<body><script type="text/javascript"> function setAttributeOnload(object, attribute, val) { if(window.addEventListener) { window.addEventListener('load', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }, false); } else { window.attachEvent('onload', function(){ object[attribute] = val; }); } } </script> <div id="navbar-iframe-container"></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://apis.google.com/js/platform.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> gapi.load("gapi.iframes:gapi.iframes.style.bubble", function() { if (gapi.iframes && gapi.iframes.getContext) { gapi.iframes.getContext().openChild({ url: 'https://www.blogger.com/navbar.g?targetBlogID\x3d26981659\x26blogName\x3dWest+Sumatra\x26publishMode\x3dPUBLISH_MODE_BLOGSPOT\x26navbarType\x3dBLUE\x26layoutType\x3dCLASSIC\x26searchRoot\x3dhttps://west-sumatera.blogspot.com/search\x26blogLocale\x3den_US\x26v\x3d2\x26homepageUrl\x3dhttp://west-sumatera.blogspot.com/\x26vt\x3d4309011714642650908', where: document.getElementById("navbar-iframe-container"), id: "navbar-iframe" }); } }); </script>

West Sumatra

The Land of Minangkabau

Kerinci Seblat National Park

Monday, May 22, 2006


The Kerinci Seblat National Park has 1.5 million hectares of dense tropical jungle, house of many diverse species of flora and fauna. It can be reached from 4 gateways; Padang, Jambi, Bengkulu and Palembang in South Sumatra.

Etnic of society of the Kerinci National Park are Minangkabau clan, Kerinci clan, Rejang clan. Java and Sunda clan as well.
Every visitor who will come into The Kerinci Seblat National Park is suggested to get permit letter to The National Park office address Basuki Rahmat Street No.11 Phone (0748) 22250, Fax.(0748) 22300. Po.Box 40 Sungai Penuh, Kerinci-Jambi.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 8:10 AM | link | 0 comments |

Pesisir Selatan

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

A regency with Painan as the capital town, a coastal region at the southern part of the province with about 200 kms long beaches. Traveling to Painan means driving along curving roads up and down the hills, 77 kms from Padang, of course a worried experience, but natural beauty along the way such as valley with lush green forest, white sandy beaches and some islets are scattered above of the sea surely makes the travelling forget the fear.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 9:02 AM | link | 0 comments |

Diatas / Dibawah Lake

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

The twins lake with 1 km panorama in between, where Lake Dibawah located on the left and Lake Diatas on the right of the main road to Alahan Panjang about 70 kilometers or two hours drive from Padang. You must drive up to Lake Dibawah and you have to drive down to Lake Diatas.

Prior to the site, find the real beauty of tea plantation and can be witnessed a group of the young ladies plucking the tea leaf excitedly at the plantation in the right and left of main road.

The lake an altitude of about 1000 meter above sea level and are in the late afternoon usually covered by thick mist.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 9:54 AM | link | 0 comments |

Singkarak Lake


Between Solok and Batusangkar is Lake Singkarak, which is a little less grand than Lake Maninjau. It marks the gateway to the incredible basin of Solok. The main road skirts the lake's clean, gently sloping shore for a distance of twenty one kilometers, many lodges and restaurants available along the like shore.

Singkarak Lake is an ideal place for recreation and water sport, 36 km from Bukittinggi. There are several motels and restaurants in the area. Singkarak Lake is located about 10 Km of Solok city and ± 35 Km from Kayu Aro. This lake is located in X Koto district and spread across Solok - Bukit Tinggi way. The lake is state between two regencies that is Solok regency and Tanah Datar regency with ± 129,70 km2 (± 1.129,29 Ha) width. Singkarak Lake is the widest lake in West Sumatra and the second widest lake in Sumatra Island after Toba Lake.

The Lake that located in 362,5 m height from the sea level, has special species of fish that only live in this lake and the only in the world. Society around called as Bilih Fish (Mystacoleuseus Padangensis). Uniquely, this fish cannot live in other habitat, both in an aquarium and in a pool. The people around are often selling this fish and the visitors can enjoy the specific taste of this fish in the restaurants that located around the lake.

The Lake is equipped by some facilities, such as; hotels, motels, restaurants and also water sport facilities. Beside used as tourism objects and the economic source of society around, nowadays, this lake also used as the electric source of Sicincin.

