Rooftop Secret Garden

Two weeks ago I went on the first trip—and most likely the only one I’ll be on—of the year to Bandung. If you live in Jakarta, you would know that this is Jakartans’ top holiday destination since it’s quite close by with various cultural options to offer. That being said, I can count with one hand how many times I’ve been in this city in my entire life—counting the one time I only cruised by to look for lunch and had a quick stop at a local exhibition.

Although I was there during Valentine’s Day, honestly, the trip wasn’t a V-Day celebration in any way. It just so happens to be the only spare time I had before class started again, so I made the trip to see a friend. He’s a local, so he took me to some spots I’ve never been to before, like the Alun-Alun and Jalan Braga, but also this new-and-improved Paris van Java mall. Yes, it’s a mall, now fully equipped with a huge rooftop garden, complete with aviary zone, petting zoo, skating rink and trampoline park—which is where I had these photos taken.

Hand-me-down shirt + purse // swapped dress // old tights + boots // photos by my friend

Afterwards, we went to Alun-Alun, where we saw a vast plain in front this massive mosque where people can just chill with their family and friends. It would probably have been really wonderful and pleasant, if the weather wasn’t so horrid. The clouds were so thick and dark. Then we took a walk down to Jalan Braga, which, I believe, is the oldest part of town. It is lined with restaurants, cafés and bars on the left and right and still allows cars, which made the street feel quite crowded. As the night wears on, the street just grows more and more dense. We didn’t stay there for too long, though, except to enjoy a cup of boba tea.

To be honest, there are a lot of places I’d like to have visited on the trip—like the City Hall or Asian African Conference Museum—but, unfortunately, we only had one day to explore and, well, my friend just doesn’t share the same interest. Well, that’s okay, that just means I’d have to come back again, right?

Two weeks ago I went on the first trip—and most likely the only one I’ll be on—of the year to Bandung. If you live in Jakarta, you would know that this is Jakartans’ top holiday destination since it’s quite close by with various cultural options to offer. That being said, I can count with one hand how many times I’ve been in this city in my entire life—counting the one time I only cruised by to look for lunch and had a quick stop at a local exhibition.

Although I was there during Valentine’s Day, honestly, the trip wasn’t a V-Day celebration in any way. It just so happens to be the only spare time I had before class started again, so I made the trip to see a friend. He’s a local, so he took me to some spots I’ve never been to before, like the Alun-Alun and Jalan Braga, but also this new-and-improved Paris van Java mall. Yes, it’s a mall, now fully equipped with a huge rooftop garden, complete with aviary zone, petting zoo, skating rink and trampoline park—which is where I had these photos taken.

Hand-me-down shirt + purse // swapped dress // old tights + boots // photos by my friend

Afterwards, we went to Alun-Alun, where we saw a vast plain in front this massive mosque where people can just chill with their family and friends. It would probably have been really wonderful and pleasant, if the weather wasn’t so horrid. The clouds were so thick and dark. Then we took a walk down to Jalan Braga, which, I believe, is the oldest part of town. It is lined with restaurants, cafés and bars on the left and right and still allows cars, which made the street feel quite crowded. As the night wears on, the street just grows more and more dense. We didn’t stay there for too long, though, except to enjoy a cup of boba tea.

To be honest, there are a lot of places I’d like to have visited on the trip—like the City Hall or Asian African Conference Museum—but, unfortunately, we only had one day to explore and, well, my friend just doesn’t share the same interest. Well, that’s okay, that just means I’d have to come back again, right?