Enchantment of Kabupaten Bandung

Sources: jabarpro.go.id

COMMUNITY Bandung District can be proud, because the area was awarded its natural beauty and its immeasurable beauty. Bandung district so charming with views of the hills and forest wealth of diverse, as well as an abundance of clear water springs all over. Really makes Bandung regency shady, green and beautiful.

With its beauty and tourist attractions will surely emerging life-sustaining local communities. Noted there are 19 leading tourist attraction that could be a magnet for tourists, both domestic and foreign visiting Bandung regency.

The marvelous attractions that are mostly located in the South of Bandung regency. One of them just call Situ Cileunca located in the District has an area of ​​181 hectares Pangalengan.

Cileunca there was a fairly broad panorama of the lake, but the area around it can be used for camping, outbound, until Palayangan river rafting in the source water from Situ Cileunca.

Still in the area there is the tomb Pangalengan world famous personalities, namely Karel Albert Rudolf Bosscha or more Bosscha. Malabar tea plantation whose name can not be released from the notorious Bosscha services. Likewise with the presence of Bosscha, located in District Lembang, West Bandung regency also can not be separated from the role of fund development and services telescope.

Shifted to the bottom of the mountain tourist attraction located in the District Puntang Cimaung - Pangalengan bordering district. Mount Puntang has an area of ​​about 84 hectares with an altitude of 1,290 above sea level. At the time of the Dutch East Indies government established Radio Stations Malabar. But unfortunately, the forerunner of the RRI, now lives leaving rubble that had been destroyed.

In addition to some of the attractions mentioned above, the attractions in the surrounding area and have the prestige Ciwidey more classy again. Nature tourism vehicle name White crater is not foreign for domestic tourists.

"Slowly but surely, the White crater located in District Rancabali can rival the prestige of Mount Tangkubanparahu. Tourists visiting each year always increase," said Chief Dispopar Akhmad Djohara Bandung regency.

In general, according to Akhmad Djohara, increase the number of tourist arrivals not only in the Kawah Putih but uneven across sights. This year Dispopar Bandung regency target number of tourists visit as many as 6 million people.

In 2012, tourists visiting Bandung regency reached 5,645,569 people. Tourists visiting Bandung regency still dominated by domestic tourists, foreign tourists while still under 10 percent.

"Target 6 million tourists it was very realistic when viewed from the number of visits in 2012 to reach 5.6 million. Every long weekend travelers just coming into Bandung regency could be over a hundred thousand people more," said Akhmad Djohara.

He estimated the rate of turnover of travelers in Bandung regency in one year more than Rp 100 billion. Partly for the money spent shopping for food or culinary tours, up souvenirs.

"The advantage of the arrival of tourists not only enjoy but manager attractions in the surrounding communities. Community driven more creatively exploit this potential, could sell traditional foods and unique, as well as creating an attractive souvenir for a souvenir," he said.

Tourist attraction that became a tourist attraction mostly located in the southern region as Kawah Putih, Situ Patengan, Ranca Upas, Cimanggu hot springs, etc..

"Last year in South Bandung attractions swamped with visitors, it can not be released influence the increased activity of Mount Tangkubanparahu. Travelers who want to get there, switch to the Kawah Putih with natural scenery offered is not less beautiful and still untouched by human hands," he explained.

The number of tourists who visit Bandung regency ranging from 30 thousand to 40 thousand / week, but at the time of the long weekend to figure jumped to 100 thousand.

Patengan Lake

Puntang Mount

White crater

Tangkuban Parahu Mount

Cileunca Lake

Ranca Upas

Waterfall Caweni, Sukabumi

Located in Kampung Cilutung, Cidolog Village, District Cidolog, Sukabumi, West Java

Caweni waterfall waterfall has a height of about 15 m. A distinctive feature is the presence of a waterfall Caweni 7 m high rock which are in the midst of a waterfall. It is said that the stone was Caweni Arca, the daughter of the once powerful in Cidolog. Name Caweni or cawene the Sundanese language means 'randa bengsrat', widow is still sacred because apart before having sex with her husband.

Existing facilities available such as, location of parking and toilets as well as a place to change clothes, but unfortunately there are not even allowed its maintenance neglected.

