CAMPING

Unforgettable nights under the tea leaves: My 2D1N adventure in Bandung, Indonesia.

1. 3,5 hours on the way

We departed from Bandung around 2:30 PM because I had other agendas from morning till noon. Actually, we rented a plot at the tea plantation and could check-in starting at 2:00 PM. According to Google Maps, the distance from Bandung City to the location is 58 km and can be reached in 2.5 hours. So, based on the estimate, if we leave at 2:30 PM, we should arrive around 5:00 PM. Here is the location and name of the place. You can check their Instagram here: 'Camping Nyampay'

Just as we thought we were almost there, disaster struck! We hit a massive traffic jam! By 6:00 PM, we were still crawling along, despite being so close. The last 5 km felt like an eternity, and to make matters worse, it was already pitch black.

We were in the Y2 area.

We finally pitched our tent around 6:10 PM, just as the rain was pouring down. We got soaked! Since I was camping with a friend, we set up separate tents. It took us about half an hour to get everything up and running. Once we were settled, I tidied up and got ready for the night ahead. We had some fun plans lined up!

2. Night Activities

Around 7:00 PM, we had finished getting ready and were set for dinner. We were extremely hungry!!! I brought an electric pan to make cooking easier and to avoid the smell of smoke. Power outlets and terminals were also available for rent. We relaxed and chatted casually because we planned to explore the area around 8:00 PM. The temperature was cool, but not freezing, probably around 16-17 degrees Celsius.

After dinner, we decided to take a walk around the campsite. Wow, it was buzzing! There were tons of tents, and it felt like the whole community was out and about. We didn't feel a bit lonely. Most people were camping with big groups or families, while we were just a duo, haha! The atmosphere was lively, with some people singing, others BBQing, and even a few hosting events with microphones. We wandered across the bridges that connected the different tent areas and took in the sights and sounds of the river flowing beneath us.

After 30 minutes of exploring the campsite, we decided to head back to our tent and continue playing truth or dare, as well as the life question cards. This was INSANE! It was so much fun! It's a great way to get closer to your friends, family, or partner!

We played cards until 22:30, plowing through the whole deck! I have to admit, I've never been this vulnerable and honest with someone before. But we made a pact to keep our conversations on the down-low!

At 11:00 PM, we retreated to our respective tents to rest and sleep, as we had plans to explore the tea plantation and hills the next day. I changed into my sleepwear inside the tent, too lazy to head to the toilet. I wore leggings, a t-shirt, and a jacket. The night air was still chilly, but not freezing.

3. Morning Activities

I was up and at 'em by 4:00 AM the next morning, getting a head start on the day. I had a lot to prep, including some product videos for brands I'm collaborating with. By 5:30 AM, I'd changed into my tea plantation-exploring outfit and was ready to roll!

Check out this stunning view of the tea plantation! It's so serene! We got there just as the farmers were starting their harvest. I spent the morning wandering around the plantation and hills, camera in hand, capturing footage for the brand. As the sun climbed higher, the tea plantation started to buzz with more visitors.

Finally, we decided to explore the nearby hill, which was quieter. We were getting a bit overwhelmed by the crowds, haha! We trekked for about 30 minutes to the other hill, but since we were worried about going too far, we decided to head back. We took some amazing photos from the hill, and the views were breathtakingly beautiful!

By 8:00 AM, we were back at the tent, famished and pooped from our 2-hour trek. Time to fire up the electric pan and refuel! After lunch, I was itching to dive into the river and cool off - couldn't wait!

4. Splashing Around

After lunch, I finally got to fulfill my promise and dive into the river! I'd been counting down the minutes since we got here. Our tent was basically right on the riverbank. I went down to the water's edge alone at first, but then I convinced my friend to join me and experience the 'refreshing' river flow. Let's just say it was more like ICE-COLD! We spent our time here just chillin' and chatting.

My friend bailed after just 5 minutes, leaving me to fly solo. I was psyched to get in, but OMG, the water was ICE-COLD!!! My legs went numb, and I had to keep lifting them up to get the circulation going again. On the plus side, the water was pretty clear, and I didn't spot any creepy critters like snakes or spiky fish. But, the riverbed was crazy slippery, so I had to tread carefully. After about 30 minutes of splashing around, I threw in the towel!

5. Preparing to leave

After my dip in the river, I headed back to the tent to keep an eye on it while my friend was getting ready. As I sat there, I enjoyed the sound of the river flowing and snacked on the strawberries I bought at the rest stop yesterday. They were still fresh and chilled to perfection.

After waiting for a bit, it was my turn to shower in the bathroom, and then I changed into fresh clothes inside the tent to get cleaned up.

This tent is long but short! It's perfect for sleeping, but a bit of a hassle for sitting or standing. Plus, the gravel floor makes it uncomfortable to sit, ouch! With some dramatic flair and exaggerated movements, I finally managed to change my clothes!

Now that everything's wrapped up, it's time to head home. Had an amazing time spending the night here!

Thanks for reading my blog, catch you all in the next adventure! Cheers!