ceremonies and festivals. Legend has it the Minang kabau are descendants of the youngest son of Alexander the Great, King Maharjo Dirajo. During the early 19th century, the area was disrupted by wars between the followers of the traditional Islam or Padris, and those adhering to the traditional law (Adat) of the Minangkabau.

GETTING THERE

Padang’s Tabing Airport is the main gateway to West Sumatra and is serviced by Merpati Nusantara Airlines.

PELNI’s ship ”Kerinci” sails every two weeks for Jakarta from Teluk Bayur harbour. Smaller vessels from Muara harbour sail to small towns along the entire west coast of Sumatra. Regular bus services run between Padang, Bukittinggi and other major cities of Sumatra, as well as via the trans-Sumatra Highway to Jakarta.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Air Manis 4 kms South of Padang, down the hill and across Batang Arau River is a fishermen village on Padang’s scenic west coast. A rock standing in the water a short distance from the shore is said to be the hull of Malin Kundang’s boat, which shipwrecked in a storm after it was cursed by the defiant young man’s mother.

Ngarai Sianok is a canyon in a city, a steep colorful valley surrounded by 100 meter cliffs. 4 km from Bukittinggi, there are many tunnels and caves made by the Japanese during WW II. The pathway leads to Koto Gadang that is renowned for its fine silver filigree and hand embroidery.

Padang is the capital of West Sumatra; and gateway to the homeland of Minangkabau. Its bustling harbours a crossroads for rubber, cinnamon, coffee, tea and nutmeg. There are Minang houses, prehistoric artifacts, ceramics, manuscripts and modern art. In Kampung Cina (Chinatown) you can wander streets lined with turn-of-the century houses, Chinese herbalist and coffee shops. Good hiking and wonderful views of the city can be had a Bukit Monyet and Gunung Padang.

The Twin Lakes (Lake Diatas and Lake Dibawah) 65 km from Padang the two lakes, one a little higher than the other are located at +1000 meters above sea level and covered by thick mist. There are several cottages and coffee shops in Lake Diatas resort.

Bukittinggi is the West Sumatra’s center of culture and tourism, nestled in the higlands north of the provincial capital of Padang. It is a pleasant two-hour drive (90 km) from Padang through the gorgeus Anai Valley up to Agam Plateu. Located 930 metres above sea level, it has a cool climate and is surrounded by tree volcanoes: Tandikat, Singgalang and Merapi. The central landmark is the town’s clocktower, reffered by the local people as Jam Gadang. It overlooks the market square, a beehive of activity and fantastic place to do some souvenir shopping. Also worth visiting is the Rumah Gadang Museum, a  traditional extended family house built in the 19th century.

Mentawai Islands is made up from four islands: Siberut, Sipora, Pagai Utara and Pagai Selatan. The people of these islands still live in comparative isolation, maintaining their age-old ways. Siberut is an area for trekking and visiting these ancient cultures, and its virgin rain forest, inhabited by a number of some rare monkey’s species. Beautiful co ral reefs are found offshore, and its wave is famous for surfing. The best season to visit is January to September.

For more places of interest, please visit
http://www.my-indonesia.info/page.php?ic=1122&prov=3
http://www.minangkabautourism.info

TOURIST OFFICE

West Sumatra:
Jl. Khatib Sulaiman 22
Padang,
Phone. (62-751) 55711,446282,
Fax. 55183
http://www.minangkabautourism.info

Mentawai Islands:
Jl. Raya Tuapejat km 4,
Phone. (0759) 320042, 320042,