A welcome getaway from the hectic capital of Jakarta, Bandung offers a true respite to enjoy and escape into a fantastic Indonesian experience.

Top Tourist hot spots of Bandung

Kawah Putih

Without any doubt, the top tourist attraction in Bandung is the Kawah Putih lake. This stunningly beautiful piece of paradise is situated in the highland area, around 2 hours drive from the city centre. Known for its sulphur springs, this is a must visit destination.

Gunung Batu

Located in Lembang, a short hike up this mountain gives you 360-degree views of the breathtaking Bandung valley. This is a very off-beat locale and nowhere on tourist charts – all the more reason to pay Gunung Batu a visit.

Tangkuban Perahu

This is a volcano, around 20 km away from Bandung, where though it last erupted in 2013, one can still see the steam rising from the hot water spring which is situated at the bottom of the crater. Tangkuban Perahu is definitely worth a visit if you are in or near Bandung and have the extra time at hand.

Sari Ater hot springs

Located near the Tangkuban Perahu volcano, the main attraction here are the hot springs and waterfalls which claim to have many healing properties for skin diseases, rheumatism and many more.

Geological museum

Probably one of the best places to visit in Bandung, this highly informative museum showcases the evolution of man in charts, fossils and displays, and just about everything on geology. Entry is free and is definitely worth the experience.

Culinary delights of Bandung

Apart from the famous cool year round weather, Bandung is known for its awesome drinking holes and the multitude of culinary delicacies it has to offer. Visitors, simply come into the city in hordes, especially on weekends, to savor the many fine dining options available and the fantastic street food. These carts provide simple dishes in moderate settings, made from fresh local produce, with bold and rich flavors.

Satay

No trip to Bandung is deemed to be complete without trying the satay, which is essentially grilled mutton with sweet soya sauce.

Tofu

Bandung is known to produce top quality tofu, a dish made of rice cake, turmeric, bean sprouts and gently spiced peanut sauce. This special flavor is attributed to the local water source.

Nasi timbel

This spicy and salty dish is a combo of steamed rice and side dishes like assorted fritters, steamed vegetables and sambal.

Baso tahu

Another signature street food dish of Bandung is baso tahu, which is a combination of steamed tofu, stuffed with minced fish and served with sweet soya sauce, and plenty of sambal.

Nasi padang

This is essentially a combination of pre cooked dishes served with steamed rice. The traditional dishes which accompany the padang are grilled chicken, cow liver, eggs, shrimp and some others.

Nasi goreng

Literally meaning, fried rice in Indonesian, this most popular fried pre cooked rice comes with sweet soya sauce, garlic, tamarind, chili and accompanied by egg, chicken and prawns. The taste is stronger and spicier compared to the Chinese fried rice.

Sop buntut (oxtail soup)

The very famous oxtail soup of Bandung is not very difficult to find as probably everybody is aware that it is available in Dapur Dahapati.

A generation old recipe of the sauce used in making this soup, has made this place all the more special.

Pisang goreng

Pisang goreng or fried banana is another popular dish of Bandung. Served with chocolate, cheese,batagor and sate, the best outlet for this dish is at the floating market in Lembang.

Bakso kikil

This meat ball is prepared from a special part of the cow’s leg and is extremely soft and tender and is normally served with ketchup and chili.

Bandung, these days, is considered as a modern and dynamic city, which aptly portrays the science and technology of Indonesia while retaining its distinctive cultural charm.

Jo is an adrenaline junkie and an avid globetrotter. She loves to write and started putting pen to paper at a very early age by jotting letters to her penpals. Now, she prefers to write on her blog WanderWithJo.com and share her travel tales with adventurists across the globe. She loves the great outdoors and being close to nature, among other things.

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Yogyakarta

This city is considered the hub for cultural and historical Java. Here you will find puppet makers, silversmiths, batik artisans, and so on. It is also the home of the beautiful Borobudur, a 9th-century Buddhist temple, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can also visit Prambanan, which is a Hindu temple from the same period.

While you’re temple hopping, also check out Sewu Temple, which is often overlooked by tourists.

Lake Toba

This is the largest volcanic lake in the world, and it has some breathtaking views. The island in the center of the lake is actually known as a resurgent dome.

Mount Bromo

Located in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, this volcano isn’t the highest peak in East Java, but it is the most well known. It’s a very popular hike for the more adventurous.

Tana Toraja

This region has a very different cultural view of death and is a bit world famous for their extremely unique funerals. Its people are known for their hospitality. Just don’t be surprised if you’re introduced to one of their mummified relatives.

Interestingly, while Indonesia is mostly Muslim, the denizens of Tana Toraja tend to be Christian.

Raja Ampat

This is considered to be the best diving in Indonesia, and it is similarly ranked throughout the world. Its waters are estimated to house si and more than a thousand species of marine life.

Komodo National Park

You’ve probably heard of the incredible Komodo dragon. Well, here is their home. These large reptiles have a very unique way of taking down their prey, which can be as large as a water buffalo. Their saliva is filled with bacteria. They will lay in wait, bite their victim, and follow them for days as the infection takes hold, becomes systemic, and causes their death.

