Paris of Java

Third day in Bandung. Famous word from the taxi driver ...macet ... meaning traffic jam.

The past few days were public holidays here and people took the opportunity to go out and this was made worse by many folks from Jakarta driving all the way in their own cars to spend the long weekend here.

We passed along Jalan Cipaganti, an old-tree lined road, which contain quite a number outrageously luxurious houses. It is hard to imagine that these big houses, also along other famous roads, in their hundreds are to be found here. They are however mostly empty but guarded and with tall walls. They are owned by the upper classes who called these their second homes but live in Jakarta or overseas. Some of these houses are leftovers from the colonial era but renovated to modern design. Some are are converted to business, mainly restaurants and factory outlets.

Indeed during the early twentieth century colonial era, Bandung was known as "Parijs van Java" or the Paris of Java. The nick name was given because of the city's European atmosphere. That was the culmination of Dutch colonisation that lasted for some 350 years from the 17th Century.

"While the city still has some European heritage, the European feel has since then been replaced by more local colors. The name, however, is still frequently invoked to bring back the memory of the good old days when the city was a beautiful high land resort town of less than 200,000 population." Nowadays Bandung is a bit crowded, two millions to be exact, whereas the surrounding metropolis has an additional population of five millions.

Another favourite hunting place for shoppers is a place located in Sukajadi ironically called Paris van Java or PVJ. It has an European style market place. The place was crowded when we went there. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to be found although the goods are more expensive compare to factory outlets.