Don't tell my mom part 2

*Warning, this time it is really a long post with lotsa pictures (well, at least longer than the previous one~~)

So I went back to the room and start forking out all the cash that I have, after doing some calculation, I have enough money to pay the room, pay airport tax and some spare cash to get around and by 'cheap' stuffs. So I am not so screwed then..hehehe.. :D but first thing the next morning, I need to find a money changer. The amount of rupiah I have won't last me for a day.

4th Dec 2011
First thing after breakfast, I made my way to Jln Asia Afrika, as some tips that I got from the locals, that is where one of the money changer is. Besides, I have not really entered the Gedung Sate. I reached the area around 8AM, and many business were not opened yet. After asking few people, I managed to locate the money changer. In the midst of searching, I ended up in Braga area, though its not fully opened yet, I can see that the area is kinda hotspot area. Few couples were having pre-wedding photoshoot, and some youngster armed with DSLR were roaming the area.

Few shops selling some great artworks are on this street

After that I completed my pending visit to Gedung Merdeka. What's interesting at this place is the building's history as it housed the first ever Asian-African Conference in 1955. Malaysia of course was not part of it as we were still on our way to independence then.

History were made here

After that, I moved on to my next destination, Gedung Sate, nope, they did not sell any sate there, it was named so because of the shape of the building central's pinnacle which resemble the shape of satay. Another building that is yet influenced by European architecture. The building now served as government office and so happened there was a cycling event that was ongoing on that day.

Across the street, there is a whole market going on. Foods, clothes, leather goods and many other stuffs were on sale. But since I am running low on cash, I just did what I enjoyed the most :) took lots and lots of pictures!!

After I had enough of look-see, I board on another angkot and make my way to the all time famous Cihampelas Walk, I must say, without an expert, I wouldn't know which jeans is a real bargain, they all look the same to me, I wouldn't be able to differentiate the quality. 


I entered the Ciwalk Mall and yet another event was ongoing at the center court. One thing that impresses me was, when it was Zuhur, there is an announcement via the mall's PA system announcing that. Though they did not put on the azan, the announcement itself put Ciwalk Mall a step above other malls that I have been to.

And in the mall, guess what I did? I watched a local movie ;) (still within my budget, besides, I'd passed a meal over a movie anytime!!). For RP35,000, the movie was well worth it. The cinema was new and classy, seats were comfortably large and the closest seat to the screen ain't that close. The movie was not a thriller movie, despite the title, it was a romantic comedy and I enjoyed it.

After the movie, I decided to make my way to Paris van Java mall, to see what so great about it. I asked for which angkot to take, but seems like it was on the opposite direction. With my 'almost good' sense of direction, I decided to walk. After a few turns, I was convinced that I am on the right way, but I was pleasantly surprised to bump into this structure :

It was in my initial list of places to see, but since I forgot to print it out, I kinda forgot about it. The architecture have many resemblance with Gedung Sate, the roof especially, because it was designed by the same architect.


It was drizzling when I left the masjid, and it got much much heavier when I am less than 500m to the mall!! I was making the booth along the streets as my pit-stops. Most of the booth sold pirated DVD, and had I not been short on cash, I would have walked back with some serious damage on my wallet.

My feet were drenched but I continued the walk to the mall. Its scary to see how fast the water level risen in the span of less than half an hour. Must be due to the poor drainage system the city had. Anyhoo, I got to the mall soaking wet!! After a quick tour, my verdict, not so great at all. The reason it was getting quite a buzz is probably due to the vast brand it houses under one roof, which we found in most malls in Klang Valley, no big deal. However, this one caught my attention. I was not a fan, but I don't think we have this in Malaysia though.

You'll never dine alone?? erk..salah team...

And that was my last stop for the day. I board onto an angkot, heading towards Geger Kalong, where I stay and plan to retire for the day. The place where I stay is like 10 mins walk from the place where the angkot drops me. Along the way, there were a lot of stalls selling lotsa street food. I dropped by to sample some :)

gerai gorengan punya FB & twitter!!

The first one Es Pisang Ijo, is actually banana wrapped in crepe like dough that is green in colour. It was then cut and mixed with shaved ice, condensed milk, syrup, chocolate rice and some other jellies. The taste was akin to ABC but not so sweet, which I like a lot. Cost ~ RP 2,000.


Next was various type of fried stuffs (gorengan). From left to right, banana wrapped in curry puffs like dough and deep fried. Second one is potato doughnut with fillings (I bought chocolate and strawberry fillings) and next to it the glutinous flour both from white and dark glutinous rice, it was rolled onto icing sugar. Each of the gorengan cost RP 500. I asked for the local name, but the moment I got onto the next store, I totally forgot about it already :P 


Last but not least is tauhu pedas, the tofu has some very spicy filling and it was dipped in batter before deep fried, this one cost RP 1,500 each. The last picture was Nasi Uduk, based on my reading, I was expecting Nasi Uduk to be like our nasi lemak, but what I got was more like Nasi Ambeng, yellow rice, with fried tempe and omelet, plus some fried beehon with it, and it cost me RP 4,000.


I did not bought the food in one go of course :) this is some of what I have tried for the 3 days I was there, that I think was interesting to share. So there it is, my journey for yet another day in Bandung. The final part will come next :O