I didn’t know the hotel I booked comes with this kind of view. From the rooftop of Royal Hotel Bogor, some side of the city opens wide. As you can see in the distance, Gunung Salak stands calm against the evening sky. The Cisadane River is shimmering quietly, winding through neighborhoods that has already begun to dim. Looking downward, train tracks run like a quiet underline to the day’s last sentence. Last bu not least, the sun is dipping lower. No rush. No drama.
Last Saturday night (4/19/2025), my wife and I made a 10-kilometer trip from our home in Mranggen to enjoy dinner at Simpang Lima, the heart of the city’s culinary scene. We ordered a delicious plate of rica-rica entog ( spicy duck stew ) with white rice (Rp50,000) and nasi liwet ayam ( chicken coconut rice ) (Rp25,000). The spicy, flavorful rica-rica and the savory nasi liwet were perfectly paired with refreshing es sirup (Rp10,000), es teh (Rp5,000), and crispy kerupuk (Rp2,000). The generous portions made it well worth the price. Dining at Simpang Lima isn’t just about the food—it’s about the vibrant atmosphere, lively crowd, and the energy of the night. The combination of amazing dishes and the unique ambiance made our visit truly unforgettable, EXCEPT THE HEAT!!