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| West Sumatera |
| West Sumatera History |
Dominated by jungles, volcanoes canyons and lakes, the Province of West Sumatra is could be an enormous and magnificent nature park. It is the home of the Minangkabau, one of Indonesia most interesting and influential ethnic groups. The Minangkabau are versatile and intelligent people who lead a community and family life based on a matrilineal system which gathers around mosques and traditional adat houses. It is the women who own property and the men who choose to wander. Traveling is considered a mark of success and therefore many West Sumatrans are found in other parts of the country.
Proof of this is the many Minang or Padang restaurants, serving very spicy food, found in all major towns across the nation.
The people are hospitable and eloquent with a poetic style of speech and colorful ceremonies and festivals. Legend has it the Minangkabau are descendants of the youngest son of Alexander the Great, King Maharjo Dirajo, more commonly known in Indonesia as Iskandar Zulkarnain . They originally settIed in the Padang Panjang region and gradually spread out over the rest of Western Sumatra.
West Sumatra's centre of culture and tourism is Bukittinggi, nestled in the highlands, north of the provincial capital of Padang. This hinterland has a range of high mountains which dip into picturesque valleys and lakes. Amongst them are the remains of the old Minangkabau kingdom, of Pagaruyung, which is now the center for art, silver, hand-weaving, embroidery and woodcarving.
Padang's Tabing Airport is the main gateway to West Sumatra and is serviced by Merpati Nusantara airline. There is also a fortnightly ship service to Jakarta by MV Kerinci from Teluk Bayur harbour. The voyage takes about 30 hours. There are also small vessels from Muara harbour sailing to small towns along the entire west coast of Sumatra. Regular bus services run between Padang and Bukittinggi and other major cities of Sumatra, as well as via the trans-Sumatra Highway to Jakarta, and all points east. |
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| Places of Interest |
| PADANG |
The capital of West Sumatra, Padang has several houses built in traditional architecture, including the Padang Museum which houses objects of cultural and historical interest. The beach of the bay of Bungus and its white sands is good for swimming, boating or just watching the fishing boats going out to sea in the afternoon. Small boats can be hired from here to some small islands nearby: Sirandah, Sikoaci Pagang, Parsumpahan. |
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| TAMAN HUTAN RAYA BUNG HATTA |
It is a botanical garden covering 70,000 ha, with a rare collection of flora and fauna, situated on the way to Solok, about 300 - 1,000 m above sea level. The cool mountain air and panoramic views make this area a popular resort for both the young and old. Monkeys and other animals can be found here, and are protected by the Park Warden. Transportation to Taman Hutan Raya Bung Hatta is easy as it lies on the highway to Solok. |
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| LAKE SINGKARAK |
Another ideal place for recreation and water sport is Lake Singkarak, the longest in West Sumatra and 36 km from Bukit tinggi. There are several motels and restaurants in the area. There are dance performances at the museum's open stage every Sunday and on public holidays. Night dance performances are at Sliguri. It is also worth seeing the bullfights at Padang Lawas (6 km south of Bukittinggi every Tuesday at 05.00. p.m. |
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| NGARAI SIANOK (Sianok Canyon) |
"Ngarai" (the Indonesia for 'canyon' Sianok lies at the outskirt of Bukitinggi. It is a steep-canyon of about 100-150 metres high, very colourful and surround by a green valley with a winding river at its bottom. The beauty of this panoramic landscape is hard to describe as if no words can precisely express this geological wonder. It is even harder to find its rival in the whole country. That is why West Sumatra is very proud of it and always invites visitors to en joy it. Even local people always make it as an item in their tour lists. |
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| BATU SANGKAR |
An old small town, 50 km southeast of Bukittinggi, is a centre of the ancient Minangkabau culture. Pagaruyung is the historical site of a Minangkabau kingdom in the 14th century, Near Batusangkar is where some archaeological vestiges, such as the Written Stone, the Stabbed Stone and some other relics can be found. |
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| PARIANGAN / BELIMBING |
It is said that this little village came into being at the time of the big deluge. It is situated on the slopes of Mt. Merapi, thought to be the cradle of the Minangkabau culture. This historical village still reflects the pure social structure of the Minangkabau conception of a village. A mosque, a council house and adat house with ricebarns form the nucleus of the village. |
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| ANAI VALLEY |
The surroundings of the Anai Valley are magnificent. The dense tropical forest all around is most impressive and is a nature re serve.