Additionally absence, stall or shop selling food and drinks were difficult to find. Only food and drink vendors were Cidolog road, about 200 meters before the Curug Caweni. It is therefore advised to bring lunch if you want to travel to this place.

Legend

Cidolog society, as well as Pajampangan society at large, believed that the seven meter-high stone statue is the result of changes in the form of Nyi Caweni or Princess Caweni. In folklore that developed in Cidolog, Nyi Caweni is dainty woman who has been married 99 times. Of that amount, 98 told her husband died on the first night. Who escaped from the "death in the first night" was the last of her husband, Prince Boros rafters. Unlike husbands Caweni Nyi before that only ordinary people, Boros rafters is a descendant of nobles, knights were highly knowledgeable. After learning Nyi Caweni track record, he spent the first night with a very alert.

Boros rafters decided not to have sex on the first night, and he did not sleep to see what would happen. The first night and the second night, there was nothing. Only on the third night. Boros rafters find the answer to the mystery of his wife. When Nyi Caweni was sleeping, from his crotch suddenly out of a poisonous snake. Boros rafters convinced that the cause of death streak. With his power, Boros rafters and then catch the snake and put it somewhere.

On the morning after breakfast, said goodbye to his wife Boros rafters. As a knight, he can not escape from the responsibility to promote the public interest. For that he had to go to complete the tasks mandated to it. Boros rafters promised to return to Nyi Ca-Weni. But he also says if the time it had not yet arrived, he asked Nyi Caweni to catch up. If Nyi Caweni find rafters Boros footprints on the stone, he had to wait there while in a very long time! With great love, though obviously heavy heart, Nyi Caweni husband farewell.

Time passed, finally decided to join Nyi Caweni Boros rafters who did not come. He walked compose river now called Ci Dolog. On the river, a waterfall, he found traces of the footprints was looking for. Nyi Caweni pretty sure it was her husband's footsteps and he decided to wait there. A very long wait until his body turned into a stone statue of Princess Caweni.

Transportation to this Destination :

Located about 86 km to the south of the city center Sukabumi or about 25 km from the district Segaranten or just about 200 m from the causeway towards Tegalbuleud not far from the district center Cidolog. Of the road to get there fairly smooth paved and can be reached any kind of vehicle either two or four wheels. From the parking lot the vehicle continued traveling on foot down the winding stairs and slippery far more than a mile to arrive at the location of the waterfall is located. 

Museum Negeri Sri Baduga , Museum & Education

Sri Baduga Museum, located in Jalan BKR 185 Tegallega before the Monument of Bandung Lautan Api, was developed in 1974. The area and building of the museum formerly was the kewedanaan Tegallega. The developed building of the museum is consisted of a suhunan and rumah panggung, a typical traditional house of West Java, combined with modern architecture. The original building of the kewedanaan, however, is preserved and used as an office. The museum has very rich cultural arts of West Java collections, associated with biology, ethnographic, archaeology, numismatic, philology, dermatology, fine arts and technology.

The first phase construction of the museum was completed in 1980.Then, the museum was inaugurated on June 5th by the Minister of Education and Culture, Dr. Daud Yusuf, who entitled it Museum Negeri Propinsi Jawa Barat.

The area of the museum which covers 8415.5 m2 is divided into two parts: a public area (includes exhibition hall and auditorium) and a non-public area (includes the office of the Museum Head, Administration, and the working groups of the museum) The non-public area also includes the storage of collections.

Ten years later, the name of the museum is labeled the name "Sri Baduga" which is taken from the name of a king who reigned in the Sunda Pakwan Pajajaran around 16th century C.E. the king's name was written in the inscription of Batutulis (Bogor) as SRI BADUGA MAHARAJA RATU HAJI I PAKWAN PAJAJARAN SRI RATU DEWATA.

As a public museum with various collections of Geology, Biology, Ethnography, Archaeology, and History, also Numismatika/Heraldika, Philology, Ceramics, as well as Arts and Technology, the museum notes not less than 5367 collections owned by the museum; the most collections are associated with Ethnographic—a study related to cultural objects. Collections owned are not limited in the original forms only, but also equipped with a collection of replicas, miniatures, photographs, and mock-ups. The collection are exhibited in the permanent exhibition and also documented by the computerized system and stored in the collection storage.

