Short Getaways And who are we? We are just a human-form travel guide, a food gourmet, a photographer, and a shopaholic.

Destination: PUNCAK & its vicinity (Indonesia)

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Puncak is a 3 hour drive away from Bandung and about a 1.5hour drive from the Indonesian capital Jakarta, via the expressway.

As Puncak is in the mountains, the roads leading to this town are winding and narrow. During weekends, the roads are clogged with folks from Jakarta. It is best to visit this town during weekdays.

The temperature at Puncak is cooler than Bandung. At 6.00pm local time, the temperature can dip to about 26 degrees celcius.

You could drop-by this town and put up a night after visiting Bandung. A 2 day 1 night trip here would be just fine as there are not many attractions here. It is just a nice place to chill.

Sights:
TAMAN BUNGA NUSANTARA (Botanical Gardens)

Jl. Mariawati Km. 7 Desa Kawung Luwuk, Cipanas, Cianjur
Operating hours:
Weekdays: 8.00am - 5.00pm
Weekends/Public holidays: 8.00am - 5.30pm
Admission charges: IDR 30,000/adult (SGD 4.45)

In the botanical gardens, there are many sub-gardens like the Baliense Themed Garden, Japanese Themed Garden etc.














This spawling botanical garden is really worth while to spend a day walking about and admiring the well landscaped scenery.


TEA PLANTATIONS ALONG PUNCAK PASS





This is a short post as there is not much to see. However, it is a good place to drop by to get away from the hectic lifestyle when living in big cities.

There is nothing to recommend for food and shopping as these would be better in Bandung. Puncak is only a place for you to unwind.

You could fly into Bandung for a 3 day 2 night stay, then visit Puncak for a 2 day 1 night stay and depart for Singapore from Jakarta.

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Pattaya, located off the Gulf of Thailand, is approximately 145 km south of the city of Bangkok, surrounded by Bang Lamung District.

Climate
Pattaya has a tropical wet and dry climate, which is divided into the following seasons: warm and dry (November to February), hot and humid (March to May), and hot and rainy (June to October).

Getting to this Place

Rail

A daily service operates between Pattaya and Hualumphong Station in Bangkok.

Bus

Intercity transport is usually through one of two bus stations, one for Bangkok and one for other destinations. Pattaya is served by frequent bus services from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal (Morchit) and the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekhamai). Busses from Pattaya serve nearby provincial towns and direct long distance routes serve many provincial capitals.
City and suburban services are mainly provided by Songthaew (public passenger pick-up vehicle), popularly nick-named "baht-buses" or "taxis". A public bus service began in 2006.

Taxis

A metered taxi service began in late 2007, and new U.S.-style air-conditioned pick-up trucks operate for private hire from many hotel car-parks. Motorcycle taxis generally operate in the town and suburbs, and are mainly used by locals for short distances.

Air

Pattaya is about 1½ hours, or 120 km by road from Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Bangkok international hub. By road, it is accessed from Sukhumvit Road and Motorway 7 from Bangkok. Pattaya is also served through U-Tapao International Airport which is 45 minutes drive from the place.



Taking a boat towards a offshore island. The boat rental is 2000 baht (around 80 singapore dollars). I would suggest taking the boat as most of the activities are on that island.



Life Guards on the island
Some local stores on the island. There are also a number of seafood restaurants.




Some tourist queuing up for water activities. There are a number of water sports here, some of them are water ski, banana boat, para sailing and many more. The sea water here is clear and is luke blue in colour.

As we are not really into water sports hence we would just sat around in the beach benches enjoying the sea breeze with a cold beer. Overall is a nice place to visit and chill out with friends. There are also a number of seafood restaurants around, and countless water activities.

Overall we spent 1000 baht for the private transfer from bangkok, 2000 baht for the boat ride and around 200 bahts on beer for a 1 day tour.

DESTINATION: Bandung, Indonesia

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Bandung is Indonesia's 4th largest city. Being 768 meters above sea level, the temperature here is relatively lower than most other parts of the country. It is touted as the weekend getaway for the Jakarta folks as it is only a 1.5 hour drive from the Indonesian capital, via the expressway.

From Singapore, the only airline that flies to Bandung direct is the budget carrier, AirAsia Indonesia.

Sights:
GUNANG TANGKUBAN PRAHU
This is a dormant volcano. The smell of sulphur is rather strong at first. But as you move around to take in the sights, you'll get used to it.




Other than taking in the sights of the volcano crater, there is also a marketplace selling local handicrafts, wood carvings, volcanic stones/rocks, coffeeshops, souvenirs, clothings, potted plants etc.







SARI ATER HOTSPRING RESORT
Jl. Raya Ciater
Subang
Bandung
West Java
41281
+62 260 47170 0800 900



The source of the water from this hotspring resort is from a nearby mountain stream and is supplied throughout the resort. There are 2 parts to this hotspring resort.
There is a huge pool that is an open area for the public to soak in.

The other part is the area with rows of private pools for people to soak in. Each room can accomodate only one person.



Each private bath room is fitted with an emergency ringer. In the event that the high temperatures of the hot spring water is too much for your body and you feel uncomfortable, you may ring the bell and the resort staff will come to you.