Labels:

posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 9:16 AM | link | 0 comments |

Solok Regency

The town of Solok is known for its top quality rice. It is 64 kms from Padang, many original traditional houses found in the area. Especially worth seeing are the adat houses in the Cupak, some of which are hundreds of years old, with roofs of palm fiber that are so timeworn they are covered with moss. The old customs and tradition are still strictly upheld in Cupak.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 8:52 AM | link | 0 comments |

Harau Valley

Thursday, May 11, 2006


Further on road, near Suliki is the renowed Harau Valley, located at the distance of 14 kms from Payakumbuh. This green valley enclosed by perpendicular grand walls of many colour as 100-200 meters high. Three water falls - Sarasah Bunta, Sarasah Murai, and Sarasah Aka Barayun - disgorge their water down the cliffs onto the valley. This valley is a nature and wildlife reserve.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 10:55 AM | link | 0 comments |

Payakumbuh

Payakumbuh, 26 kms away Bukittinggi is known for the Galamai, a kind of Sweetmeat, and for traditional horse race. The area also a large number of grand traditional houses which can be found especially at Koto Nan Ampek, Taram and Koto Nan Gadang.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 10:48 AM | link | 0 comments |

Belimbing Village

Situated 10 kilometers east of Batusangkar, this village reflects the essence of the Minangkabau conception of housing. Some houses are 300 years old and still intact.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 10:13 AM | link | 0 comments |

Pariangan

The mother village of Pariangan is the oldest Minangkabau sttlement and is about 15 kilometers outside Batusangkar on the slopes of Mount Merapi. This village seems to be preserved in the past with its traditional mosques and homes packed in tight cluster around the community hall. Villages like there are abundant around the well-travelled town of Batusangkar.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 9:59 AM | link | 0 comments |

Pagaruyung Palace

Wednesday, May 10, 2006


( Inside the King's Palace act like the King )

King's Palace of Pagaruyung situated 5 kms from the center of Batusangkar town. The palace reflects the lavish royal style of architecture in vogue at the time which is much visited by tourist. The kingdom at the beginning of its history was ruled by a queen, named Bundo Kanduang.

In Minangkabau words, the King's Palace means "Ustano Rajo".


Labels:

posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 9:52 AM | link | 0 comments |

Batusangkar

On the Southern side of both Mount Merapi and Mount Sago is the ancient center of Minangkabau kingdom; Batusangkar. The area around this small town is spectacular. Hills and huge expanses of carefully maintained "sawah" or rice field abound. These terraced rice fields have been cultivated for countless generation and have reshaped the natural landscape in a very elegant balance of man's need complimenting the preservation of the land's natural beauty. This dignified tradition of wet rice agriculture exists every where in West Sumatera but especially here in the region of Batusangkar. Considered the center of Minangkabau culture, this district has some historical remains of stone tablets with ancient Hindu script and villages with beautiful traditional house
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 9:36 AM | link | 0 comments |

Palupuh

Tuesday, May 09, 2006


Palupuh is about 32 kms on the north of Bukittinggi on the way to Rimbo Panti Preserve.
The giant flower (Rafflesia Arnoldi) can be found in this area. The name taken from an English Governor General, Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles and DR. Joseph Arnold who found this flower at 20 May 1818 in South Bengkulu. Diameter of this flower is 40-50 cms, with red colour and make this province more colourful and attractive.

It blossoms usually all year on the wet seasons (September-January).
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 8:50 AM | link | 0 comments |

Embun Pagi, Lawang Village and Lake Maninjau

Monday, May 08, 2006


Embun Pagi (morning mist) in Padang Gelanggang valley 27 kms from Bukittinggi is a place to enjoy the fresh air mist and beautiful view of Lake Maninjau surrounded by green hills.

Before Embun Pagi is Lawang Village. This area is famous with the sugar cane products. The processing of sugar cane use traditional methods. Visitors also can taste the cane juice while enjoying Lake Maninjau view. The road to the lake is famous for its 44 bends (kelok ampek puluah ampek), and offers splendid views of the lake with its surrounding ring of mountain and its terraced rice fields, which form giant steps of vivid green sloping upwards along the road. Many lodges and restaurants along the lake shore.

The lake retains its natural wonder as giants bats float across it every twilight, and the echoing calls of birds and monkeys can be heard from the jungle. Farming and fishing around Lake Maninjau are still very traditional.

Lake Maninjau is one of the most treasured and worth while places to experience not only in West Sumatera but in all places of in Indonesia.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 12:31 PM | link | 0 comments |

Agam Regency

Now, we go to Agam regency.
Agam Regency is one of regencies has 428.567 inhabitants and covers an area 232.30 kms sq in the middle part of the province. This regency is geographically dominated by mountains and high lands rising from 2 ms to 1500 ms above sea level. A highland is located at the center of this regency on the foot of Mount Merapi 2891 ms and Mount Singgalang 2877 ms. It supplies vegetable and fruit for this province. Lubuk Basung is the capital of this regency.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 11:44 AM | link | 0 comments |

Japanese Tunnel


Another well known tourist object is the Japanese Tunnel. Located underneath the city, the tunnel winds down approximately 4,5 kilometers. The tunnel was named after the Japan occupants who ordered the construction in 1942; reportly thousands of people who were forced to work there died during its construction built.