To enhance public appreciation of museums, various activities have been held in the museum, both independent and cross-sectoral cooperative activities with various government, private, and foreign agencies. Some examples of the activities implemented are temporary exhibition, traveling exhibition, the exhibition with the museums from other provinces, various student competitions, lectures, seminars, workshops, etc.

considering the development of the role and functions of museums as a place or facility supporting education, increasing knowledge, and recreation; "Sri Baduga" Museum of West Java Province carried out renovations to arrange the permanent exhibition gradually. The renovation itself started in 1989 and finished in 1992 and included an expansion of a new exhibition space at the third floor.

The exhibition area is divided into three floors. The first floor displays the initial development of the natural history and culture of West Java. The natural history behind the history of West Java is described by a display of hand-made heritage items from the prehistory era to the Hindu-Buddhist era.

The second floor includes exhibition of traditional cultural materials in the form of patterns of community life, livelihoods, commerce and transportation, as well as the influence of Islamic and European culture, the history of national struggle, and symbols of the district and cities of West Java.

The third floor exhibits some ethnographic collections in the form of various forms and functions of traditional containers, arts, and ceramics from other countries.

For those who want to visit Sri Baduga Museum, it is opened on Monday-Friday at 08.00-15.00, Saturday-Sunday at 08.00-14.00 and closed on national holidays.

Bandung's Friday Batik Market

Balubur Town Square shopping center, colloquially known as Baltos, on Jl. Taman Sari, Kebon Bibit, Bandung, is well-known among college students as the place to go to for stationary as well as arts and crafts supplies.

But the mall is now trying to attract more visitors by trialing interesting programs such as the Friday Batik Market, which began on May 31.

Baltos general manager Della Martono said that through the program they hoped to establish a batik center in downtown Bandung.

“We welcome businesses interested in becoming tenants as well as designers and batik enthusiasts to join our Friday Batik Market,” she said, adding that the mall will also hold a batik-making workshop for visitors during the market in August.

The market is still relatively calm and a trip there makes for a relaxing visit. The market is filled with a wide array of batik products from all over Indonesia, including household goods, stylish batik clothing, batik bags and purses.

The prices are also affordable; for example, two pieces of Cirebon batik fabrics only cost Rp 35,000 (US$3.53).

The market is open every Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the shopping mall's D2 floor.

Bandung’s five relaxing spa experiences

By Icha Rahmanti

Sources Jakarta Post 

While it's hard to get bored in Bandung, with its wealth of food and shopping spots, you can get tired after a long-day visiting the city. For those of you who seek lavish ways to sooth your fatigue, Bandung offers some spa experiences that are not to be missed.

Here are The Jakarta Post Travel's picks of the top five spas in Bandung.

The Lammar’s Spa 

Avid spa addict Teta Halim always tried spa treatments wherever she traveled, before finally turning her big family mansion in Cipaku area into The Lammar’s Spa.

The establishment's opulent interior, with its combination of gold, purple and red shades, will appeal to your senses the moment you enter the lobby. This ambience continues throughout the 37 spa rooms. While they differ in styles and sizes, all the rooms are similarly lavish.

Popular treatments here include the Toraja Rejuvenating Ritual, which uses Toraja coffee as a key ingredient, and the Romantics of Lammar, which is specially designed for couples.

One of the newest treatments on offer is Red Wine Splendor. The 150-minute treatment, priced at Rp 855,000 (US$ 87.32), consists of the Thalasso Foot Ritual, a grapefruit body scrub, a red wine body massage, a grapefruit body mask treatment, a face massage and finally, a truly pampering bath in sparkling red wine.

The Lammar's Spa: Jl. Setiabudi 256A, Cipaku 

Opens daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

Edelweiss Spa, The Papandayan Hotel 

The Papandayan Hotel's Edelweiss Spa has its own niche.

It has separate steam rooms, saunas, whirlpools, Jacuzzi pools and relaxation lounges for men and women, which makes it ideal for small group treatment. Their massage boards are bigger and wider and more comfortable than what I normally find in other places.

