West Sumatra: 1 - 3 May 2006
I was invited by Padang Institute of Technology for a technical assistance workshop. Oh boy! This was really a moment I've waiting for so long... The workshop started on Monday, but I decided to depart for Padang on Saturday.

The Minangkabau airport was newly opened at that time. It stands proudly with its unique buffalo horn rooftype. However, it was a bit weird for me since the airport only has two gates! Anyway, some friends picked me up, and I asked them to drive me to the local minibus station. And off I went to Bukittinggi...

I stayed at Novotel Hotel at Bukittinggi. The hilly town was calm and clean. The hotel clearly shows the Minang accents in its design. The night was rainy, so I just stayed at the room during the night.

In the morning I booked a car. Well... I should admit that I didn't really think much when I made the booking. The cost of the rental was Rp 700.000! Very expensive indeed, but I didn't have any desire for finding a cheaper one.

The first place I visited was the Japanese fortress. It is in the middle of the town. There was a local guide offering a short tour service. I took his offer. He told me stories about the fortress. When I finished, he pointed me a lookout place, and when I got to the place... it was really amazing !! The scenery of the Sianok canyon was really breathtaking !!

After passing the Great Clock (Jam Gadang), I depart for Arau Valley (Lembah Arau), about 1.5 half hour of driving. There is a waterfall there, but I was more interested in gigantic granite walls surrounding the location.

Next was the Pagaruyung palace. It is no longer inhabited, but the original settings are still preserved. The interior was very colourful. Very beautiful !

Not very far from the palace is the Singkarak lake. I love its blue, calm water. Very peaceful there. The lake concluded my journey on that day. I had to admit that this was the most impressive tour I've ever had.

-- Day three

After the workshop ended, the guys took me for a city trip in Padang. Well, the city was ordinary. I almost got bored when they finally took me to a hilly place just outside the city. The time was perfect -- it was just about sunset. We sat on a very simple coffee cafe, eating boiled noodle. The cafe just stands at the edge of a very steepy hill, and below it was a beach. The sky was clear... and the grand moments came when the mighty sun set into the horizon. Subhanallah !!

I wish I could come back to this beautiful land...