A SOLO ESCAPE TO BANDUNG DURING THE QUIET DAYS OF TRAVEL

A SOLO ESCAPE TO BANDUNG DURING THE QUIET DAYS OF TRAVEL

It was a strange time to travel. The world was slowing down, borders were uncertain, and airports felt emptier than ever. But in the middle of all that uncertainty, I found an unexpected opportunity, a flight subscription deal that almost felt unreal. For around IDR 1.7 million, I could fly as much as I wanted for six months, paying only a small administrative fee of about IDR 20,000 per flight.

So I took it. And one destination that had been quietly calling me was Bandung.

Day 1, Arrival and the Freedom of Going Solo

Landing in Bandung felt different. The air was cooler, lighter, very different from Bali. The city sits about 2–3 hours from Jakarta by land, but it has its own personality: a mix of colonial charm, creative culture, and mountain air.

I kept things simple. Backpack only. I rented a motorbike for around IDR 80,000 per day, cheap, flexible, and perfect for exploring. Fuel was affordable too, roughly IDR 20,000–30,000 per full tank for daily use.  For accommodation, I stayed in a modest boutique hotel in the city center, around IDR 250,000–350,000 per night. Clean, comfortable, and enough for a solo traveler who just needs a place to recharge. That night, I started my ritual: exploring Bandung through food. Street food stalls, small cafes, and late-night eateries filled the streets. A simple meal, like nasi goreng or mie ayam, cost around IDR 20,000–40,000. Cheap, warm, and satisfying.

Day 2, Volcanoes and Misty Tea Fields

The next morning, I rode north to Tangkuban Perahu, about 30 km from the city center. The road slowly climbed, the air getting colder with every turn. Standing on the edge of the crater felt surreal. The massive volcanic basin stretched wide, with steam rising gently from below. The smell of sulfur lingered in the air, reminding you that this mountain is still alive.

Entrance fee was around IDR 50,000 for domestic visitors at the time, and parking was minimal. From there, I continued deeper into the highlands toward the tea plantations. The fog rolled in quietly as I reached the endless green fields. This is where Bandung truly slows down.

I stopped at a small tea stall, ordered a warm cup of local tea (around IDR 10,000–15,000), and just sat there… surrounded by silence, mist, and layers of green hills fading into the distance. No rush. No noise. Just presence.

Day 3, A Slow Morning and High Cliff

That morning, I didn’t rush. No alarm, no strict plan, just letting the day start on its own. I woke up a bit later than usual, enjoying the quiet comfort of doing nothing for a while. That’s one of the best parts of solo traveling: you move at your own pace.

By late morning, I got on my motorbike and headed toward Maribaya Hot Springs, about 45 minutes from the city center. The road took me through winding hills and cooler air, slowly leaving the busy city behind. When I arrived, the atmosphere immediately felt calmer surrounded by trees, fresh air, and the gentle sound of flowing water.

I spent some time there, just soaking in the warm mineral pools. The heat of the water mixed perfectly with the cool mountain breeze. It wasn’t just relaxing it felt like a reset.
Entrance at the time was around IDR 25,000–50,000, and it was worth every rupiah for the experience.

In the afternoon, I continued the journey to Tebing Keraton.The road got narrower and slightly more challenging, especially as I got closer to the top. But the real reward came when I arrived.

Instead of chasing sunrise like most people do, I came for the late afternoon and it turned out to be just as magical. The valley stretched endlessly in front of me, covered in layers of green forest. As the sun slowly moved lower, the light became softer, warmer, casting long shadows across the landscape.

There were fewer people compared to sunrise hours, which made the mom
ent feel more personal. Quiet. Undisturbed. Entrance fee was around IDR 15,000–25,000, and the view? Easily priceless.

Day 4, Rain, Fog, and the Journey to Kawah Putih

The last big destination was Kawah Putih, about 2 hours south of Bandung.
But this journey was different. Rain started early and didn’t stop. The road became wet, fog reduced visibility, and the temperature dropped significantly. My camera got soaked, my jacket was no longer enough, but somehow… it made the experience even more memorable.

When I finally arrived, the place looked like another planet. A white crater lake, surrounded by fog so thick it erased the horizon. The water had a pale, almost surreal color, constantly shifting depending on light and sulfur content. Entrance fee was around IDR 50,000–75,000, plus a shuttle fee to reach the crater. Despite the rain, or maybe because of it, this became one of the most unforgettable moments of the trip.

Every night, I returned to the city. I explored areas like Braga Street, where colonial buildings still stand, and visited Gedung Merdeka, beautifully lit at night. The atmosphere was calm far from the usual crowds. Simple pleasures, but they completed the experience.
 
After 3 nights and 4 days, it was time to return to Bali. But traveling during that time wasn’t simple.
Before flying, I had to take a COVID-19 swab test, something that felt unfamiliar and slightly stressful back then. Airports were quiet. Everyone wore masks. Distances were kept. It didn’t feel like normal travel, but it made the journey more meaningful.
 
This trip wasn’t just about Bandung. It was about a moment in time, when the world slowed down, and traveling felt different. Going solo made everything more personal. Every decision, every stop, every wrong turn, it was all mine. Bandung gave me everything:
mountains, mist, rain, food, silence, and a sense of freedom. And sometimes, that’s all you really need.
 

Bandung, January 2021