Holiday in Indonesia’s West Java with Singapore Airlines’ newly-launched Scoot flights

Flying from Singapore to Kertajati is an experience: from the aircraft’s window, one can see the Indonesian sea dotted with numerous islands.

The breathtaking non-metro destinations of West Java now witness an enhanced flow of tourists thanks to the newly-added Embraer flights from Scoot, the affordable carrier of Singapore Airlines. From September last year, Scoot’s carriers are being scheduled twice a week from Singapore to Kertajati in Greater Bandung.

The demand for Scoot flights from India is robust due to an increase in demand for leisure holidays to Southeast Asia. Scoot operates over 40 weekly flights from six cities in India, including Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Trivandrum, Vishakhapatnam and Amritsar.

West Java is ideal for people looking for a one week or two-week long vacation. The region is host to pristine locations that are not as explored as those in east Indonesia such as Bali. Kertajati International Airport, 188 kilometres from the Indonesian capital Jakarta, situated in the Majalengka Regency of West Java, connects Bandung, the flower city located 750 meters above sea level, that abounds with structures of cultural legacy and natural landscapes.

Besides housing historical palaces and museums, Bandung and its surrounding regions are known for their pristine beauty. What should you do once you get there?

Explore Kawah Putih crater lake

Kawah Putih, the white crater lake with turquoise waters, is a must-see. Kawah is about 45 kilometers from Bandung. There are ample transport facilities available ensuring easy connectivity. Once there, do not miss a photo opportunity in the backdrop of the bluish-green waters of the lake with mount Patuha in the vicinity and the walk way. The resort town also has plenty of restaurants to try out local cuisine. At Glamping Lakeside, a resort, step farming slopes are dotted with camping tents. Also check out a restaurant shaped like a gigantic ship nearby. The famous Rancaupas Deer Conservation Center adjoining Rancabali tea plantations is right next door. Here, you can feed the deer carrots.

Visit the Asian-African Conference Museum – Merdeka Building

The museum displays replicas and country profiles from the Bandung Conference.
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Given its historical significance, the Asian-African Conference (1955) Museum in Bandung draws people from across the world. Named Gedung Merdeka, meaning ‘freedom hall’, the museum displays replicas and country profiles from the Bandung Conference. In a bid to promote non-alignment post Cold War, leaders from Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Burma and Pakistan organised the first Asian African Conference in 1955. The 29 participating countries unanimously declared the non-aligned third block, to find solutions to their own issues. The life-size profiles of prominent leaders, library, audio visuals and communication equipment representing the socio-economic and political context of the conference and the times are special features of the museum run by the Foreign Ministry of Indonesia.

Get a history class at Gedung Sate building

The iconic Gedung Sate building in Bandung
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The iconic Gedung Sate building in Bandung is a blend of neoclassical architecture, Indonesian designs and Dutch East Indies styles. The iconic building, designed by Dutch architect J Gerber, was used for housing Dutch East Indies State-owned enterprises in 1924. The interactive museum in the basement of the building gives historical insights about Indonesia’s long colonial history through the audio visual medium. The building also signifies the long historical cultural diversity of Indonesia and influences of Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic and Christian identities. At present, the building is used as the official building of the Governor of West Java.

Dance at Saung Angklung Udjo (SAU)

The SAU cultural centre, established in 1966, is the cornerstone of cultural tourism in West Java.
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Expect the unexpected at Angklung. Located east of Bandung, the SAU cultural centre, established in 1966, is the cornerstone of cultural tourism in West Java. It offers a musical masterclass experience featuring the unique angklung, a bamboo instrument. The venue’s setting provides visitors an opportunity to engage in interactive performances. Saung Angklung Udjo, besides being a tourist attraction, is also used to educate people about Sundanese culture and traditions. The Centre is a sign of West Java’s rich cultural identity and passion to preserve the same.

Shop for Rattan

Mantera rattan workshop and manufacturing unit makes home furniture, handbags, and gift articles
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Another striking and all-pervasive feature of Bandung and nearby Cirebon city is the rattan furniture product line. Mantera rattan workshop and manufacturing unit in Cirebon makes an array of home furniture, handbags, and gift articles with rattan sourced from the forests of Sumatra and Sulawesi. The products, crafted by local artisans, are reasonably priced, and are exported to many places across Europe and the US. Visitors can pick them up from the spacious workshop, which is abuzz with activity.

Eat cookies at Bandung

Bandung is a haven for food lovers. The Paskal food market, Sultan Agung, and Soeji Dining, among a range of other outlets serve delicious local food. Paskal Food Market is a spectacular semi open-air space that boasts of over 1000 varieties of dishes. At Iga Bakar Si Jangkung, for instance, try the lamb sizzler with vegetables tossed with kekap menis, a spicy tomato soya sauce. Oyen, a dessert made of tender coconut, slivers of jackfruit, avocado, and dates, served with coconut milk and shaved ice, is yet another must-try.

The Paskal food market, Sultan Agung, and Soeji Dining serve delicious local food
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While Sultan Agung serves traditional Dutch food, Soeji Dining in Chanaya Resort pampers visitors with typical Indonesian food along with cold and hot beverages. While there, do visit Kartika Sari and Bolu Susu Lembang. Kartika is ideal for souvenir-shopping, and is popular for a variety of cookies and chocolate hampers. Bolu Susu Lembang, a manufacturer and seller of dairy products, whips up some great pastries and cheese cakes that can be enjoyed at their outlet or can be packed as take-aways.

The writer was in Kertajati (Greater Bandung), Indonesia on the invitation of Scoot.