Retail Therapy in Java - I am so destressed!

Greetings from Bandung! Yep, a much awaited shopping trip for Xmas & CNY. ;) in was awesome irregardless of some last minute stupid unforeseen circumstances. Should be 'foreseen', have we not chose to 'think' it wont happen. Anyway, let's not get into that. Lesson to be learned... A matured wine may not neccesary be mature as it claimed to be.

So, Bandung, my second trip to this shopping haven. Blessed with beautiful weather with occasional short downpour before it was all sun shiny again. :) The shopping was more focus this time round. Knew exactly where to go for what. :)

Arrived early on Wed and the first stop (after breakfast at the hotel) was Rumah Mode of course. I have to constantly reminded myself to take it easy before finishing off all my $$$ on Day 1... '4 days to shop.. No need to splurge all in a day!' hahaha... Everything is simply too irresistible! This for mom, that for hubby.. OMG! It's crazy!

And today is all about Riao Street! I thought it's much busier now as compared to my first trip here. My favourite outlet along this street simply have to be 'The Secret'! This time round, found a really huge Korean supermarket plus departmental store further down the road. I still remember the last time how we braved the cold weather drizzle to hunt for mini mart only to be pointed to a 4'x4' raggedly hut for our 3-in-1 coffee & mineral water. Pathetic. We were even doubtful if they were edible! Hahaha...

I've taken some pictures. Just a pity can't upload here thru my phone. But then again, on second thought, better not. You will all be green with envy! Haha...

If you are planning a trip to Bandung, here are the clues:-

1) Jl. Riao, Jl. Dago - almost same area, plenty of shopping lining up both sides of the road. There are outlets like 'The Secret', Oasis, Rich & Famous, Heritage and plenty more. You can spend one whole day here. If that's not enough, there are more along Jl. Dago not too far away. :)
2) Jl. Doktor Setiabudi & Jl. Sukajadi - same area, plenty of shopping too. My favourite would still be Rumah Mode for better quality and more branded stuff and of course it's alfresco setting.
3) Generally there are lots of branded stuff here. Clothing mostly. Armani Exchange, Guess, CK, Nautical. But some does look pretty suspicious. You just need to look carefully.
4) Children clothings are mad cheap and cute. If you have kids, don't be too harsh with yourself if you accidentally spent everything on them. Who can blame you whn they are selling Oshkosh, Cotton On and etc dirt cheap! Even I, couldn't resist and kept wanting to get for everybody's kid until I came to this realisation... 'cute clothes for others means less goodies for me'... Go away you mind possessing cute stuff!!! Lols
5) Rental of car & driver - not necessary if group of 4 & below. Can grab a cab. Most expensive for me would be R50,000 (rm17). From Sukajadi to Jl. Riao. I may hv been charged double but it still pretty reasonable to me. For 2 days I've spent R200,000 on cab fare rather than spending R600,000 a day for driver who just drop you on one end of the road, spend whole day idling, before picking you up from the other end of the road. You may have him for whole day, but you may not have the stamina to shop whole day. It's a total waste of money! Cab are generally pretty easy to get. Just walk up to the security of any factory outlet/mall and they will hail one for you!
6) or you can stay somewhere near your preferred shopping street. Then, like me, you will get to save on transportation! I still chose to go on a cab due to that expected 'unforeseen' circumstances.. Hahaha.. Will elaborate when I get back.

That's all for now. Will update more whn I thought of anything more!

So long!