4 Days 3 Night Padang - Bukit Tinggi Package

This was my third time I went to these places. Therefore, I was quite used to these places and knew a lot of things about them.

This trip also was joined by my grandmother, my whole family, my uncle, my aunt and my cousins.

Day 01 - Bukit Tinggi

peace!

the beautiful scenery in the sky

As we arrived at the Bandara (stands for Bandar Udara) Minangkabau International Airport, we were welcomed by the tourist guide named Ali. After we finished settling our baggages, we boarded the bus which was parked about 500 m from the airport. The airport was located in Padang and our immediate destination was Bukit Tinggi which is located approximately 150 km from Padang.

at the Minangkabau International Airport

Along the way to Bukit Tinggi, we passed by Lembah Anai which is famous for the beautiful and refreshing waterfall. The waterfall is said to have power of 'awet muda' which can maintain a person's youthness. My uncle and I went near the waterfall to take several shots but my parents remained in the bus because we already had been here before this, last year I think.

waterfall and me

After that, we went to Pusat Dokumentasi Kebudayaan Minangkabau in Padang Panjang. Here, we were given a briefing about Minangkabau tribe. Minangkabau tribe consists of many small tribes and some history about them was told by the presenter. The atmosphere in the rumah gadang was very cool and pleasant. It was natural, without the presence of any air-conditioner.



After having our lunch which was nasi padang at Restoran Pak Datuk (or Datuak in Minangakabau language), our journey was continued to Kampung Padang Sikek to watch the process of weaving songket and wood carving. We went to many shops selling embroidery clothes, telekung and many more. Here, embroidery and wood carving were the specialities of the Minangkabauians.



After quite a tiring day, we checked in Hotel Pusako to had a quick rest before dinner. Unfortunately, my brother was having fever due to exposure to rain before this. He rested in the room instead of going out for dinner. As usual, we were also having nasi padang as our dinner.


Day 02 - Maninjau Tour

Today, we were going to Tasik Maninjau which was located about 2-hours drive from Bukit Tinggi. To reach the lake, we must went through Kelok 44 (44 sharp bends) first which is quite dangerous. I slept along the way to the lake. Therefore, I didn't feel the dizzyness in the bus. There were also monkeys at te roadside waiting for tourist to throw food.

Tasik Maninjau

Near the lake, there is Hamka's house. Hamka is one of the Tokoh Islam which is popular in Malaysia and Indonesia. In the wooden house, we were given a briefing about Hamka by Pak Hanif. He is Hamka's nephew. It was very crowded in here, with tourists from other groups as well. Last year, this house was quite emptier than this year.

Pak Hanif

After half an hour spending our time there, we went back to Bukit Tinggi. On the way there, we dropped by a small place for some coffee break. Then, we continued our journey immediately because the male had to go for Jumaat prayer. Then, we went to a silverwork house. I didn't enter this house because I was busy sleeping in the bus. Plus, I didn't have anything to buy there.

yum yum.. Tango vanilla wafer

In the evening, after lunch, we went to Pasar Atas which is located within a walking distance from the Jam Gadang (Big Clock). Here, most of us got separated. Each of us had different things to buy here. I toured the market with my brothers. I grabbed a stripe snowcap, a couple of scarfs, and a baju melayu for my friend. Then, we went to the nearby shopping complex. I shopped in Ramayana (supermarket) and bought v-neck vests.

shopping!

After done with shopping, we waited for others at the Jam Gadang. It's getting dark here and people in the mosque were busy praying. However, there were some youngsters busy with their guitar at that time. They sang songs along with the guitar tunes hoping for donations. My brother gave them some money. While the musicians were singing to my aunt, they were advised by her to stop singing because people were praying the mosque. They should respect praying time. It's quite funny watching the incident and some of us laughed about it. They went quite for some time and moved away. After that, a woman came and sang to us some songs hoping for donation also but we didn't respond to her. Therefore, she walked away. Then, my cousins started teasing the women after she left, imitating the way she sang the songs. It's quite funny though.

Jam Gadang

Day 03 - Minangkabau Tour - Padang

Early in the morning, we headed to Lobang Jepang or Japanese Hole nearby at Ngarai Sianok. It is a historical place built by the Japanese during the colonial time decades ago. I didn't enter the hole, instead I went through the shops there and later to the back to find some monkeys to be feed. Usually, we could see the monkeys in front but they already moved to the back. I knew that the monkeys would be here, therefore I had prepared a bag of peanuts to feed them. My brother and I went to the back and found the monkey on a tree.

5 siblings

While I was busy snapping the photos, then, a man came and told us about the monkeys. Then, he whistled to call the monkeys. I quickly open my bag and reached the peanuts. Then, a group of monkey came around us. It's very simple to feed them. Just put the nuts on your palm and they will come to pick it. They are not so dangerous and quite tame. They are also cute though. However, a naughty monkey grabbed the plastics full of peanuts from my hand and ran away with it. So naughty..

monkey feeding

I bought some keychains from the man earlier. He is one of the shopkeeper there. He told me some information about the monkey also. I also went up to the viewing tower at the back. Then, we went to the front and called my sister and brothers. Later, we went back again to feed the monkeys again. It's quite fun feeding them.

Lobang Jepang

After done here, we continued our journey to Tabek Patah to watch local home-industry which are making pisang salai and traditional coffee. I tasted a cup of tea made from coffee leaves and stirred it with cinnamon stick.


We had our lunch in the middle of paddy field. Pondok Flora Restaurant served grilled fish which was very delicious. We also had durians there. It's very mouth watering. After lunch, something terrible happened. Our bus broke down and we needed to wait for another replacement bus one hour later. During the waiting period, we feed the fished in the pond with buns. The fishes in there were unusually big. I guessed it was the same type of fish we ate for lunch.


After the problem was solved, we headed to our next destination which was back to Padang. We went to Istana Silindung Bulan to take some photos. The earlier replice of this palace was burnt down to earth by lightning last year. Therefore, we just went to the original one instead of the replica. The original one was rarely opened, therefore we just took photos from outside. Different from the replica where we can enter it.

Rumah Gadang

Before checked in to the Hotel Bumi Minang, we had a little shopping at Matahari Shopping Complex. I bought a couple of t-shirts, and a white shirt. My father added some money for us because we had so much to buy tonight since it was our last night here.


After done with shopping, we retired to bed and packing some stuffs to be brought back to Malaysia.


Day 04 - Airport

After having an early breakfast (at 5.30 am), we immediately went to the airport. We handed over the survey forms to Pak Ali and also thanked him for a great service he had given us. He is so informative and the language he used was very easy to understand.


Hmm.. It was quite tiring day. I slept so much at home after we arrived.