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Padang November-January 2006

MUST SEE
The political and business capital of West Sumatra, Padang has a long history as one of the major ports on the eastern rim of the Indian Ocean. It boasts a colourful culture, with Indian, Arabic and European infiuences. As the gateway to the dramatic mountainous Minangkabau region, many travellers arrive in Padang and head to the high-altitude town of Bukittinggi, the heartland of Minang culture.

PADANG
Riverfront – A walk along the river near the port will reveal a precinct of colonial-era shops and warehouses where the calls of stevedores unloading exotic cargoes of gold, spices and woven fabrics still echo across the water.

Adityawarman Museum – In the centre of town, the Adityawarman Museum on Jalan Diponegoro has a good example of the Rumah Adat Minangkabau, the traditional Padang houses with their striking, skyscraping peaked gables, resembling water-buffalo horns, which are the unmistakable symbol of West Sumatra.

SLEEPOVER
Batang Arau Hotel (tel: +62 (751) 27400, Jalan Batang Arau 33, www.batangarau.itgo.com) The boutique Batang Arau Hotel in Padang is situated in a renovated 1908 bank building. This hotel is highly recommended for those who like their abode with a bit of historical character. The architecture is charming, featuring exquisite Jegendstil stained-glass windows in many of the guest rooms. It has also become an informal meeting place for Padang’s tiny expatriate community, and a gathering point for some of the surf-safari tours that head out for perfect breaks near the Mentawai islands off the west coast. Rooms start from RP230,000 (SGD38).

Hotel Bumi Minang (No 20-28 Jalan Bundo Kandung) Also in Padang, the Hotel Bumi Minang is known as the city’s best “five-star” hotel, although it is starting to show its age. Rooms start from RP556,000 (SGD93).

Novotel Coralia Bukittinggi (Jalan Laras Datuk Bandaro; tel: +62 (752) 35000, email: novotel_bkt@telkom.net) In Bukittinggi, the Novotel Coralia Bukittinggi – with its fantastic Moorish theme – offers spectacular views and an excellent restaurant. Rooms start from RP526,000 (SGD88).

BUKITTINGGI
The town of Bukittinggi is sometimes called the “most beautiful city in Indonesia”. A scenic two-hour drive from Padang, Bukittinggi is situated at an altitude of 1,000 metres above sea level. Surrounded by volcanic peaks, it offers spectacular views in every direction.

Jam Gadang – The Jam Gadang is the town’s landmark clock tower which was built in 1827. It is near the central market.

Volcanoes and Bull Fights – For the more active traveller, try an ascent of one of the volcanoes, or witness adrenaline-pumping bull
fights where bulls clash in a battle of wills.

SHOP TILL YOU DROP
Songket Fabrics – Traditional items of West Sumatra include the magnificent songket fabrics which are interwoven with strands of gold thread for a stunning shimmering finish.

Gold – Known historically as a source of gold, Padang has gold merchants offering jewellery in an infinite array of designs and styles.

Markets – In Bukittinggi, the central market is the place to go for just about everything from embroidered caps to hand-carved water-buffalo. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, vendors from the region come to town to sell their products.

BEST BITES
Masakan Padang “Padang” is synonymous with the spicy cuisine of the region that has enjoyed enormous popularity throughout the archipelago. Padang Restaurants (Masakan Padang) are common throughout West Sumatra and Indonesia. Having a meal at a Padang restaurant is a truly unforgettable experience. Agile waiters will balance and bring up to a dozen or more plates with pre-prepared dishes, stacked high in their arms and quickly array them on the table. Diners can choose the ones they like, eaten with Nasi Putih (white rice), and at the end of the meal the waiter will tally up the dishes that were eaten.

Local Favourites Known for its spicy ingredients (the local green chillies feature highly), Padang food in West Sumatra seems a bit more fiery than elsewhere, so beware! All-time favourites include the Ayam Gulai (chicken coconut curry) and Beef Rendang (beef cubes in a spicy caramelised sauce).

COMPILED BY ADAM FENTON

FUN FACT
In Southeast Asia, there are few places for surfers to ride the waves. Padang is one of the few places that still offer surfers a good run on the waves.