Welcome to day three of our little Girls’ Trip to Bandung! In case you missed it, feel free to see the previous two days here and here. Today, by the way, was packed with museum visits and quality time in nature. I curated it especially for Iva, who’s basically a history geek and nature-lover. Thankfully, Bandung has both in abundance. We woke up relatively early, took a shower and made our way to breakfast on foot. However, I found breakfast to be pretty disappointing, so I’m not going to tell you where we went. The food wasn’t remarkable, yet it was significantly pricey. The service also wasn’t satisfying—it was pretty obvious that they saw us only as dollar (or rupiah) bills. But it was enough to get us moving, ’cause we had a lot of places to hit today.
Welcome to day three of our little Girls’ Trip to Bandung! In case you missed it, feel free to see the previous two days here and here. Today, by the way, was packed with museum visits and quality time in nature. I curated it especially for Iva, who’s basically a history geek and nature-lover. Thankfully, Bandung has both in abundance. We woke up relatively early, took a shower and made our way to breakfast on foot. However, I found breakfast to be pretty disappointing, so I’m not going to tell you where we went. The food wasn’t remarkable, yet it was significantly pricey. The service also wasn’t satisfying—it was pretty obvious that they saw us only as dollar (or rupiah) bills. But it was enough to get us moving, ’cause we had a lot of places to hit today.
📷 Fujifilm X-T100 with Fujinon Aspherical Superb EBC XC 15-45mm lens + ASUS ZenFone 10 50 MP f/1.9, 23.8 mm
Agenda 1: The Historic Conference
Our first stop after breakfast was the Asian-African Conference Museum, located right by Braga Street. Since the place was pretty close to our hotel (and breakfast destination), we decided to walk there too. Braga Street is Bandung’s old town, where the street leading up to it is still lined with antique buildings. Even the bank was adorned by turn-of-the-century copper railings. As we made our way there, we stopped by a couple times to have some outfit photos taken—thanks, Iva!
The museum has very particular opening hours. On Saturday when we went there, the museum is open at 9 AM to 12 PM and 1-3 PM. Weird, I know. So we briskly made our way there. The museum is free, but you’re required to fill in a form and give the purpose of your visit before you enter the museum. Each visiting hour slot has a maximum quota, though, so be sure to get there on time. And here we go.
Our first stop after breakfast was the Asian-African Conference Museum, located right by Braga Street. Since the place was pretty close to our hotel (and breakfast destination), we decided to walk there too. Braga Street is Bandung’s old town, where the street leading up to it is still lined with antique buildings. Even the bank was adorned by turn-of-the-century copper railings. As we made our way there, we stopped by a couple times to have some outfit photos taken—thanks, Iva!
The museum has very particular opening hours. On Saturday when we went there, the museum is open at 9 AM to 12 PM and 1-3 PM. Weird, I know. So we briskly made our way there. The museum is free, but you’re required to fill in a form and give the purpose of your visit before you enter the museum. Each visiting hour slot has a maximum quota, though, so be sure to get there on time. And here we go.
In case you’re not familiar with Indonesian history, let me tell you a little bit about the Asian-African Conference. It is a large-scale meeting of Asian and African states, organised by Indonesia, Burma (now Myanmar), India, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and Pakistan. It first took place in 1955 in Bandung. Twenty-nine countries participated, most of which were newly independent and represent 54% of the world population. The conference stated claims to promote Afro-Asian economic and cultural cooperation to oppose colonialism by any nation. The conference kept being held regularly for years afterwards, the last of which was held in 2005 on the 50th anniversary of the original conference. Frankly speaking, I’m not sure how much of this economic and political cooperation still stands to this day.
In case you’re not familiar with Indonesian history, let me tell you a little bit about the Asian-African Conference. It is a large-scale meeting of Asian and African states, organised by Indonesia, Burma (now Myanmar), India, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and Pakistan. It first took place in 1955 in Bandung. Twenty-nine countries participated, most of which were newly independent and represent 54% of the world population. The conference stated claims to promote Afro-Asian economic and cultural cooperation to oppose colonialism by any nation. The conference kept being held regularly for years afterwards, the last of which was held in 2005 on the 50th anniversary of the original conference. Frankly speaking, I’m not sure how much of this economic and political cooperation still stands to this day.
