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 in 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 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 invited me to join him. Since I have always wanted to visit the island of Sumatra and walk along the coasts facing the Indian Ocean, I did not hesitate to go. We travelled for only two days but still 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 great views over Danau (Lake) Maninjau. We spent a night in Bukittinggi and woke up early the next morning to travel back to Padang and stay at Losman Carlos Beach Homestay. With limited time, we decided to visit the nearby waterfalls for an “infinity pool” experience. In the evening, we relaxed on the beach with avocado juice, enjoying the fresh sea breeze and watching the sunset. Here is a more detailed description:

What to DO in

1. Padang:

Once you leave the very small airport building, you will 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. In the end, we decided to take a van, which we shared with three more people (plus the two of us and the driver) for 130.000 IDR total for both of us. The roads were quite crowded, so the journey took about 2 hours, but it was comfortable. On our way back from Bukittinggi to Padang the next day, we took a local van (a kind of public transport), which cost only 30.000 IDR per person.

2. Bukittinggi:

We booked a room at Hotel Asia. It is 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 Lake Maninjau. Along the way, the driver shared interesting facts about the region. He mainly mentioned the matriarchal society and the 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 natural formation. It was also possible to walk down the “great wall” of Koto Gadang ;)

• HOW TO GET THERE: We booked a half-day tour with a car at 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 by the weather, we cheered ourselves up with a warm drink and waited for the mist to clear.

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 collected 10 people), for only 30.000 IDR. Meanwhile, we enjoyed a local breakfast and coffee while watching the sun rise behind Mount Marapi.

• HOW TO GET THERE: There is public transport in Bukittinggi from early morning. The “minivan” can pick you up almost anywhere along the road once they see you. From the bus terminal, you need to ask which van/bus to take to wherever you need to go.

3. Air Terjun Lubuk Hitam Waterfalls:

We booked a room at the Losman Carlos homestay. We chose a cheaper option for 150.000 IDR per night per room. Other rooms were still under repair. Be prepared for a lot of mosquitoes. Short on time, we were recommended to visit the nearby waterfalls (Air Terjun Lubuk Hitam), which are only about a 20-minute walk from the homestay. The waterfalls could already be seen from the main road. To get 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 two shops where we could buy water and some local snacks.

Climbing the hill through the jungle was worth it. We reached a beautiful “swimming pool” with an “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 will pass by some fields, and later you will have to pay a symbolic fee to enter the area. Continue straight. You will pass by a natural swimming pool and probably see a lot of children. Walking up the hill, you may take different trails to reach different points of the waterfalls. Have fun exploring ;)

4. Bungus Beach:

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

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