Beautiful Islands in Padang

The islands along the west coast of Padang, in general, still very natural that extends from the north to the south of Padang. The island can be categorized according to distance, that is Island - a remote island and nearby islands. The islands remote island, among others, Water, Island, Pandan, Toran Island, Pulau Sinyaru,
Sibunta islands and island Bindalang. While the islands near the Sawo island, little island of Pisang, Pisang Gadang Island, Kasiak island, Pasie Gadang Island, Satan Island, Pasumpahan Island, Snake Island, Sironjong island, Sikuai island and Sirandah Island. The islands are generally kelandaian have enough with the sand
white except for islands close to the city center with nankeen.

Sawo Island

This island is located in Koto Tangah District, is the island’s non-urban, with a 4.6 Ha and is the northernmost island in the city of Padang. Distance Pasie bunch island with approximately 2.2 km and can be with a fishing boat within 10 minutes from Pasie bunch. This island has a relatively flat contours, namely 0 - 5% of the sea surface. On the outside (pheriphery) there is a carpet white sand beach and clean. Sawo island is still natural and not disturbed by human activity, dominated by palms.

This island has always been a shelter for the community fishermen when storms occur. Source water obtained when make a well. View from the basic physical conditions of a potential Sawo to develop maritime tourism activities such as: Swimming, Diving, Camping, adventure, play and enjoy the panorama of sand while explore marine biota. Conditions biology / ecology of waters ecosystems Terumbu coral bagain especially in the south, ekositem forest located at the middle island, with a wide expanse of sand around the island 4-5 meters, flow bagain very quiet on the east and the heavy and wavy.

Some type of dolphin found near island peritan Sawo, also fish and ornamental fish species of economic cob, kembung, kakap, Kerapu, tuna caklang and tenggiri. Tropical forest vegetation is wet most of the not yet used as ketaping, aru and a lot of coconut tree there on the beach. Island Sawo Very close to major tourist Pasie bunch, and base camp fishing and Koto Tangah can be achieved use with the rowing boat for 20 minutes and with the use speedboat brackish 2 x 85 PK trip from Muara Padang can be within 20 minutes.

Sikuai Island, Paradise beach in Padang

Sikuai islands located in the area Bungus Bay, 23 km to the south towards the city. Bungus Bay can be reached by taxi or angkot Raya Pasar - Bungus stop in the Central Gulf of Kabung. To reach the island Sikuai trip should proceed with the motor boat across the sea for about 20 minutes. In addition to the Island Sikuai can also start from the dock at the Wisata Bahari Trunk Road Harau.

Island Sikuai offer comfort and beauty of the world maritime island because this has been an established resort that has a complete facility with a satisfactory service.

Sikuai Island Resort is surrounded by trees of green tropical trees and white sand berbaur with the blue sea. From the island can also enjoy some of the smaller islands of the green and the world under the sea is very beautiful. Exotic and services offered by Sikuai Island Resort make the tourists as in the private island so that the slogan ‘the dream become reality’ is very suitable for this resort.

Besides enjoying the quiet atmosphere far from the bustle of the city, visitors can start the day - the day in Sikuai Island Resort with some activities such as jogging with the family encircle the island. Not only healthful, with berjogging visitors can see several types of tropical animals such as birds, monkeys and biawak.

Mentawai Island: the Ultimate Diversity of the Hidden Paradise

Located in the middle of Indian Ocean, 150 km and takes 9 hours trip from Padang, West Sumatra-Mentawai glowing with all the nature spirits and make it an extraordinary escaping spot from a hectic life. Mentawai is the natural habitat for 16 endemic species, and some of them categorized as endangered species e.g. Simakobu monkey (simias concolor-eat leaf as primary food).

The present life of Mentawai people categorized as the legacy from Neolithic era and they have a strong believe in nature spirit, for their life strongly affected by nature. They believe that nature is the center of life. All the genuine attributes make Mentawai a perfect place to gain cultural experiences, here you will notice a very fascinating and indigenous culture, like traditional cloths, art, music and the way of life. The entire culture attributes strongly reflects their respect to nature.

