Journey : Jakarta - Bandung - Jogja - Bali - Lombok - Gili

I blog because I love writing. I write because I have time. And I have time because I have been sick for 5 days. So I hope this post is useful for those who want to travel to these places. 

This post is for my friends Nikita and Upik.

Bandung

For Indonesian, Bandung is famous as a place for shopping. Clothes, shoes, bags, etc. I didn't visit this city for shopping so I can't give information about where you can get quality products. 

How to get there : 

Train from Jakarta. The price was 70.000 IDR. It takes 4 hours to get there. Air conditioned. I left around 2.30 from Jakarta. 

Where to ask for information 

 Train station’s tourist information center. They have maps, information for transportation as well as tourist attractions. I stayed at my friend's house, so I didn't ask about places to stay. But I believe they can tell you where you can find them. Just be careful that local people will take advantage of you. They might give you higher price. Be firm and decide the ones you want to choose. Both for the place to stay and transport. If you speak English, they will definitely give you better service. Mark this. I proof it. If you are Indonesian, just hope that the staff is in a good mood. 

What to do

Saung angklung mang udjo

Center for learning and performing angklung, a traditional music instrument made of bamboo. In the beginning, the performance looked messy because the performers are junior students, some of them are very young. But in the end of the performance, the senior students will perform and it was marvellous. 

The price of the ticket was 60.000. The show starts at 3.30 pm. No need to reserve unless you come in a group. For more information visit this page.

Culinary

I was in Bandung only for a day (I had to go to Jogja earlier to join the cave tubing). But I went to potluck kitchen with my friend. I really liked the place. It was cozy. The food was okay. For more information visit their website or read this review

Bike

This was one of the reason why I went to Bandung. I have been following @bikebdg account at twitter. And I wanted to try biking in Bandung. The bikes were maintained very well. The one I used didn't have gear but I wasn't tired at all. The only thing that they need to improve is security. I think it is important to provide a lock for everyone who rents the bike. They are also lack of shelters. So you really have to go back to the only shelter they have to return the bike. The rent was so cheap; 3.000 IDR/hour. For for information visit this page or follow their twitter.

Horse riding 

It might sound unusual to you. But I never ride a horse before. So I tried. Around ITB area. It was quite fun. I really suggest to bring a friend. 

The owner of the horse was an old guy, but I really liked him. He shouted at me, saying that I should not be afraid to fall, or I will not learn how to ride a horse no matter how many times I try. Later, I asked him to take my pictures, and I told him that he should not be afraid to push the button or he will not get a good picture. We're even. :)) 

Drive

After I had dinner, I went to my friend's house around unpad. And he took me around dago area. He told me that I should feel Bandung at night, especially this area. And I really liked seeing the neighborhood. It was so pretty at night. He also took me to Braga street. Although we didn't stop at that time, but I'd love to hang there someday. It looks really cool. There were alot of communities (bikers, photographers etc) at night. And I think it was one of the reason why I like Bandung as a city.

Overall impression 
I think bandung is potential to be a model for other cities in Indonesia. The industry is growing pretty well, and the culture is maintained. A well known architect, Ridwan Kamil, is trying to promote this. He encourages some alternatives to change the way a city grows. Although I was quite dissappointed with the traffic; it was almost as heavy as Jakarta. They said it gets worse in the weekend. 

Jogja

How to get there

Plane, train, bus. I took train, and I could enjoy the view of rich paddy fields in west Java. The price of my ticket was 120.000 (without air conditioner).

Where to stay 

It is very easy to find hotels or homestay there. Jogja is safe, but still, don't let anyone take advantage of you. I stayed with a friend. 

Where to get information

Tourist information center. There was one in the station. Read the remark above about public service. It applies anywhere you go. 

What to do 

Eat

Just don't ask me about this. Since I love every food made in Jogja. But my favorite places are Raminten because the waiters are hot, and Pecel solo because I can find all my childhood food there. 

Bike

It was quite expensive, 75.000/day if I am not mistaken. But the bikes were really nice. Jogja is the most comfortable city to bike. The people are just more human than any other cities. Visit this website to rent bikes. 

Ramayana ballet dance performance

I've wanted to see this performance for years. I went to Jogja before but I only visited Borobudur and Prambanan for a really short time. I really enjoyed the performance. I have heard from my friends who perform traditional dance about how difficult it is to perform here. And I finally knew why. To see the schedule, visit this page. The ticket was 200.000 for VIP seat. And you don't need to reserve unless you come in a group. 

Cave tubing

This was the most impressive part of my trip. It was so fun. And so cheap. And I get to know so many people. And it is not famous among foreigners. All I want to say is it was not as exposed as any other tourist attractions in Jogja. It only costs 150.000, includes transport (air conditioned bus), snack in the morning, snack and lunch. And after the cave tubing, we went to Indrayanti beach. About the cave tubing, visit this page.
Overall impression 

I love Jogja. <3

Bali
The beauty of Bali is overrated.

How to get there :

Plane, bus. I took the plane from Jogja. But you can take a bus from Surabaya. Try airasia, just don't take mandala. all of their staffs need to be fired. 

Where to stay :

ALOT of hotels, from cheap to expensive, are spread all accross Bali. But I stay in a shared house with my friends who were studying there. This time I paid for it since I stayed for more than a week. 

What to do 

Bike

From all my decision during the trips, I regret this one the most. I don't want to refer to the service I choose, but I was so dissapointed with the service. It says the package I pay includes pick up service, but they didn't pick me up even after I say I would go to the nearest hotel where the other guests were staying, so I had to take taxi because the location was in Ubud, quite far from Denpasar. Plus after we biked, I thought they will drive me to where I stayed, but at the end I had to pay again and it was more expensive than taking taxi. My friend (she is balinese) reminded me how the people in Bali are changing because of the tourism, but it was just ridiculous. In case you want to know, I was the only Indonesian in the group. The rests were Australian and European. And the way they the owner treated me, sucks. However, I enjoyed the route, it was fresh, and we went to this plantation where we could drink chocolate, coffee and Indonesian spices. The chocolate was so delicious. But I won't use their service again if I take my little sister in the future. 

