appears there are hundreds of reasons to visit Bandung but these are the top three at the moment tempting us to book a flight and a few nights in the Holiday Inn Bandung right now.

Things to do in Bandung, Indonesia

Flickr Credit: Dany13

Kawah Putih (White Crater)

Kawah Putih is a lake in a volcanic crater about 50km south of Bandung that has been open to the public since 1987. The attraction here is simply how beautiful the place is and yet another reminder of the wonders that nature can create without human interference. A wonderful place to get some memorable holiday photographs that are bound to make everyone at home jealous.

The lake is situated over 2,400m above sea level so it’s important to remember to pack something warm to wear, something rarely said when talking about a holiday in Indonesia.

Nanny’s Pavillion

Have you ever wanted to eat your dinner while sitting on a toilet? No, me neither but hear me out.

Nanny’s Pavillion is a large doll house come restaurant. When you first arrive it’s best to take a moment to wonder around the whole place and take it all in before deciding where you would like to enjoy your dinner. You can choose between a dining room (for those of you who are quite happy with traditional dining surroundings), the bedroom, garden, playroom or finally the bathroom.

I wasn’t joking about the toilets and that’s definitely where I’ll be choosing when I visit Nanny’s Pavillion. The top tip here seems to be the pancakes, everyone loves them.

Flickr Credit: ivanatman

Jalan Braga (Braga Street)

Braga street is the most famous place in Bandung and back in the 1920’s was without a doubt the place to be seen, similar to Calea Victoriei where we live now in Bucharest. The street was lined with cafes and boutiques giving the street a very European feel and was given the nickname ‘The Paris of Java’ again, similar to the comparisons of Bucharest and Paris many years ago.

Braga Street is still home to many shops, restaurants and bars and is the ideal place to spend your evenings watching the world go by with plenty of good food and drink.

Have you been to Bandung? What did you get up to? Is there something we should be adding to our list?