SIMPLY (t)RAVELLING

Padang to Bukittinggi

 

One hour later, we know we are already in Sumatra when we catch a sight of these rugged, misty mountains. The sun is already rising up on the horizon.

 

Padang, the city beneath the clouds is a capital and the largest city in West Sumatra. It is located in the western coast at 0o57’0″S 100o 21’11″E. Covering an area of 694.96 square km and a population of over 750,000 people.

 

We spotted Danau Singkarak, the second largest natural lake in West Sumatra. In has an area of 107.8 square km, being approximately 21km long and 7 km wide.

 

Another sight of Padang and its harbour. During the Dutch colonization in the 17th century, Padang has been a trade center, being gold as its most important trade product. When the mines were all exhausted, the emphasis turned to other product such as coffee, salts and textiles.

 

As if landing on sea, our flight AK470 slowly aligns itself on a runaway next to it and ready for landing at approximately 8.00am local time.

 

As we exit the customs, we are greated by the amiable Pak Tony and Pak Zul from RaunSumatra and take up us straight to Bukittinggi. They will be our guide, driver and friends for the next four days. Bukittinggi is somehow in the highland, 90km by road from Padang which take about 2 hours journey. We can’t help feeling very much at home as the scenary along the way is typical to Malaysia rurals.

 

At far, Mount Merapi is watching over us, as if guarding our journey.

 

In the middle of the way we stop at this famous waterfall (at least famous here). Legend says that anyone that washes their faces with the water from the falls will be forever young.

 

The white curtain from the roadside.

 

To our delight the next pit stop is this handsome restaurant, located at Padang Panjang.

 

Our first meal of authentic nasi padang, local minangkabau cuisine serves on innumerable little plates. It only costs us IDR equivalent to RM7 per head for such a hearty meal. Delicious and cheap.

 

Ahnaf posed in front of the resto. Note the spelling ’roti cane’ (read: roti canai).

 

Not later after we continue our journey, we make a stop at this Boutique at Pandai Sikek (pandai sikat in malays, which  literally means ‘good at combing’ as the textiles here are made using a traditional combing/weaving tools) for a taste of local handmade embroidery and textiles, of which Bukittinggi is famous for (at least among the ladies ;D). My kids are imitating the haggling process. Main kedai-kedai is what they call it. The usual victim is my auntie whose also happen to be their baby-sitter.

 

A snapshot outside the shop. The minang people are very self-sufficient. They cultivate their own staple food in any land available (the front yard of their house is not an exception) while rearing the fish in the ponds backyard.

 

After some serious shopping, we straight ahead to our hotel in Bukittinggi to check-in and rest.

>> To be continued..