Tattoo is one of the most important symbol for Mentawai people, its reflect maturity, manhood and status. The art of this body painting inherit from their ancestor. The tattoos ink naturally made from leaf.
Among the surfers, Mentawai is the best place to fill their demand for challenges and natures beauty. The beaches offer one of the highest wave in the world, 3 to 4 meters, totally challenge your gut. Once you grounded your self in this hidden Paradise Island, next you will paddle out to the worlds best surf. Dont call your self Surfer if you havent ride Mentawais waves said most of the surfer to expressed their surfing experiences in Mentawai

There are four ultimate diving spot here in Mentawai ,Siberut, Sipora, Pagai Utara (north Pagai) and Pagai Selatan (south Pagai). You can find great waves here year round, but the best waves are during dry season, March to October. Make sure you have the gut to explore all the glassy waves, because the best way to entitled your surfing experiences remarkable is through finding your own.

Getting There

• Take flight from Sukarno Hatta air port, Jakarta to Tabing air port, Padang-west Sumatra (flight served every day)
• Trip from Teluk Bayur port, Padang to Mentawai island by Ferry

Where to Stay
Lot of visitors said, that the best housing to stay is the local people house. Offer you a distinctive way of living in a unique architecture and experience interacting with local people. Other wise you could stay in a budget hotel in Siberut

Moving Around
To access all the beauties offered, you can use boat owned by local people. You can find the boat a long the beach and the rate depend on your bargaining power
Boost your taste with exotic and fresh sea foods that you can found in the local restaurants run by local people. If you are lucky enough, you can pick and cook your own sea food, but make sure you know the secret recipe/spices from Mentawais people. For those who are not sea food lover, you can find regular meals for your dining.

Souvenir Tips
Local hand made souvenirs like traditional hats, traditional bag and accessories will be genuine souvenirs for your relatives and friends. You can buy it in a souvenirs shop or buy it from local people directly.

Other Things to See or Do
Beach Activities

• sight seeing
• Diving
• Snorkeling

Cultural Activities

• Learn how to perform the Traditional dances (war dance and gratitude to nature)
• Traditional ceremonies
• Mentawai is one of the best place to conduct an Ethnographic study since its one of the oldest tribe in Indonesia

Ecotourism Activities
As the habitat for rare primate, the natural rain forest of Mentawai will be the perfect place for research or other educational purpose. Here, you can conduct research about

• Snub-nosed monkey/Simakobu (Simias concolor) monkey family eat leaf as primary food
• Joja or Lutung Mentawai (Presbytis potenziani) easily identified for the long tail, white face and black hair head
• Bokkoi atau Beruk Mentawai (Macaca pagensis)
• Kloss Gibbon/Bilou or Siamang Kerdil (Hylobates klossii) famous for the beautiful voice, different compared to general monkey

Travel Tips

• Nature and culture come to be understood and respected
• Bring your own surf board with you, because its may hard to find surf board shop in Mentawai
• You may arrange your travel using the local travel agent in Indonesia
• Great wave can be find year round, but best wave is during dry season March to October
• Bring your personal medicine
• You may arrange your visit by contact the travel agent and airline services in Indonesia

Malin Kundang “Curse” Stone on Air Manis Beach

This is about Air Manis beach located on Padangbaycity and Malin Kundang “curse stone”.

Malin Kundang is a famous Minangkabau and Malay folklore and the legendary story is said to be originated here in Padang where the remains of “Batu Malin Kundang” is located.

This folkfore is about a man named Malin Kundang who hails from a poor family. Just like any other Minang men, Malin Kundang decided to travel elsewhere to seek good fortune, leaving behind his old mother. His life changed when he married the daughter of a rich man in Siam. Soon after achieving success and gaining great fortune he sailed back homeward on his own ship to Padang together with his wife and crews.

Upon hearing of Malin Kundang’s return, his mother rushed to the beach to meet her long lost son. Unfortunately, Malin Kundang felt ashamed upon looking at his old and poor mother - he was a rich man with fine clothing and a beautiful wife 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.

Humiliated and heartbroken by her arrogant son’s behavior, his mother fell to her knees in desperation and prayed to God asking that her son be punished for what he did. Soon a terrible storm rose up and Malin Kundang’s ship was wrecked upon the rocks. Realising his mistake and sin for ignoring his mother, the badly injured Malin Kundang tried to get ashore to seek forgiveness from his mother but as he crawled on his hands and knees he was suddenly turned into stone.

Until today, a stone that from a certain angle resembles the figure of a man on his hands and knees with his head seemingly buried in the rock can still be found here in Pantai Air Manis. It is said that Malin Kundang has been forced to stay on the beach forever, begging for forgiveness from his mother. Around this rocky figure barrels and ropes have been carved into the stone to represent the shipwreck washed up on the shore.

The tale of an ungratefull son makes the tranquil Pantai Air Manis a legendary location to visit that may offer some lesson in life.