| Duration | |
| Adventure |
Jakarta japanese cafe
On my way to Bandung, I stopped in Jakarta for 3 days.
Downstairs from my hotel was a japanese style cafe.
It was comfy, quiet and I loved the food, so I just hang out there to work.
The omurice with tomato sauce and the parfait were super delicious.
Downstairs from my hotel was a japanese style cafe.
It was comfy, quiet and I loved the food, so I just hang out there to work.
The omurice with tomato sauce and the parfait were super delicious.
Independence day ceremony
As I walked around to discover Bandung, I ran into a ceremony for Indonesia independence Day.
It was super crowded, impossible to get in or see what's going on.
All of a sudden, a guard tells people to follow him. He opens a backdoor and tells everyone to fill up empty seats in the stands.
And just like that, I find myself in the grandstands, with Bandung politicians and officials.
It was super crowded, impossible to get in or see what's going on.
All of a sudden, a guard tells people to follow him. He opens a backdoor and tells everyone to fill up empty seats in the stands.
And just like that, I find myself in the grandstands, with Bandung politicians and officials.
Angkot
The local public transport in Indonesia. Similar to Jeepneys in Philippines.
Taking them was an adventure. The stops are only obvious to locals. They pick up and drop off on demand. They have a route number and destination, but I could never find the details of the route.
You give money to the driver when you get out, but they don't speak English. I barely saw any foreigner in Bandung over 2 months, and certainly not in the angkots. I looked at what other did and tried to give the same amount. I think there are 2 fares: short ride and long ride. It kind of worked most of the time.
Taking them was an adventure. The stops are only obvious to locals. They pick up and drop off on demand. They have a route number and destination, but I could never find the details of the route.
You give money to the driver when you get out, but they don't speak English. I barely saw any foreigner in Bandung over 2 months, and certainly not in the angkots. I looked at what other did and tried to give the same amount. I think there are 2 fares: short ride and long ride. It kind of worked most of the time.
Mom's artisan bakery
My kind of place. Not fancy but you could see they do things the right way.
Fresh quality ingredients. A lot of vegetables in the sandwhich. Good vinaigrette. Perfect for me.
Fresh quality ingredients. A lot of vegetables in the sandwhich. Good vinaigrette. Perfect for me.
Traffic guys
In Bandung, you see guys regulating traffic for money.
They pick a place like a turn across incoming traffic, and they do their thing.
They pick a place like a turn across incoming traffic, and they do their thing.
Library
Getting a library card is one of my favourite things to do.
There is something about it that makes you feel like a local.
I liked how people leave their shoes outside.
There is something about it that makes you feel like a local.
I liked how people leave their shoes outside.
Cats
Cat countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan
Dog countries: Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines
Dog countries: Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines
Ant colony
One day I found an ant colony in my backpack.
They was no food in the bag, apparently they liked the foam piece.
They was no food in the bag, apparently they liked the foam piece.
Bandung conference
This is what brought me to Bandung !
A few years ago, while taking an online class about Chinese culture, I learned about "the spirit of Bandung".
In 1955, 27 countries, recently freed from colonialism, met in Bandung, to discuss their place in the world.
In the middle of the cold war, they refused to pick a side. They chose mutual respect and dialogue. They refused walls, they chose bridges.
Today, the hegemony of the West is collapsing before our eyes. The ex-colonial countries, who maintained control over the world's economy and institutions until now, are finally losing their dominance, and the spirit of Bandung is more alive than ever.
BRICS is building a world where everyone has a place. A world where countries discuss like grown-ups, not bullies. A world where humans believe in a shared future, and try to build it together.
It all started in Bandung, 60 years ago.
A few years ago, while taking an online class about Chinese culture, I learned about "the spirit of Bandung".
In 1955, 27 countries, recently freed from colonialism, met in Bandung, to discuss their place in the world.
In the middle of the cold war, they refused to pick a side. They chose mutual respect and dialogue. They refused walls, they chose bridges.
Today, the hegemony of the West is collapsing before our eyes. The ex-colonial countries, who maintained control over the world's economy and institutions until now, are finally losing their dominance, and the spirit of Bandung is more alive than ever.
