SIMPLY (t)RAVELLING

After a good night rest, we started our journey early. Bukittinggi in the morning, serene and peaceful.

Mount Merapi covered in mist

Our first visit of the day is this embroidery center at Kg Baso, where they train young ladies the art of sewing. With a fee of IDR 10mill (equivalent to RM3000) you could be an apperantice here until you master the skill.

Equipped with none other than the old rickety, manual sewing-machine, these young ladies turn the once dull cloth into a beautiful and delicate garments.

Hajah Rosma, the founder. At the age of 80, she is still able and healthy.

Table cloth with intiricate, fine design

This one caught my eyes but unfortunately a tad expensive for me. You have to be a millionaire (rupiah of course!) to own this one.

Bukittinggi is trully a scenic place. With the mist covering the mountains at the background surrounded by the green and lush paddy fields and coconut trees. At 930 m above sea level, the city has a cool climate with temperatures between 16.1°-24.9°C.

We made a next stop to visit this place, the Harau Valley.

The mesmerizing waterfall of Aka Berayun, Harau Valley.

Eventhough the population in Bukittinggi is 100% moslem, dogs are a common sight. Not only as a hunting mate, they also serve as the guardian of the house and the crops, these canines.

My family took a breather in one of the stalls after the long and exhaustive journey

Some reddish pitcher plant in front of the food stalls.

The high stone wall with a green paddy field carpeting the earth’s floor marking the Harau Valley, which is situated in the Kota region district, half an hour from Paya Kumbuh.

It is just a mesmerizing place to see the green paddy fields sandwiched between the high stony cliffs

House with parabolic dish is a common sight here. According to Pak Tony, with this dish one could have the capability of viewing over hundred of channels. I thought our Astro is complex enough and the tv remote is already a combat between my kids.

House with pointed roof, the minangkabau symbol of fame and victory. The word Minangkabau itself is derived from malay words ‘menang kerbau’ or literally means ‘buffalo wins’ and hence got the look from the pointed buffalo horns.

We continued our journey to Tabek Patah, visiting this local coffee milling industry

Tea made of coffee leaves (we call it ‘coffee tea’) and tea made of mulberry leaves. Ahnaf showed how to stir the coffees with cinnamon stick for additional flavour and aroma.

Our shy driver Pak Zul and the bubbly Pak Tony

Our next stop is this popular eatery at Sungai Tarab

Self-made musical instruments made from bamboo, buffalo horns and all. Sold by a local lady in front the restaurant. Bought my kids the small ones which amazingly producing a mimique of a chirping birds. Regretted it later as the ‘two birds’ won’t stop chirping all the way back!

Again, more nasi padang, this time in we enjoy it in the middle of paddy fields

We tossed our leftovers into the pond next to us and saw these blokes skirmishing in the water to catch the food. Ironically, I bet that I have some of their relatives on my plate just now.

the view across the paddy fields towards Batu Sangkar

After lunch, we made our move to visit this majestic palace which unfortunately, is still under construction.

The Great Palace of Pagaruyung. Located in Batu Sangkar, the original palace was destroyed in 1804 riots, and the replica was again demolished in 1996 inferno. In Feb 2007, the second replica caught fire after it was strucked by lightning. The third replica is in the midst of reconstruction and target to complete by March 2010.

Istana Silinduang Bulan. Located 2km from the royal palace of Pagaruyung, this palace used to be a meeting place for the aristocrats during the heydays.

The marking stone of Silinduang Bulan Palace.

the intricate workmanship of the palace walls

the flamboyant interior