Below runs the river Anai with its crystal clear water. Just on the side of the road is a 40 meter high waterfall. |
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| PADANG PANJANG |
| The conservatory of Padangpanjang is a national institute specializing in the Minangkabau music and dances. |
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SOLOK DANAU DIATAS AND DANAU DIBAWAH |
Lies on the Trans-Sumatra Highway, 64 km from Padang and 76 km from Bukittinggi. The town has some fine examples of Minangkabau architecture with hornshaped roofs and outer walls of wood, completely carved and painted in brilliant colours. Sixty km from Solok are the Twin Lakes ~Danau Diatas and Danau Dibawah) which are becoming popular as a holiday resort. Cool mountain air and beautiful andscapes seen from the hill between the two lakes have made this spot extraordinary. Set only about 1 km apart, one of the lakes is on a slightly higher elevation than the other. The spot offers an impressive panorama of the surrounding countryside and offers itself excellently to hiking or camping. |
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| LAKE SINGKARAK |
Another ideal place for recreation and water sport is Lake Singkarak, the longest in West Sumatra and 36 km from Bukit tinggi. There are several motels and restaurants in the area. |
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| PANTAI ARTA AND KATA |
Both these places are popular beach resorts for the local people. Arta beach is located about 23 km from the centre of Pariaman. It is known for its beautiful pine trees along the sea shore. The sandy beaches, clean water and bright sunshine are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. The pine trees can protect you from the direct sun rays. Kata beach is about 2 km south of Pariaman. |
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| MENTAWAI ISLAND |
Four islands make up the Mentawai cluster oh the West Sumatra coast: Siberut, Sipora, Pagai Utara and Pagai Selatan. The people of these islands still live in comparative isolation, maintaining their age-old ways. Siberut is well known for its untouched forests, a part of a nature reserve inhabited by a number of animal species not found anywhere else, among them some rare monkey species. Beautiful coral reefs are found offshore. |
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| PAYAKUMBUH AND SO KOTA REGENCY |
| A picturesque village and market place. Fine basketry is available here. It is 35 km from Bukit tinggi and a little further up is the most dramatic view on the Harau Valley. |
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| HARAU VALLEY |
Along the road to Harau Valley there is a lovely countryside. Steep granite walls shelter the fertile valley. a waterfall, 150 meters high falls into a basin. The Harau Valley is a nature and wildlife reserve, where tapir, siamangs, boars, wilt/goats and tigers still roam. The Harau Valley is 15 km from Payakumbuh. |
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| NGALAU INDAH CARVES |
On the road from Bukit tinggi to Payakumbuh these caves extend deep into the mountainside. The domain of thousands of bats which you won't see but only hear their squeaks and sense them as they fly close over your head. At the main entrance is a stone with an outline of an elephant visible on its face. The coolness and damp air is represhing after the tropical hear outside. The path through these caves leads out to the top of the mountain from where it is quite panoramic. The drive up the hillside in itself worth making because of the variety of the exquisite views along way. |
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| RIMBA PANTI NATURE RESERVE |
Fauna and flora of the Rimba Panti Nature Reserve are protected. It is situated 103 km from Bukit tinggi. Stop at Batang Palupuh, 16 km from Bukit tinggi. There, in a small reserve is the Rafflesia Arnoldi, the biggest flower in existence, which blooms only once a year. Sixty km from Bukit tinggi on this road is a small monument defining the equator at the village of Bon jolt . The reserve's inhabitants include several species of monkeys, honey bears, tigers, flying squirrels, birds, butterflies, etc. A guide can be obtained from the office at the reserve. The provincial office of the Directorate of Nature Conservation (BKSAA) at Padang can give you complete information. |
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| PANDA SIKAT |
The village of Pandai Sikat is 10 km from Bukit tinggi with its hand weaving and carving industry. The village has 1000 looms and turns out richly interwoven cloth. Carved wooden ornaments and furniture are also made here. |
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| LAKE MANINJAU |
A winding road with 44 sharp turns descends to Lake Maninjau, 36 km from Bukit tinggi. A crater lake, it abounds with fish. There are also facilities for swimming and water skiing. The village of Matur, overlooking lakes, arranges dance performances on request. |
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