The Flavors of West Sumatra

It felt like I am having debts if I don't write my travel experiences in my blog. Though this destination was explored last February 2013, because of the procrastination, I did not publish it yet (bad habit. Hehe).

I went duo travel to West Sumatra. We got a very cheap ticket. Rp. 150,000 (US$ 15) return! Can you imagine how lucky I am? I always wanted to go to West Sumatra. Because when I was kid, I used to read Indonesian literatures, like Siti Nurbaya, Salah Asuhan, Layar Terkembang, Sengsara Membawa Nikmat. Most of the novels were set in West Sumatra. I was only 9 or 10 and yeah I read them all. Because my father worked in National Education Department. 

So we arrived there in the morning. We went directly to Bukittinggi with chartered car. Be careful with the scam at Padang airport. The drivers usually offer high price and it's really difficult to haggle. We got scammed too. We paid Rp. 70,000 when it was supposed to be Rp. 50,000. If we couldn't speak Minang (the traditional language there), it is easy to fall prey.

Minangkabau airport, Padang, West Sumatra

Around three hours later, we arrived at Bukittinggi. Fresh air welcomed us. The weather in Bukittinggi was nice and chill. I was directly in love with the city. Bukittinggi is also one of the main destinations for tourists in West Sumatra. There are many foreign tourists there. We didn't book a hotel beforehand so we searched for a hotel. It's not difficult to find a backpacker hotel there because there are many of them. 

After getting our bags in our room, we started to walk around the city. Bukittinggi is a small city and is pretty much walkable. We went to the icon of Bukittinggi or West Sumatra in general, which is Jam Gadang. It's a clock tower. More like Big Ben in London only smaller. We took some pictures there. Jam Gadang is surrounded by a market and some restaurants. It was lunch time already so we decided to eat nearby. Of course we would eat Nasi Padang. I am a fan of Padang food. Padang food is located all over Indonesia and all over the world too. But trust me the most delicious one is the one at the original place. It's more spicy and just delicious. No restaurant in Jakarta or Singapore (where I've tried one too) can beat the original Padang food. Yummm.

Then the next destination, we went to Goa Jepang (Japan Cave). It is actually a bunker made during Japan colonialization. I was not at all impressed with the cave, because I am a claustrophobic. I felt the urge to get out as soon as possible while I was underground.

Overlooking Japan cave is Ngarai Sianok. It is a canyon and the view is breathaking. We took some pictures with its background. Later we knew that we could actually go down there. I was challenged, but of course we didn't have much time.

The view of Bukittinggi from my hotel

Jam Gadang (Gdang Clock Tower)

Ngarai Sianok

Ngarai Sianok

The next morning is gonna be a loooonnngg journey. Our next destinations are Danau (Lake) Singkarak and Lembah (Valley) Harau. Those are two places far away from each other. I discussed with my friends what was the best way to go to both places. Renting a car was a no. It was only two of us and it would be so expensive. There was no direct transportation to get there, it would be wasting time. Fortunately, the hotel employee offered us to motor bike riding there. There will be two motorbike riders who would accompany us. The price haggling was somewhat very nasty. I'll tell you people's habit there. Once we agreed with a certain price, few minutes later they came back to us asking to add the amount. I was like, no no take it or leave it. They acted like okay, transaction failed. But the next morning they knocked our door and said okay we'll take the price. It was upsetting to see their inconsistence. Tips for you, be strict and upfront. Take it or leave it.

So, we went by motorcycles finally to Danau Singkarak. It was one hour journey. Lake Singkarak is famous internationally for Tour De Singkarak, the famous international bike competition. The view along the journey was breathtaking. When we arrived at Lake Singkarak, the view was even more breathtaking. The water is blue. And it was soo quiet there. Some people was swimming. Too bad, I didn't bring my swimsuit.

The next destination was Valley Harau. The journey took approximately 2-3 hours. When we arrived there I was gobsmacked with its beauty. Nothing could describe that. It was peaceful there. There was one hotel there. And I said to myself if ever come back to this place again I will stay in that hotel. Just imagine the morning there in the valley, quiet, chill, and very relaxing. Aaaahhh. It was the most beautiful place I've ever seen.

This was the houseof Buya Hamka. Now it's used for madrasa and masjid

Beautiful Lake Singkarak

So quiet here

I can't stop taking pictures!

View from a hill

OTW to Lembah Harau

Almost there

The view, Mashaa Allah :)

I love the yellow ricefields :)

Inside the valley

The next day we were supposed to go to Padang and explored the places there. But we were too in love with Bukittinggi. We hesitated to go and indeed we didn't. We did sightseeing around Bukittinggi and tried all kind of food. Only one place was still a mistery, Fort Rotterdam. We've been searching all day but couldn't find it.

Lovely town of Bukittinggi

Two kids went to school

I am in love with this city!

Food fiesta!

The last day we went back to Padang heading to airport. Before that we went to one mall there first. I got the chance to buy one pair of shoes. Ahahaha. Next thing, the plane was delayed and we had to wait for like two hours. But I got priority boarding. Blessing in disguise :)

The conclusion is I love West Sumatra. It has beautiful landscapes, delicious food, good weather, though I have a tad bad experience with the people. I would love to live there, especially at Bukittinggi, and farming may be. Lol.

The vlog. Mind the quality of the video, a bit shaky :(