The museum itself looks better inside than it does outside. The exterior looks pretty unkept, but the inside is actually pretty extravagant and beautiful. As you walk in, you will be greeted by a little hall where you can see the other end of the room from exactly where you’re standing. The first exhibit shows a life-sized model of the late President Soekarno delivering his speech during the conference.
The rest of the exhibit displays the representative from each nation, the conference aims in each native language, brand collaterals for the first conference, and historic events that had happened around that era as well. Feel free to pay the museum a visit to see them for yourselves.
Initially, we thought the little hall was all there was to see in the museum. Boy, were we wrong! Apparently, we hadn’t even been to the main hall—we thought we were in the main hall! As we made our way to the exit, which was pretty roundabout actually, we were led down several hallways into this massive conference hall where the actual conference took place. It was incredibly majestic!
It was pretty unbelievable how they kept a lot of the original furniture, actually. There was a set of table and chairs where diplomatic guests were welcomed to wait before they were checked into their accommodations. And the chairs in the conference hall also all seemed authentic from the actual conferences. We noticed how the chairs on the front of the lines are so much more proper than the ones at the back—but everything are still way better than anything we have at events nowadays.
The museum itself looks better inside than it does outside. The exterior looks pretty unkept, but the inside is actually pretty extravagant and beautiful. As you walk in, you will be greeted by a little hall where you can see the other end of the room from exactly where you’re standing. The first exhibit shows a life-sized model of the late President Soekarno delivering his speech during the conference.
The rest of the exhibit displays the representative from each nation, the conference aims in each native language, brand collaterals for the first conference, and historic events that had happened around that era as well. Feel free to pay the museum a visit to see them for yourselves.
Initially, we thought the little hall was all there was to see in the museum. Boy, were we wrong! Apparently, we hadn’t even been to the main hall—we thought we were in the main hall! As we made our way to the exit, which was pretty roundabout actually, we were led down several hallways into this massive conference hall where the actual conference took place. It was incredibly majestic!
It was pretty unbelievable how they kept a lot of the original furniture, actually. There was a set of table and chairs where diplomatic guests were welcomed to wait before they were checked into their accommodations. And the chairs in the conference hall also all seemed authentic from the actual conferences. We noticed how the chairs on the front of the lines are so much more proper than the ones at the back—but everything are still way better than anything we have at events nowadays.
Thrifted shirt | hand-me-down top | Bobo Tokyo jacket + skirt (defect sale) | Roti eneng tote bag |
ASICS Unisex Gel-NYC | photos of me by Iva
Thrifted shirt | hand-me-down top | Bobo Tokyo jacket + skirt (defect sale) | Roti eneng tote bag | ASICS Unisex Gel-NYC | photos of me by Iva
Braga Break
After strolling around the museum for a while, we finally got out and decided to grab some coffee. We haven’t had our coffee fix for the day and Iva’s jetlag was catching up with her—so we walked down Braga Street in search of some coffee. Again, we didn’t really go anywhere entirely worth recommending. It was fine, but there was nothing of note on the menu, the service or ambience. It was a great chance to wind down and catch up on our separate lives (again) though.
Since we hadn’t been to Braga Street in the daylight before, we thought we’d stroll down the street some more as we made our way to our next destination. The street was devoid of vehicles on this Saturday morning–thanks to the car-free day for Braga, apparently—so we were free to walk in the middle of the street. Braga Street in the daylight feels a lot less crowded and more pleasant. It allowed us to really pay attention to whatever was available along the road—and for me, personally, it allowed me to look at all the gorgeously old architecture.
After strolling around the museum for a while, we finally got out and decided to grab some coffee. We haven’t had our coffee fix for the day and Iva’s jetlag was catching up with her—so we walked down Braga Street in search of some coffee. Again, we didn’t really go anywhere entirely worth recommending. It was fine, but there was nothing of note on the menu, the service or ambience. It was a great chance to wind down and catch up on our separate lives (again) though.
Since we hadn’t been to Braga Street in the daylight before, we thought we’d stroll down the street some more as we made our way to our next destination. The street was devoid of vehicles on this Saturday morning–thanks to the car-free day for Braga, apparently—so we were free to walk in the middle of the street. Braga Street in the daylight feels a lot less crowded and more pleasant. It allowed us to really pay attention to whatever was available along the road—and for me, personally, it allowed me to look at all the gorgeously old architecture.
