Perfect short-escape in Bandung (popular places)

Visiting Bandung from Jakarta can be a challenging project to do regarding the traffic; Once it goes jam, it's over. Many of you might want to travel to nearby cities for a long-weekend holiday but locked away that thought just because there's a risk of getting stuck on the road for hours (typical). There are other options to travel to Bandung without the needs to get stuck in the traffic jam; And added to it, a perfect long-weekend friendly itinerary which won't waste even a single second of your holiday.

Because of the impossibility to go full-explore Bandung as the largest metropolitan city in West Java province, we decided to explore the north for this trip. Basically we stay at a hotel downtown, but explore to the north of Bandung in the morning till dusk. Bandung is full of nature themed tourist attraction and some others visiting worth places.

Labyrinth garden in Bandung city town hall

It's located right in front of the city town hall of Bandung and consist of some section with the labyrinth garden as the most popular spot for local and overseas tourists. The place is not so crowded but you can still see some people hanging around here.

The labyrinth is at the center of the garden, and is built so you can walk between 2 portion of the field separated by a wall. The wall is quite old looking and feels like metal (or maybe it is); It's kinda rusty on the edges maybe because of rain and morning dew. Planted LED lamp is on every corners of the labyrinth to light up at night and at the center of the labyrinth an enormous tree was placed to set up the natural ambiance.

This spot is popular for it's unique and remarkable format. many tourist went to the labyrinth to perpetuate their moments at this uncommon landscape; there are many photographers and photo-models who did their photo-shoot session here.

"Old but gold" maybe the right phrase to define the town hall building. The town hall is one of the oldest building in Bandung and built in European style because it was built in Dutch colonial era; there is another building behind the main building that was built afterwards which renders a more modern looks. There was a restricting line around the buildings on my visit; but maybe it will open some time.

Farmhouse susu Lembang

Maintain your health is important, it allows you to explore more. In this natural looking destination you can trade your entrance ticket for either a cup of milk or one big skewered sausage. You can spoil your eyes here by looking at the nature-based environment, fancy building decoration, and cute animals.

Their milk is fresh and served cold; when I was there, they offer 2 types of milk: vanilla or strawberry. I didn't get a chance to try the sausage but maybe next time i will.

You can also put a lock on the mini love lock bridge with your name alongside your loved ones name. It was said to grant you a long lasting love (maybe forever). And many other spots to take a picture while you going back and forth inside the zone. For your information. you can also rent a set of traditional European clothing to emphasize the mood while taking pictures.

For animal lovers out there, you can also pet and feed the animals at the petting zoo; Not only rabbits but also monkeys, iguanas, lambs, tortoise, and many more. 

The Lodge Maribaya

Many tourist seeks a beautiful and calm space where they can enjoy the nature and at the same time feel the thrill to ride a bicycle on a wire above a cliff. In this natural attraction, you can do a lot of things from a photo-shoot over a treehouse or playing a rotating swing above a ravine.

Superb scenery, peaceful atmosphere, and friendly people always lead me to rate a place amazing. All the AA (older brother in sundanese) and teteh (older sister in sundanese) here are cordially welcoming all the visitor.

As you stroll around the area, you will find some wild cats (again, for you animal lovers) and they are not afraid of humans. They would first follow you to gain your attention then proceed to rub their face/body to your feet; Such a spoiled and sweet cat and of course "CUTENESS OVERLOAD".

Tea Plantation

Indonesia is an agrarian country (and a maritime of course), that makes our land full of plantation, farm, and many other fruit-bearing trees. Many agritourism in Indonesia is a farm or plantation especially tea plantation. Here you can find the greenest, freshest scenery and sit down with friends or frolicking here and there to look for the best spot you can find.

"Inhale and exhale"
You would want to breathe a fresh air once in a while rather than a polluted city's atmosphere. Being far from the uproar of big cities has it's own perks; the air is healthier, the ambiance is calmer, more green sightings, just relaxing and enjoy yourself. Form the tea plantation itself, the entrance fee is not expensive at all; just a few thousand rupiah and you are free to enter.

sometimes it crossed my mind that there are still so many hidden beautiful places yet to find; it had me thinking maybe I should go somewhere and unveil the secrets of nature just to enjoy myself and of course to share what I see, hear, and feel so you sense the mood.

It takes a while to travel, and takes more to regain energy; But I'll never stop doing what I love. It's raining over season here, so i'm gonna stay in The Tavern!!