Bandung, a dull base for an excellent Insta outing
Bandung served as the base for my day trip to Danau Kawah Putih (White Crater) and other interesting sites in the area, such as Kawah Rengganis. Bandung is Indonesia’s major technology centre, and it has some interesting Art Deco Architecture, but the charm did not go much further than that, for me. It also has a complicated traffic system resulting from a lack of road infrastructure. However, it was still the nearest suitable place for me to see the things I wanted to.
My second destination in Indonesia
After spending a few days in the previous capital, Jakarta, my journey continued to Bandung. I was taking a mini-bus there, and the journey only took about two hours. As I mentioned earlier, Bandung was not the main reason for visiting, but it was a convenient place to stay for my next-day expedition. As the bus drew closer to its final destination, I saw a sign for a barber shop, and it reminded me that it was time for another haircut. So I walked back and had that done.
Gedung Sate
It was still early in the afternoon, so I wouldn’t be able to check into my hotel yet. I took it easy on my walk to the hotel, and first I sat down for a coffee. I also passed by Gedung Sate, a neoclassical building with native elements incorporated. It was to be the seat of the Dutch East Indies Department of State-Owned Enterprises. Today, the building serves as the seat of the Governor of West Java and also houses a museum.
The following day
I had booked a day trip to Danau Kawah Putih (White Crater) and was going to be picked up in the morning. I thought I would be with a group, but it turned out to be just me and the driver. The driver was a 22-year-old tomboy girl, and she was great fun. In the end, I think she asked me more questions than I asked her, but that was ok, she was just very curious about the Western world.
The first stop was at Danau Kawah Putih, a particularly popular destination for Indonesians. At the entrance, we met a group of at least one hundred people who were on a team-building trip with their work. Danau Kawah Putih is a volcanic crater that has not been active since the 1600s. It is a sizable, highly acidic lake that changes colour from bluish to whitish green or brown, depending on the concentration of sulfur and the temperature. The sand and rocks surrounding the lake have also been leached into whitish colours through interaction with the acidic lake waters.
You are not recommended to stay down by the water for too long, because of the acid, which smells like rotten eggs. During my travels in Indonesia, this was the first volcanic site I visited, so it gave me my first impressions. However, more impressive things will come later. Anyhow, if you overlook the fact that the place is a little bit crowded, it is a bit scary—the smell, the colour, and also the fact that all the vegetation around looks dead.
Kawah Rengganis
Not too far from Danau Kawah Putih, you find the Kawah Rengganis. And first, you must cross the Rengganis Suspension Bridge. As the longest suspended bridge in Southeast Asia, it stretches an impressive 370 meters across a stunning valley, suspended 75 meters above the lush forest ground. Unlike Kawah Putih, this crater provides a more rustic and less crowded experience. The natural hot springs and mud pools are the highlights, allowing visitors to soak in warm, sulfur-rich waters and relax amidst a breathtaking natural landscape.
First, lie your body in the warm pools, and afterwards cover your body with mud. Let the mud try on your skin, and then sink into an even warmer pool of water—a very refreshing experience. You can witness the raw power of the earth as steam vents and fumaroles release hot gases into the air. These natural phenomena create a mystical atmosphere, with clouds of steam rising from the ground. After the bath, you can either walk back across the suspension bridge or you can take the zip-line across the valley.
For those that has a fear of heights, I can understand your worry. It is pretty far down, and even if you are fastened to the seat, it can feel a bit scary. But, everything has to be tried at least once. As a young asian, my guide likes to put her fingers in a peace sign and make silly faces in pictures, but I picked one where she looked normal.
Coffee farms and glamping sites.
On our way back, we stopped in a tiny coffee farm, and the woman who was home with her grandchildren was so welcoming. Here, they live a straightforward life in a small cottage with an earthen floor. She wanted to offer me food, which I declined, but I did taste some delicious fruits that I had never seen before. She also wanted to show me her coffee plants.
The last stop before returning to Bandung was at a small lake, where several glamping tents had been set up. It was very peaceful around there, with a few strawberry farms dotted around. Unfortunately, the lake was not for swimming. All in all, it had been a very lovely day; being the only guest, I could do it at my own pace.
