Our final day. After breakfast we walk across the street towards Jalan Kebun Kawung. We come to this alley for one purpose.

To visit this place.

Yes, it is a bakery, well known for its delicious, moist brownies and bolens (puff). It is the specialty and the proud of Bandung.

Outside Kartika Sari. Street maestro at works.

Just nextdoor to Kartika Sari is a souveniour shops.

Among souveniours for bargain here: Wayang Golek (wooden puppets)

and local-made handcrafts

On the way back to the hotel, we made a stop to visit this new FO for some last minute shopping. Previously this lot was occupied by the Renald & Renaldi. So much change in a year.

We dropped the brownies at our Hotel and headed towards Jln Sukajadi. Since we still have time before our flight back to Malaysia, we decided to visit the next place.

The Istana Plaza. It only takes us 20 minutes brisk walking from our Hotel.

Inside Istana Plaza

I saw this fast-food outlet. Another funny brand name with double meaning (grin...). We burst with laughter when reading the menu - Pat Curly and Pat Pom Pom. No offense though. It is just me. I must stop thinking dirty. LOL.

After milling around, we made our way back to the hotel. Before checking out, we ordered something from the hotel restaurant to line our stomachs. Our quick lunch - thick strawberry juices with fried banana grated with cheese... yummy! ( I must remind myself to do some workout after this vacation, I can simply gain kilos if continue living like this!)

We were drove to the airport by the Hotel's driver. Checking-in went smoothly, and thank god we haven't burst the luggage limit. AirAsia is actually charging RM15 for every excess kg. So, to those who is planning to come here and is shop-eccentric like me, make sure that your purchases won't exceed the baggage limit. Otherwise you endup paying more for the tax, and defeat all purpose. We paid the flight tax, Rp75k each and wait in the departure lobby. Overlooking the glass panel, we saw our transport that will carry us back home is being inspected and overhauled.

5pm sharp, we were ushered into the cabin. Inside QZ7595, ready to take off. Bye-bye Bandung. See you next time!

We resume our excursion at Jalan Cihampelas and spotted these killing machines. Rifles anyone?

Across the street, we spotted this lot selling snacks. This must be their core business, as they have all sorts of kind to choose from.

There are snacks made of snake fruit (malay: buah salak), jackfruit, apples and pineapples. Sweet and fruity. Who could have think of that?

Our favourite is the crispy, smoked banana. You could choose the one with kiwi flavour, chocolate or cappucino. They also have durian's flavour, strawberry and blueberry.

Since DH is already tired and my sore feet is throbing with pain, we decided it is time to head back to the hotel for rest. We choose a cab for a decent ride, bypassing the Tarzan selling jeans.

Later that night. After a good massage (we hire hotel's masseur who charged Rp75k per pax per hour - sorry, no picture!) and a nap, we felt more revived. We took a cab which drove us to our favourite restaurant. When stopping by at the traffic light, this gentleman came up to our window and started strumming and singing. Believe me, his voice is far better, and i mean far better than most of the contestants of our local popular singing reality show. This man really got talent. We were learned that Ariel Peterpan, current Indonesia popular pop artist is once a Bandungrians and his career started as a street basker. Who knows that this guy might ended up being a superstar one day. At least, I can proudly say one day that I've rubbed shoulders with him. Aha!

After giving the singing guy Rp1000 (thank you man for the cheap-and-quick-but-awesome entertainment), without much ado the cabman drove and dropped us to our intended destination - the D'cost Seafood. We like the food so much, we decide to savour it again. The food here is a bit dry, perhaps it is influenced with the Sundanese style of cooking. Nevertheless, it was scrumptious. DH is giving a thumb's up

Much, much later. After dinner, back at the hotel, I start packing up as tomorrow will be our last day in this city. These are my shopping loots. Not much compared to last year, due to the price hikes and currency spikes.

DH's loot. Who says men don't shop?

