BANDUNG’S COOL NEW FUN-PACKED FAMILY PARKS

“Pasundan (the land of the Sundanese) was created when God was smiling”, says a famous quote from MAW Brouwer, renowned Dutch psychologist and writer who spent most of his life in Bandung. This could not have been a better illustration of the irresistible beauty of the city and everything around it. Completely surrounded by mountains, Bandung, capital city of West Java Province is blessed with a cool and pleasant climate as well as picturesque open vistas. During the old colonial days, it attracted rich Dutch colonial planters to make the city their retreat  away from the hot tropical climate along the coast. The reputation still holds to this day, where Bandung remains a favorite retreat for entire families to enjoy its fresh air and picturesque sceneries. By toll road, Bandung is only a couple of hours’ ride from Jakarta.

Today, aside from refreshing cool air and inspirational sceneries, families can also enjoy a wide range of exciting fun activities in the many latest recreation parks and resorts spread over the highlands of north Bandung. Here are among some of the parks and resorts that guarantee fun and pleasurable experiences for the entire family:

1.       Pramestha Birds & Bromelia Pavilion

Situated on the hills of Dago area on jalan Akaza Utama Street, Dago Giri, within the Pramestha Resort Town, this is the latest exciting attraction to the flower city of Bandung. Located near the famous Day &Nite Eatery and Grocery Bandung, here visitors can observe, interact and play with numerous exotic birds such as Caique Parrots, Ambon Parrots, Red Parrots, owls, Macaw Scarlets, and more. There is also a pond filled with pretty fish as well as a beautiful gardens which make perfect background for selfies.

Website: http://pramestha.com/

2.       Kampung Gajah Wonderland

Kampung Gajah  literally translated meaning Elephant’s Village, this park  quickly rose to become one of the most popular one stop recreation centers in Bandung. Situated in the highlands of Cihideung, Parongpong, here you can enjoy Horse Riding, Segway Adventure, ATV Adventure, Robot Rides, Decorated car Rides, paintball game, Bungee Trampoline, Exciting Waterpark with all sorts of splashing actions, and a whole lot more. To recharge your energy after all the fun adventures, the park also comes complete with restaurants serving Sunda, Indonesian, Oriental, and Western food.

Website: http://www.kampunggajah.com

3.       De’Ranch Lembang

Do you yearn to know what it feels like to be a cowboy? Head to Lembang, just slightly north of Bandung and you can feel the sensation of horse riding like a cowboy complete with catchy outfits. Featuring an authentic atmosphere of a western ranch, here you can ride horses in cowboy style, ride horse drawn carriages,there are pony rides for children, play in the Indian Totem Web Pool, shoot in the archery arena, slide down the flying fox, and whole lot more  exciting activities.

Website: http://www.deranchlembang.com

4.       Dusun Bambu Family Leisure Park

Dusun Bambu or the Bamboo Village is a unique eco-friendly recreation park that take visitors into the magnificent harmony of nature. Emphasizing on the seven aspects of life: Ecology (nature), Education, Economic, Ethnology (culture), Ethics, Esthetics (Aesthetics), and Entertainment, the park fuses the values of traditional culture with modern sustainable living. Visitors can walk around lush rice paddies, play at the bamboo playground, marvel at the beautiful gardens, take boat rides on the lake, or enjoy dining on Sundanese authentic taste at the beautiful lakeside restaurants. Situated at the foot of Mount Burangrang, on jalan Kol.Masturi, Cisarua, West Bandung Regency, this 15 hectares park is definitely a perfect retreat.

Website: http://dusunbambu.com/

5.       Floating Market Lembang

If you think that floating markets can only be found along river-side cities such as in Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan, well guess again, for there is now one in the highlands of Lembang no less, on the northern hills of Bandung. However unlike the one in Banjarmasin, this Floating market in Lembang is not where you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, or other groceries. Instead, it is a market that is filled with an assortment of delicious food and snacks, and you enjoy it as you float on a boat on the lake, how’s that for a culinary sensation? More than just culinary delicacies, there are also other attractions that you can find here such as a Rabbit Park, Mini Becak(Traditional rickshaw) Rides, a Train Miniature Park, ATV Rides, and more.

