Sikuai Island, Excotic Island in West Sumatera

When you visit West Sumatra and wanted to experience natural beauty, visit this island. The island is named Sikuai which can be reached from Padang City on 20-40 minutes.When it came, you'd be surprised to see the beauty of this island. When you arrive, you'd be surprised to see the beauty of this island. The island of roughly 40 ha are comfortable and clean.



Many activities that you can do here, ranging from swimming, diving, snorkeling, banana boat, jetski or seawalker with down the beach to collect unique shells.

Here you can also enjoy the beauty of the island by cycling.



Pict Source :
https://picasaweb.google.com/102589312174864357082/SikuaiBeach

Travelling to Bukittinggi Part 2

Let's go back to Bukittinggi, but to a different place. After a visit to the historic building, now is the time for us to go shopping.... :) So, prepare your wallet. 

In Bukittinggi there are 3 famous traditional market, Pasar Atas, Pasar Bawah and Pasar Aur Kuning. This place is economic center of Bukittinggi. If you visit this market, you will be happy and feel comfortable. In additio, the third of this markets is very close to the downtown area.

So, what can you buy here ?

Rumah Gadang Miniature

Many Minangkabau Knick Knacks

So, many Minangkabau knick knacks here (Minangkabau is ethnic western sumateran society) like Rumah Gadang miniature, Jam Gadang miniature, embroidered clothing typical minangkabau, and many others. 

Rangkiang Miniature

Sandals

 To get these items, you'll not need to pay expensive. Besides that, you can also visit the place of manufacture directly by asking the dealer.

Pict Sources : 
http://www.antarafoto.com/bisnis/v1340017201/miniatur-rumah-gadang
http://uniqueminangshop.blogspot.com/2010/01/miniatur-rumah-gadang.html
http://mangtrithuc.net/game/20409-Jual-All-abaout-minangkabau-:-Produk-pilihan-sumatera-barat.html
http://bjorngrotting.photoshelter.com/image/I0000DhhA1jRcmmw

Do You Like Traveling ? Not Enough If You Haven't Been to Bukittinggi

Lets start by talking a tourist spots in Sumatera, Indonesia. One of the suitable for you who like to travel, shopping and dinning are Bukittinggi. Why ? This city has a wonderful charm belonging than other cities in West Sumatera. When you come here, the clean and cool air will greet you. Then when you walk into Center of the City, you will be presented with a lovely charm of nature and buildings that exist here.

Historically, the city was once the capital of Indonesia during the Emergency Goverment of the Republic of Indonesia. In addition, the city has also been nicknamed as Fort de Kock. This is because at the time of Dutch colonialism in 1825, the town was used as a fortress by the name Fort de Kock. Just info : this ciy once was dubbed Parijs Van Sumatera and this city also sisters (sister city) with Negeri Sembilan Malaysia.

The cannon of Fort de Kock

So, what do you get when you visiting this city ?
Oke we are going to discuss in general the city's sight.

1. Place of tourism and historic buildings.

So, many tourist attractions that you can find here. When you visit the center of the city, you will find "Jam Gadang". Jam Gadang is the name of the tower which is located in the center of the city.Tower means suggests that the clock is very large. High tower is about 26 meters in accordance with the founding of the year 1926 as a gift from the Queen of the Netherlands to Rook Maker who became secretary of Bukittinggi in those days. In this development, the roof has been done three times of Jam Gadang renovations, In the Dutch East Indies Colonial roof round with rooster statue facing towards the east, then the Jappanese colonial period turned into a pagoda shape and after Indonesia's independence, it was replace with a roof which form Gonjong that Rumah Gadang (West Sumateran Traditional House).

Jam Gadang

Besides Jam Gadang, you can find a Japanesse Hole which is the protection tunnel built during Japanesse Colonial in 1942. The legth of this hole reaches 1400 meters with a width of 2 meters. Once you get out of the Japanesse Hole, you can enjoy the Sianok canyon (Ngarai Sianok in Bahasa Indonesia). A steep valley which lies on the border town of Bukittinggi. This gap depth reaches 100m with a legth of 15 km and a width of 200 m. Fantastic ! 

Japanesse Hole

Japanesse Hole.2

Sianok Canyon 1

Sianok Canyon 2

Sianok Canyon 3

Actually there are many other tourist attractions, but we will discused next time :)








Pict Source :
http://www.antarasumbar.com/berita/bukittinggi/d/3/9957/tidak-ada-perayaan-tahun-baru-di-jam-gadang.html
http://susumilohangat.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/belajar-foto/
http://derosaryebed.blogspot.com/2012/12/benteng-fort-de-kock.html
http://iniunic.blogspot.com/2011/12/bukittinggi-kota-terkorup-di-sumatera.html
http://ba2212z.blogspot.com/2010/04/lobang-jepang.html
http://malaladot-com.blogspot.com/2011/04/lubang-jepang-lobang-jepang-di-bukit.html

Lamang Tapai, You Must Try It !

Lamang Tapai Seller

Lamang Tapai, If you an Indonesian, you may be confused by the word. But, if you not an Indonesian, i sure you dont know what that Lamang Tapai. Lamang Tapai is kind of snack of the Sumatran region, more precisely Western Sumatera. Lamang Tapai can usually be found in traditional markets of this area ranging from Padang, Bukittinggi, Payakumbuh and others.



This meal consists of two unified food when eaten, the lamang and tapai. Lamang (Lemang in Bahasa Indonesia) is the food of  glutinous rice which cooked using bamboo which formerly rolled by banana leaves.  Bamboo rolls are also filled by coconut milk, then baked until cooked. Tapai (often spelled Tape in Bahasa Indonesia) is a kind of fermented food. Tapai divided into 2 types of  tapai hitam which is made from black glutinous rice and soups as well and Tapai but white is made of yam which is leavened and allowed to stand several days

Lemang Maker

Slices of Lemang

Lemang are Cooked in Bamboo

Tapai Hitam

Lemang with Tapai Hitam

Lemang Tapai in traditional market

Lamang Tapai

So, which one Lamang Tapai ? very simple, food is eaten with slices lemang with tapai hitam and the sauce. 
It tastes very sweet emerged from a Tapai Hitam mixed with the savory flavor of the Lemang. Hm.. it was delicious :) So, you must try it ! 








Pict Source : http://www.okefood.com/read/2012/08/16/302/678859/asam-manis-lamang-tapai-khas-minang
http://mizan.com/news_det/bukan-cuma-ketupat-makanan-wajib-idul-fitri-di-beberapa-daerah-indonesia.html
http://dimas-sambo.blogspot.com/2012/08/secuil-cerita-leumang-aceh.html
http://www.gedoor.com/2012/07/lamang-tapai/
http://wisatatanahdatar.blogspot.com/2011/04/makanan-tradisional.html