City walking tour in Bandung

Bandung oude gebouwen

City walk with guide in Bandung

The past revives

Bandung geschiedenis

Discovering the city of Bandung yourself is a great idea, but with the help of a local guide your city walk will be even better.
Through the stories your guide will tell you, you will see history coming back to life again.
Can you imagine how the city bustled a 100 years ago?
In colonial times, the elite, who had become rich because of the tea plantations, met here and shopped in abundance in the luxurious shopping street.

We would like to take you back in time. The stately Art Deco buildings are already waiting for you.


What’s the plan?

Kopi Aroma Bandung✔  We walk through the center of Bandung, through the old shopping streets. The city is modern and lively, and still attracts many people from all over the world to the many shops. Only now it is mainly people on a bargain hunt for cheap designer clothes.

✔ Along the way, the traces of the past are still clearly visible. The city has many Art Deco buildings. Walk the same streets as Charlie Chaplin. Think how the carriages stopped here in front of the classic hotels, so that the “lords of the tea” could enjoy an extensive “rice table” or spend the night in the old hotels that still welcome guests  today.

kopi aroma bandung✔ The most delicious coffee is made at “Kopi Aroma”. For more than 90 years, , the old family business has been selling the best coffee according to the original recipe. Look inside and you will feel like you step back in time.

✔ Since 1918 you can enjoy delicious food and coffee at Maison Bogerijen, the old patisserie of Mr L van Bogerijen. Even the governor general of the Dutch Indies used to eat here! Take a seat and taste the old Dutch pastry.


Back in time

3 hours full of art-deco, coffee and Sundanese hospitality


Good to know ✔

  • We welcome you in our beautiful city of Bandung
  • By doing the tour you will meet the past, and better understand the presence 😉
  • Private tour
  • If you have allergies or special wishes, please let me know in advance
  • For all ages

Practical information

Availability: Every day
We can start any time you like
Duration: 3 hours.
Included: guide
Languages: English
Limited places: check availability


What to bring ✔

  • Comfortable Clothes and shoes
  • Sun screen/ a hat or cap

Bethel kerk Bandung

What this history tour is about ✔

  • A nice tour in the city center
  • Interesting stories
  • Meet the past
  • Learn about history and culture
  • Try new things
  • Share our passion
  • Lots of fun and smiles
  • Ask everything you like to know
  • Pictures and memories

Book now or ask for more information>>>


 

Observatory Bosscha Lembang

Bosscha sterrenwacht Lembang

Bosscha Observatory

1920 Observatorium Lembang
The Observatory in 1928

In the mountains near Lembang, on a slope, 15 km North of Bandung, the Bosscha Observatory has been located for almost 100 years.

Ru Bosscha who graduated from the university in Delft, was the son of a German-Dutch scientist. He had a great interest in science. When he left for the Dutch East Indies in 1887 at the age of 22, the last thing his father said to him before leaving was: “If you are having a hard time over there, find strength in your love for the stars”. When Ru Bosscha died at the age of 63, the newspaper wrote that he had certainly followed this advice and that his gaze had always been directed upwards.

In 1920, Ru Bosscha was the leading force behind the establishment of the “Dutch East Indies Astronomical Association”. This association met for the first time in the famous Homann Hotel in Bandung and it was soon decided to build an observatory. The decision was put into practice and with the financial support of Bosscha the observatory was built between 1923 and 1928. Unfortunately, Ru Bosscha never got to enjoy the results of his efforts. Shortly after the construction was completed, but before the large telescope was installed, Ru Bosscha passed away.

Observatorium Bosscha in Lembang
Memorial for Bosscha

The high hills near Lembang were chosen for the construction, because it was still really dark here at night so the observations would not be polluted by light from the city.

The large telescope was built in Germany (Jena) and shipped to the Dutch East Indies in separate parts. In Lembang, the telescope was reassembled. This took more than 3 months. At that time, it was the largest telescope in the southern hemisphere.

The telescope is still in use today. Students from the university in Bandung use the telescope during their studies and to take photos of the universe.

