BANDUNG
It was a long and mostly enjoyable train ride from Yogyakarta to Bandung. Since electrical lines run along the side of the tracks many homes are nearby. As the train cut through jungles and over valleys there were always people to observe: working in beautifully terraced rice gardens, riding motorbikes, or sweeping around their homes. Children seemed programmed to wave whenever a train passed. The train was comfortable - an executive ticket cost 280,000 IDR (which seems a bit high given how cheap other transport is) - and completed the 400 kilometer ride in eight hours.
It was dark when I arrived in Bandung around seven. I navigated the sidewalks that were overflowing with food stalls to find a restaurant along one of the city's major roads. The hostel was located in the Paskal Hyper Market, a quasi-strip mall equivalent - KTVs, restaurants, and merchandise stores. At the far end of the complex was a hipster style food market. The market was equivalent to a Singapore Hawker Center with a modern and relaxed feel. Young people gathered around tables to drink beer or coffee.
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It was dark when I arrived in Bandung around seven. I navigated the sidewalks that were overflowing with food stalls to find a restaurant along one of the city's major roads. The hostel was located in the Paskal Hyper Market, a quasi-strip mall equivalent - KTVs, restaurants, and merchandise stores. At the far end of the complex was a hipster style food market. The market was equivalent to a Singapore Hawker Center with a modern and relaxed feel. Young people gathered around tables to drink beer or coffee.
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The next morning I looked through Bandung's “colonial” district. The city seemed stressed and worn out. Compared to Yogyakarta, Bandung had outgrown the small city feel and felt more industrialized. I sat at a bench and watch Indonesia toddlers kick inflatable balls across the square of Masjid Raya Bandung. after every windup and powerful kick the kids struggled to maintain balance.
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This area had a few colonial buildings, however, the standout was an Art Deco style hotel, The Savoy Homann, which was impressive although incredibly out of place.
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I walked up Braga Street, a cross street lined with cafes, boutique shops, bakeries, and restaurants. The flagstone lined street was a good place to sit outside and watch Indonesians commute to work. I completed the loop back to the hostel with a stop at the train station. An hour later I was on my way to Jakarta.
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For additional Bandung photos see FLICKR ALBUM.