Articles Tagged with: West Sumatra

Pisang Ketek Island is really close to Air Manis beach. It is about 1 km from Air Manis beach. The dominant vegetations are coconut trees, the surface inclination is 0 – 15 meter of the sea level. Waves are of medium size to the south. In low tides, the tourists may stroll to the island from air manis beach. Suitable activities for this island are natural landscape, adventures, legends, swimming, sailing, surfing for beginners and camping.

Bungus beach is beautiful natural scenery, the shape resembles a crescent beach.  Bungus beach dominated by the Impressive hills which tower above the pleasant ricefield the crescent shaped bay is unspoilt. The beaches with white sand that is suitable and perfect place for a variety of recreation such as to relax, sunbathing, swimming or hire canoes, surfboats and snorkeling equipment and boats to the islands nearbay. The islands just 5- 15 miles to south of the beach. Two of them, Sikuai and Cubadak islands are developed as tourist resort. A short journey (4 KM) from losmen carlos Bungus beach is beautiful 3 pool waterfall set in A Tropical rainforst.

Getting There
Bungus beach located in a quiet bay Bungus, 20 kilometers south of Padang, West Sumatera. Just 45 minutes to 1 hour from Padang city by Opelet (minibus). Pick a blue Opelet in town for 5000 Rp started from 5.30 AM until 8.00 PM, Oplets or buses are available at oplet terminal. JI. M. Yamin in Padang. There is sign Bungus Teluk Kabung at the oplet shelter. Also, you can rent a manual motorbike in Carlos or Tintin for 50,000 or 60,000 Rp, depending on your bargaining skills. If you need more convenient way, takes a taxi.

To Do
Beach umbrellas and chairs available for sunbathing. Warm seawater and is safe for swimming. From here, you can explore nearest ocean to the coast of Padang such as Sikuai and Cubadak islands. To get there, you can rent a boat or a sailboat in the Bungus citizens. From Bungus beach to the islands takes ± 75 minutes. If you do not want to wasteful of energy, enough to relax on the beach while enjoying the sunset at this amazing bay. Sitting under the shade of coconut trees surrounding the beach is also exciting, it was a beautiful palm beach. Or eat seafood and other dishes at the restaurants that dotted the shore. There is one activity that is often did the travelers of Bungus beach, which is fishing. There was silence waves will provide for your own pleasure. About the inn, there are resort around the beaches that you can use to relax after a day of sightseeing.

Accomodations
The beach is available tourist facilities such as beach umbrellas and chairs for sunbathing. There are many homestays along the beach with reasonable price and restaurants as well, here’s some of them :

1. Losmen Carlos (http://losmencarlos.blogspot.com)
Telp. +6281363973411, losmen_carlos.bymaicheil@yahoo.co.id
3  Beach Cottages, with a nice view of the evening sunset.
There are basic rooms for Rp.100,000. With bathroom outside,
There are 2 rooms at Rp.75,000.
Pickup from Padang Rp. 120,000.
On the evening, if there are enough tourists, Carlos will pay a guitarist to play around a beach fire.
You can book an island day-trip for Rp.200,000 per person including lunch on the island.

2. Losmen Tintin.
Not far from Carlos, similar family guesthouse next to the beach.
Very basic rooms from Rp.50,000

West Sumatra is one of the most beautiful areas of Indonesia. It is mountainous and divided by three valleys. There are lovely lakes and spectacular volcanoes. But Minangkabau land is very special and has the most friendly population group of Indonesia. They love to talk with visitors and will tell us about their unique society. If a visitor tries to understand the culture and Minang traditions he will soon feel himself a member of the clan. He will be invited as a guest to their homes – a unique way to become acquainted with real Indonesian life. Most of our hosts and hostesses are English teachers so language will not be much of a problem. They will show us the community and explain their customs.

The land of the Minangkabau, West Sumatra has a distinct culture, which distinguishes it from the rest of the island. A land of scenic beauty with blue green lakes and mountains, West Sumatra’s Centre of culture and tourism is Bukittinggi in the highlands, north of the provincial capital of Padang. Most prominent in the landscape is the horn-shaped roofs of the houses nestled in the coconut groves. The name Minangkabau means triumphant buffalo. It leads a community and family life based on a matrilineal system, which clusters around mosques and the traditional houses. As it is the women who have the properties, the men are known for their wanderlust and entrepreneurship. Traveling is considered a mark of success and therefore many of them are found “merantau” (emigrated) to other parts of the country. This is proof that many Minang or Padang restaurants, serve very spicy food, found in all major towns in the nation. The people are hospitable and eloquent in a poetic style of speech and ceremonies. Festivals are colorful occasions.

West Sumatra has a coastline where the capital is situated. The hinterland is a range of high mountains, which dip into picturesque valleys and lakes. Amongst them are the remnants of the old Minangkabau kingdom of Pagaruyung, (the art centers for silver, hand-weaving, embroidery and woodcarving).