Weekend Getaway: Hotel U Janevalla Bandung

Ah .....after five months left this blog, I am so very happy to finally write something here. Miss you, my blog:)

  

My hubby got two wedding party invitations in Bandung last week. Considering the crazy traffic from Jakarta to Bandung, it seemed it's impossible to go back and forth from Jakarta to Bandung. Then in the injury time, I browsed in the internet and found this cozy place to stay, Hotel U Janevalla on Jalan Aceh, next to Arya Duta Hotel and behind Bandung Indah Plaza.   

The hotel has an industrial design. Simple yet interesting. It's completed with a mini library (with limited books and visitors), and what the girls love would be the rooftop restaurant and swimming pool. It reminded us of a small version of Jane Orchard Hotel Singapore's rooftop swimming pool.

Athough the hotel was just open for the past three months however I saw that it was quite full. I guess that's due to the power of Traveloka, Trip Advisor, Social Media and all which give high score for this property.

One thing that disturbed us was only the breakfast. The restaurant for breakfast was too small while the hotel guests were soooo many. The hotel provided two floors for the breafast unfortunately the food and the drink were only available on ground floor while mezanine floor only had chairs for sitting. Since my family was a leyeh-leyeh group and arrived there on 8 o'clock then almost all places have already been occupied so we finally sat on mezanine floor and needed to go back and forth from one floor to another with glass and plate on our hands to get our breakfast. Gosh...it's killing me (makan jadi ga maksimal, KZL).

Hopefully the hotel will do something about the breakfast thing since this hotel is quite recommended. It has strategic location and  lovely design. Although the parking space is limited but the hotel provides a valet parking. If you're looking for an alternative hotel in Bandung, this hotel might be an option since it has instagrammable spots in many areas.  

Find more on Hotel U Janevalla here.

Semarang, The Little Netherland #3

After experiencing Airbnb properties, I think I am in love with it. Everytime we go somewhere, if it is possible I prefer to check Airbnb properties first before choose Agoda, Traveloka, or others. 

It happened when we were in Semarang. Since the girls are getting bigger so now we need 4 (four) beds for all of us. The choices will be booking 2 (two) standard rooms (not a nice choice since we will be in separate rooms) or second choice is booking a family room while not all hotels have it or they provide it with a pricey price. While at Airbnb, I can get an entire  house or an apartment with 2 (two) bedrooms for all of us with friendly prices. 

Like in Semarang, I browsed the Airbnb properties before I found this awesome villa complex at Bukit Jaya Residence, Banyumanik. Located up in the hill of Semarang therefore the view is beautiful and the weather is kind of cool. Remind me of Puncak area in West Java. 

The villa itself is located in a new complex consisting of 12 villas. The villa was equipped with fully furnished furniture, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, one is with a bathtub, a living room, a dining room and a kitchen. It also has a swimming pool facility and Mas Aris, the man who was in charge, served us with yummy breakfast. You can choose, there is Nasi Pindang, Nasi Soto, Nasi Kuning, Bubur Ayam, and many more.    

With all those excellent facilities, the property only asked me for a very reasonable price, less than 1 million. Wow. I guess it's just another lucky day for us in Semarang.  

Semarang, The Little Netherland #2

Tay Kak Sie Temple Jl Lombok

"You're not just paying for a trip,

you're paying for an experience

and a LIFETIME of memories."

Sam Poo Kong Temple

Kampung Pelangi

Where to go in Semarang?

Menu @ Teko Deko

Soto Ayam Bangkong-Kampung Pelaangi-Lawang Sewu-Sam Poo Kong Temple-Tay Kak Sie Temple-Restoran Pesta Keboen-Kota Lama Semarang-Gereja Blendoek-Spiegel Bar & Bistro-Dream Museum Zone-Teko Deko Koffiehuis. 

Spiegel Bar & Bistro

Dream Museum Zone

Semarang, The Little Netherland #1

We didn't realise  we were making memories

We just knew we were having fun.

Destination: Umbul Sidomukti, Pondok Kopi & Masjid Agung Jawa Tengah

This Semarang trip was kind of a sudden idea. Our family is really not into crazy crowd therefore we always stay home on new year's eve. Lucky us, last week people already got back to their works and kids were back to school so..yes, it's a perfect time to just enjoy our holiday peacefully.   

I love old and historical buildings and I never thought that Semarang has LOTS of grand historical buildings in many places. God. However the maintenance is not so good though but the guide at Lawang Sewu, Pak Aris, told me that the recent government seems to care more for these cultural heritage.

I really hope that when I go back to this city, Semarang has changed into the little Netherland just like what's stated in my daughters' t'shirts.  

Backpacking with Kids: Korea #3

Destination #3: Seoul

"Not all classrooms have four walls.

Through travel, the world becomes a classroom."

Seoul in Summer was kind of confusing. Sometimes the heatwave came, then suddenly the pouring rain wetted us all.  Perhaps it is not the best  time for holiday, yet the positive side is lots of favourite photo spots were empty and we could take photo shoots as many as we want. #Greedy

We really felt we're lucky when we rented Korean traditional dress (Hanbok) and walked through Bukchon Hanok Village for photo session. This place is always full of tourists but that lazy hot afternoon we only met couple of tourists.

