Thursday, June 29, 2006

Sumantri-Travel Experience article - Padang West Sumatra-Indonesia







Padang West Sumatra-Indonesia
by Sumantri

After from Lake Toba our journey continue to Padang, West Sumatra - Indonesia takes 28 hours by bus very long journey and tiring. We spent 2 days and explore the whole cityn and not forgottent to eat original nasi padang

Padang - WEST SUMATRA
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 adat houses. As it is the women who own 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. Proof of this is the many Minang or Padang restaurants, serving 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.

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