Padang

Padang

We reached the city of Padang, the final destination of our journey. Padang is the capital of the province of West Sumatra, and the principal gateway to the Minang Highlands. Padang's port at the south of the city is the largest port in Sumatra. That the Minangkabau are proud of their culture is reflected in the style of the new buildings. Many of the new buildings are constructed with roofs in Minangkabau style.
Right: Gate entering Padang Below left and right: Modern buildings with traditional Minagkabau style roof

In the centre of Padang is the provincial museum Museum Negeri Adhityawarman. The museum is located in a park and built in traditional Minangkabau style, and houses objects of cultural and historical interest, like artifacts related to Minang ceremonies, prehistoric artifacts, stamps, manuscripts, imported ceramics, etcetera.

Museum Negeri Adhityawarman

Padang has some pretty beaches. The most popular ones are located south of Padang. The beaches are good for swimming, boating or just watching fishing boats going out in the afternoon. On Sundays, the beaches are usually crowded with families and youngsters enjoying their weekly day off. On other days, however, you will find the beaches deserted.

Above and right: Late afternoon at beach Pantai Caroline, south of Padang

One of the most famous attractions in Padang is the renowned Nasi Padang. It is served by numerous restaurants. One of the most famous is Simpang Raya, which has branches throughout West Sumatra and Riau, but also in other cities in Indonesia. When you sit down at a table, in no time the waiter will fill the whole table with plates, containing Kari, chicken and fish prepared in coconut curry, Rendang, meat in coconut gravy and Dendeng Balado, thin slices of dried and fried beef served with red chilies. You only have to pay for what you eats, so before you leave the waiter will assess the damage and make-up the bill.

Nasi Padang as served in Simpang Raya restaurant