Bandung’s sunrises are splendid...so too the shopping, the scenery, the climate, and….the people!!!

 In the colonial days, the city of Bandung was known as “the Parijs Van Java”...or the Paris of Java….it was a place of rest and relaxation for the Europeans who inhabited the then “Dutch Oost Indies” (Dutch East Indies). The rich and famous came to “Bandoeng”….Kings and their Queens, Princes and Princesses, Maharajahs, Authors and Celebrities….Charlie Chaplin visited Bandung with his brother Sidney in 1931 filming and writing about his travels to the island of Java.

To much of the world, Bandung is still a bit of a secret, but well known amongst Indonesians, especially the Jakartans who flock here for the weekends, and Europeans wanting to check on some family history. Now you can have a “personal” journey of Bandung on a specially devoted website.

Former correspondent for the BBC, CBS and other world networks in Europe ,Stephen Fleay provides for you the pictures and text of one of his favourite places in Asia.

Stephen writes about the climate, the sights of the city and surrounds, places to stay, shopping, how to get there and “then some”.

Bandung is in the highlands of West Java Indonesia, has a mild climate with a temperature range of 17—28 degrees C. Four months of DRY season and 8 months of WET season. Due to the closeness to the equator there is no winter or summer and the days and nights every day of the year are 12/12 hours. The so called wet season means usually an occasional heavy afternoon thunderstorm with “sparkling” sunny, almost cool early mornings.

“A tropical Camelot”!

How to get here

It’s easy to travel to Bandung…….there are direct flights to Bandung’s airport daily with Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Major airlines from all over the world service Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

Some countries such as Australia are allowed “Visa on Arrival” (to Indonesia) a one week Visa costs 10 USD and for a month it is 25 US dollars. (Dollar notes should be in good condition).

The Indonesian Government has web sites advising about Visas for different countries.

On arrival your Hotel “service car” will be there along with an English speaking driver.

You can also enter Indonesia via the capital Jakarta….then take the train which follows much of the originally built Dutch infrastructure to Bandung…

in the daytime great camera ops, especially the scenery as the train climbs slowly into the mountains. This option is perhaps best for the seasoned traveler.

Those coming from Europe, especially the Netherlands will find good deals at local travel agents. Some of these “deals” are tours complete with a guide (who speaks your language) who’ll accompany a small group through the special spots of Indonesia.

You can book Air Asia and your hotel in Bandung on the internet. (Hotel tips on some following pages)

Check with your doctor/general practitioner before leaving for any required inoculations. My tip is if you are only destined for a shopping trip to Bandung…..always drink bottled water and clean your teeth with it also…..use (locally sold) mosquito repellant if going to vegetated areas. Mainstream Hotels in Bandung are air-conditioned and well away from offending mosquitoes. Bandung is fairly free of “bugs”…. and full of smiling, genuinely friendly people.

Currency is the Indonesian Rupiah. For around 100 US dollars you’ll be a rupiah millionaire! Changing over USD can be carried out at most banks in Bandung. For other currencies try Money Changers.

 

One of many splendid views from the window of the train which will take you from Jakarta to Bandung….every hour throughout the day. For just a few dollars you can travel “executive class on this train”

Absolute luxury for a fraction of the price in other parts of the world. Hotels which will pamper you….such as the Bandung Sheraton!

Days and nights are glorious in tropical Bandung Java Indonesia.

Contact this website    discoverbandung@yahoo.com

Visitors