Enterance fee of IDR 16,000 (SGD 2.38) is payable to enter the hot spring resort. This enterance fee only allows you to soak in the public pool.

If you want privacy, you may pay and additional IDR 37,000 (SGD 5.50) to soak alone in the private bath rooms. This IDR 37,000 is inclusive of a towel, a bar of soap and shampoo.


AROMA COFFEE FACTORY & SHOP
Jalan Banceuy No. 51 Bandung 40111
+60 22 4230473
All coffee lovers, you should head here. This coffee factory has been operating since the 1930s.




Here, you can see how coffee beans are processed till it is roasted. The boss of this factory will bring you around for a free tour. Other than seeing the process of making coffee powder, he will also explain to you about the types of coffee beans, how long are they kept and dried before using them to make coffee beans and what kind of coffee beans are good for your health in terms of lowering of blood pressure, preventing cancer and even sexual health. He speaks good English. I suggest you call before heading down so that you are able to see the full process of making coffee powder.

You may even buy the packets of coffee powder home right from the shop front.


Shopping:
FACTORY OUTLETS
There are a number of factory outlets around Bandung. Popular factory outlets are as follows:
Rich & Famous
Jl. Dago 14
Bandung

Ruma Moda
Jl. Setiabudhi 41F
Bandung

Heritage
Jl. Riau 63
Bandung

Toka Tiga
Jl. A. Yani 112-114-116
Bandung

Generally, all the factory outlets mentioned above sell stuffs ranging from shoes to clothings and even accessories such as belts, wallets etc. Brands offered include Polo Laurph Lauren, GAP, Esprit, Levis, Reebok, Nike, A&F........


Food:
KARAMBA SUNDANESE BISTRO
Jl. Sultan Tirtayasa No. 26,
40115 Bandung, Indonesia
Tel: +62 22 7676 6679

The recommended dishes are as follows:
Oxtail Soup (Bahasar Indonesia: Soup Ekor) - this portion serves 3 - 4 pax
IDR 35,000 (SGD 5.20)

Roasted Toufu (Bahasar Indonesia: PPS Tahu)
IDR 3,500 (SGD 0.52)/piece


Grilled Fish (Bahasa Indonesia: Gurame Bakar) - serves 4-5 pax
IDR 63,500 (SGD 9.44)


Red Rice (Bahasa Indonesia: Nasi Merah)
IDR 5,500 (SGD 0.82) per plate.


All prices exclude 10% Government Tax.


THE VALLEY BISTRO CAFE & SUKI GARDEN
Jl. Lembah Pakar Timur 28 (Dago)
Bandung
Tel: +62 22 2511450






This restaurant is sitting on a hill top overlooking the city of Bandung. It's great to come here in the evenings for dinner and enjoy the sights together with the cool breeze. The Valley serves up Western & Japanese cuisine and they are affordably priced.

For example, a 'Beef Teriyaki Set', which is actually served in a Bento format, with rice, salard, tempura and toufu, costs IDR 67,500 (SGD 10.03). 'Chicken Cordon Bleu' costs IDR 54,500 (SGD 8.10). The more expensive dishes are the seafood dishes such as 'Salmon Steak' would cost IDR 117,500 (SGD 17.46). For starters, there is the 'Cream of Mushroom Soup' which comes with a pastry on the brim of the bowl. This costs IDR 27,500 (SGD 4.09) per bowl. These prices exclude the 10% Government Tax.

This place is highly recommend as a chill out spot. Great setting to have a chat over dinner with friends or family. Best of all, the food is delicious and affordable.


MIE NARIPAN
Jl. Naripan No. 108,
Bandung
Tel: +62 22 420 5516/423 5808
Operating hours: 7.30am - 10.00pm, daily.




As the name suggests, this food outlet is named after the road which passes infront of it. This isn't a restaurant by a coffeeshop style food outlet selling bak-mee.

This is a place not to be missed as the noodles are springy and so much different from what you get here in Singapore.


KAMPUNG DAUN CULTURE GALLERY & CAFE
Jl. Sersan Bajuri Km. 4,7 No. 88 RR1 – Bandung
Tel: +62 22 2787 915
http://kampungdaun.net/





Warning!!! When heading here for dinner at night, bring along a wind breaker/jacket. It's cold here at night.

This is another highly recommended place to have dinner at. It's also situated on higher ground, much higher than The Valley. From the car park to the dinning hall, you will be walking past waterfalls, trees etc. The ambience is similiar to our Night Safari, minus the animals and hot weather. There are also a few huge fire places for you to keep yourself warm.

And now, for the introduction of the dishes:

Grilled Chicken

BBQ Oxtail

This pot of rice is something that I would recommend that you try. Although it looks simple and nothing fantastic, the taste is very unique. Rice is cooked in this pot with some fragrant herbs and quail eggs.

Fried Fish

Ginger tea

This is Bandung's original creation - Batagor. It's actually fried toufu.

And these are some desserts. They are some local kuehs.

Total cost of all the above mentioned dishes:
IDR 326,150 (SGD 48.46) inclusive of 10% Government Tax.

Kampung Daun really offers a great dining experience. You should really try if yourself.


That's all for my post on Bandung. Overall, this city is suitable for a 3 day 2 night stay with sightseeing and shopping included.

o