Website: http://www.floating-market-bandung.com/

6.       Farmhouse Susu Lembang

Stepping into the grounds of the Farmhouse Susu Lembang is like entering a whole different realm. First opened in 2015, this park lets visitors experience classical European country sites, even including Hobbiton, the Village of hobbits which only exists in the Lord of the Ring Trilogy. Here you can find typical English Tudor houses, Country sites depicting Eguisheim town in France, and you can even dress up as 17th century Victorian English ladies and take pictures wearing them. The park even has its own “love” padlock bridge resembling the Pont des Arts in France where couples can express their love and literally hang padlocks on the bridge. For kids, there is a petting zoo where they can play with sheep, bunny rabbits, iguanas, sugar gliders, and more. Another unique feature is that the IDR 20.000 entrance ticket will not only get you inside but the ticket also serves as a voucher for a cup of Lembang’s fresh milk or one barbequed sausage on a stick.

Source & Picture Source : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/post/bandung-s-cool-new-fun-packed-family-parks

INDONESIA TOURIST ARRIVALS IN 2016 REACHES 12.023 MILLION GOAL, SURGES 15.54%

I Gede Pitana, Deputy Minister for International Tourism Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism, in a press conference held together with the Head of the National of Bureau of Statistics, Suharyono, on Thursday, 16 February, confirmed that total foreign visitors arrival to Indonesia during the year 2016 totalled 12.023 million, having surged a significant 15.54% compared to 2015 year on year. Thus the target set by the Government to reach 12 million international arrivals in year 2016 has been successfully achieved.

According to BPS, Indonesia’s 19 major tourist entry points registered a total of 11.52 million tourist arrivals, or an increase of 10.69% compared to the previous year. Although this in itself is already a notable rise, these do not as yet include data from other smaller entry points, (which in Indonesia there are numerous).

The final figures, therefore, compute the data as obtained by conventional system of arrivals at 19 major entry ports as registered by the Statistics Bureau BPS, (that are based on calculations from data received from the Directorate General of Immigration), plus data obtained through the new online method as captured by MPD ( Mobile Positioning Data) Big Data from Telkomsel. These latter data were captured from among the 79 border posts scattered around 29 districts at border-crossing locations, explained Head of BPS, Suharyono.

“These latter data are as yet not included in the BPS calculations”, said Suharyono. Therefore following conventional calculations as recorded by BPS the total international arrivals from January through December 2016 totaling 11.52 million, - being an increase of 10.69% year on year, - this sub-total is now being added with data captured at land border-crossing stations especially in Kalimantan, Papua and West Timor, which together totaled 504,696 arrivals, so that together they reach a total of 12.023 million arrivals, forming a substantial increase of 15.54% over 2015 arrivals.

Brand New Digital Mode Now Used

In its pioneering efforts to register foreign arrivals to Indonesia especially at border-crossing points in remote areas - that include the borders between Indonesia and Malaysia in North Kalimantan, between Indonesian Papua with New Guinea in the east and Indonesia’s West Timor and the present Timor Leste in the south east, - the Ministry of Tourism, in cooperation with IT provider company Telkomsel, - considering that Telkomsel covers 92% of roaming signals around border areas- , has placed monitors at strategic locations that are able to capture signals 24/7 ( twenty four hours a day, seven days a week) of traffic between the two countries using Telkomsel roaming.

This ultra modern monitoring system is, moreover, important within the Government’s National Strategy, as outlined by President Joko Widodo, which is aimed at accelerating development of outlying regions. Economic growth and investments along border areas form an important policy of the government.

