Search Results for Category: Activities in West Sumatra

The most awesome and untouched island from West Sumatera, Indonesia, where located on the south coast area. Its white sand and blue clearwater bring the calm feeling and makes grateful thought toward the hard days in life. For those who seek serenity and the beauty of nature, Pagang is the answer.

The attractiveness of the island brought it to a deserve phrase – a paradise island, but still few people visit it because this place is not well published. This breathtaking place is a dream island as well for water sport lovers. Clear blue sea water ever and amazing coral reef sites with variant colorful fish species. There is available a local resort assist for personal or groups to do the water sports such as diving, searfishing, snorkeling, and other excitement activities; parasailing and banana boat.

How to get there?

Padang as the capital city of  West Sumatera is the first point to be reached. After arrived in the city, rent a car to Bungus Beach. At this point, rent a boat to Pagang Island.

If the started point from Minangkabau – West Sumatera, It is around one hour drive from Minangkabau airport.

• Rent a taxi to go to Bungus if you stay in a hotel near the beach. If staying in a hotel in the city, take a taxi to Bungus, but it’s costly. Arrived at Bungus Beach, rent the boat to the Pagang Island, its around 150 thousand rupiah.
• By public transportation; get on ELF Car (shared taxi) from Pasar Raya Padang or near Pasar Raya Plaza. The fare is around five thousand rupiah. It just takes around sixty minutes. It is quite cheap. On the way to Bungus Beach, wonderful scenery will accompany visitors along the trip. The car will pass trough hills with the beach under them, welcoming the visitors. There are also small and cute monkeys in the side of the hills. Many people sometimes stop by just to give peanuts or bananas to the monkeys while taking pictures. Arrived at Bungus beach, rent the boat to the Pagang Island.

Page Source: www.west-sumatra.com

Not far from the Malin Kundang Stone is a mural on this legendary story. The mural, drawn by local artist Dasril Bayras that depicts the rise and fall of Malin Kundang – from his childhood, his journey to Siam, his marriage, his return to Padang and finally his misfortune when he was turned into stone. Those who are not familiar with this folkfore can understand the story line by looking at the mural.

Actually they are few versions of this Malin Kundang story. Another similar version which is well known in Malaysia is about a man named Si Tanggang who, just like Malin Kundang, rejected his mother after making a fortune and later was turned into a stone (or a bird in another version of this legendary story). The Si Tanggang story is said to happen in Batu Caves or Batu Gajah in Malaysia. However, unlike here in Padang, there is no evident like the Malin Kundang stone there that could support this man-turn-into-stone claim.

The Malin Kundang/Si Tanggang story was also made into films and dramas. Most recently, the story was adapted into an Indonesian soap opera using the same title. However, the soap opera was given modern touch and twist with the story took place in modern day Padang and Jakarta.

Source: virtualtourist.com

Pandan Island (8 ha), located 22.5 km from the Padang city  (Muara Padang ), takes 30 minutes from Padang city to go there, or 20 minutes from Air  Island  by using the machine 2 x 85 PK.

The island has a gently sloping beach in the south and north dominated by forest vegetation is very thick and the waves from the west and southeast. Gently sloping beaches on the south by the structure of the smooth sand become turtle haven locations, nearly 500-1000 rounds / week turtle eggs found in Pandan Island with sand stretches to the south of the range 4-5 meters.

In the middle of the island fortress and cannon have Dutch heritage, including the big waves, the beach water clarity depth of 100% at 2-3 meters. There are various types of live corals and various types of ornamental fish. The beauty of coral reefs to attract tourists who visited. The island is not inhabited permanently very suitable to be developed as a regional maritime tourism, forest tours and historical tours.