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17 Jun 05 - Minangkabau
Cultural Tour
Today was a wonderful day. We
met another Singaporean family - Uncle Koh, Auntie Mavis and Gordon
- during breakfast at the hotel. They decided to join us for the
Minangkabau Cultural Tour for the day.
Avis was our friendly guide and
Il was our mini van driver.
PROGRAMME:
Koto Laweh - Sawah Parit Tabek Patah - Sungai Tarab - Pagaruyung
- Batusangkar - Balimbing - Ombilin River - Lake Singkarak - Pandai
Sikek
Trying out pancake at a local market. It was delicious
but a bit too oily.
After a long negotiation, Uncle Koh could stand
it no more and showed his karate chop...
We visited a local coffee processing and packing
factory. Mmm, nice coffee aroma...
The King Palace at Pagaruyung
was a cultural highlight for the day.
The King Palace has a majestic Minangkabau architecture. We learnt
a great deal about the Minangkabau culture and history here, and
toured the various rooms in the palace where the last king once
lived.
We learnt that the ancestors of Minangkabau came from India and
they were Hindus and Budhists before they were converted to Muslim.
A mosque in the King Palace premise.
Jin, Robyn and Alvin at the King
Palace.
Robyn and Gordon enjoying Minang
food for lunch.
Padi, padi everywhere, giving us a serene, peaceful
and idyllic feel.
Taking a break and a boat ride in beautiful
and peaceful Lake Singkarak.
Robyn, the farm girl.
Another idyllic farmland view at
Pandai Sikek.
Uncle Avis invited us to his home for dinner at
the end of the tour. We met his wife, Sri, and his two beautiful
daughters, Friska and Vista.
Three families in Bukittinggi - the Yongs, the
Kohs and the Avis.
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