Padang can be hot and humid.
Culture-wise it is the homeland of the Minangkabau race. The Minangkabau, a bold, proud, adventurous warrior of the past and today,the men are encourage to look for better and greener pastures and this is still the pratice today. The society has a well preserved system to ensure that the family weath remains with the woman's side forever.
The town is very clean by Indonesian standards, in comparison to other indonesian towns. The unique buffulo horn shape roof is typical to this place. A well organised and ethical business community, with many business women - in fact, they excell in all type of business and are very good business men and women. (Especially the woman - salute to the females of this community). These people are very good in the cooked food business, the well known minangkabau padang food is popular worldwide. Very good place for beef perparation, Rendang (a dry spicy (curry) beef stewed in santan is recommended).
Bakso (beef ball) in noodles, is also a popular dish. Other more exotic dishes are prepared from cattle's organs: deep fried skin,liver, lung, bull penis, stomach, and instestine and ox tail soup are all considered delicacies by the locals and for more adventurous people.
Bukittinggi
Bukittinggi (translate literally: High mountain) is a cool, mountainous town. Very beautiful and unpolluted. At the town centre, near the clock tower there are many souvenier stores selling local handicraft and embrodery material for dress making
Nearby you can also find stalls selling local plants and the fruit markets.There are horse carts (Angkong) for tourists and local to ride around the town. You can also try the locally-made instant noodle dish (Pangsit)available for breakfast (morning only). Also try the local tea and coffee; the locals have a sweet tooth, so you should request the stall owner not to add milk or sugar to the drink, and then add the milk and sugar yourself .
The locals also bake very nice layer cakes (flavoured with cinnamon harvested from the local tree bark). The local sometimes use a roll of cinnamon stick to stir their coffee, adding flavour in the process.
Lake Minanjau
The view of this fresh water lake is very scenic as you approach from the top of the hill. And as you approach the lake there are many monkeys on the trees, stretching their thier hands to ask for fruit and peanuts.
When you reach this vast lake, the enviroment is very refreshing and windy.
Having lunch at the lake side restaurant is a very pleasant experience. The speciality here is the tiny local fishes, used to make a very nice soup, or deep fried to make cripsy dishes . You can also stay here - there are many homestay and hotels available here - it's very affordable.
Travel Tips on Local Customs
Always use right hand shake (never with the left hand),
Point with the thumbs (impolite to use the finger for pointing to anything)
Never touch the head and headgear of a local (a taboo).
Padang is the nearest airport, about 2-21/2 hours traveling time.
