Short trip: PARIS…

…van Java! 

Jaaa

last friday, I went to this city for a colleague’s wedding and took train because I predicted the “arus balik” will be horrible in Cikampek. This weekend marked as the last day of Eid Fitri holiday. Thus, to anticipate the situation, I opted for train.

i had a very pleasant experience with our long haul train for the past one year (it started with my Semarang trip and amazed how the system is significantly improved even though I have read the book about former KAI CEO!)

So there I was, taking train again…to Bandung after 15 years! Oh em geeee!

i remembered it has been  THAT LONG because when I wrote this post, it was inspired when KA Parahyangan ended its service in 2010 due to low passangers rate. they lost competiton with Jakarta-Bandung travel car that could commute people  in 2.5 hrs and the dispatcher is just one step away from your house.taking train to bandung at that time was impractical. since getting to Gambir is another homework.

“Salah satu kebijakan pemerintah yang membuat kemacetan tambah parah!” I must say.nowadays, driving car to Bandung via Cikampek then Cipularang is non-sense.It took 7 hours for me to get to Bandung when my uncle passed away last April. crap!

My friends who have to commute Jakarta-bandung pp every weekend said having a-3 hour-trip is luxurious now. It could take up to 6 hours one way for approx 200km. ewwww! 

I guess the government should established regular Jakarta-Bandung again! It waste of time and money!

https://instagram.com/p/BV81G9JAWvS

 Anyway…i must say, thank you Uber and Grab Car :)), our Bandung Trip was hassle-less even though we don’t have car.

we stayed in The Luxton bandung and had room with mountain view. 

owh, finally! We had proper visit to Bandung! Ha! Seriously, even the city was only 200++ km away from our house, we barely visit this city. even when we did, it was mainly because family-related issue. Wedding or funeral that required one-day trip. last time we did stay in Bandung was 2.5 years ago and only stayed over night when I participated in Tahura Trail Run.

And…though I barely visit this city, and it has been 15 years since I took train to Bandung, the wonderful view between Purwakata – Cimahi brought back memories.
nothing change much, but of course there’s tol cipularang as additional view. 

Day One

first thing after we drop our bags, we were strolling the famous Jalan Juanda. I remembered once, the city major, Ridwan Kamil, get pissed of on his INstagram account due to littering on one of those benches in Dago area. now, I had the chance to see what jalan Dago looks like with those tables and chairs along in the pedestrian path. 

We had lunch near by! it is Bandung anyway! good food is literally EVERYWHERE! 

later that night! finally! i met May in person as she had her homecoming trip this Lebaran. hamdallah! After all those blog commenting and conversations via whatsapp, between Kuala Lumpur and jakarta (errr, Tangsel) we met in Bandung, her hometown! thank you May for the treats and talks. it is always nice talking to you!

  she gave me a broken white hijab with KL landmark printing on it. nice

Anyway, We visited Pompidou, a bakery which is owned by my friend’s sister.

 once I ordered its Nastar Cake , sent it to Jakarta and it was very tasty! 

owh, the bakery is now temporary located inside Happy-go-lucky, a boutique, where you can find cute bags, shoes and clothes! All made in Bandung by local designers! *BIG Applause*

Aslik…. lucu lucu bangetttt! 

To be continued….

PS : one of my Malaysian friend why it is Paris Van java. the explanation is here 😉