Padang, the capital of the province of Western Sumatra, mainly used by tourists as a pass on their way to the bunghus bay, where the surfing is very popular or in the mountains outside. Honestly, in the city itself is not so much of what could be done and how to have fun. But the neighborhood of the town is very interesting.
Sikuai Island Island
This is one of the islands on the mentavi groups. A small island (40 hectares) with stunning landscapes. Have you watched the movie "Beach" with Dicapio in the main role? In one of the scenes Leonardo sailed to the beach in Maya Bay and "stuck" in the unreal beauty of the expanses, where the sea is blown away from the light blue to dark blue, and the sand is almost white.
So, then you will be a little easier to imagine what Sicoia is - there is almost the same. Probably not many of you heard about this island. But according to many, this place is even more beautiful than the favorite Bali. Maybe because the beaches of the island are still virgin. But, most likely, in a short time, local authorities are specifically indifferent to this island and will be asleep there of hotels there (already there, but there are not very many people, but on three kilometers of the beach the beach is hardly closely). Maybe Sicoia once will even be a competitor Bali. In the meantime, it is very clean, insanely beautiful and not particularly crowded place. The coast of the island is a beautiful underwater world.
Here is the hotel site on the island. You can contact personnel by email, rooms of the free sea. The boat from the hotel brings-takes guests 2 times a day - from the tourist pier of the harbor. Near the pier is the office of this hotel, there you can take free and pay all that you need (in the hotel only a paperman sign). Choose the bungalow on the beach - the same! From Padan to the mountainous island sailing 40. There is nothing on the island, except for this hotel, sandy beaches and coral reefs.
Along the coast, a walkway is laid, in some places even a concrete, somewhere cut down in the rocks, in general, walking here is one pleasure. The beach near the hotel is excellent, the sand is gentle, corals begin with meters after 10, there is no approach, as the beach is "face" to the mainland. Take a mask and admire the soft corals and fish. The best corals are in the right side of the beach - there may be a turtle or slip moray. Of course, not like in the Red Sea, but better what you could see in Thailand. Plastics canoes can be rented on the beach and swim around the surrounding waters.
You can go to the jungle (they say, McAki and Varana go there). Be sure to climb the steep slope along the steps to the top of the hill - after 300 meters of suffering you will come to the observation site, and Ta-A am what can be seen even on Google Earth - swimming pool! Water there is so-so, but it's still impressive!
Lubuk Minturun (Lubuk Minturun)
It is a "natural jacuzzi", river with cool and fairly clean water. The most extreme tourists tend to jump in deep water from the coastal rocks. As a rule, locals come here on weekends. Keep in mind that the water is rather deep for children and even adults to just stand or swim.
Therefore, it is better to rent a "buns" (inflatable circles such) in just RP. 5000. The pool is especially crowded with people on the day of Balimau (Ramadan's greeting day). This place is located in the area of Koto Tangah (Koto Tangah), 20 kilometers from the center of Padanga. By the way, when you go there, remember that you are in the Muslim province, and it is worth dressing for swimming a little more modest.
Bungus Bay Beach (Bungus Bay)
Also called Carolina Beach. Beach is 32 km south of Padanga. On the beach you can relax well or swim with a mask and a tube. Nothing more. Residents of Padanga love to come here on the weekend, in order to relax, spread the rug and arrange a picnic. The beach is not some kind of incredible, and in general it is not a tourist attraction, so there are no so many people on weekdays on weekdays. Sand on the beach is soft, brownish color, surrounded by coconut palm trees.
By the way, you can immediately buy coconut (5000 rupees per piece, however, the price depends on the size of the coconut) - sin does not try. If you have it your own rug with you, then you can rent rugs (somewhere for RP. 5000). On the beach you will notice local fishermen. You can join the fishing process. And on this beach you can rent a boat and wind up the nearest luxurious Islands - Kubatak and Sikaya. Well, the other of the tiny coral islands nearby. Typically, the boats "hang out" by the shore and can place from 4 to 6 people. Rent a boat on Sicoay stands near RP. 500,000, while renting a boat to Kubatak will cost you in RP. 800000. Prices are variatives.
And nearby there is a small waterfall and several restaurants nearby. If that, on the same beach you can stay in one of the hotels, for example, in Losmen Carlos ([email protected]) or Ricky's Beach House ([email protected]).
Padang Beach (Padang Beach)
You can ride on Bendy (equestrian carriage) along the beach, stop next to the benches, in order to have a snack and admire views. Not that this beach was so cool for swimming. It is for walking that he is very good. Be sure to buy a glass of Naga (Pintaya fruit juice) and then continue a leisurely walk. Locals come to this beach on days off during the daytime. The beach (like almost everything on Sumatra) is surrounded by coconut palm trees, where you can hide from the scorching sun. People sit there. But you will almost not see the sunburning. Most locals wear special closed clothes for swimming or games on water (especially women).
Chinatown.
You can walk in and try the Padang croup there (something like chips is almost a pizza, with various sauces: spicy and sweet). In the Chinese quarter, generally steely explore a mixture of local and Chinese cuisines. Gourmet should like!
Night life In Padan, relatively boring, most likely, because Padang - inhabiting a rather devout Muslim community. Bars are in some hotels of the city, but with alcohol it is intense.