Eat

Try going to Warung pecel bu Tinuk, a small but decent place. It is on your way to the airport. Just ask people, they'll know it. My friend showed me this place. 

Shop

Don't shop in Kuta. They price is just ridiculous. Go to Sukawati Market instead. But make sure you bargain like you have no heart. Bargain for 50% off, you'll get at least 30% off from the price they offer. 

Snorkeling and diving

I didn't do this. But me and my friends went to Amed and Tulamben beach. The landscape on our way to go there were breathtaking, but the beach itself is not that pretty. The locals said they both are famous for diving. So go ahead, dive.
Overall impression 
I don't like Bali. It was messy, the roads were reconstructed to build fly overs, some balinese (not all) only want your money, and they treat foreigners better than me (especially if you're white). And I personally think this place and its market is designed for Australian. Even there was an ad about Rhonda and Ketut, that becamae famous and you can find T-shirts with 'I know you're Rhonda'. In the ad, Rhonda is an Australian woman, and Ketut is a Balinese man (a masseuse) and they are having an affair. I hate it. Find the ad here. If you can, go to other islands. Unless you want to see the culture, go ahead, visit Bali. 

Lombok & Gili

How to get there :

Plane, or motor boat from Bali. If you start from Bali, and you don't travel solo, take the boat, it saves money and energy. Take the speed boat, don't take the ship as it takes 5 hours. But if you only want to go to Lombok, taking the plane can also be an option. The plane was around 200.000 IDR, but you have to go the airport, take taxi etc. The speed boat is around 250.000 - 300.000 IDR. And you can get off at the harbor directly. It is easier if you want to go to Gili. If you take the plane to Lombok, or if you want to go to Gili from lombok, there is a Damri bus that operates regularly from the airport, and it will take you to Senggigi. But it will not go further untill the small harbor where you'll take the boat to gili islands. So you need to take taxi again from Senggigi. And the most important, don't count on the bus to GO BACK to the airport. They won't take you unless there are enough passengers.

Where to stay :

In Lombok, I stayed in Jayakarta hotel last September, it is located in Senggigi. I believe there are alot of guest houses around the area. In Gili, I stayed at Rumah kundun. Look at its review here. I really liked rumah kundun, the rooms are so wide, and clean. And it is so quiet. Again, I was the only Indonesian who stayed there at that time. My neighbours were some hot European dudes and two girls (both of them are doctors) from Germany. 

What to do

Bike
Senggigi is the best for its landscape. Every corner of it can be a post card. So when you bike there, you'd better be ready to be exited, and tired (because of the terrain). It is the best if you have mountain bike. Don't go too far if you don't think you can make it since it will be difficult to go back (unless you save the number of blue bird and express taxi to pick you up, :D). I rent a bike in Jayakarta hotel since I stayed there. It was alot of fun.
For Gili, you can't take any transportation with machine. No car, not motorbike. Only carriages and bikes. You can find bike rentals anywhere around Gili trawangan. They're quite cheap. Just don't take the carriage if you want to explore, it would be too expensive. It will take you less than an hour to go around Gili trawangan by bike.
Snorkeling

:D :D D
I found out that I could swim after I jumped to the sea for snorkeling. hahaha. The guide helped me alot, not to be panic when I'm floating, and how to breath with my mouth. It was the first, and one of the best experience I had. The price is around 100.000 for one day trip (snorkeling, and going to other gili islands). You can find this kind of service near the harbor. Just look at the sign. If you are accustomed to do it alone, try going to the area in front of Wildan restaurant. It is one of the best spot for snorkelling. Unfortunately, the coral reefs are not well maintained. They are mostly damaged. And there is only one place where you can see the turtle. My colleague said it was so much different from 10 years ago.
Eat
SEA FOOD. Gili is the place for sea food lovers. But they're quite expensive. Try going to the art market at night for dinner with more varieties. If you want to see the sunset while having drinks or dinner, go to sunset paradise bar and restaurant. On your left before you reach the sunset point in Gili. 

Party
It's anywhere in Gili trawangan, but usually there is one big party where you can drink all night, till morning. Don't even get any closer if you don't drink. Most of them are foreigners. And the music is all rasta. You like it?
Drugs
I know it is very easy to get drugs in Gili, but I highly don't recommend this. Because I talked to one of the sellers! This kid told me that I should be careful, even if I do drugs, I should be careful when I buy them. Sometimes they mix the drugs with over the counter drugs. You'll end up feeling super dizzy in the morning, and looking for the sellers. Just don't hope you can get your money back. You will not be able to find the seller because they will hide. And I tell you, there is no police officer in this island.
Sunset and sunrise
The sunset is just magical. The best if you see it from the sunset point. The sunrise is also very pretty. Go to the harbor early in the morning, and you'll find it on your right.
Overall impression 

If you're Indonesian, you might want to go to Gili after seeing Arisan movie. A part of the movie is right. Just don't expect Gili to be that quiet. But the people are so genuine (compared to the vendors in Bali). Coral reefs and turtles are endangered. Unlike Bali, gili is more famous among backpackers. And I think the most backpackers I met were from Europe. 

At the end of the trip, I was surprised how I saw some single fathers take their son/daughter to bike around gili trawangan, and read stories for them in very quiet bushes. This is just adorable. ^^ 

FYI, my laptop was stolen. After using 3 file recovery software, I could only restore these files back from the SD card in my camera.