Another fascinating creature on the island is a flying fox. These large fruit bats sometimes fill the night sky in large numbers.

This is also another great diving spot.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

Ubud is a popular place on Bali, especially for those looking to practice yoga and explore their spirituality. While visiting here, make sure to make a stop at this special sanctuary. The monkey forest is not just a place to view monkeys up close, but it also promotes harmony between humans and the natural world.

The monkeys are quite accustomed to the presence of humans. You can buy bananas at the entrance if you’d like to feed these very bold critters. Make sure to follow the visitor center’s guidelines about hiding sunglasses, food, etc. They can be quite brazen and are very fond of shiny objects.

Sanur

If you do happen to visit Bali, I can recommend this city. There are some very nice, calm beaches, and the vibe is much more relaxed. We happened upon a couple of Hindu ceremonies while walking along the beach which really added to the whole experience.

If you find yourself needing a break from local fare, they have a really fantastic Japanese restaurant that I highly recommend.

These are just some of the interesting places to visit in Indonesia. Make sure to plan plenty of time to explore this wonderful country.

Have you been to Indonesia? Which is your favorite area?

“Travel is very subjective. What one person loves, another loathes.” – Robin Leach

Before we headed to Bali most of the information I had read and heard from others was quite glowing. I kept thinking Really? because it sounded so incredibly touristy to me. But a couple of travelers I know and respect really liked it, and I decided to go and find out for myself.

Ubud

We decided to begin our journey here because it is appropriately referred to as the art and culture capital of Bali. One of my main goals was to take a painting class while there.

I really enjoyed all the sculptures and carvings that are virtually everywhere around Ubud. We also enjoyed the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. It was really fun to see monkeys close up and not have to be looking through a cage.

We had a little bit of excitement during our second visit when one of the monkeys decided to climb up my leg and back. He thoroughly searched my camera for any signs of food before settling down on my shoulder. It was a bit nerve wracking as they tell you not to make any sudden movements or get excited if a monkey climbs on you. “Their behavior can be unpredictable.” Not encouraging!

Things got even more interesting when a second monkey decided to join his friend where they promptly had a bit of a disagreement. When they finally decided to move on, I was no worse for the wear. Although I wasn’t too fond of the parting fecal gift they left on my shirt.

After 3-4 days, though, I was completely over Ubud.

I kept trying to find the hidden charm, but, well. . . I couldn’t find it. Sure, the countryside is quite beautiful with the rice paddies and small villages, but that’s nothing special to southeast Asia. Ubud seems mostly for people who are yoga nuts, on an alternative spiritual path, or people who want to live like royalty while paying very little.

Besides that not being a way of life I enjoy, I have all kinds of ethical issues with that kind of lifestyle in less-developed areas. Don’t get me started.

Overall, the Ubud area felt . . . “put on” to me. I will say, though, their touts are some of the least annoying. Generally, a shake of the head or a no thank you is all it takes.

If you do go to Ubud, I’d recommend Gunung Merta Bungalows. It’s one of the best places we’ve ever stayed. Ask for an upstairs room. They’re absolutely wonderful.

Padang Padang Beach/Uluwatu

Tigger wanted to surf, and we were both ready for some beach time. We headed here on a friend’s recommendation. The beach was lovely, and the waves were perfect for a beginning surfer like my son. Unfortunately, it’s an area that really requires motorized transportation for any stay more than a few days.

Legian

We headed to the tourist-packed beaches of the Kuta area next. Mostly we came here so Tigger could spend more time on the waves while being within walking distance of more food options and areas to explore.

Since we had arrived prior to high season, it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been, but OH MY! The beach and waves are pretty decent, but the touts are incredibly annoying. Laying on the sand with your eyes closed will not stop them. They don’t accept the word “no,” and the same people will come back 5000 times to try to sell you the same thing.

Walking around town is even worse.

This area has the most aggressive touts I’ve come across yet. They will grab onto you and/or your kid, follow you, and will even try to block the narrow sidewalk so that you can’t get past them. Thankfully, I’m a big guy. When my pace didn’t alter, they thought it wise to move out of my way.

I understand they’re trying to make a living, but at least be respectful. Had this just been a peculiar part of Balinese culture, I could’ve handled it more, but we hadn’t experienced this type of behavior anywhere else in Bali. It got to the point where I had to clench my jaws when walking through the unavoidable tout gauntlet to keep from yelling I SAID NO! or body slamming the next person who tried to block the way.

Sanur

Having heard that the tourists were easier to escape here, and that the general vibe was better, we headed to Sanur with high hopes. We found a place that was outside of the tourist zone but still within walking distance of the beaches. This area has a lovely boardwalk along the beach, and it was really fun to walk along it.

Until the time we decided to head in the other direction on the boardwalk and ended up in the resort area. While the touts weren’t as aggressive as those in Legian, they were only a step below.

The night market is wonderful! This was probably the best food we’ve had during our whole time in Bali. We also found a nice Japanese restaurant with a great ambiance. The food was really good, even for my finicky child. He even asked to go back!