BRICS is building a world where everyone has a place. A world where countries discuss like grown-ups, not bullies. A world where humans believe in a shared future, and try to build it together.
It all started in Bandung, 60 years ago.
Ubi
Ubi is "sweet potato" in Indonesian. Sweet potatos are always delicious and the local one, Ubi Cilembu does not disappoint !
Bola ubi is the delicious sweet potato balls.
Bola ubi is the delicious sweet potato balls.
Poverty
This homeless guy sleeping with his kid was pretty awesome. I saw him 3 or 4 times. He was always happy and kind, taking good care of his kid. It was touching to see.
Some were more painful to watch. Those walking around digging the trash for recyclable items, carrying them on their back all day.
Some were more painful to watch. Those walking around digging the trash for recyclable items, carrying them on their back all day.
Cheese in everything
I thought France was the country of cheese 🫨
Scooter trip / Hike
This mountain in the distance, visible from my balcony, looked intriguing.
So I rented a scooter and headed in that direction.
It took 2 hours of crazy local driving, slaloming between trucks and incoming traffic, to get to the foot of the mountain.
The side of the mountain was a beautiful rural area spreading along a long road climbing uphill.
It took 2 hours of crazy local driving, slaloming between trucks and incoming traffic, to get to the foot of the mountain.
The side of the mountain was a beautiful rural area spreading along a long road climbing uphill.
I kept going as far as I could with the bike.
When the road became too rough, I left the scooter on the side and hiked to the top for a few hours.
When the road became too rough, I left the scooter on the side and hiked to the top for a few hours.
On my way back, the scooter would not start, but thankfully, a local helped and I could ride back home !
Burgreens
Sometimes a bit hit or miss, but you gotto love the vege, organic & local focus.
Shakes were delicious.
Shakes were delicious.
Small streets and alleys
Cluster headache and visa renewal
I had a cluster headache episode in Indonesia.
Thankfully it was not too bad and I was able to get an oxygen tank in my apartement.
Staying there was my best option, so I extended my visa for 1 month.
At the immigration office, I was not allowed to wear shorts and the guard gave me a traditional indonesian cloth to cover my legs.
But even indonesian don't wear those in everyday life. I think I was quite a sight !
Thankfully it was not too bad and I was able to get an oxygen tank in my apartement.
Staying there was my best option, so I extended my visa for 1 month.
At the immigration office, I was not allowed to wear shorts and the guard gave me a traditional indonesian cloth to cover my legs.
But even indonesian don't wear those in everyday life. I think I was quite a sight !
Food poisoning
In all my travels, I had food poisoning 4 times and 2 of them happened during this trip !
One time, I got a lemon juice in what seemed to be a popular local shop. A guy talked to me for 10 minutes, the ice melted, and I drank it. Not very smart. It got me stuck in bed for 2 or 3 days.
The other time, pre-cut mango from a street vendor. That mango must have been there (cut open) for a while in the sun, not smart either. 2 - 3 days of solid stomach pain again.
One time, I got a lemon juice in what seemed to be a popular local shop. A guy talked to me for 10 minutes, the ice melted, and I drank it. Not very smart. It got me stuck in bed for 2 or 3 days.
The other time, pre-cut mango from a street vendor. That mango must have been there (cut open) for a while in the sun, not smart either. 2 - 3 days of solid stomach pain again.
Everyday life
Jakarta - Bandung railway
1 year after my trip, this train line was replaced by a new high speed rail built by China.
While the West is busy figthing wars and imposing sanctions to defend their unfair privileges, China is making partnerships with 140 countries to help them build infrastucture improving people's lives.
It took 5 years to build the 150km line of tunnels and bridges across the hilly terrain. Travel time between Bandung and Jakarta was cut from 3 hours to 45 minutes. They are now 60 daily trains between the 2 cities, up from 30 before the high speed line.
While the West is busy figthing wars and imposing sanctions to defend their unfair privileges, China is making partnerships with 140 countries to help them build infrastucture improving people's lives.
It took 5 years to build the 150km line of tunnels and bridges across the hilly terrain. Travel time between Bandung and Jakarta was cut from 3 hours to 45 minutes. They are now 60 daily trains between the 2 cities, up from 30 before the high speed line.
Ikan bakar