Guided tours are held every Saturday. Enthusiastic students talk about the sun, the moon, the stars and of course the observatory. The observatory is well maintained and is popular with visitors; the guided tours are fully booked every Saturday. There is still a memorial for Ru Bosscha. If he could see how his legacy lives on after 100 years, he would certainly be proud. His love for the stars and the universe is still felt, and passed on every day.

The Zeiss telescope

sterrenwacht telescoop“FOR THE DR. K.A.R. BOSSCHA OBSERVATORY. – At the Zeiss optical factory in Jena, the gigantic astronomical telescope has been completed, intended for the Bosscha observatory in Lembang on Java. The mighty instrument, which weighs over 14,000 kg, has two main objectives, one for visual observations and one for astrophotographic recordings. An electric motor allows the telescope, together with the entire dome, to make the daily rotation. – On the left, the instrument in the Zeiss factory and on the right, the attachment of one of the large lenses, each weighing 300 kg.”

Sumatra Post, 31 December 1928 (source: delpher.nl)


telescoop Bosscha sterrenwachtGuided tour

During the guided tour, the Zeiss telescope plays an important role. The telescope is meticulously maintained and the roof of the observatory, that can be opened and rotated, so that every piece of the universe can be viewed, is still running smoothly.

It is very inspiring to see how skilled and enthousiastic the young people who provide the tour, share their knowledge. If you are in the area and are interested in astronomy or history, a visit to the observatory is definitely recommended.

The tours are only on Saturday mornings and you have to register online >>>
Be on time, because the tours are very popular.

observatorium bandung

A drawing of the placement of the telescope in 1928 (source: delpher.nl)


The “floating market” of Lembang is located near the observatory. You can eat well here>>>


 

Malabar Tea Plantation and Nimo Activity Park

theeplantage malabar

Tea Plantation and Nimo Activity Park

Around Bandung you find beautiful tea and strawberry fields. A visit (or even an overnight stay) to a tea plantation or a factory is a beautiful experience.

Malabar Tea Plantation

theeplantage bandungThe Malabar Tea Estate is located on a 2 to 3 hours drive, South of Bandung. Here you can walk through the tea terraces and enjoy beautiful views. The low tea plants with the tall trees and the mountains in the background, combined with the fresh cool mountain air, makes this a wonderful place to relax.

An old tea factory is still in operation, near the plantation. Around the factory are small houses were the workers used to live, together with somewhat larger houses that were inhabited by the supervisors. The workers who now live here grow fruit, vegetables and coffee in their gardens for their own use or to sell as extra income.
About 130 years ago Karel Albert Rudolf Bosscha started the Malabar plantation. He is well known in the area.

Ru Bosscha

plantershuis Bosscha

Karel Albert Rudolf Bosscha (he was called Ru) descended from a family of scientists. After his study in Delft, he left for the Dutch East Indies in 1887 at the age of 22. From 1895 until his death in 1928, he managed the Malabar Tea Plantation, South of Bandung.
He spoke the local languages: the Indonesian language, and the Javanese and Sundanese language. Not much is known about his private life. He never married, but according to the stories he had many children with the women on the plantation.

malabar zitkamerHe was very successful, not only did he stand out in business (Malabar became the largest and most profitable tea plantation in the Dutch East Indies), his social involvement was also very strong. He had a great interest in technology and science. He was a pioneer in the use of new techniques.
In 1895 he founded a telephone company in Bandung. This company was later taken over by the state. He was also involved in the establishment of the Technical University in Bandung and supported the establishment of a hospital where cancer could be treated. He was involved in the establishment of an electricity company and on the plantation he used modern techniques to generate energy from hydropower.