We stayed at Dewi Dewi Villas and really liked it. It’s very quiet, and there is a cultural center just down the street where they have frequent performances and is all locals. The room is large, has a refrigerator, hot water with good pressure, and the pool is literally 2 steps from your door. They serve a nice breakfast in the morning, and their WiFi was the best we’ve experienced in Bali.

Bottom line

Generally speaking, the food in Bali is nothing special. Especially after spending time in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. I found it to be pretty boring.

I basically can’t encourage people to come to the island. Indonesia has some truly amazing areas, and I think a person’s time and money are better spent exploring other parts of the country.

If you do plan on spending time in Bali, I would recommend only planning on 3-5 days. Alternatively, head away from the southern part of the island. All the locals I spoke to recommended going up north to Amed and Munduk where you’ll more likely get a better experience of all that is the Island of Gods.

Have you spent time in Bali? What are your recommendations?

Friends and people who have been following along on our journey were probably surprised we came to Bali. After all, I make it no secret I’m not fond of ultra touristy spots. Some you just have to see for yourself (Paris and Marrakech for starters), but generally I avoid them. So why the Island of the Gods?

Curiosity.

Yes, that’s right. I had absolutely no plans to visit the island until two fellow bloggers who I respect shared their love for it. We tend to have some similar travel styles, so I figured it was worth checking out. We began in Ubud which is supposed to be more tolerable and the island’s seat for culture and cuisine.

I liked it. For the first few days.

About day 4 or 5 I was over it and trying to figure out where else to go. Our flight to Australia begins in Bali, so we have to be on the island. At first I understood why so many people really like it. But it wasn’t long before I was thinking “People really like this place?”

Don’t get me wrong. Ubud is quite beautiful. We had a lot of fun in the Monkey Forest Sanctuary, even if one did leave me a rather rude present on my shirt. Like we usually do, we stayed outside of the tourist zone, which is probably how I could handle it for as many days as I did.

By day 9, though, I was ready to scream at the next person who asked if I wanted a taxi or a massage.

Food was also disappointing. We did find a great burrito place, which Tigger was craving, and we ended up eating there 3 times. However, the Balinese and Indonesian food we had just couldn’t compare to the food trifecta of Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. I ended up not taking a cooking class because I just didn’t find the food interesting enough.

One of the things I wanted to do when we came here was take a painting class. I’ve taken a couple of watercolor classes, and I really enjoy painting and drawing. I haven’t worked with acrylics yet, and when fellow travel blogger Val shared her experience of taking a painting class, I thought “That’s what I want to do when I’m there!” Bali has a plethora of artists, and I figured this would be the perfect place.

I found this teacher while Tigger and I were doing our best to get lost. There was a small gallery with a sign in the window for painting lessons.

I had expected to learn a few techniques and that would be it. While he’s an accomplished traditional Balinese painter, he loves doing abstract paintings. I sat down in front of an empty canvas as he asked me what colors I wanted.

What?

I figured he’d put something in front of me like a bowl of fruit or something, hand me a brush, and away we’d go. I was going to do abstract art? Not normally my cup of tea.

“Ummm.” I had no clue what colors I wanted to work with. How was I supposed to know? I just went with the first 2 colors that came to mind and picked green and blue.

He set some things up, handed me a palette knife, and showed me some techniques. I stared at my canvas.

“Pick a point of focus and begin there.”

Yeah. A point of focus. That makes sense. A point of focus. Yeah. Right.

That’s when I discovered something I never really realized about myself: I have a very ordered mind. Sure, I easily “think outside the box.” It’s something past employers have always commented on. And, I do love writing fantasy and even wrote a fantasy novel! But when I write, I don’t use outlines. I have a thought, I let the flow begin, and off I go! And I’m very open-minded about things. Ordered minds don’t work that way do they?

But to just paint. . . nothing?

Perhaps I have a structured mind. Maybe that’s a better descriptor.

I looked at his smiling face and glanced back at my almost bare canvas. What the hell do I do now! I wondered. Why was this so freaking hard? I can take a blank page and write like crazy. When I have a camera in my hand, I can see all kinds of things. Put some ingredients in front of me, and I can usually turn them into something delicious.

But this. . . this was different.

And I have no idea why.

I decided to just go ahead and follow the same principle I use in writing: Just write. I picked up the knife, slapped some color on the canvas, and made a shape. Boring! I thought. Then I did it again. And again. Suddenly, something opened up. I started feeling what colors I needed. I let my hand just do its own thing and removed myself from the process.

Then it was fun. A smile crept onto my face, and I loosened up. As my painting began to take shape, I started feeling it more. I felt like I was actually creating something, and my spirit soared.

I have always loved how art can take us into the deep recesses of our core and expose us to ourselves. The act of creating is something powerful. Whether that be cooking, writing, drawing, photography, or painting. Art brings healing and frees us from our self-inflicted prisons. Drawing was pivotal to my healing process after my suicide attempt.

What I learned about myself is that I need to pursue this passion more. I need to dedicate more time to practice the various forms of art that I enjoy. To create. And I need to help my mind break out from structure more.

Bali may not be responsible for this epiphany, but I’m kind of glad it happened here.