There were a lot of attraction lining this street—way more than the last time I was here too. Most of them feel pretty tacky to me, not going to lie, but sometimes there are (hidden) gems that look so aesthetically pleasing and filled with items that we like. We walked into Kopi Toko Djawa (which is only one of the branches, of course) and Iva was completely taken with the little knick knacks being sold at the back. She ended up buying a few stickers that made her feel seen (LOL). The store was connected directly to a little traditional sweets and snacks store called Toko Kue Lakker. We both bought a couple things for souvenirs and ourselves. And off we went to our next destination.
There were a lot of attraction lining this street—way more than the last time I was here too. Most of them feel pretty tacky to me, not going to lie, but sometimes there are (hidden) gems that look so aesthetically pleasing and filled with items that we like. We walked into Kopi Toko Djawa (which is only one of the branches, of course) and Iva was completely taken with the little knick knacks being sold at the back. She ended up buying a few stickers that made her feel seen (LOL). The store was connected directly to a little traditional sweets and snacks store called Toko Kue Lakker. We both bought a couple things for souvenirs and ourselves. And off we went to our next destination.
Agenda 2: Satay Museum
Okay, misleading subheadline—this is not actually the satay museum. Our next destination was Gedung Sate. It is one of Bandung’s most famous landmarks. However, I feel like most people are unsure of what it is exactly. It was only as I arrived here that I realised it is actually the West Java governor’s office, but that’s only one building in this large complex. One of the other buildings houses a museum, archiving the building’s history. Talk about going meta, eh? So this is where Iva and I were headed. We were about to find out what Gedung Sate exactly is.
Okay, misleading subheadline—this is not actually the satay museum. Our next destination was Gedung Sate. It is one of Bandung’s most famous landmarks. However, I feel like most people are unsure of what it is exactly. It was only as I arrived here that I realised it is actually the West Java governor’s office, but that’s only one building in this large complex. One of the other buildings houses a museum, archiving the building’s history. Talk about going meta, eh? So this is where Iva and I were headed. We were about to find out what Gedung Sate exactly is.
Long story short, Gedung Sate is pretty much Bandung’s ground zero—this is where the town that we know today started. Although the town was outlined first by the marketplace in 1812, it wasn’t until 1920 was the plan for building a central governmental complex (Gouvernement Bedrivjen) underway. The complex consists of 14 governmental buildings on a 27 hectare (est. 67 acres), including the iconic Gedung Sate—named thus due to the 6 balls resembling a skewer on the roof. It was built by H.P. Berlage, a Dutch architecture, who claims the building to be a mix between Western and Eastern architecture.
Inside the museum, you will be able to see the models for the building complex and how it developed over the years. You could even see the inside of the walls, with sections exposing the layers underneath the concrete. There were other details about the buildings being exposed as well, such as the stained glass design—symbolising mining, agriculture and post. You are even required to watch a short film about the history of the building and the museum.
Long story short, Gedung Sate is pretty much Bandung’s ground zero—this is where the town that we know today started. Although the town was outlined first by the marketplace in 1812, it wasn’t until 1920 was the plan for building a central governmental complex (Gouvernement Bedrivjen) underway. The complex consists of 14 governmental buildings on a 27 hectare (est. 67 acres), including the iconic Gedung Sate—named thus due to the 6 balls resembling a skewer on the roof. It was built by H.P. Berlage, a Dutch architecture, who claims the building to be a mix between Western and Eastern architecture.
Inside the museum, you will be able to see the models for the building complex and how it developed over the years. You could even see the inside of the walls, with sections exposing the layers underneath the concrete. There were other details about the buildings being exposed as well, such as the stained glass design—symbolising mining, agriculture and post. You are even required to watch a short film about the history of the building and the museum.
Outside of the museum, you are pretty much free to roam the grounds and look at all the buildings, as well was the abundant nature all around you. Some of these buildings have since changed functions—some have now become the headquarters for the government-owned telecommunications company, a mosque and others I wasn’t sure of. Since they are still in use, aside from the museum, we couldn’t go inside. Perhaps we could, if we had official business, but at least on the day that we went, we couldn’t enter. It was still so satisfying to see the architecture from the outside, though. There were so many majestic details, creating a beautiful juxtaposition with the greeneries all around.
