Padang Things to Do

It was a big sQuare at the center of the city with its football playground, the Horn shaped roof architecture building as a balcony stadium and so many foods and drink seller stranded at the edge of the sQuare

Pantai air manis (sweet water beach), the beach famous with the legend of malin Kundang.
Malin Kundang from poor family and he felt that he had to leave his family in this idyllic tropical place to seek his fortune elsewhere. Restless though he was he did not forget his family and home and so soon after achieving success and gaining great fortune he sailed back homeward. But upon arrival home misfortune was to fall upon him, his fellow sailors and his family. Coming ashore at the beach at Air Manis Malin Kundang's mother rushed to meet her long lost son. But this son upon looking at his mother felt ashamed. Here he was a rich man wearing fine new clothing while his mother was looking ragged and poor as she was. In his undisguised disgust he ignored his mother, refused to greet her and returned to his ship. Of course, his mother was humiliated and heartbroken by her arrogant son's behavior. She fell to her knees in desperation and prayed to God asking that her son be punished for his cruel ways.
Soon a terrible storm rose up and Malin Kundang's ship was wrecked upon the rocks of one of the nearby islands. All but one of the people on the ship died in the wreck. Only Malin Kundang got away from the rocks as the sea picked him up and carried him towards his home. Exhausted and badly injured Malin Kundang tried to get ashore but as he crawled on his hands and knees he was suddenly turned to stone. Today a stony portion of Air Manis beach has a stone that from a certain angle resembles the figure of a man on his hands and knees his head seemingly buried in the rock. Thus, it is said, Malin Kundang has been forced to stay on the beach for all time, forever begging for forgiveness from his mother who he shamed so badly.

in padang, this kind of building is everywhere.
i took the picture of this one at taman budaya (culture park). i'm not sure what is this place for actually, maybe for some culture performance, but when we were there, there wasn't any activity.

1 more image

While in Padang, you may want visit a beach Pantai Air Manis, about half an hours drive from the city centre. There are probably better beaches elsewhere in Indonesia despite facing the Indian Ocean. Thats not what you are there for though.
Look out for a piece of stone in the shape of a human in a kneeling position with the head touching the ground as if asking for pardon. Legend has it that this young man - Malin Kundang was cursed by the mother and was turned into a stone while on board a ship trying to sail away from his original homeland. I leave you to judge the authencity of it all.
Just want to caution you that as you get nearer the beach, you may be stopped and asked to pay an 'entrance fee'. Our local guide did the negotiation and paid a certain sum before we were allowed through.

2 more images

Catch the breathtaking view of Lake Maninjau from Embun Pagi (Morning Dew). Embun Pagi is about one and a half hours drive from Bukit Tinggi and is about 700m above the lake such that it gives you a fantastic view of the lake below.
If you want to get down to the lake from here, be prepared to go through a winding road with 44 hairpins.
If you are at Embun Pagi in the mornings or evenings, be prepared for strong winds...

3 more images

Bt Tinggi is like a staging point for you to visit surrounding areas and travel is usually by roads which are usually narrow and winding (not recommended for self drive). The view can be breathtaking at times with sceneries of terraced rice fields. Go to Pagaruyung to where the Palace (Istana Pagaruyung) is located. This is a replica of the original palace which was burnt down by the Dutch Colonial masters then. If you want you can also try on the royal attire for a fee and get yourself photographed.

1 more image

Ride around town on a horse cart for between Rp 30k - 50k. Start and end at the town square otherwise known as Jam Gadang (Big Clock) and for a 15 min ride or so you get a quick view of Bukit Tinggi Town.

1 more image

While at Bukit Tinggi, go to the Panorama Park for a good view of the Sianok canyon which separates Mt Singgalang from Bukit Tinggi.
Located in the same vicinity is one of the 3 Japanese Tunnels of World War 2 found in Indonesia (according to a local guide but not verified). Its 40m deep and was in the process of being refurbished to accommodate tourist. Hence its not in the original form. To catch a glimpse of its original form, go right in to where the torture chamber is located. It is well ventilated and echo free though