VISITING SAUNG UDJO ANGKLUNG FOR THE 3RD TIME - PART 2

   23rd FEBRUARY 2025    ~ One reason to get back to Bandung was to watch the Angklung performance one more time. Having been here twice before in 2014 and 2016, I was expecting to be entertained by the whole show.

Surprisingly, there was only a small crowd in theatre arena that morning.

VIDEO 1: TARIAN TOPENG

VIDEO 2: WAYANG GOLEK

VIDEO 3: SINGING NUMBER

THE VERDICT: I was no doubt entertained by the concert. Unfortunately, what I saw as the same thing that I had seen many years ago. Even the cultural performance was cut short. There used to be more serious Angklung ensembles performed by teenagers and young adults musicians, playing contemporary songs and classical numbers as well. The whole show took only 90 minutes. I actually did not mind watching the repeat of the same things, but comparatively speaking, the Angklung show in the past was much better. I guess it was time for the people of Saung Udjo to come up with fresh new ideas to attract more people to the venue.

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MINGLING WITH THE LOCALS ONE HOT SUMMER AFTERNOON IN KOBE

   21st JULY 2024    ~ After the boat cruise, we decided to walk to Meriken Park. The name "Meriken" derived from the American Embassy that was located nearby.

Even though it was scorching hot as the sun was shining brightly that summer afternoon, the park was crowded with many Japanese. First, there was a concert at this huge roofed stage. People were still partying despite the hot weather.

Another reason people came here was to get themselves photographed at the prominent "BE KOBE" stone structure by the ocean.

Then there was another concert at another spot done in the open air. There was also a crowd, singing and dancing together with the performers. People did not seem to care of the heat and they just continued partying.

We stayed there for quite some time, and I had the rest I needed to walk balk to the train station.

[MY KOBE TRIP MAIN PAGE]