Spiritual Journey, Explore the Culture & Nature as well as Shopping

4days-3nights Cirebon & Bandung Tour
11-14 April 2012

Finally, our flight landed in Jakarta on Wednesday, 11 April 2012 after long distance flying (Kota Bharu, Kelantan – Kuala Lumpur – Jakarta). After finalizing all immigration issues and baggage’s claimed, we directly went out of Jakarta Airport at 12 a clock local time. Before leaving for Cirebon as our first destination, we had lunch at restaurant in the neighborhood of Jakarta Airport area; its cuisine was delicious and tasty.

The long long long trip started after lunch. We went to Cirebon by bus and stopped over in Indramayu for dinner and we were being surprised by organizer to celebrate birthday of 3 people of our group. We arrived in Cirebon at 10 pm and over night at Prima Hotel, Cirebon. Cirebon is a port city on the north coast of the Java Island and known as a city of shrimp. Cirebon also keeps out of the history of Islam culture; where one of Muslim missionaries in Java Island (Wali Songo/Wali Sembilan//Nine Apostles of Islam) who was stayed and passed away in Cirebon; He was Sunan Gunung Djati or Syarif Hidayatullah. He founded the Sultanate of Bantam as well as the port town of Cirebon; good in military and management. He died at the age of 120 in 1580.

After breakfast at hotel, we started to pilgrimage the burial place of Sunan Gunung Djati, and then continued to Kasepuhan Palace. At that Palace, every guest has an opportunity to meet the Sultan; however, on that day the Sultan had a meeting with Ministry; thus we just walked around at the Palace, that built in 1527 with mingle design & architecture of Sunda, Java, Islam/Arabic, China and Dutch. After lunch in Subang, we went directly to Bandung, and stopped over at Tangkuban Perahu volcano, the dormant volcano and famous with the legend of Dayang Sumbi & Sangkuriang. We had a unique opportunity to look down into the huge crater of a volcano, which formed about 190,000 years ago. We finalized our exploration at Padang restaurant for dinner; and dropped off at Mutiara Hotel, Bandung.

The third day morning in Bandung was the beginning for shopping. The first destination was Cibaduyut; known as the longest row of shops in Asia; the centre of leather home industry such as shoes, slipper, purse/wallet, jacket, (hand) bags & handicraft, etc, with good quality & low price. We were 26 people, and we scattered to get some stuff as per our interest. Shopping time continued to Toko Tiga; where we found the great jeans and great fashion at affordable prices. We took a break for lunch and Dzuhur praying at Masjid Al Imtizaj (Ronghe or Integration); the mosque with China architecture like a temple (from the gate to the interior design and accessories). Then we repeated our shopping at Pasar Baroe (the textile centre: baby/children/men/ladies wear, trendy Moslem clothes, underwear, batik, bags, apparels, bed sheets, bed covers, etc); where we were shopping till drop!!!…. until Pasar Baroe closed at 6 pm!!!. That day closed by dinner and backed to hotel to have a free time; some of us just relax at hotel, chitchat at coffee shop, spa or body/reflection massage.

At the last day, we had to transfer to Jakarta, backed home to Kuala Lumpur; we also stopped over at Mayang Sari shop for buying Bandung special brownies. In Jakarta we were separated into these 3 flights; the first group at the first flight at 3 pm went directly to Jakarta airport. The second & third groups that had flights at 6 & 7 pm killed their time at ITC Cempaka Mas; the shopping centre..... and...... shopping again!!!!!

Lest's see our memories...