SIMPLY (t)RAVELLING

We started early in the morning, heading back to Padang to catch our plane. Today will be our last day in Ranah Minang.

Along the way I caught these two ladies doing their laundry next to the road. They are not washing from a drainage as I earlier thought, but it is a clean running water that will flow and combine with the Anai Waterfall.

Upon arriving at Padang Panjang, Pak Zul made a slight detour to visit this place

It is Rumah Gadang, built as a centre of Information and Documentation of Minangkabau Culture

The front view of Rumah Gadang. The architecture, construction, internal and external decoration, and the functions of the house reflect the culture and values of the Minangkabau

Inside Rumah Gadang.

We were elightened about the Minang culture by the docent.

The rooms. With the Minang cultures and society especially the Pepatih being strongly matrilineal, the rooms are divided among the daughters. The sons are sent to live in the mosque to study religions and martial arts at a very young age. The women here initiate the marriage proposals to men of a different clan or 'suku' and afterwards, the husband has to moves in with her family. The inheritances are passed from mother to daughter. The husbands can guard and manage the property, but they could never own themselves. Instead they have to find their own wealth. I find the cultures are unique and ingeniously teaches you (actually a man) about self-respect, indepandency, responsibility and to value and appreciate woman. (hehe..)

a view through the window, overlooking the yard and the rankiang, the rice barn.

fine ornamentation of the house walls demonstrates great workmanship

After milling a while we made a move back towards Padang, bypassing this familiar spot.

Not long before we were stopped by this guy in uniform. We were released to resume our journey when the checking showed that everything is neat, and of course with some tip.

As we were entering Padang town, the signs of devastation due to the recent earth quake became apparent.

Note how near the railway to the houses. According to our guide, the track has long been disused. Thanks heaven.

The colourful taxi. "Angkot" is what the local calls it, an abbreviation of 'Angkotan Kota' or City Transport

The ferocious Indian Ocean. Hopefully it is calm today.

Another wreckage caused by the earth quake. The major shock hit at 17:16 local time on September 30, 2009 and had a moment magnitude of 7.6 richter scale. The tremors were also felt in Malaysia west coast.

The plateau where the famous Ambacang Hotel used to stand tall.

More ruins. The impact was not so severe in Padang, only a few of the buildings affected. However the fate was not equally shared by the people of Pariaman, a nearby village where the whole hamlet was swallowed resulting of over 700 death tolls. It is a true paradox for the village to be called Pariaman, as it actually means 'a safe place'.

More colourful bus zooms past

After stopping for some refreshment we head back to the Minangkabau airport to catch our 3.30pm plane.

Finally and sadly, it is time to say goodbye. My thanks to our guides Pak Tony and Pak Zul for taking good care of us.