Itinerary 4D 3N (Pekan Baru, Riau – Bukit Tinggi – Padang, West Sumatera)

Day 1st (Pekan Baru)

Sultan Syarif Qasim 11 International Airport-Masjid Al-Fithrah-Masjid Bangkinang Islamic Centre-Danau Buatan PLTA Kota Panjang

Others:

Masjid Agung An-Nur / Masjid Raya-Balai Adat Melayu Riau (Jln Diponegoro)-Anjungan Seni Idrus Tintin, Seni dan Budaya Pekan Baru-Pusat Kerajinan Songket Melayu

Shop: Pasar Bawah (Mall Pekan Baru)

Meal: Ikan baung pondok asam pedas baung (depan rumah sakit awal bros)-Ikan patin HM Yunus (Daerah Simpang3)-Pondok ikan bakar bandar hidup 9

Day 2nd (Bukit Tinggi)

Pandai Sikek (weaving and wood carving)-Surau Nagari Lubuk Bauk-Pagaruyung Palace-Silindung Bulan Palace-Extraordinary spiral coconut tree-Graveyard of previous ruler-The written stone (batu bersurat)-Pondok Flora (lunch restaurant/perform solat)-Tabek Patah (local homemade pisang salai and traditional coffee milling)-Jam Gadang-Pasar Atas

Budgets 4D 3N (Pekan Baru, Riau – Bukit Tinggi – Padang, West Sumatera)

The expenses stated here was for 2pax. We can’t recall cost for the item no 11, 12, 14 and some souvenirs. Thanks to Baiz cuz she helped much to keep in mind all these cost. The Supir (driver): item #3 below, contact no +6281363385879 (Aldy).

Plz note transaction for item written in green was made in MYR (Ringgit) while other items was made in IDR (Rupiah). Plz click the image to enlarge and clearer figure.

Indonesia: Bukit Tinggi-Padang, West Sumatera (Day 4th)

After had breakfast and checked out, we went to Minangkabau Documentation Center (PDIKM=Pusat Dokumentasi dan Informasi Kebudayaan Minangkabau) at Padang Panjang. Locals marked this center as Minang Villages. This center such a museum and the best place for those needs to acquire informations and histories of Minangkabau tribe. Not to worry cuz beside the books and replicas, there is an officer may help you clarify and explain any queries. Plus, visitors may rent the Minang apparel here as well.

The city of Padang Panjang is located at the foot of Mount Tandikat. Mount Tandikat has historical volcano activities and it is a twin volcano with Mount Singgalang. According to locals, the final eruption was on 1924 and uncertain on the next eruption. Some locals had climbed up this mountain and share their experiences at the crater and the peak.

Indonesia: Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatera (Day 3rd)

After breakfast, we visited Taman Panorama Lubang Jepang (Japanese Tunnel Panorama Park) juz nearby our hotel [Entrance fees IDR10k (RM3) for 2pax (expense9)]. Visitors may go through the tunnel by map stated on the wall at the tunnel entrance or with assistance of the local guide. Normally the local guide charged RM5 per pax if tour group, however only both of us so the local guide charged us RM10 per pax and we paid RM20 for 2 pax (expense10). The guide accepted both IDR and MYR currency.

This tunnel was built as Japanese bunker by Indonesians under forced labour (as slave) by Japanese military in 1942 till 1945. Inside this tunnel, there are area to store ammunition, meeting rooms, prison, torture room, the Romusha (forced labourer) dining room, kitchen, surveillance room, ambush room, and the escape gate. When walking along the tunnel, it was cold ambiance, quiet, creepy and sorrowing surrounding.

Indonesia: Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatera (Day 2nd)

As for breakfast, the hotel café served us with fried rice, toast, coffee and tea. Im not a coffee lover, however I chose hot coffee cuz the fresh original coffee powder calling me! Yes, the Indonesian hot coffee was nice!

At 8.30am, Pak Yas meet up us at lobby and we enjoyed some of surrounding and scenery all the way to next venue. Before proceed further, we stopover at Sulaman Linduang Bulan to check out their latest design of embroidery and I was looking for cotton telekung.

Indonesia: Pekan Baru, Riau - Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatera (Day 1st)

We arrived at Pekan Baru (PKU) and we meet up with Pak Yas (Supir) and his son at Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport. Supir payment IDR2.2k (RM627) including Avanza new car, petrol, parking, driver fees and tipping (expense3). On the way to our next venue, we heard adzan of Zohor and we drop by Masjid Al-Fithrah to perform solat jamak and qasar. Hurm, at this Masjid no curtain or border between men and women area. Maybe this Masjid still in construction phase or the culture here perhaps. Here, ‘alas kaki’ is not a doormate; however it is referred to shoes.

All the way we saw some marriage ceremonies on our left and right side along the road. Besides, we passed by State Islamic University Riau. We saw lots of pineapples were sold along the road of Rimbo Panjang area. Locals made as pineapple crackers and they produce jackfruit chips as well. I never taste both crackers and first time I saw those.

Indonesia: Pekan Baru (Riau)-Bukit Tinggi-Padang (West Sumatera)

Sumatera, Indonesia time = UTC +7

Indonesia currency = IDR (Rupiah)

Currency rate = 0.0285 (e.g IDR1k = RM0.285)

Language = Indonesian

Plz note actual date went to Riau-West Sumatera was on 11-14 May 2014. The expenses stated here was for 2 pax.

As most of my previous journeys were arranged by travel agent, however this time we did it by ourselves from ticket, hotel, meal and itinerary. Hence, for the first time I depict myself as a traveler instead of tourist. Not so called traveler as we rent a car together with the driver (locals called driver as Supir). We booked AirAsia air tickets a few months earlier and cost us RM236 returned for both (expense1). We were advised to reach KLIA2 earlier cuz it was newly air terminal which was officially opened recently on 9 May 2014 and some area still ongoing construction.