JAKARTA-BANDUNG : DAY TWO AND THREE

The plan for the second day was Bandung. We chartered a bus which seated about 20 people. We started the day early and moved from the hotel at about 8.00am.

BREAKFAST

Me and Syida woke up late and missed the hotel breakfast, so we asked to stop for breakfast. We stopped at this R&R on the way. We had meehoon soup/bakso. One thing that threw me off was that they know we were Malaysian, they jacked up the price. For a small bowl, they charged us, I think about RP18,0000 which is equivalent to about RM6. According to Kak Su, it was expensive for the size of the bowl. And when we asked how much the Teh Botol was, at first it was RP7000, but then suddenly it was RP8000. So an advice would be, don't look like tourist sangat, and don't calculate the conversion infront of them. Aahah. The bus had a karaoke set, so the 'elderly' karaoke-d all the way to Bandung, while we slept. It was about 2 hours drive, and we reached at about 11am.

 

BANDUNG

First destination was Pasar Baru which had textile shops and telekung and many other things. We went to the third floor I think. There were rows of textile shops. We settled down at this shop called New Angel. Ibu and Syida bought their materials for the reception dinner - beaded lace, chiffon silk and satin. I think the laces-with full beadings were about RP400,000 - 600,000 (RM150++). This shop offered the cheapest price for beaded lace on that floor. Then we went to this shop called Glamour. Ibu bought A-LOT of chiffon here, mostly for her tudungs. She also bought dark blue lace for fun. We also bought materials for the Nikah and reception dinner for Kakmyra and Lulu - chiffon silk and satin. I bought pastel colors of chiffon silk and satin for my Nikah bridesmaids here also. The chiffon ranges from RP20,000/RM6 - 40,000/RM13 according to quality (refer this entry). Satin for lining was RP15,000/RM5 per meter. I also bought white english cotton from King's Textile for RP50,0000/RM16.50 per meter. Then we stopped at this shop, can't remember the name where Ibu bought some telekungs. And a few minutes before the bus came we picked up a few big traditional brooches which we got for RP100,000/RM33 per piece.

at New Angel

it's surprising that Bapak was also into material shopping. this is him looking at materials for his suits

Roni patiently waiting for us

the mess we made at Glamour

while waiting for our bus

At about 1.30pm, our bus picked us up for lunch - again, Nasi Padang. We later went to outlets selling branded apparels. Among the shops that we went were Toko Tiga, Central Fashion and Rumah Mode. All these places were chosen by Kakmira' PIL, since they've been to Bandung quite a few times. Kakmira's MIL was excited for this part of the day. She even texted us at Pasar Baru to wrap up so we can move to these places, especially Rumah Mode. Syazwan did serious shopping. I got a shirt for Aliff and a couple of items for me - non-wedding-related.

lunch

at Rumah Mode

We left Bandung at about 7.30pm. On the way back, we stopped for dinner - burgers for a change. Tired of Nasi Padang two days in a row.

THIRD DAY

Third day was supposed to be for Invitation Cards and  Doorgifts for the reception dinner. This was the MAIN AGENDA of the trip, for me atleast.

First destination: Pasar Tebet

This place is like Wedding Card heaven. There were rows and rows of shops providing card services. Because it was just cards, we split the group to two. Me and my family stayed at Pasar Tebet, and the aunts and cousins took the other van to Pasar Mayestik and Grand Indonesia. Haris had to stay with us because there was not enough room in the second van. He didn't mind cause he had Syazwan to hang out with.

at Pasar Tebet

So, we hopped from one shop to the other to compare the prices. I brought samples of the cards that I wanted. Eventhough they have ready-made designs, most did not mind modifying and customizing their cards according to your design. This is something I noticed: there were a few shops which had airconditioning - these shops will quote higher price than shops without air conditioning, for the same design. There was one card fully covered with white lace. Cantik sangat. Tapi, RP40,000/RM13 per piece for 500 pieces. Urkkk. Pass

After circling the place for about an hour or so, we sat somewhere and compared the prices. After the short deliberation, we decided to go with Mahkota Print. The first shop we went. The guy who attended to us was Dharnoto. Very helpful and accomodating. The price quoted also very reasonable - you wouldn't get this price in Malaysia. About RP8500 per card (which is about RM2.50): size - about 1' by 1', hardcover, with ribbon. I wanted them to add a piece of lace under the ribbon, so the price per card for 500 pieces was RP9000 (about RM3). Right below than budgeted, so YEAY. Took about an hour to discuss with him the specifics and details of the cards. The card is going to be off white, with black and silver fonts. Initially, I wanted a black ribbon....Father-of-the-Bride-zilla's eyes popped out. NO black. *frust*. Then we settled on maroon, cause that would be one of the theme colors for the reception dinner. I wasn't sure with the color, I was thinking off-white, but i just let it go at the time, cause they thought the card would look dull and I realised everyone were already quite tired by then for me to argue my case. Paid RP300,000/RM99 for deposit. I will be emailing him the contents and map and will probably revisit the color of the ribbon - silently (the email will come from me ahahha). Then he'll prepare the mock-up. After that has been finalised, I'll have to pay another half. And the last half upon collection.

with Dharnoto

We went there with my dad's friend who was working with the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta, and he said they would be going back to Malaysia once a month or two months, so they volunteered to pick them up and bring them back for us. Awww. We'll see how the arrangement would be when the time comes. Overall, I was satisfied with the card. YEAY. *hopefully everything turns out perfect* After almost 3 hours at Pasar Tebet, Bapak's friend treated us to a Sunda restaurant for lunch. Nice.

yummy-licious deserts

tapai goreng

pisang goreng and chocolate

Second  destination: Pasar Mayestik (again)

Initially it was supposed to be Mangga Dua. But it was Imlek (Indonesian for CNY), and we were told 90% of the shops were closed. So, we changed the plan to go to Mangga Dua the next day, which is the last day. Last day was planned for free activity, ie, re-visiting any shops that we've been to the past few days, in case there were stuff that we haven't gotten/missed. We still have not gotten some materials that Kakmira had pesan. Can't go back to Bandung, so it was either Tanah Abang or Pasar Mayestik. We chose Pasar Mayestik . We went to Sanggar Textile. Bought a lot of cotton materials, price about RP55,000/RM18 per meter. I bought another 2 pieces of chiffon silk + satin for the Nikah Bridesmaids, found the color that I didn't find in Bandung. This time the price for the chiffon was RP8000/RM3 per meter. Murahhh gila. I see quality about the same je... haih. Whateverlah. I'll have to research about the quality of chiffon silk to see whether we got duped or not. Ahaha.

the boys tired. kesian

Third destination: SPA

We finished at about 5.30pm and headed to our Spa appointment. Looked forward sangat  for spa session after 3 days of shopping non-stop. OMG. THE BEST SPA EXPERIENCE EVER. The massage was soooooooooooo good! I took the 1 and a half hour massage + lulur package for RP 435,000/RM 145. Highlight of the day.  They had sauna, in-house swimming pool and saloon. We were rushing for time, so didn't get to enjoy all the facilitieso. Had to go back to the hotel and see the damage done after 3 days in Indonesia and shove everything in our suitcases. The place is called Taman Sari Spa. Totally recommended.

We had burger king for dinner.