Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia

New AirAsia flight connection (Singapore ⥂ Padang)

📌 By Jakub Mikula | February 16, 2018

• accommodation: Hotel Asia (~220.000 IDR/night), Losman Carlos homestay (~150.000 IDR/night)
• flight: Singapore - Medan (started on Feb 2018)
• transportation: bus (van), uber, grab, taxi
• places of interest: Sianok Canyon, Lake Maninjau, Air Terjun Lubuk Hitam Waterfalls, Bungus Beach

Summary

AirAsia has just recently started operating direct flights from Singapore to Padang, Indonesia (Friday 9th 2018) and my friend won a free flight ticket (for two) for the inaugural flight. He tagged me along. Since I’ve always wanted to visit the island of Sumatra and walk the coasts facing the Indian Ocean I did not hesitate to join him. We travelled only for two days but managed to see quite a lot. On the first day, we visited the “Grand Canyon of Asia” (known as Sianok Canyon) and went up to Puncak Lawang to catch some nice views over the Danau (Lake) Maninjau. We spend a night in Bukittinggi and woke up early in the morning the next day to travel back to Pandang and stay at Losman Carlos Beach Homestay. Short in time, we decided to visit the nearby waterfalls with the “infinity pool” experience and in the evening we were just resting on the beach with the avocado juice enjoying the fresh breeze from the sea and watching the sunset. Here comes a more detailed description:

What to DO in

1. Padang:

Once you leave the building of the very small airport you’ll be facing a crowd of taxi drivers. The price for a taxi to Bukittinggi is approximately 300.000 IDR. A bus would be a much cheaper option, but we did not find a direct connection. At the end we decided to take a van which we shared with three more people + 2 of us + the driver for 130.000 IDR for both of us. The roads were quite crowded, so the journey took about 2 hours, but it was quite comfortable. On our way back from Bukttinggi to Padang next day we took a local van (sort of public transport) which cost only 30.000 IDR per person.

2. Bukittinggi:

We booked a room in Hotel Asia. A nice place for a good price (220.000 IDR per night per room). There, we were offered a half day trip by car for 300.000 IDR to visit the “Grand Canyon of Asia”, or Sianok Canyon and the Lake Maninjau. Along the way, the driver was sharing interesting facts about the region; mentioned mainly about the matriarchal society and Japanese colonial period – we could still see the Japanese tunnels along the roads. We reached the viewpoint of Sianok Canyon by car. From there we admired the beautiful nature formation. Also, it was possible to walk down the “great wall” of Koto Gadang ;)

• HOW TO GET THERE: We booked a half day tour with a car in Hotel Asia for 300.000 IDR

We continued to Puncak Lawang. On the way there it was raining and when we reached the viewpoint the mist was covering everything around us. Disappointed from the weather we cheered ourselves up with a warm beverage and waited for the mist to vanish.

For the next day we planned to travel back to Padang. We took a local van from the Bukittinggi bus terminal (Terminal Aur Kuning), which was leaving at about 7am (or as soon as they would collect 10 people) for only 30.000 IDR. Meanwhile, we enjoyed some local breakfast and coffee while watching the sun rising behind the mount Marapi.

• HOW TO GET THERE: There is a public transport in Bukittingi from early morning. The ‘minivan’ can collect you almost anywhere along the road once they see you. From the bus terminal you need to ask what van/bus to take to wherever you need to get.

3. Air Terjun Lubuk Hitam Waterfalls:

We booked a room at the Losman Carlos homestay. We opted for a cheaper option for 150.000 IDR per night per room. Other rooms were still being under repairmant. Be prepared for a lot of mosquitos. Short in time, we were recommended to visit the nearby waterfalls (Air Terjun Lubuk Hitam) which is only about 20 minutes of a walk from the homestay. The waterfalls could be seen already from the main road. Walking there, you leave the main road near the police station, turn left and continue straight. We had to pay a small symbolic entrance fee to continue. On the way to the waterfalls we passed by two shops where we could buy water and some local snacks.

Climbing the hill through the jungle was worth reaching a beautiful “swimming pool” with the ‘infinity pool’-like formation overlooking the Indian Ocean.

• HOW TO GET THERE: Coming from the main road, take the turn at the police station leading to the hills. You fill pass by some fields and later you will have to pay a symbolic fee to enter the region. Continue straight; you will pass by some natural swimming pool and probably see a lot of children. Walking up the hill you may take different trails to get to different points of the waterfalls. Have fun exploring ;)

4. Bungus Beach:

In the evening we went to the Bungus Beach to admire the sunset. I can’t wait to visit again and travel to the surfing islands of Mentawai ;)

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