Bukittinggi Tourism

Maestro Travel from Bukittinggi to Padang

9 August 20209 August 2020travelingpersecond

It’s so easy to order travel and bus services in Sumatra Island. Pick up the phone, mention the destination, convey the departure time then ask what time to get ready at travel or bus office!….No need to pay in advance….Then you will arrive at your destination if you aren’t late to come to their office.

INTRA Bus from Pematang Siantar to Pekanbaru….

Travel Annanta from Pekanbaru to Bukittinggi….

Now, an easy procedure was repeated for Maestro Travel from Bukittinggi to Padang….

—-****—-

The last day in Bukittinggi or if calculated from the beginning of my journey is my sixth day in Sumatra land, I recounted my journey with Maestro Travel when I began to phone call a woman front office staff at eight in the morning on departure day.

“You will sit in the back seat and please come half an hour before departure time, Uda (Uda is designation for brother in West Sumatra). Prepare a fare for about USD 3! “, She simply said.

—-****—-

I rushed to De Kock Hotel after my last visitation in Panorama Park. No time to took a shower again, I thought only one, tonight I would arrive in Jakarta and would soak with warm water in my bucket at home ….As long as I want….Hahaha.

Black Vixion (Vixion is brand name of Yamaha motorbike in Indonesia) picked me up on hotel terrace then drove fast through density of Sudirman Street to Maestro Travel office, three kilometers away. In fifteen minutes I arrived. Entering the office, I was greeted by a veiled young woman, I handed over the fare and held a ticket to Padang.

There were still twenty minutes left before travel car arrived. According to the front office staff, travel car were still driving around to picking up passengers at their respective homes. I just decided to go to a small restaurant around the office and order a serving of “Pecel Ayam” (Pecel Ayam is rice with fried chicken and chili sauce) and a glass of water. This time I ate it very quickly, like a snake swallowing a hedgehog….Uppsss.

I arrived back at travel office in situation that travel car was ready and all passengers seemed to be looking towards me. Apparently I was awaited by all the passengers, I hope they weren’t upset.

Middle seat and next to the driver were occupied by a small family package. Husband and wife, their little daughter and husband’s mother-in-law. While I sat in back seat with a Slovak named Boris. A young postman, bald-headed, thin-bodied and a hobby looking for silence.

In back seat we talked all the way. The story began with impression of his journey in Kazakhstan where no one bothered him when he went up the mountain alone. Then it continues on to his habit that he will feel dizzy when working in an office, therefore he chose to be a postman in Slovakia.

“Why is this car passing a small road like this? Can we arrive at the airport on time?”, he said to me.

“I think that driver is trying to get through the faster road, Boris …. Hahaha”, I answered.

“If he fails, It’s not funny….Not funny”, he was panicked. Indeed, his flight schedule was only one hour from estimated time of arrival which was said by Google Maps on my smartphone.

I tried to distract by continuing to talk. I didn’t know how the begining theme, so we could talk about Indonesian 0 km point in Sabang, Ijen Crater, Probolinggo, Lazada e-commerce, and secondhand iPhones which he thought it was cheap if purchased in Indonesia. One more thing, we discussed about direct flights from Manado to Manila. Until family head who sat next to the driver explained to Boris that that flight didn’t exist.

I passed a waterfall at the edge of road, I knew it was “Lembah Anai” Waterfall. That means I was forty kilometers from Padang City. Boris asked me to stopping the driver and allowed him to buy some mineral water, expensive if he had to buy it at airport. I thought it didn’t need to stop, I have some supply of bottled mineral water. It was result of collected it from Sri Indrayani Hotel in Pekanbaru, Annanta Travel and De Kock Hotel in Bukittinggi. I gave him two bottles. “I really appreciate you, Donny … very much appreciate,” he said while patting my arm.

That was my farewell to him, he must get off at Minangkabau International Airport and heading to Malang. That family package would go to Bandung. While I would head to Padang downtown to explore it for four hours, considering I would back to Jakarta at eight o’clock at night.

The Rest of Japan in Panorama Park

5 August 202025 July 2020travelingpersecond

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!

Sianok Canyon, Perfect Natural Fracture

1 August 202025 July 2020travelingpersecond

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.

Sianok canyon was captured from Panorama Park.

Sianok Canyon view with Singgalang Mountain background… Isn’t it beautiful?

Culture and Education Lane in Kinantan Wildlife and Cultural Park

28 July 202025 July 2020travelingpersecond

My steps at eastern end of Limpapeh Bridge became unstoppable. On Cubadak Bungkuak Hill, I followed paving block lane with yellow diagonal pattern and most of green fences on either side. And then mingle with visitor crowds who are enjoying display of cute animals.

A row of beautiful aves welcomed my first step when entering the zoo which was more than a century old. Producing beautiful sounds in circle of an iron cage was a way for them to entertain visitors.