Besides, Tourism Minister Arief Yahya commented, that the Big Data mobile positioning data system to register tourist arrivals and traffic, is already in use in Belgium, Finland, Spain, the Netherlands, the Philippines and Tanzania.

Meanwhile, to increase traffic along border areas, the Ministry of Tourism has since October through December 2016 held continuous Wonderful Indonesia Festivals that drew droves of crowds to Aruk, Entikong, Skow, Merauke, Jayapura and Atambua, highlighted by the appearance of Indonesia’s celebrity singers and popular culinary festivals. More such festivals are in the offing to be held again this year.

Source & Picture : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/post/indonesia-tourist-arrivals-in-2016-reaches-12-023-million-goal-surges-15-54

INSTANT “INDOMIE” NOODLES: INDONESIANS CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT

It is no secret that Indonesians always have a pack of instant noodles ready on standby. There are a number of popular brands, but most wellknown is Indomie,  that has almost become synonymous to instant noodles. Indomie is produced by Indofood, the largest instant noodles manufacturer in Indonesia.  This brand stays popular because of its continued innovation in flavors that are popular with Indonesians, which include flavors like Soto Ayam (Chicken curry),  and Beef Rendang, where all ingredients are ready in packets including the much needed chili powder. There are now also flavors like Thai Tom Yam, and Korean Bulgogi.

In Indonesia, Indomie is eaten at breakfast, as snack, or for lunch or supper. Roadside food stalls even sell instant noodles which are ever popular, eaten accompanied with a cup of hot coffee or ice cold tea. These dried noodle packets are also always distributed - and are very welcome as emergency food - for refugees from volcanic eruptions or floods, not only in Indonesia but also for overseas assistance, since they are easily transported, are tasty when served hot, and are quite filling.  All one has to do is boil the noodles for 3 to 5 minutes, throw in the ingredients, add the chili powder at will, and voila : you have a tasty meal. Despite warnings that eating instant noodles for long periods will damage your digestion system,yet for the sake of convenience and its variety of tastes, these noodles continue to be popular, are cheap, and indeed, filling.  Rumor has it that Indonesia’s instant noodles have become very popular around the world and are indeed a meal with real Indoneisan taste that no Indonesian, especially when abroad, can live without.

1. A wide choice of  tasty Indonesian Flavors

All supermarkets have aisles dedicated to instant noodles from all brands. There are currently around 50 flavors of instant noodle variants available in the market, mostly with local Indonesian food flavors. This has expanded to include the taste of Asia such as Korean Bulgogi or Thai Tom Yam. The latest craze is instant noodle packets that come with real dried cuts of beef.

2. Fun Way to Cook 

Making instant noodles is easy and fun since there are so many ways to cook the different varieties.  People often enhance the dish with slices of egg, cheese, corned beef, and vegetables to meet individual preferances.  Those who prefer their noodles spicy hot will of course add more sambal and other condiments. For “Fried Noodles”, all one has to do is sieve the boiled noodles, throw in the oil, sweet soy sauce and other ingredients, that come included in the packet,  and you have: fried noodles.

3. Anytime Anywhere

Instant noodles are very easy to find when you’re traveling across Indonesia. It is also sold at small “warungs” or wayside stalls. People can eat this any time of the day at home, in the office or at street food stalls, that are easily found around every corner of any city or village.

Since 2010, the self-appointed “Ramen Rater” has sampled, reviewed, and photographed over 1750 kinds of instant noodles from around the world and  have dropped their choice on the  most favorite instant noodles of all time. The Indonesian Instant noodle “Indomie Goreng” or fried noodle came at  the top rank based on this survey. “Truly the best instant noodles I’ve ever had. I love this – the noodles are flat and very tasty. The seasonings provide a broad range of flavors. Spicy, sweet, full of good flavor” it stated. Second on the list was the “Chicken Barbeque” flavor and one in the competing brand Mie Sedap’s “Chicken Curry” flavor came in 5th.