Bukchon is  a 'house' for around 900 Korean traditional houses (Hanok). Every spot here is beautiful. Try to get lost in the alleys while enjoying the houses, the walls, the roofs, the garden and everything, you'll feel that you're sent away to Korea in hundred of years a go. Bukchon  is such a contrast with the modern city afar.

Beside Bukchon, we also dropped by at Gyeongbokgung Palace and got the opportunity to watch the changing palace guards ceremony.  

Banana Milk is the perfect drink during Korean summer

Other happening place in Seoul, it must be Myeong-dong, a heaven for skincare, cosmetics, shopping for all tourists and cosmetics sellers. Such a packed place with local products and imported products, just choose what you want. People were busy spending their money on everything. Many of them brought their luggages to put all the stuff they bought. If you're into Korean products, you'll love this place since there are many variations of skincare put in a beautiful package and sold at affordable price. Do not forget, Koreans like to give their customers some bonuses, buy 10 hand creams and get 20, buy 15 face mask and get 25, and more and more offers that will make you headache and later on you will be shocked to see your credit card bills, what the hell did I buy at Myeong-dong??? Hahaha...

I didn't shop much since I need to accompany my girls there. We just tried several cute-look-yet-yummy snacks sold by the street hawkers there.  

Seoul was the last place we visited during our eight-day of backpacking with kids. The girls were super happy. They kept saying, 'This is the best day in my life." 

All in all Korea is not only K-Pop or DraKor. It is also an alternative destination for backpacking with kids.  

"Holiday with young kids isn't about the holiday, (because let's face it, it's beyond exhausting), it's about making MEMORIES."

Exploring Indonesia: Padang & Bukit Tinggi

A breathtaking view from Grand Rocky Hotel, Bukit Tinggi 

To travel is to live.
-Hans Christian Anderson

I have been dreaming to go to Padang and finally it happenned last weekend. I went there with four of my ex college mates. We really did have a great time.

At Lembah Harau

We stayed at Grand Rocky Hotel at Bukit Tinggi. A nice hotel in a strategic area. Jam Gadang and all tourism spots are within walking distance. Unfortunately we couldn't shop at Pasar Atas or Pasar Ateh, located next to Jam Gadang, since it was burnt last October. There are still some of the products sold around the first floor of Pasar Ateh so we still could buy some stuffs with reasonable prices but imagining there used to be around 700 traders in Pasar Ateh, we really sorry that we miss the opportunity to visit such an exciting place.

At Padang Beach

At Singkarak Lake

Traveling to Padang and Bukit Tinggi means you are ready to enjoy a beautiful landscape with fresh air and of course a super delicious Padang food. If you are into valley, waterfall, lake, mountain, rice fieds, rendang, keripik sanjay, lupis, bubur kampiun, and all, Padang and Bukit Tinggi are heavens on earth for all foodies. 

Kelok 9

A short getaway that as usual brings good food for our soul.

Backpacking with Kids: Korea #2

Destination #2: Everland, Nami Island and Petite France

You need to be an adrenaline junkie when you travel with kids. 

                                                                    --Graeme Le Saux

"Let's try the roller coaster," the girls screamed while seeing the fasterst, longest roller coaster in South Korea and also the second talest wooden roller coaster in the world. While I stepped aside and calmed down my heartbeat, duh...Gusti.

Everland is the biggest themepark in South Korea owned by Samsung Group. This place is simply amazing, huge with a flower garden,  playground, a zoo with its healthy and complete animals collection, and many more. We're lucky to come on weekday so we could try almost all rides, 

Our next destination was Nami Island. A favorite place for Korea Drama movies fans. Nami Island is located in Chuncheon. The island first bought by Mr. Minn Byeong-do in 1965, he just planned to live in harmony with the nature. To achieve his life goal, he started planting lots of different trees in the area, that's the reason why  now we can enjoy the beautiful trees all around this exotic island and use it as a selfie background :) 

As of  2001, Nami Island focused its activities on nature, arts, and culture. Many events took place here, mostly  related to painting, writing, and illustration. Nami Island also collaborates with Unesco and Unicef  in order to turn this island into a child-friendly area.   

From Nami Island, we took taxi to go to Petite France (actually there's a bus to go there but the girls were already tired so we chose taxi instead). This miniature of Paris is dedicated to Saint Exupery, the writer of the legendary Little Prince story.

Every parts of the area is well crafted. You can just take pictures everywere. Almost all places are awesomely beautiful. If you're not into photo session, no worries, this place is completed with Saint Exupery museum, painting gallery, puppet show, marionette dance, and merchandise shop that is full with stuff of Little Prince. If you're a huge fan of Little Prince, this place will make you super happy.

In the end, kids won't remember the fancy toy or game you bought for them,
they will remember the time you spent with them. 

--Kevin Heath