Visit Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra : Jembatan Limpapeh.

Bukit Tinggi is full of natural charm, presenting its beauty and coolness. As a tourism spot in West Sumatra, Bukit Tinggi offers a variety attractions  to entice visitors to come and stay. A famous attraction most tourist will never miss  is a stroll across Limpapeh Bridge while enjoying the beauty of Bukit Tinggi from above. Limpapeh Bridge is the most famous bridge in Bukit Tinggi.Limpapeh Bridge is a suspension bridge with a length of 90 meters and width of 3.8 meters. It stretches over Jalan Ahmad Yani, Bukittinggi connecting Kinantan Wildlife and Culture Park with Fort de Kock.

Do not forget to take photographs of the beautiful scenery. You can have a look not only the houses and vehicles that look pretty like a miniature, but Mount Merapi is located right in front of your eyes and the fog that blanket green hills. Especially when the weather is sunny, because the sky would look perfect. While photographing, sometimes we are surrounded by a pack of monkeys. Do not worry they are safe. The monkeys come from Wildlife Park Kinantan. With the entry charge of IDR 5,000, - per person, you can take a walk  to discover Limpapeh Bridge.

The showcase does not stop there, once you enjoy the natural scenery of Bukittinggi from Limpapeh Bridge, you can move on to the wildlife Park and Cultural Kinantan and Fort de Kock. There are a variety of animals that make us amused. When in Fort de Kock, we can take pictures with a cannon that was there. Actually beside close to Jam Gadang or Clock Tower, you can get easy access too into Pasar Atas from this spot. Once, you are in the wildlife park then go out through exit gate. There you will find the way into Pasar Atas as the center of songket weaving fabrics and a variety of souvenirs from Bukit Tinggi.

Therefore, if you have a visit to the city of Bukittinggi, do not forget to visit the Bridge Limpapeh as beautiful and attractive scenery awaits you there. Let's explore West Sumatra.

Visit West Sumatra : Pagaruyung Palace

Istana Basa, Tanah Datar.

Istano Basa, or also known as Istana Pagaruyung, is a replica of Pagaruyung Palace in the district of Tanjung Emas, Batusangkar, Kabupaten Tanah Datar, Sumatera Barat.Istano Basa means the great or grand palace. Istano Basa is a historic spot and well known as tourist destination in West Sumatra for a quite long time.

Pagaruyung is  a kingdom that once reigned in the area today known as the province of West Sumatra. The kingdom collapsed at the time of the Padri War, after the signing of the agreement between Adat people and the Dutch government, which made the kingdom of Pagaruyung under the Dutch control.

In the era of  Minangkabau kingdom, the royal palace of Pagaruyung plays a double role; as a dwelling house of the royal family and the Government of the Kingdom of Minangkabau led by a king known as "RAJO ALAM" or "KING OF THE ROYAL MINANGKABAU". The Leadership of Rajo Alam known as "Tali Tigo Sapilin" and His government was known as the "Tungku Tigo Jarangan".

Modern history recorded that Istana Pagaruyung had moved four times. The first location was at Ateh Bukit, Batu Patah, Jorong Gudam. Then, it moved to Sungai Bunggo, Jorong Gudam, and moved again near by because of fire. Even in 1804, the original palace built by Rajo Alam at Bukit Batu Patah burnt down in a bloody chaos by the colonial administration at the times, the Dutch.  The rebuilding of Istano Basa began by laying down tunggak tuo or the main mast on December 27, 1976 by the Governor of West Sumatra Province, Harun Zain.

Source: taken from a number of sources 

Visit West Sumatera : Jam Gadang in Bukit Tinggi

Jam Gadang at night.

Jam Gadang is a clock tower lies in the heart of Bukit Tinggi, precisely in Jalan Parak Kubang No. 40, Guguk Panjang, Kota Bukittinggi,West Sumatera. Besides the Landmark of Bukit Tinggi, Jam Gadang, with the surrounding park called Sabai Nan Aluih Park, has also become iconic tourism destination in West Sumatera.The park becomes public space for interactions both on weekdays and on holidays. Events of a general nature are usually organized around the park near the clock tower. (wikipedia.com)

The Tower Clock stands 26 meters  with circle clock on four sides of the upper part. It was constructed in 1826 as a gift from the Queen of the Netherlands to Controleur or Secretary of Bukittinggi at the time, Rook Maker. So, it ages more than 180 years. Its construction was completed by architect Yazin and Sutan Dental Ameh and development costs 'gift' reached 3,000 guilders, which was considered fantastic at the time.

The uniqueness of this clock monument is the mistake in the writing of  the clock number for "IV". Instead of "IV", it was written as "IIII".  No one knows whether it was a mistake of a deliberate one.

But some thing for sure, it is made only two in the World even until nowadays, the other one is the Big Ben  in London, England. 

Nearby, there is also a well-known market called Pasar Atas, the center of commerce in Bukit Tinggi. This market is usually crowded on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Various goods sold in this market, ranging from vegetables and fruits, clothing to a wide variety of crafts such as weaving, silver, up socks and clothes that show the image of Minangkabau. Everything is sold at bargain prices.

Last but not least, Istana Bung Hata is just the opposite of this iconic destination. Istana Bung Hatta is the official residence of  ex-vice president of Indonesia Muhammad Hatta. Bung Hatta Bukittinggi palace is now used as a venue for the President, Vice President and Country Guest who visit West Sumatra, and also used as the multipurpose building of the State.

Come and Stop by when you are in West Sumatera.

Visit Tour de Singkarak (TDF) 2016 in West Sumatera, Indonesia.

According 2016 UCI cycling calendar in Asia Tour 2016,Tour de Singkarak (TDF) will again be held on August 6 (http://www.velowire.com/UCIcyclingcalendar). The International bicycle racing event is promised to be held more professional and the most spectacular ever. The Opening and Start of the first stage will be from Singkarak Lake (TDS icon) and finish (final stage) in the city of Padang on August 14, 2016.

The local government in each stage will hold distinct events to celebrate this international event and help promote tourism destinations in its respective locality. In addition, for the first time in 2016 TDS will also be enlivened with culinary festival in Padang on August 3 to 4 a city tour in Bukittinggi.

The even is  followed by 25 teams, divided into 19 teams from overseas and six teams from the local team. Actually,  there are 45 teams of local and international signed up but followed only by 25 teams.  The teams  from abroad coming from Asia, Australia and Africa. Such as Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Korea, Japan Australia, Iran Arab Emirates, the Philippines, China and Kenya.
For the opening will begin on August 6, 2016 in Solok toward Payakumbuh, the second stage in Limapuluh Koto to Tanah Datar. The third stage starts from Pasaman to Pasaman Barat. The fourth stage begins in Padang Panjang towards Agam. Fifth stage starts from the South Coast to Kota Pariaman, starting the sixth stage of Padangpariaman to Sawahlunto.Then, starting from the seventh stage Sijunjung towards Dharmasraya and on August 13, 2016 is a day of rest game.The eight stage is the final stage on Sunday, August 14 starting from Bukittinggi to the city of Padang. 

Source: from a number of local papers in West Sumatera.