Oh ya, I bought this wound dressing strips at a pharmacy at CiWalk earlier today to cure my blistered heels and some antacid for my stomach. By chance, I stumbled upon this remedy for people with constipation problem. I bought it too for it has a funny name, which when translated into Bahasa Malaysia it will refers to something explicit. Hahahaha... (End of Day three)

We are bypassing these beautiful paintings for sell along Braga street. I did put this in my shopping list, but considering that our house renovation is yet to start and since we will be coming back next year, I put off the idea. Braga street is the place you should be going if you are looking for cheap, gorgeous paintings. You would only have to pay around Rp100 - 300k (depends on the size) to own this piece of art.

We finally arrived at Dago Street. Previously known as Juanda Street, this place housed a number of factory outlets, and is one of the three famous street in Bandung apart to Riau Street and Setiabudi Street. Our first FO of the day is the Jetset.

Next to Jetset is Grande.

and in front of it is the Episode Factory Outlet.

Blossom FO, Seximo and Glamour, sit next to each other.

A view of Jalan Dago from Jetset. The factory outlets are scattered in this area, just next to each other. We in fact manage to rummaging them all within half a day.

We continue hopping from one FO to another, towards the end of Dago street. The shopping excursion eventually brought us to this juncture, with this pedestrian bridge hanging over us.

The staircase to heaven... (provided you break your neck on the way climbing up.. LOL!)

Since it is already lunch time, we made a stop at this corner for some meal. As usual, DH ordered his favorite meal - bakso with ceker (fried chicken feet - don't ask me why he enjoy it so much) while I settle with Siomay, the Indonesian dim-sum served with peanut sauce. It is so easy to find halal food in Bandung, food stalls are everywhere. Just be careful to choose where you want to eat, cleanliness is important so you will not end up getting a stomach upset.

Our simple lunch - from top left is the ceker, DH's bakso and my Siomay.

Give me a D, give me an A, give me a G, give me O - DAGO!

A is absolutely for me!

Coming to the end of Dago street, we stopped an Angkot and leaved the crime scene. Taking the green Angkot with Cicaheum - Ciroyom route, our next target is Cihampelas Street. We spotted nice graffiti painted along the Bandung Zoo walls.

Cihampelas street or known as the "Jeans Street" by the locals is the perfect place to find indie fashion wears. The place got its famed when local designers open denim clothing stores in the 90's, and changed the then residential areas into another favourite shopping spots. The entrepreneurs here have a very creative and unique way to promote their business; I sometimes confused my whereabouts - am I in Bandung or Disneyland?

Mr. Parker and Mr. Kent own this lot

Denim wear only for the tough one..

The entrance to CiWalk, another famous shopping complex

Cihampelas Walk, or widely known as CiWalk

DH in front one of the resto that provides unique experience. Here, the food is serve and consume in total darkness.

As we drove towards the outskirt of the city, the hectic urban ambiance gradually gives way to the cool and serene countryside as the road narrows and start climbing uphill.

The people here really utilize their land, not even a single spot will be missed. They will grow the paddy wherever possible, even to the very brim of their walls.

Horse carts seem to monopolized the public transport business in these area.

Three hours later, we arrived at Ciwidey.

En route to the Kawah Putih, our driver made a stop at this local agricultural spot to give us some strawberry picking experience.

Not interested with that (as we have many strawberry picking experience back home at Cameron Highland - in fact we have it last year during our trip to Lembang), instead I wander around to find any good shots.

Fortunate to us, the strawberry farm is located on top of a hill, overlooking this beautiful valley.

I immediately spotted these two village folks doing farming while another man selling foods on foot.

While at the other part of the village, two kids merrily flying their kite. What a calm and simple village life that they have.

Another view of the village. Lush and serene as far as your gaze goes.

we do pick up some strawberries however, just to honour our driver's insistence.

We continue our journey to Kawah Putih, just 15 minutes drive uphill from the Strawberry farm.

Kawah Putih or the 'white crater', is one of two craters that adorns the summit of Mount Patuha and part of the Indonesia active volcanos. The other crater is the Patuha crater, which lies 600m northwest of Kawah Putih. The island of West Java alone is home to twenty five volcanos, five of which contain crater lakes. The whitish blue of the hyperacidic lakewater solution is a result of condensations of several magmatic minerals and gases. Kawah Putih is relatively stable, as there is no distinctive volcanic activity being traces since 1600 A.D.

