Leaving Jakarta we took a minibus that went directly to Bandung. The drive was stunning and we got to see some amazing scenary from tiered rice paddies to distant mountains. It dropped us off in the middle of nowhere in the 4th largest city of Indonesia, just as the heavens decided to open. After a quick consultation with the map we found a tourist information centre besides a shopping mall. We thought this would be the best place to head to as we could decide whether we were staying in Bandung or whether to move on, but also where would be good to stay if that is what we decided. First the taxi took us to a random market. Unsure but not able to communicate in English we got out with our rucksacks. Even though the nearest cover was only 2 yards away it was raining so hard we were quickly drenched. The taxi driver then got in a discussion with an Indonesian man besides us. He then started trying to talk to us (in Indonesian) but we had no idea what he was saying. Finally we worked out he had realised he had taken us to the wrong place and he wanted us to get back in the taxi so he could take us to the right one.

After a short drive we repeated the process of getting the bags out and finding cover from the rain. The taxi departed and we went off to find the tourist information centre. It was only later that I realised I had read the taxi metre wrong and instead of giving him 15,000 rupiah, I had given him 150,000 rupiah. He much have been a happy chappy!

The tourist information centre was closed and the people standing around would not help. The shopping mall was some backstreet shops, as dodgy as anything and the rain was still pouring. For sanity reasons we remembered passing a Sheraton and so we hailed a cab to try and get somewhere where we could talk to someone in English and make a decision about what to do (plus have lunch!) The Sheraton was a stunning hotel and the best lunch and coffee I have had in a long time. After talking to the staff and looking at hotel rates (which were ridicuously cheap), we decided to stay the night there (it was still monsoon rain!) and have another night of luxury before heading to the beach where the weather might be better.

I also decided to find a camera to replace my poor dead one. The staff advised us that there was a mall (like in Jakarta) especially for this. This was a great place and heaving. Floors were divided into topic areas and there were 2 floors for cameras. So sensible, if you know what you want you dont have to waste time visiting other areas. The prices were also good and so I was able to get one at probably English prices.

To ease off the rain we headed back to the Sheraton to enjoy a few cocktails before bed. At daft o'clock the next morning we were picked up by another minibus to take us to the beach.