Why Not Indonesia & Japan — By, Ismael Sapoval

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.

Saint Augustine

I truly enjoy watching travel shows or even better yet documentaries about nature and exotic beautiful places on this great earth of ours. Often, I will say to my wife in the middle of one of these shows, “I want to go there!” or “Let’s go there!”

The concept or the idea of going someplace is radically different once you actually have experienced it. To experience the sounds, smells and noise of a new place personally can truly be exhilarating. A journey to a new or different place can uncompromisingly change one.

Mark Twain said that “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.” We could not agree more!

As we have journeyed at various times in our lives, we have constantly been exposed to new people, culture, lifestyle, foods and traditions. With this newness comes a more open mind to different insights and ways to see the world and how to live. Life is a wonderful gift. It really is, and as we have traveled and experienced more of the world and life, we often become overwhelmed with gratidude and appreciation for all the beautiful moments we enjoyed and people we’ve shared them with. More often than not, this is a realization that we can experience and take action now while alive and with energy. We want to live with hopefully not too many regrets by saying “we are glad we did” not “I wish we had”.

Bandung is tucked in a valley hidden among volcanic peaks. The city is probably not the first tourist attraction given the popularity of Bali and Komodo as being the most visited in Indonesia. Bandung is located at 2,500 feet above sea level and therefore not affected by some of the strong heat waves which are typical in other tropical destinations. Bandung’s average daily high temperature is about 82F and daylight is always the same: 6 A.M. to 6 P.M.!

Once upon a time, the Netherlands planted tea and coffee plantations around the Bandung area. Through these efforts the city was developed and thus it became quite a touristic center for many curious Europeans who would come to visit the plantations. Hotels and buildings were constructed in a European colonial style, so often Bandung will be referred to as the “Paris of Java”.

So yes “journeying” takes time, effort and it can be stressful and scary at times, but it is during that process that beautiful new experiences and growth takes place. The rewards and benefits far outweigh any reservations one might have. We can come back with souvenirs, pictures, memoirs, and maps but the real treasure is in who we have become.

Is is not down on any map; TRUE PLACES never are.

Herman Melville, MOBY-DICK