Pictorial: Penang Trip (Naza Talyya Hotel)

Naza Talyya Hotel, Penang

At the beach, behind Naza Hotel Penang

View from the room 1

View from the room 2

View from the room 3

The beach is only 10 metres away...

All photos taken with Nokia E72.

My Bandung Trip: Tips and Tricks (Part 2)

The Part 1 of this entry is here.

• ACCOMMODATION
  • The most expensive hotels in Bandung are located in the middle of the city. But they are a few affordable hotels (or motels) within city limits. The best should be within the Factory Outlets (FO).
  • When I was in Bandung, I choose Sukajadi Hotel. Reasonably priced, good location (along Jalan Sukajadi), nice rooms (they even got a nice swimming pool in the middle of the hotel) and within walking distant to Paris van Java shopping centre (more on this later).
  • Since there’s a probability that you’ll do you shopping from early morning until night, hotel rooms would be used only for bathing and sleeping. So go for cheaper rooms.

• TRAVELING
  • The FOs are everywhere in Bandung, so a proper transportation and tour guide definitely a must. You can always rent a taxi, but in the long run, it would be expensive. If you’re planning to do your shopping in several days and across several locations, renting a van (or MPV as they called it in Bandung) is a good idea.
  • Let’s say your entourage consists of 7 people. Everybody can fit in a Toyota Unser or Innova. The going rate is about IDR450,000 (about RM138), including the driver, petrol, toll, unlimited destinations for 12-hours. Please bear in mind that all the driver’s meals are your responsibility. Asked him to tag along when you go for your lunch/dinner. Tipping is encouraged.
  • If you like to rent a mini bus, the going rate is IDR1,000,000 (about RM313) per 12 hours.
  • The drivers can act as your local tour guide, as they are well-versed around Bandung, and all of them can speak and understand Bahasa Malaysia. You don’t have to converse in Bahasa Indonesia to them, as sometimes it sounds funny.

• SHOPPING (originals unless stated)
  • Toko Tiga (jeans (all brands), Nike and Manchester United clothing line)).
  • Rumah Mode (fashionable FO at Jalan Setiabudi). Probably the largest Factory Outlet in Bandung. They have the so-called “Modern Bali Ethnic” interior and exterior, with restaurants like Cafe Bali, Java Bean Coffee and Rumah Makan Bumbu Desa.
  • The Heritage & Summit (Jalan Riau). Assortment of clothes.
  • Terminal Tas (lots of wallets and handbags). Definitely not original stuff.
  • Donatello and others (Jalan Dago). They sell almost the same stuff. Original.
    
  • Paris van Java shopping centre. Very modern, airy (try and shop there at night), lots of shops, Carrefour, Sogo, Nike shop (IDR599,000 or RM183 for original Manchester United current jersey), Manchester United Restaurant & Bar (I watched Fulham beat ManU 2-0 there) where they have lots of ManU official merchandise (but don’t buy the jersey ’cause for IDR800,000, it’s expensive).
  • Pasar Baru (a lot of choices for textiles and cheap too).
    

…to be continued