While rodentia were present on other side. Threat of their thorns had to be held back by a half-body concrete wall in combination with an iron fence above it. They stayed in an artificial tree with holes on several sides.

Cute hedgehogs were getting ready for breakfast.

Proving itself as the most complete zoo in Sumatra, a herd of primates welcomed visitors in middle of area. Some long-tailed monkeys didn’t seem to care about visitor arrival because of their busy eating favorite fruit.

Before entering the most striking spot, there was an elephant with albino-trunk complete with two long tusks which getting around a giant cage to warm its body in morning sun.

Precisely on right of elephant cage, there is a Minangkabau traditional building with three peaks of “gonjong” on both sides and perfected with a main “gonjong” on the porch. roofed with palm fiber, walled with carved wood and have stage floors. Nearly fifty meters long and about twenty meters wide, this Baanjuang Traditional House looks dashing in the center of Kinantan Zoo.

Continuing through to east, a white-walled and green roof musalla appears to mediate the location between Baanjuang Traditional House in the centre and Zoological Museum at the eastern end.

The Zoological Museum itself is green with a Sumatran tiger statue on its roof. To its right, the goldfish-shaped building functions as an aquarium show. The museum which was established in conjunction with a similar museum at Bogor in 1894, has a collection of two thousand species which are preserved and exhibited.

Kinantan Zoo which is officially named Kinantan Wildlife and Culture Park (TMSBK) has had several famous names such as Strompark, Puti Bungsu Park, Bukittinggi Zoo and Fort de Kocksche Dieren Park. Founded by Storm Gravenande, a Dutchman who had served as Assistant Resident of Agam.

Not only all animals which I mentioned above, TMSBK has several other animals such as spotted deer, camels, tigers, orangutans, gibbons, binturung, crocodiles, snakes and many more. It need more time to visit it, so we can enjoy the presence of animals in this zoo.

Please visit here if you are in Bukittinggi.

Limpapeh Bridge, Jirek and Cubudak Bungkuak

24 July 202024 July 2020travelingpersecond

Trulek bird closed my visitation at Fort de Kock.

“There’s still time“….Inner continued to force steps.

TMSBK ticket was grasped, then at the end of Fort de Kock I saw a crowd on next hill. While the mind continued to imagine an exquisite Sianok canyon, while a iconic suspension bridge welcomed me at front.

I couldn’t dodge its charm…..

Six Gonjong Roofs in the center, four giant steel strands hold bridge deck along 90 meters. Connecting two strong hills which are quite popular in Bukittinggi, namely Jirek Hill and Cubudak Bungkuak Hill with 3 meters footing width.

Is Limpapeh Bridge which looked mighty straddling on Ahmad Yani Street. It had played a role for about 28 years in connecting Kinantan Wildlife and Cultural Park (TMSBK) with Fort de Kock fortress area.

Limpapeh Bridge itself was the first greeter for my arrival in Bukittinggi a day before.

“Limpapeh” itself means “Centre Pillar“. The uniqueness of this bridge is besides in structure centre, its twin pillars also limit both sides of Ahmad Yani Street so that it form a welcome gate for city guests on its protocol road.

Limpapeh Bridge with two layers of six *Gonjong* roofs.

Whereas on my second visitation on my first night, alphabets board “Limpapeh Bridge” which glowed bright red was decorated with a splash of purple light on both of its twin pillars. Really become city gate which is very beautiful in eyes view.

In evening, Limpapeh Bridge is culinary activities condiment in an area known as *Kampung Cino*.

Like Janjang which is spread in many city corners, this beautiful link is also a integration manifestation of city facilities. That are a Fort de Kock tourism and Wildlife Cultural Park Kinantan (TMSBK) tourism which are be exposed objects from construction reason of this bridge. It makes easy for tourists to exploring in the city with its nicknamed Parijs van Sumatra.

*Gonjong* roof with floral batik motifs.

In order to maintain security and maintain bridge’s age of use, venue management only allows a maximum of 200 visitors who can simultaneously be on this bridge and each visitor can only take pictures on the bridge for a maximum of 3 minutes. Okay….Let’s obey the rules if you visit it !….Hehehe.

Marapi Mountain which is shrouded in fog looked from the bridge.

Finally I had an opportunity to enjoy views of this tiny city which had ever been Indonesia capital from a height. Not skyscrapers which appeared in view, but an expanse of citizen’s houses, commercial shops which extend along Ahmad Yani Street curves and green trees dominance which are relied upon as a water catchment area of the city.

Sirabungan Mountain was seen from the bridge.

Being a sensation when you are on the bridge in a condition which alway sway as a main characteristic of suspension bridge. Being a satisfaction when enjoying the charm of Bukittinggi from the bridge which became a city’s flagship icon after its first icon, i.e Gadang Clock Tower.

