Binuang Street

Middle-aged woman driver picked me up at “Gulai Itiak Lado Mudo Ngarai” restaurant.

Me: “Mrs, I had canceled my order because it was too long, but I also haven’t managed to order another motorcycle taxi, Mrs“

She: “In my application, it haven’t canceled. I was stuck in traffic because a car broke down on top. Come on, just go up, Sir. It’s hard to get signal here, you won’t easy to get a motorcycle taxi again, Sir. “

Without long thinking, I rushed to sit in back seat and refused to use a raincoat which offered by her because I was sure soft drizzle wouldn’t make me wet.

Opposing the direction which I came and turned right when it was at top of Binuang Street which was cut off by an intersection, then I traced the same street name to the name of a city park which I was going to.

She just dropped me in front of park entrance which was very crowded. I tucked USD 0.5 on her motorcycle dashboard as a tip even though she persistently tried to refused. Salute to her.

Not as much time as other visitors, made me walked in a hurry to ticket sales counter which is protected by a roof with three shoots of “gonjong“, then gave USD 1.2 to get entry access.

Japanese Tunnel was the first site which I looked for when I entered park area. I was so curious about the shape of this longest defense tunnel in Asia. Not hard to find, statue of two Japanese soldiers who stand in opposite directions is a marker of its existence.

A tour group appeared and closes gate of Japanese Tunnel because of focusing in hearing a direction from their tour guide. There is also a floor plan which illustrates path in this defensive tunnel.

While at right of entrance, park main area is dominated by ceramic floors which form a performances podium with one of its sides being a view point of Sianok Canyon and Singgalang Mountain.

Pay again if you take a photo in this view point.

In some spots, there are garden canopies with four shoots of “gonjong”. Bukittinggi topographic contours with hilly-valleys appear to be described by this park shape. One side of park appears to be higher than the other side, many stairs are provided, making it easier for visitors to access each side of park.

While on left side, there is a flat area which is used for children playground with a single pillar as centre. Also visible a small glass-walled musalla is on a side of children playground.

This is Panorama Park which closed my journey in Bukittinggi. I will come back to this city if I had a chance. I will return to enjoy delights of this town’s Kapau Rice.

It was time to pack up and heading to Padang City.

What’s in Padang? Come with me!

Bet with rain, I left Kinantan Zoo. I think it would be very disadvantage to just let go of Bukittinggi’s natural fracture charm. Going through same path as I entered Fort de Kock, Limpapeh Bridge and TMSBK, now I was standing again at front gate of that square fort.

A young age man came with a smile approaching me. He was an online motorcycle taxi that I was waiting to take me for next destination. On fast journey, he said “Brother, your signal will be bad at valley , if you want to be picked up after finishing your visitation, I’m ready to take“. Because my habit that doesn’t want to be rushed in enjoy something, especially about the beauty of nature, I refuse it subtle.

Dr. Abdul Rivai Street had finished to be passed until the end. That is the road name to remember a “Bumiputera (local people)” who had fought against Dutch colonialism through journalism realm. Next, the road started to sharply swoop when I turned to the right.

One kilometer swoop down trip presented a breathtaking view of valleys on either side of Binuang Street. Janjang Koto Gadang like a Great Wall of China miniature looked in a flash of eyes. I didn’t have time to visit it because I had to bet with travel services schedule to Padang.

“Welcome to Kenagarian Sianok Anam Suku“, written at top of a gate which is located precisely in middle of bridge which connecting two valley sides which is cut off by Batang Sianok River. On right pillar told that I was in Sub-Districts IV Koto, while the left one told that I was in Agam Districts.

The twenty meter wide river never seemed to be angry with spilling flood. My estimation is very reasonable with existence of semi-permanent and even permanent buildings in river banks. And somehow, sandy soil deposits in the middle of river were delivered from some where by river currents.

I can’t imagine how two sides of cliff that were originally fused then shifted in opposite direction to form a perfectly perpendicular fracture and created an elongated valley which was then invaded by water to form a natural river.

And…. Heavy rain was really falling…..

Made me to escape from canyon and looked for a shelter. “Gulai Itiak Lado Mudo Ngarai” restaurant terrace became a comfortable place to shelter even though I was closely watched by its owner. Finally I dared myself to ask permission for temporarily took shelter .

It was true, I really didn’t get a phone signal to call a online motorcycle taxi when it started to rain. I tried to find a higher place and then get two signal cell bars. I struggled to order an online motorcycle taxi that was repeatedly rejected. Until finally, on fifth call I was picked up by a middle-aged woman with her scooter matic and delivered me to my last destination in Bukittinggi.

Tag: Binuang Street

The Rest of Japan in Panorama Park

Sianok Canyon, Perfect Natural Fracture