Life as I see It

Bandung Revisit - May 2009

Bandung is the capital of West Java province in Indonesia, and the country's third largest city, and 2nd largest metropolitan area, with 7.4 million in 2007. Located 768 m (2,520 ft) above sea level, Bandung has relatively year-around cooler temperature than most other Indonesian cities. The city lies on a river basin and surrounded by volcanic mountains. This topography provides the city with a good natural defence system, which was the primary reason of Dutch East Indies government's plan to move the colony capital from Batavia to Bandung.

This time around (my 4th visit to Bandung, 2nd visit for this year with only a month gap) is to accompany a friend of mine from high school, known to me as Kak Nani. And of course, my driver around there is Pak Rudi.
A must visit place : the never ending lists of factory outlets (FOs) and the ever famous Pasar Baru. Oh and also Gunung Tangkuban Perahu.

Tangkuban Perahu, or Tangkuban Parahu in local Sundanese dialect, is an active volcano 30 km north of the city of Bandung, the provincial capital of West Java, Indonesia. It is a popular tourist attraction where tourists can hike or ride to the edge of the crater to view the hot water springs upclose, and buy eggs cooked on its hot surface. This stratovolcano is on the island of Java and last erupted in 1983.

The legend : The name translates roughly to "upturning of (a) boat" or "upturned boat" in Sundanese, referring to the local legend of its creation. The story tells of "Dayang Sumbi", a beauty who lived in West Java. She cast away her son "Sangkuriang" for disobedience, and in her sadness was granted the power of eternal youth by the gods. After many years in exile, Sangkuriang decided to return to his home, long after the two had forgotten and failed to recognize each other. Sangkuriang fell in love with Dayang Sumbi and planned to marry her, only for Dayang Sumbi to recognize his birthmark just as he was about to go hunting. In order to prevent the marriage from taking place, Dayang Sumbi asked Sangkuriang to (1) build a dam on the river Citarum and (2) build a large boat to cross the river, both before the sunrise. Sangkuriang meditated and summoned mythical ogre-like creatures -buta hejo or green giant(s)- to do his bidding. Dayang Sumbi saw that the tasks were almost completed and called on her workers to spread red silk cloths east of the city, to give the impression of impending sunrise. Sangkuriang was fooled, and upon believing that he had failed, kicked the dam and the unfinished boat, resulting in severe flooding and the creation of Tangkuban perahu from the hull of the boat.

There are 4 main crater there. Kawah Ratu (the one in the pictures), Kawah Domas (where you could go down and cook your eggs on the hot surface), Kawah Baru and Kawah Upas. I was told by one the locals, that there are actually 12 active craters around there.

The locals called it Pokok Batik. I tried to google for more details, but could not find any. Each tree comes with different batik patterns and can be carved into anything. <more details once I could find them>

I am planning for another trip to Indonesia but this time, it would be mainly road trips. Pak Rudi gave his green light (again, to be the driver or his famous words "bodyguard nya Syu"). Am planning to fly down to Bandung and then travel to Jogja then Bali. This would need at least a week of leave from work. Anyone wants to join me?

Oh yea, Kak Ni - Happy Birthday :)