MONDAY, MAY 9, 2011
LOCATION: BANDUNG
AUTHOR: Phillip Taylor
Today began with visits to the Geology Museum and the Gedung Sate, the regional head office of the West Java government. The term "sate" comes from the metal spike sticking from the top of the building resembling a giant meat skewer. It would be more correct to say we "tried" to visit this building - many government officials and visitors had taken all the available parking spaces. We were informed to "come back at one o'clock." We filled the morning with a visit to the Asia Africa Museum where some of us learned the method for creating batik dyed cloth. The highlight of lunch was the exotic fishpond that was the floor of this unusual Grandia restaurant. We got to our table by way of large stepping-stones built right over the water.
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| Grandia restaurant -- fascinating rooftop pond with a great view of Bandung. |
Our afternoon visit back at the Gedung Sate featured an official meeting with a government leader. This formal meeting was followed by a climb to the top floor of the building. We were rewarded for our effort by a spectacular view of the city of Bandung.
Later, we were welcomed at a Spa/Salon where we dressed in traditional attire and posed for several group pictures.
One of the highlights of the entire trip occurred that evening when we were each handed a musical instrument called the "angklund." Though none of us had even seen the instrument before, a talented musician taught us not only to play our instrument, he conducted our impromptu orchestra through several familiar pieces.
He did not, however, lead us in our special version of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." Another highlight that evening occurred when Mrs. Benny, our Expedition Director and club president, graced us with a dance to music provided by a Balinese band.
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| View from atop Gedung Sate |
Later, we were welcomed at a Spa/Salon where we dressed in traditional attire and posed for several group pictures.
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| Very Handsome!! |
One of the highlights of the entire trip occurred that evening when we were each handed a musical instrument called the "angklund." Though none of us had even seen the instrument before, a talented musician taught us not only to play our instrument, he conducted our impromptu orchestra through several familiar pieces.
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| We won't be performing at Carnegie Hall anytime soon, but it was fun. |
He did not, however, lead us in our special version of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." Another highlight that evening occurred when Mrs. Benny, our Expedition Director and club president, graced us with a dance to music provided by a Balinese band.
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