SIMPLY (t)RAVELLING

Our third day in Ranah Minang. This panoramic view of Sianok Canyon is captured en route to the Maninjau Lake

Olde Smoke House?

We stopped at this local industry selling local-made snacks

Their specialty is kripik labu (pumpkin snacks). You could also find myriad of odd-flavour munchies such as kripik jengkol (or jering in Malaysia), clams snack and snacks made of buffalo skin. I found it insipid. Maybe I'm just not use to it.

As usual I made my way to find any interesting subject to shoot

lucky me, the shop is situated on top of a hill, overlooking this beautiful village

some portly pumpkins on display

Back into the shop I spotted my favourite, which is also common back home. It just makes me go nuts

we continued our journey over more paddy fields and nondescript villages

until my eyes suddenly catch a glimpse of the what we later realize is a breathtaking view of the Maninjau Lake

Lake Maninjau is a caldera lake which was formed by a volcanic erruption estimated to have occured around 52,000 years ago. Located 16km from Bukittinggi, to reach here one has to descend into the crater through 44 hairpin bends, and offers stunning views over the shimmering blue lake and surrounding hills.

The road twist and turns until we reached Hamka's birth house at Sungai Batang, Maninjau. We were later told that this house was built by ABIM, Malaysia

we were warmly welcomed by Pak Hanif, Hamka's nephew whose later gave a narration of the famous author's biography. Note the resemblance.

Inside Hamka's birth house. In the glass closet is his scholar drape from UKM he used to wear upon receiving his doctorate from the institution in 1974.

Hamka's rest chair. I could somehow imagine him sitting on this chair overlooking the astounding lake on a particular sunny day. I presume that's where he got the inspiration.

Two Hanifs with the house guardian

Pasar kaget or literally means 'instant market'. Instant as it will only opens when they smell tourist presence.

a religious signage in front of Hamka's house (meaning: the world is the place to be prepared for the hereafter)

At noon, we leave Hamka's house and return back to Bukittinggi via the same twisted roads. Being Friday, some of the village folks are already waiting at the mosque to perform their Friday prayers.

one last view of Lake Maninjau

As we made our way back to Bukittinggi, I sighted a lone tree on top of a hill.

One hour later we reached Pasar Atas, Bukittinggi for some last minute shoppings

At Pasar Bawah, you could find a lot of merchandise on sell for rememberence

Acha posed in front of a kripik stalls at Pasar Bawah

smoked eel anyone?

Jam Gadang, the prominent landmark of Bukittinggi

Horse cart ready for rent

As we wait for our driver, I saw this young lad happily chasing the bubbles while his mother keeping an eye on him at the back.

My kids were not an exception

an aerial view of Bukittinggi town

Bung Hatta's palace. Bung Hatta or Mohammad Hatta was the first vice president of Indonesia and Soekarno sidekick. He is among those who fought for Indonesia independance from the Dutch.

The man himself

We spotted some baskers trying to get lucky. Unlike other Indonesia big cities such as Jakarta and Bandung their presence are uncommon here.