Padang, Indonesia's capital of spicy food

West Sumatra bounded in the north by the province of North Sumatra, in the west by the Indian ocean, in the south by the provinces of Bengkulu and Jambi, and in the east by Riau province. 

85% of the population are Minangkabau, notable in the annals of anthropology as the world's largest matriarchal society: children take their names from their mother's side and, on marriage, the husband moves into the wife's family. Culturally, the hallmarks of Minangkabau culture are their famously spicy food, served all around Indonesia in Padang restaurants (named after the capital), and the soaring-eaved rumah gadang house, shaped like a series of buffalo horns. 

Lake Singkarak

Lake Singkarak (Indonesian: Danau Singkarak) is a lake in West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is located between the cities of Padang Panjang and Solok. It has an area of 107.8 km², being approximately 21 km long and 7 km wide. The natural outlet for excess water is the Ombilin river which flows eastward to the Strait of Malacca. A hydroelectric project however has diverted most of the lake outflow to the Anai river which flows westward into the Indian Ocean near Padang. This Singkarak power station uses this water to generate power for the West Sumatra and Riau provinces. A species of fish called ikan bilih (Mystacoleucus padangensis) is endemic to the lake, and is harvested for human consumption. A railway line, which connects Padang and Sawahlunto-Sijunjung, skirts the length of the lake on the eastern side.

Another ideal place for recreation and water sport is Singkarak Lake, 36 km from Bukittinggi. There are several motels and restaurants in the area. Singkarak Lake is located about 10 Km of Solok city and ± 35 Km from Kayu Aro. This lake is located in X Koto district and spread across Solok - Bukit Tinggi way. The lake is state between two regencies that is Solok regency and Tanah Datar regency with ± 129,70 km2 (± 1.129,29 Ha) width. Siangkarak Lake is the widest lake in West Sumatra and the second widest lake in Sumatra Island after Toba Lake.

Siberut Island, West Sumatra - Indonesia

Siberut Island (4.030 km sq) is the largest island of four islands in the Mentawaian archipelago. It is located about 155 kilometers of West Sumatra coast, across the Mentawaian strait. The Mentawaian islands belong administratively to Padang Pariaman Regency in West Sumatra Province. Siberut is divided into two districts: North and South Siberut with administrative centers at Muara Sikabaluan and Muara Siberut which also service as respectively market centers of Siberut.

We can meet the indigenous Mentawai people who live close to nature and still live in comparative isolation, maintaining their age-old ways. Its virgin rainforest, is inhabited by a number of animal species that cannot found anywhere else in the world, among them some rare monkey species, pleasant surprises wait to explore.

Sikuai Island, West Sumatra - Indonesia

Sikuai is an island in the sub-district of Bungus Teluk Kabung, City of Padang, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia. The island is located about a half mile from the center of Padang and can be achieved using marine transportation such as ships, approximately 35 minutes from port of Muara Padang.

 

 Sikuai is a beautiful private island in West Sumatra, Indonesia. It basks in tropical weather all year long and is perfect for a peaceful getaway from the bustle of the city. Sikuai island is one of the most picturesque destinations in West Sumatra with its untouched forest leading to easily accessible white sand beaches all around the island. Sikuai has a total area of 44.4 Ha - integrated with 54 rooms, restaurant, meeting room, swimming pool, sunset plaza and jogging track surrounding the island.

Lake Maninjau, West Sumatra - Indonesia

Lake Maninjau (Indonesian: Danau Maninjau, meaning overlook or observation in Minangkabau) is a caldera lake in West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is located 36 km to the west of Bukittinggi, at 0°19′S 100°12′E.

 

Lake Maninjau has an area of 99.5 km², being approximately 16 km long and 7 km wide. The average depth is 105 m, with a maximum depth of 165 m. The natural outlet for excess water is the Antokan river, located on the west side of the lake. It is the only lake in Sumatra which has a natural outlet to the west coast. Since 1983 this water has been used to generate hydroelectric power for West Sumatra, generated around 68 MW at maximum load.

Padangpanjang, West Sumatra - Indonesia

Padang Panjang (sometimes written as Padangpanjang, literally translated means long field) is located in the cool highlands of West Sumatra, inland from the provincial capital Padang. It sits on a plateau beneath the volcanoes Mount Marapi and Mount Singgalang. It has an area of 23 km² and a population of over 40,000. It is located at 0°27′S 100°25′E.

Home to a famous performing arts conservatorium, Sekolah Tinggi Seni Indonesia (STSI) - Padang Panjang ("college of traditional Indonesian arts"), the town stretches up the hill from the marketplace and central mosque, to the soccer field and bus terminal on up to STSI. The main road through Padang Panjang links coastal Padang and the highland capital, Bukittinggi.

Bukittinggi, West Sumatra - Indonesia

Bukittinggi (Indonesian for "high hill") is one of the larger cities in West Sumatra, Indonesia, with a population of over 91,000 people and an area of 25.24 km². It is situated in the Minangkabau highlands, 90 km by road from the West Sumatran capital city of Padang. It is located at 0°18′20″S 100°22′9″E, near the volcanoes Mount Singgalang (inactive) and Mount Marapi (still active). At 930 m above sea level, the city has a cool climate with temperatures between 16.1°-24.9°C.

The city was known as Fort de Kock during colonial times in reference to the Dutch outpost established here in 1825 during the Padri War. The fort was founded by Captain Bauer at the top of Jirek hill and later named after the then Lieutenant Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, Hendrik Merkus de Kock. The first road connecting the region with the west coast was built between 1833 and 1841 via the Anai Gorge, easing troop movements, cutting the costs of transportation and providing an economic stimulus for the agricultural economy. In 1856 a teacher-training college (Kweekschool) was founded in the city, the first in Sumatra, as part of a policy to provide educational opportunities to the indigenous population. A rail line connecting the city with Payakumbuh and Padang was constructed between 1891 and 1894.

Painan, West Sumatra - Indonesia

Painan is a coastal town, and the capital of the South Pesisir regency of West Sumatra, Indonesia.

Actually, there is no certain historical document or archive that holds the origin of the town's name. However, according to the local beliefs, the name Painan is originated from paik nian, which means "very bitter" in bahasa Minangkabau, the language of the Minangkabau people who lives in the area. The phrase paik nian itself is believed as the expression of travelers that visited the town in the past upon seeing the "bitterness" of life in the town.

This town then became an important place since year 1663 when the Dutch, via the Dutch East India Company set-up a trading post in 'Pulau Cingkuk', one of many islands offshore the town, according to "Perjanjian Painan" or 'Painan Treaty'.

There are some attractive tourism spots in Painan, such as the historical Pulau Cingkuk, the renowned Carocok beach, several beautiful islands off the coast of the town, and even paragliding from the town's Langkisau Hill.