Indonesia’s Indofood has now become the largest manufacturer of instant noodle in the world, and has starting building instant noodle factories in  the Middle East including Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia because of  its high demand from these countries and having grown into the most popular instant noodle brand, according to World Brain.com. In 2005, Indomie broke the Guinness Book of World Records for "The Largest Packet of Instant Noodles" in 2005.

Source & Picture Source : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/post/instant-indomie-noodles-indonesians-cannot-live-without

LET’S GO GLAMPING AROUND BANDUNG!

Glamping. The latest trend that has spread faster than wildfire across the globe. What exactly is it? Glamping, or “glamor camping”, is a new way to experience the outdoors without sacrificing luxury. This way, it could be a fun experience for everyone, not just for nature lovers or backpackers.

The new way to camp does not involve the arduous task of pitching tents, humongous backpacks filled with sleeping bags and outdoor tools or attempts at building a fire by rubbing sticks together. Many glamping resorts offer comfortable rooms in the shapes of tents right smack in the middle of nature, some even equipped with air conditioners and comfortable beds, kitchenware and others. It's camping without the hassle, camping in luxury, thus glamor camping.

Indonesia has not fallen behind on this global trend as West Java's Bandung offers some of the nation's best glamping sites in and around the city. Instead of staying at a plain old hotel, why not check out one of these top 5 glamping locations on your next visit to Bandung?

The Lodge Maribaya

For a more classic yet luxurious camping experience, come to The Lodge Maribaya and spend the night in one of its cute pumpkin-shaped permanently pitched tents. Each tent is equipped with two foam mattresses, a trip-protected power supply, internal light, power socket and cooling fan to ensure a good night's sleep and a pleasant stay. This site also has a lot of exciting things to do during your stay, such as trekking through the forest, camping, flying fox and other fun-tastic activities. If you have time to venture out of the camp site for a bit, only some 5 km away from the spectacular Maribaya waterfalls.

For more information, go to http://thelodgemaribaya.com

Dusun Bambu

Aspiring to be the #1 eco-tourism spot in West Java, Dusun Bambu is the perfect place for those who desire to become one with nature, but in style. The eco-park that synchronizes traditional culture and modern sustainable living is a vast green spread of shady trees, refreshing lake and fields of grass. This is an eco-tourism complex that includes a luxury camping ground that is perfect for families or groups aching for a luxury adventure in nature. Want to fancy yourself a bird? Try dining in one of Dusun Bambu's iconic Lutung Kasarung birdcages that seem to float in the air. This unique way of dining will not only be an unforgettable experience, but a perfect moment to post selfies on your social media.

For more information, go to http://dusunbambu.com

Legok Kondang Lodge

Located in the Ciwidey area to the south of Bandung, the Legok Kondang Lodge has over 20 tents available that can hold four to 10 people per tent. Each area of tents has different views, such as the hill, fish pond, garden and sunrise. Can't seem to let go of technology during your au naturel vacation? This place is complete with cable TV! So it's like staying in an awesome hotel shaped like a tent. But who wants to watch TV when there are so many other fun things to do? Here, you can go trekking, strawberry picking, rafting or take a moment to drift away from the site to visit the nearby volcanic crater known as Kawah Putih. At night, try roasting a few marshmallows in the available campfire while stargazing. Glamor or not, a campfire is a must when camping!

For more information, go to http://www.legok-kondang.com/

Trizara Resort

This is the ultimate place for luxury camping and becoming one with nature without discomfort. This site offers the experience of camping without having to “rough it out”, as the resort's web describes. This is truly a place where you can camp in glamor. The resort offers a plethora of activities to do during your stay, such as morning yoga, classic bonfires, evening barbecues, outbound games for groups, board games, zumba, boxing and many others. Be warned, there is no TV available in the rooms so you will be forced to bond with whoever you come to this resort. Is there any better way to bond with your loved ones?