He advocated the introduction of the metric system, which meant that measurements were no longer made in “poles”, but in kilometres. In 1914 he already submitted a request to the government to introduce this system in the Dutch Indies. On his own plantation he stubbornly calculated everything in kilometres and hectares. In 1923 the government finally decided to gradually switch to the metric system.
He is also known for being the driving force behind the construction of the Bosscha observatory>> North of Bandung.
On his plantation he established a free school and built houses for his employees. In Bandung he supported the education of deaf and hearing-impaired children.


theeplantage bezoeken indonesieTea Lords

In Hella Haasse’s book “Tea Lords” the Malabar tea plantation is described as one of the plantations. Hella Haasse tells the story of the couple Rudolf Kerkhoven and Jenny Roosegaarde Bisschop, who lived on the Gamboeng tea plantation. Rudolf Kerkhoven’s nephew also appears in the novel. This is Ru Bosscha, the administrator of the Malabar tea plantation. This also makes Karel Albert Rudolf Bosscha one of the “Tea Lords”.

Overnight stay

huisjes bij malabarIt is possible to spend the night on Malabar tea estate, in a room or in a chalet close to the planter’s house. Please note that the rooms may not fully meet European expectations.
The plantations are now owned by the state-owned company PT Perkebunan Nusantara. The tea factory is still in use.


Bosscha’s grave

In 1928 Bosscha died of a stroke. He was found unconscious on the plantation and died that same night. He is buried in a mausoleum on his Malabar plantation, at a place he chose himself. In 1928, this place was still in the jungle. Now it is surrounded by the tea fields. Apart from the surroundings, it looks the same as it did almost 100 years ago.

graf Bosscha Bandung 1928  graf bosscha

Bosscha is still a well-known and respected man. We read in the old newspapers that he was regularly remembered after his death. He has left an indelible impression.

Bosscha was appointed honorary citizen of Bandung on 20 December 1920 (and still is).
The universities of Leiden-Delft-Rotterdan (Erasmus) honour scientists who have made an outstanding contribution to international cooperation between the Netherlands and the Global South, by awarding them a “Bosscha Medal”.
After Indonesia became independent, the municipality of Bandung named a street after him (the Jalan Bosscha). There is a monument with his name at the observatory in Lembang. As recently as September 2007, an asteroid was named after him: the “Karelbosscha”.

The Malabar tea plantation is definitely worth a visit. Not only because of the special story connected to the plantation, but also because of the beautiful surroundings. The fresh air and beautiful views make an unforgettable impression.


Nimo Highland Park

Nimo Highland

Near the plantation house, on the adjacent hill, a beautiful viewpoint and a tourist center is built: Nimo Highland.
Walking on a large footbridge you get a 360 degree view of the beautiful surroundings. The view is amazing.T
The restaurant is built in the Greece Santorini style, complete with blue rooftops. There is a Ferris wheel, and you can join a paintball battle and there are many other activities. Here you can relax with family or friends or be active. You can also rent a chalet.


Uitzichtpunt Malabar

uitzicht over Malabar

Hiking through the mountains

From the footbridge you can see the Malabar plantation down in the valley.
If you want, you can take a guided hike through the mountains from Malabar to Garut. Your driver will take your luggage in the car to the next hotel, so you can travel light.

Historical and Heritage tour Yogyakarta

historical heritage tour yogyakarta

Djokjakarta, 100 years ago

Travel back in time

Do you remember Jogjakarta from the stories you heard in your family? Do you have pictures from years and years ago? Now it is time to travel back in time and find the traces of the past. We are more than happy to show you Jogja around 100 years ago and tell you the stories that are still connected to the streets we walk in.

Are you ready to meet the past? You will walk the old streets where you will recognise the old buildings from the past. Sometimes still proud and beautiful, sometimes hidden and old and wrinkled. For the longer distances we will travel by becak.


What is the plan?

KITLV
Societeit De Vereeniging (met de drie puntdaken) en daarachter het gebouw van de Nederlandsch-Indische Levensverzekering en Lijfrente-Maatschappij (Nillmij) te Jogjakarta (Foto Zindler, Jogjakarta) (Creative Commons CC BY License)

We start in the centre of Jogja and walk through the old streets looking for traces from the past. The city is busy and alive, but still tells us the stories from years and years ago.

On our way we will tell you the stories that are connected to the buildings and places around us. Nowadays Jogja is known as the only city in Indonesia that is still ruled by a sultan, and is an import centre of art, education and culture.
What did Jogja look like 100 years ago? Can you imagine?