The cold, mysterious Ranca Upas. This tropical forest is situated just next to Kawah Putih, and also used for deer breeding.

We make our move to visit the next tourist spot, the Situ Patengan Lake which is located about 10km further up. En route, we are bypassing this lush tea plantation of Rancabali.

As we drove along the way, tumbling and rolling of small hills are passed, with tea shrubberies creating an impression of a wide green carpet.

Surpassing the tea plantation, the enthralling Situ Patengan Lake spreads out in front of us. Situated on the slopes of Mount Patuha, it is a favourite picnic spot, this place.

Near the main public entrance to the lake, stalls are huddled where souvenirs, refreshments and strawberries can be purchased as well as locally produced tea.

Colorful boats sit upon the shore ready to take visitors on pleasure cruises on and around the lake.

The signage that tells about the legend of the Situ Patengan Lake. This is the very place of the reunification of a long separated couple who were deeply in love. Upon their reunification, the lady ask for a boat that eventually turns into a heart-shaped island, which is later known as the Pulau Asmara (Love Island). The old folks here believe that those who encircle and drop by the island will have an everlasting love like theirs.

a lone, love boat waiting for passangers...

This place is so engross with love, 'passions' are in abundance

After milling around, we make our move back to the city. It is almost dark when we reached there (night is early in Bandung, it is already dark by 6pm). We straight to Riau Street to do some shoppings. DH in front of Heritage, one of the famous FO in Riau Street.

Like Setiabudi Street, Riau Street is also popular with its factory outlets. Among others are the Oasis, Summit, Heritage, Cascade, Renariti, Stamp, Secret, Branded Club, China's Emporium and Terminal Tas. These FOs sit next to each other along the street. Since we were already worn out from our exhaustive journey to Ciwidey, we only managed to drop by a few of them. By the way, most of the products are almost the same from one FO to another.

But my must-go spot is this small outlet in front of Oasis, where they sell cheap, imitation of designers fragrance but with high quality. With Rp45k you could get a bottle of smell-like Gucci Envy or Paris Hilton's.

At 0945 hours, 7th April 2010 - our plane is taking turn to take off from the LCCT runaway.

After flying for two hours over the blue, Java Sea, we are grateful when we finally set eyes on some green of the West Java.

Lies on a river basin and bordered by the volcanic mountain, the topography bestows the city with a good natural defense system and is one of the reason why the Dutch East India Company favours this land as their capital operations over Batavia (present day: Jakarta) in the 18th century.

The view as we are approaching the city. Being the country's third largest city with population of 2.6 million, it is a very densed metropolis where over 16 thousands of its denizens crammed into every square km.

We hold our breath as the metal bird swooped past these buildings as it lowered its landing gear.. the airport is located within the crowded town area, hence you would have a sense of feeling as if the plane will crash land into one of the buildings.. scary.

Thanks to our proficient pilots, the QZ7592 touched down smoothly and safely.

The Husein Sastranegara Airport of Bandung. Upon exiting the custom, we were picked up by the Hotel driver that brought us straight to the Hotel, located 10 minutes drive away.

Our plane refuelling before going back to Malaysia

Like our previous visit to this city, we opted to stay at the same hotel. Located in the busy street of Jalan Kebun Kawung, this hotel provide clean and neat accomodation without burning a hole in our pocket plus the conveniences. It is nearby to the 'Angkot' station (Angkot, an abbreviation of 'Angkotan Kota' which literally means 'public transport' is among the cheapest public transport here in forms of minivan minus the door). Other modes of cheap transportation you could find is the ojek (motorcycle type of taxi) and bajak (trishaw).

After checking-in, we cross the street in front of the hotel to catch one of the 'Angkot' and headed to the Pasar Baru. Pasar Baru is a 7 storey complex that housed many small shops selling all sorts of things, from foods to textiles. It is similar to our local Pasar Payang, Terengganu. Mr. Hanif inside the Angkot.