For more information, go to http://www.trizara.com/

Grafika Cikole

Camping at Grafika Cikole is the closest you could get to an authentic and classic camping experience while maintaining the comfort of modern facilities. There are two types of camping locations available, one for huge groups, such as office outings, workshops, and another for families. An abundance of fun outdoor activities are also available, from flying fox to paintball. All tents here come with sleeping bags, electricity, firewood and corn. Yes, corn for you to roast on the fire! Authentic right? However, there are no private toilets, but clean toilets are available near the camping site. As we said, this is the closest to an authentic classic camping experience.

For more information, go to http://grafikacikole.com/

Source & Picture : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/post/let-s-go-glamping-around-bandung

THE JOY OF LALALA FESTIVAL AMIDST LEMBANG ‘S FRAGRANT PINE FOREST

Imagine the wonderful sensation of being caressed by mother nature while enjoying some cool and romantic music at a festival. The pine forest of Grafika Cikole in Lembang near the city of Bandung, West Java was the site where The Group, the event organizer, introduced the LALALA Festival, the first ever International Forest Festival in Indonesia,  held on Saturday, 5 November 2016.  Here you could feel the cool breeze touch your skin once you entered the venue. 

Hundreds of people were present, looking forward to their favourite artists perform. The event was divided into three stages: the Nature Stage, the Future Stage and the Lalala Stage. Despite the muddy and slippery grounds caused by heavy rains during the day, yet everyone seemed to have had great fun with their friends or lovers, exploring the many booths selling a variety of items in the festival.

Situated in Bandung’s pine forest with attractive natural surroundings and a back to nature concept, the LALALA Festival provided the best entertainment that every nature lover could wish. Performing live in the middle of the woods were Kodaline, Keith Ape, Jasmine Thompson, MYMP, Maliq & D’Essentials, Kimokal, Teza Sumendra, Payung Teduh and many more Indonesian and international artists.

MYMP, an accoustic band from the Philippines, successfully created a romantic aura in the midst of the pine forest when they played: Especially for You, a song once performed by Australian recording artists Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan.

The most anticipated artists at the LALALA Festival were Kodaline, Jasmine Thompson, MYMP, Payung Teduh, and Maliq & D’Essentials since the place was packed when they were about to appear on stage.

The pinnacle of the event was Kodaline, an Irish rock band comprising Steve Garrigan (vocal & guitar), Vincent “Vinny” May, Jr (drums), Jason Boland (bass guitar) and Mark Prendergast (on guitar). Their appearance at the  LALALA Festival was their first concert in Indonesia, which according to Kodaline official twitter account was: an incredible show! The audience sang along with Steve Garrigan, the vocalist, in almost all songs including those from their album “In a Perfect World”, that included High Hopes and Love Like This. Their magnetic performance was closed with All I Want, the song that was asked by the audience for an encore. All I Want was featured in season 9 episode on the American drama series: Grey’s Anatomy. 

Through this Festival, the event organizer supported a campaign called #GoodFestival to educate people on the importance of contributing to a healthy and clean festival by adhering to some rules, like to meticulously throwing trash in garbage bins provided, minimizing the use of plastic bags, and attending the LALALA Festival using public transport. Before the day of the festival, the event organizer also announced a list of prohibited items to be carried along to the festival, such as flammable items and fireworks since this was a forest festival.

The event venue, Grafika Cikole, is the perfect place for those who wish to have an authentic and glamorous yet classic camping experience, ensured with the comfort of modern facilities. All tents here come with sleeping bags, electricity, firewood and a supply of corncobs. Check out on glamor camping or glamping at Grafika Cikole and others glamping sites in Bandung here

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Having experienced this fantastic first Festival, all could not wait for the next Forest Festival to be held again in Bandung next year.

Source & Picture : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/post/the-joy-of-lalala-festival-amidst-lembang-s-fragrant-pine-forest