In this tour we focus on Jogjakarta around 1920. The Dutch where the colonial power. We look for the old buildings that were import in that time. Where was the centre of power? What about the churches, schools and hospital?  What were the places the upper class could be seen?

Try snacks and drinks which were already the favorites of our ancestors. You will be surprised to learn these snacks are still made in the same way as in the old days.

Afraid of getting too tired? Don’t worry, we will not only walk, but also travel by becak. A great way see everything, without getting too tired or hot.


A great experience; 3  hours full of history and culture
Move, snack and wander as they did a 100 years ago!


 

Good to know ✔

  • We welcome you in our beautiful city of Yogyakarta
  • No additional costs, the becak tour, snacks and drinks are included
  • By doing the tour you will meet the past, and better understand the presence 😉
  • Private tour
  • If you have allergies or special wishes, please let me know in advance
  • For all ages

Practical information

Availability: Every day
We can start any time you like
Duration: 3 hours.
Included: becak, guide, snacks, drink and water.
Languages: English
Limited places: check availability


What to bring ✔

Comfortable Clothes and shoes

Sun screen/ a hat or cap


What this history tour is about ✔

– A nice tour in the city centre

– Interesting stories

– Meet the past

– Learn about history and culture

– Try new things

– Share our passion

– Lots of fun and smiles

– Ask everything you like to know

– Pictures and memories

City walking tour Semarang

Semarang private tour with a guide

Your guide will bring old Semarang back to life. In Semarang there are still many old buildings with just as many interesting stories from the past. During an excursion of about 1.5 hours (about 3 km) the guide will tell you the stories behind the buildings and the old town.

In the mood for a little more action? Accompanied by a guide, you can also discover the different neighborhoods of Semarang by bicycle or even on a Vespa scooter.
Ask about the possibilities and we will arrange it for you!

Semarang Second World War tour

During this full-day excrsion you travel accompanied by an expert guide who can tell you more about the period around the Second World War.

Women and children’s prison camp

We visit a former women’s camp that was located in a Catholic orphanage. Now this is an church complex. During the war, women and children were held here under very difficult conditions.

War Cemetery

After this we go to the Kalibanteng war cemetery where more than 3100 war victims are buried. The cemetery is maintained by the Dutch War Graves Foundation. Here are two monuments to commemorate the women and children who stayed the camps.

It is also possible to visit Candi cemetery. About 1000 Dutch soldiers are buried here.

Van Deventer school

After this we go to a former shelter. After the capitulation of Japan, a power vacuum developed and the situation remained dangerous. From central Java many civilians were brought to Semarang to travel to Batavia, Singapore or further. One of the shelters was in the Van Deventer school, now called Kartini school. In addition to being a shelter, this school has a special history: This was one of the first schools for underprivileged Indonesian girls. Your guide can tell you more about this.

Visit the women camp in Ambarawa and Banjoebiroe

Barak in Ambarawa vrouwenkamp

Excursion World War II Ambarawa and Banyubiru

Banjoebiroe vrouwenkamp bezoekenkerkje bij vrouwenkamp 9 AmbarawaFor many Dutch people, memories of the Second World War are linked to Ambarawa and Banyubiru (Banjoebiroe). Thousands of mainly women and children stayed here in Japanese captivity in prison camps.
The Japanese camps 6,7, 8 and 9 and the camp Soemowono were located in Ambarawa, the women’s camps 10 and 11 in Banyubiru.

There is a growing interest among the children and grandchildren of the victims to visit the places they have heard or read about. An expert guide will take you to the past.
Unfortunately we cannot visit all locations up close, but in some places we still find memories from the past. For example, we visit a memorial, in memory of the nuns who died in the war, at the cemetery near the ecclesiastical center.

Vrouwenkamp ambarawa bezoekenIn Soemowono you can still find the old KNIL complex that was used by the Japanese as an internment camp during the Second World War and the buildings that were later built here.

It is possible to adapt the itinerary this day to your personal family history or interests. Please let us know in advance which places are linked to your family history so that the tour can be adapted accordingly.