Taking a deep breath, my lungs fill with the scent of gado gado wafting from the street-side vendor, and I walk leisurely away from a Tari Topeng show where dancers showed off homemade masks in the city square. Never wanting to leave, I head back toward Hotel Tugu Malang where I can fall asleep wondering what this awe-inspiring city will bring tomorrow.
From volcanic vistas to ancient Hindu temples, Malang has everything I could want from an Indonesian city. The relaxed pace set by Indonesian people who are at peace with their lives and the city they call home is vastly different from any other cities on the island of Java.
Although the late 18th century Dutch colony is now home to multiple universities and a few modern developments, the coffee fields that once gave the city fortune can still be seen from downtown. Cultural parks, hotels, museums and cafes are found on every street corner. From Traveloka, Hotel Tugu Malang is not only the city’s best boutique hotel with 4 stars, but it also boasts arguably the best museum collection of Asian art and sculptures in the city. Massages and spas are very popular and very cheap. In fact, my hotel has an in-house massage service and spa for guests. More information on these services can be gotten from Traveloka.
Just walking through the city neighborhoods, I can see remnants of the Dutch colony that once was. Previously cobblestone roads have become beautiful boulevards leading the way through sophisticated, Dutch, million dollar mansions. Locals and tourists alike frequent Pasar Besar and Pasar Bunga, a food market and flower market, respectively, with tantalizing scents that leave the nose wanting more.
Mosques, Catholic churches and Hindu Temples are abundant, representing the diversity of Indonesia’s people as a whole and the country’s rich and conflicting history. Not only are all of these religious places ancient, but they are also among the most beautiful I have seen in travel. Motor scooters are the most popular way to get around and lead to so much more natural beauty. I can get to numerous waterfalls, beaches, and volcanic hikes within an hour of my hotel.
While Malang is not a place I would go for exciting nightlife or the fast-paced bustle of a city like New York, I never want to lose the feeling it gives me. Malang is a beautiful city that helps visitors get back in a great mindset and escape the stress and responsibilities of home, replacing skyscrapers with waterfalls, ancient temples, and incredible architecture.
