We have just returned from Bandung, Indonesia and I have been recommending this destination to all my friends and relatives. This is actually my 3rd trip there!!!! This time with my family. We had a great time so much so we are going to make this a yearly trip.

It's all shopping, shopping, shopping for me and family. Four main shopping areas are Dago, Riau, Rumah Mode (I forgot the street name, but taxi drivers will know) and Pasar Baru. Prices at the first 3 places are fixed but at Pasar Baru MUST bargain and start early like 9am.

Food is excellent here. A must try....nasi padang! If you have time, go to this two malls, Ci Walk at Cihampelas and eat the Risoles and also go to Paris Van Java mall it's very nice. Be sure to try the Martabek manis, chocolate and cheese at one of the stalls here, it's something like our Apom Balik but much better.. it's out of this world, must try! (read more...)

Ever booked any hotel accommodation online only to find out that the actual room doesn't look at all like the images advertised on the website?

Welcome to the 21st century, where everything on travel can be found online and at affordable prices. But beware, the Internet is a knowledge portal with no moderator and boundaries. Hotels will publish their nicest pictures and disgruntled patrons will write the meanest reviews. How can you tell if the information is dependable? All it takes is some research while sitting down in front of your PC and a visit to the local bookshop.

Where Do I Want to Go?

Stay home and surf the net. There are numerous travel sites you can surf to get ideas on where to go. Further information can also be obtained from the country’s tourism authority site. If you still need more opinions, visit travel blogs just by searching through Google or Technorati.

Spend an entire afternoon in ‘Borders’ book shop. Sit down at the travel section and read your way through some of the destination guides to better understand what the different destinations have to offer

Lastly, talk to friends about places they’ve gone. Try and get detailed answers, most of the time they can’t stop talking about their travels.

Diving at Redang 2006

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