There are some places you visit that change you, and West Sumatra with its vibrant Minangkubau culture, breathtaking natural beauty and globally acclaimed cuisine, will definitely leave a mark on you. One of the most exotic destinations in the Indonesian archipelago, West Sumatra is a province dominated by active volcanoes and hilly rainforests and a rich history dating back centuries that revolves around agriculture and commerce of goods like rice, tobacco and cinnamon. You’ll perhaps most recognize the incredible architecture of the spired roofs typical to Padang-Minangkubau buildings or Rumah Gadang. Everywhere we were greeted with a gentle smile and “Mbak” or “Pak” – Indonesian for ‘sister’ and ‘brother’- and for a busy province of close to 10 million people, you’ll still feel like you’ve just balik kampung (returned to the village).
Most homes outside the city don’t own a TV so you’ll often see kids hanging outside out the home, playing a game of badminton, or perhaps even enjoying a lazy afternoon listening to the radio. Padang is of course home to the famous ‘Nasi Padang‘ – a mini banquet often recognisable by stacks of white bowls and plates of ready-cooked food featuring a variety of meat, fish, chicken and vegetable dishes that are often showcasing the region’s produce. There are hearty gulai, steaming piles of sweet potato leaves, crispy fried whole fish, vibrant purple eggplants with equally bold and spicy sambal – the list goes on, and time is short when there’s much to eat.
Not sure where to start with what to do? West Sumatra overall has a ton of exciting activities available, whatever the level of your thrill-o-meter is. Love the ocean? From the river to the sea, you can explore ancient canyons or mangrove forests, trek to cascading waterfalls or catch a surf in the remote Mentawai islands. Labuan Sundai is a quick 15-minute trip from TPI Mandeh township, with great views Forget about time for a while once you’re at the top – you’ll be mesmerized by the sight of vintage boats floating along the calm azure water. Swim with tropical fishes at the nearby snorkeling sites and if you’re feeling extra adventurous you can take the stairway for a thrilling cliffside jump into the sea, or get spun out on a high-speed tube raft at Pulau Soetan. River Rafting at Pd. Pariaman is a must and we had a great time under the excellent supervision of experienced operator, Lestari Alam, who made sure we all made it through the bumpy rapids safely! For a little more history and culture, a visit to the Museum Adityawarman is great to experience the West Sumatran ‘Tarian Piring’ dance and learn about their wedding cultures, the history of Randang, textile arts and ancient ceramic artifacts.
Islam is the prominent religion in Padang, and so richly embedded into the experience here. You’ll find modest clothing and hijabs the norm, as is halal food. There are suraus in most public places including restaurants as well for extra peace of mind for Muslim travelers. Some ablution areas are interestingly mixed gender although for mosque visits such as to the beautiful Masjid Raya Syekh Ahmad Khatib Al-Minangkabawi Sumatera Barat, typical rules for covering up and separate partitions for men and women’s prayer areas apply albeit being visible from all angles of the exterior. The mosque is ventilated by fan and all doors of the building are kept open, giving an incredibly peaceful and calming atmosphere to the huge expanse of space. The use of four Gonjong (pointed roofs) instead of the usual dome inspired by the traditional Rumah Gadang, and the decorative calligraphy with modern Islamic patterns and names of the Prophet and Allah add to the unique charm of this particular mosque. Awe-inspiring and worth a visit for both Muslim and Non-Muslims alike! Our trip to West Sumatra and its capital city of Padang showed us a side of Indonesia that’s still true to the incredible culture of the islands and their communities – one that’s filled with kindness and hospitality, and a secret side of adventure amongst the incredible landscape of lush green nature and unique Indonesian architecture.