Ask for spa therapist Dewi to get one of the place's best massages.

The 75-minutes Royal Body Treatment is a great offer. For just Rp 325,000 (excluding taxes), you will be pampered with a series of treatments, claimed to be derived from the classic rituals of a Javanese royal palace, including a skin scrub, a relaxing dip in the Jacuzzis and the steam room or sauna.

Edelweiss Spa: The Papandayan Hotel, Jl. Gatot Subroto 83 

Opens daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Prior booking is mandatory if you are not staying at the hotel. 

Gracia Spa Lembang

The moment you enter the final stretch of road leading to Gracia Spa, you will see refreshing tea plantations on both sides of the road, where inhaling the rejuvenating fresh air feels like you have already embarked on the first part of Gracia's spa therapy.

What Gracia lacks in treatment options, it makes up for with an awesome natural hot spring, which is the highlight of the whole Gracia Spa experience and is reportedly popular among Japanese and Korean tourists. In addition, the place also offers reflexology treatment.

Taking a dip in the hot spring is really fun and relaxing, especially during the evening, when the air in Lembang can get chilly.

The hot spring water therapy is especially recommended for families, as parents can enjoy a relaxing time together with their children.

Gracia Spa: Jl. Ciater Blok Dawuan, Ciater, Lembang 

The hot spring opens daily 24 hours, entrance fee: Rp 45,000 (adult) / Rp 25,000 (child) 

Martha Tilaar Salon & Day Spa 

The place's best-selling treatment is the Ginger Gold Treatment. Priced at Rp 388,000, the two-hour treatment offers a series of the usual spa treatments with a twist – all the products used have ginger as a key ingredient.

The body masking will make your skin sparkles with glittery gold and the bathing in the tub is just exotic, with the foamy warm water mixed with dried ginger and spices.

You can also try one of the steam boxes, designed like the ones from ancient Javanese royal beauty treatments.

Martha Tilaar Salon & Day Spa: Jl. Ciumbuleuit No. 83 

Opens daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Booking is closed after 7 p.m. 

The Spa, The Trans Luxury Hotel 

The moment you set foot in the The Trans Luxury Hotel's spa, which is rather obviously named The Spa, you will be greeted by the sweet musk of burnt aromatherapy oil and a bronze water bowl filled with floating flower petals.

The golden Balinese-style metal carving ornament instantly gives the place a traditionally-chic-yet-sumptuous feeling. 

The Spa hosts nine treatment rooms, including the huge Royal Couple room. The Spa manager, Ni Luh Suliati, said the place's most popular treatments were the 60-minute Dream Time Massage and the 150-minute Royal Bliss. The prices are Rp 325,000 and Rp 750,000, respectively.

The Dream Time Massage mixes Javanese and Balinese massaging styles, while the Royal Bliss is a combination of a Dream Time Massage, a choice of jasmine lavender body scrubbing or body masking sessions, and a relaxing bath in a couple-sized whirlpool.

Aside from the lavish interior atmosphere, the small details scattered around the place also makes The Spa even more satisfying.

Such details include the bells used to mark the beginning and end of a treatment, the bath salts used in foot treatments and relaxing baths, and the relaxing aromatherapy oil below the massage boards.

The Spa: The Trans Luxury Hotel, Jl. Gatot Subroto 289

Opens daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Quality: Being located at a shop house on Jl. Ciumbuleuit doesn't stop Martha Tilaar Salon & Day Spa Bandung from giving you the best service.

Award-winning spa: Having just celebrated its first anniversary, The Lammar's Spa has won several awards including one from the Tourism and Creative Economy Minister.

All about ginger: The Ginger Gold Treatment is Martha Tilaar Salon & Day Spa's most popular treatment. Ginger has the ability to smoothen the skin and is also great as antioxidant and detox agent

Exotic bath: The Martha Tilaar Spa's Ginger Gold Treatment offers a series of the spa treatments with ginger as a key ingredient, including a bathing in this tub, where the foamy warm water mixed with dried ginger and spices.

Bigger. The massage board at Edelweiss Spa The Papandayan Hotel is bigger and more comfortable than the average massage board use in other spa. (Photo courtesy of The Papandayan