It was said that there are 3 similar Japanese Tunnel available in Indonesia, one in Irian Jaya and the other is in Bandung. Only in Bukittinggi is open for a tourist attraction

Labels: ,

posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 11:34 AM | link | 0 comments |

Sianok Canyon

Saturday, May 06, 2006



The canyon "Ngarai Sianok" on the west side of the town is easily accessible for hikes or picnics. The canyon walls rise 100 ton 200 meters above a small river which winds trough the green floor of the canyon. One of the most pleasant aspects of Sianok Canyon are the two volcanoes, Merapi and Singgalang, brooding in the distance, which bring us to the subject of mountain climbing. Mount Merapi is still active and is considered dangerous. A well-kept trail leads directly to the volcanoes top.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 11:07 AM | link | 0 comments |

Mount Merapi & Mount Singgalang



-+- Gunung Merapi & Gunung Singgalang -+-
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 9:55 AM | link | 0 comments |

Bukittinggi


Bukittinggi is the second largest town in the West Sumatera Province and the center of tourism, about 92 kms from Padang or two hours drive from Tabing Airport. The road to Bukittinggi passed between two Vulcanoes mount Merapi and mount Singgalang. The town is located on 930 meters above the sea level and covers an area 25 kilometers Square of Agam Plateu. The Minang Big Houses which can be seen in the countryside around Bukittinggi have distinctive Roofs with a print at each end. Recommended side trips from Bukittinggi include the spectacular lake Maninjau, lake Singkarak and the Kerinci Seblat Nature Reserve.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 9:10 AM | link | 0 comments |

ASKI Padang Panjang

Friday, May 05, 2006

A special academy developed in studying of traditional Minangkabau culture such as dancing, singing and playing of traditional and modern music instruments. A center to learn about Minangkabau art and students perform them to the visitor and sometimes they also introduce Minangkabau culture in any international events on abroad.

Padang Panjang is located between Padang and Bukittinggi, the second largest town in the West Sumatera Barat Province.

In the next posting, I will guide you to Bukittinggi that famous with Jam Gadang ( Bukittinggi Big Ben ).
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 8:16 AM | link | 0 comments |

Center for Information and Documentation of Minangkabau Culture

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

The center for Minangkabau Culture and Studies provides for those who are intersted in the tradition. All the documents are housed in a traditional Minangkabau House called "Rumah Gadang" or big house.
Located on the way 20 kilometers to Bukittinggi from Padang. Surrounded by environment parks by applying traditional ways of conserving land from erosion by means of combining terraces and contour strip cropping. For the future this area will be completed with a Minangkabau Village.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 2:24 PM | link | 0 comments |

The Anai Golf Resort

The Anai Golf Resort opposite with The Malibou Anai is an 18 hole golf course of international standard. Surrounded by tropical rain forest. This nature lover's heaven is a unique golf course. Completed with accomodation, nature swimming pool, and camping area.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 1:28 PM | link | 0 comments |

The Malibou Anai Resort

Tuesday, May 02, 2006


A natural recreation place surrounded by natural beauty of Anai Valley, located 63 kilometers north Padang on the main road to Bukittinggi. Facilities such as camping ground, tracking areas, swimming and fishing are available. Cottages and restaurants also available in this area too.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 1:51 PM | link | 0 comments |

Siberut National Grand Parks

The Siberut National Grand Parks is 195.500 hectares ;ocated in Siberut Island. Expeditions to the interior of Siberut have become quite popular with many European tourist. A tripto these island offers genuine jungle tracking. The rain-forest with it fast-disappearing primitive lifestyle, would enthrall one when visiting the Mentawai Island. Siberut also offers a perfect place for surfing as it faces the Indian Ocean with its huge waves. Boats leave three times regularly a week from Padang (Muara Harbor) every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and take time to 10-12 hours to Muara Siberut, or 6 hours by hired speedboat.

Common tour routes are :
Muara Siberut - Rorogot - Madobak - Ugai - Butui - Atabai - Madobak
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 1:20 PM | link | 0 comments |

The Mentawai Islands


Mentawai islands are far off the Sumatra coast, 100 miles, and are also quite large. At the close of the last century, little more than 10.000 peoples inhabited these island.
On the largest island of Siberut, ancient semi primitive customs are still practiced as the people of Siberut retain their highly unique culture and belief systems. Very few places have electricity outside the major port of Muara Siberut, and the staple food is sago, not the rice like in the mainland. These are just a few indicators that a visit to the Mentawai Island would be unforgettable.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 12:13 PM | link | 0 comments |

Taman Hutan Raya Bung Hatta

Monday, May 01, 2006

This National Park is situated 23 km east of Padang on the slopes of Bukit Barisan. From here clearly easy to see the Padang lowland plains and Indian Ocean to the west. The park covers an area of 70.000 hectares of rain forest and is, rich in tropical plants such as Nepenthes sp (kantong semar), Rafflesia sp, and various animals species such as Tapirus sp (tapir), and Macaca sp, Gibbon, birds.
This park has a library and display of Photographs of the late first Indonesia Vice President, Dr.Mohammad Hatta, a native son of Minangkabau.
posted by Okto Jumadhani, SE, 10:57 AM | link | 0 comments |