Outside of the museum, you are pretty much free to roam the grounds and look at all the buildings, as well was the abundant nature all around you. Some of these buildings have since changed functions—some have now become the headquarters for the government-owned telecommunications company, a mosque and others I wasn’t sure of. Since they are still in use, aside from the museum, we couldn’t go inside. Perhaps we could, if we had official business, but at least on the day that we went, we couldn’t enter. It was still so satisfying to see the architecture from the outside, though. There were so many majestic details, creating a beautiful juxtaposition with the greeneries all around.
Agenda 3: A Little Forest Walk
Hutan Kota Babakan Siliwangi
Our last notable destination of the day was Babakan Siliwangi City Forest. I really thought this would be the least interesting place to go, since there are so many parks in Germany already. But I forgot who I was travelling with—Iva loves hiking! In fact, she’d been here before. In the end, she ended up becoming a bit of a guide for me as we made our way up the path. We were welcomed by a little kitty when we arrived and she—I assumed it’s a she, anyway—kept us company for a while. Once she found other people, however, the traitor just walked off to someone else. Iva was completely not bitter about it—please note the sarcasm (lol). We walked all the way around the city forest while talking about all sorts of things, including the group of uni students who were in the middle of hazing down below. Needless to say, we found it in bad taste.
A little background information about Babakan Siliwangi: this city forest has been preserved this whole time for scientific purposes. Students and scientists from nearby universities are free to roam about in the forest to gather specimens and make observations of various forest creatures—especially plants. The forest path we walked on was built on top of the forest, so as not to disturb the ecosystem and allowing us to admire the surrounding nature—and ITB’s sports complex next door. Unfortunately, the forest has been shut down temporarily for maintenance not a few days after our visit. Talk about lucky!
Well, that’s about wrap up our Girls’ Trip! After the forest walk, Iva and I headed for the souvenir’s shop and met up with my sister for dinner. We had an encounter with Bandung’s nightmare weekend traffic on our way to enjoy an overcrowded traditional dessert afterwards, so well, not worth mentioning at all. The next day Iva left pretty early to spend time with her family back in Jakarta, so I spent the afternoon with my sister having lunch and coffee before I left the town. So I guess this is where I will leave you with the memories.
Thank you for following along on this trip!
Where should we go next?
Hutan Kota Babakan Siliwangi
Our last notable destination of the day was Babakan Siliwangi City Forest. I really thought this would be the least interesting place to go, since there are so many parks in Germany already. But I forgot who I was travelling with—Iva loves hiking! In fact, she’d been here before. In the end, she ended up becoming a bit of a guide for me as we made our way up the path. We were welcomed by a little kitty when we arrived and she—I assumed it’s a she, anyway—kept us company for a while. Once she found other people, however, the traitor just walked off to someone else. Iva was completely not bitter about it—please note the sarcasm (lol). We walked all the way around the city forest while talking about all sorts of things, including the group of uni students who were in the middle of hazing down below. Needless to say, we found it in bad taste.
A little background information about Babakan Siliwangi: this city forest has been preserved this whole time for scientific purposes. Students and scientists from nearby universities are free to roam about in the forest to gather specimens and make observations of various forest creatures—especially plants. The forest path we walked on was built on top of the forest, so as not to disturb the ecosystem and allowing us to admire the surrounding nature—and ITB’s sports complex next door. Unfortunately, the forest has been shut down temporarily for maintenance not a few days after our visit. Talk about lucky!
Well, that’s about wrap up our Girls’ Trip! After the forest walk, Iva and I headed for the souvenir’s shop and met up with my sister for dinner. We had an encounter with Bandung’s nightmare weekend traffic on our way to enjoy an overcrowded traditional dessert afterwards, so well, not worth mentioning at all. The next day Iva left pretty early to spend time with her family back in Jakarta, so I spent the afternoon with my sister having lunch and coffee before I left the town. So I guess this is where I will leave you with the memories.
Thank you for following along on this trip!
Where should we go next?