The Padang-Bukit Tinggi-Maninjau-Padang Trip

Day 1
It was a fine morning when we, i.e. DH (dearest hubby) , Aina, MIL (mum-in-law), PIL (pa-in-law) and i, took the 7am Air Asia flight from LCCT. Unfortunately I was sitting in an aisle seat, so I didn't get to see much of Sumatera from the air. DH was lucky enough to be able to view and snap a pix of Gunung (Mount) Merapi. We arrived at Minangkabau Airport, Bukit Tinggi at 8am last Friday. The immigration Q was long and it was moving rather slow but eventually we were out of the airport..

We saw DH's name on a piece of paper held by a very tall guy. We went to greet him. He introduced himself as Anas, and took us to a Kijang (Toyota) Innova.

Our agreed (planned and paid for) iterinary is as follow:
Day 1- Go to Bukit Tinggi, spend a night there
Day 2- Go to nearby area, then Danau (lake) Maninjau, and spend a night there
Day 3 - Come back to Padang and spend the night there
Day 4 - Catch the 8.30am flight home

Anas told us that we would go straight to Bukit Tinggi with a few stops on the way.

The first stop was at a lookout point, overlooking the picturesque Kiambang village:


We then passsed by the Anai Valley, and stopped over at the waterfall:


We also visited this beautiful Minangkabau centre:
Our first "commercial" stop, where I got myself a pair of leather sandals at RM24:

Soon it was time for Friday prayers. Well thought Anas left us ladies at An-nisa Boutique before heading to the nearby mosque. Which ordinary lady would not be tempted with such show:

but this one was taken at the previous place. Not at An-nisa

After a few hundred thousands rupiah short, we had our first Minang lunch:

We had the best beef dendeng there!

With tummy full and happy, we continued our journey to Bukit Tinggi. We checked-in at Gran Malindo Hotel (not really that grand, LOL!). We took a short rest.

Then it was the mandatory visit to the Gadang Clock, or rather the "Pasar Atas" to "let go" of more rupiahs and RM (yes, most shoppers accept our RM!!).


When it was almost dark, we were driven round the Bukit Tinggi town, before we went back to our hotel for evening prayers and to freshen ourselves, in time for our second Minang meal:



to be continued (pix will come in later, hahaha!!!)