So….You have to come here if you travel to Bukittinggi.

Ontel bicycle in Pavilion of Bung Hatta Birthplace Museum

16 July 202016 July 2020travelingpersecond

The combination of yellow, blue and orange was slightly tarnished by peeling of Banto Trade Center wall paint. But that wasn’t the focus, Ramlan Nurmatias and Joko Widodo’s handshake had stunned me. It seems that the Mayor and the number one person of my country have agreed on laying the first stone of Ateh Market revitalization project….Apparently, Bukittinggi is actively building.

Meanwhile, Banto Trade Center courtyard was be a trader area for selling vegetables on their cart and motorbike. Then far ahead, still in Soekarno Hatta Street, a golden plaque “Adipura Kencana” is upheld by a single white pole. Shows that this city is recognized for cleanliness throughout the country.

Sekitar dua kilometer sajalah, avku tiba di sebuah mulut gang. “Gg Komp Sabar” begitulah aksara dalam plat nama berwarna hijau yang ditegakkAbout two kilometers away, I arrived at an alleyway. “Gang Kompleks Sabar” were words in a green name plate which was placed on a black pole with a bigger size with thick white script “Museum Rumah Kelahiran Bung Hatta Proklamator RI, Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 37 Bukittinggi“

For eleven years, Bung Hatta lived in this house.

It is a duplication of original house architecture which if it still stands, it will be 160 years old. Unfortunately it had collapsed in the 60’s, but upon the chairman idea of Bung Hatta Education Foundation, it was rebuilt.

Built according to its original curves, according to its picture in memoirs and various family-owned documentation. In general, this house can also describe situation and past life of Bukittinggi society and especially Bung Hatta’s family.

Main Building

This Bukittingi’s typical house consists of main building, pavilion, rice barn, kitchen, horse stable and fish pond.

The main building itself consists of two floors and is at forefront of house area. The main building serves to receive guests, family dining room and bedroom of Bung Hatta’s mother, uncle and grandfather.

Here’s a glimpse of booths on main building’s second floor:

Floor 1.

Floor 2.

Bung Hatta’s parents’ room, in this room Bung Hatta was born.

Pavilion

Behind the main building, a pavilion was built. This white wall building was used for kitchen, Bung Hatta’s bedroom, bathroom, horse stable and hansom cab room. From his bedroom, Bung Hatta began his education at Europese Lageree School (ELS) Bukittinggi. In his room is also stored bicycle which was often used Bung Hatta everyday. It was given by his parents since he was 8 years old.

Bung Hatta’s room near rice barn. Called as “*Ruang Bujang*“.

He lived with his grandfather, Syech Adurrachman, also known as Syech Batuhampar. His grandfather himself worked as a private post contractor.

At the end of my visitation, I was curious about Ma’ Etek Ayub profile as someone who helped Bung Hatta in continuing school, his profession was “Time Trade Practice”. Confused by this profession type, I asked to an elderly woman who worked to took care of this whole house.

Hansom cab as Bung Hatta’s vehicle to school.

Rice Barn

Like as past era houses, when this nation was still experiencing economic difficulties. Rice granaries are an effort to ensure family food security.

After completing his primary education, Bung Hatta continued his secondary education at Meer Uitgebred Lager Onderwijs (MULO) or secondary school in Padang City.

Janjang Ampek Puluah, Integration Manifestation in Colonial Era

12 July 20205 July 2020travelingpersecond

Moving from Bung Hatta Proclamator Monument Park, I moved down along Istana Street, across Plaza Bukittinggi, greeting Gadang Clock Tower, treading on Minangkabau Street and then entering Cindua Mato Street.

A step later, I entered Pasar Atas. Most of stalls were still closed because I was too early to visited it. There was nothing I could do, only a few stalls which were preparing to open, marked by its owners who was busy arranging their trade goods.

Now I was at a gate with a view of steep steps, two tigers guard it on either side, while at lower end was seen a bit of trading crowd, maybe that was Banto Market.

I slowly descended while my mouth muttering count numbers….It’s true, forty steps. These rows of stairs are known as Janjang Ampek Puluah. It is said that forty symbolizes number of Niniak Mamak members.

Brilliant thinking for Louis Constant Westenenk (Agam Resident Assistant/Controleur Agam) who collaborated with Niniak Mamak (Minangkabau Customary Institution) in sparking an idea to integrated of Pasar Atas (Upper Market) – Pasar Bawah (Lower market) – Banto Market in early 20th century. At that time, Janjang became a popular facility in market connectivity. The thinking power of leaders at that time was really squeezed in order to organize Bukittinggi city which had a hilly and uneven topography.

I arrived at lower gate with four poles and European style, also with a large signboard “Janjang Ampek Puluah“. After all, I finally knew that this lower gate was a new construction, complementing the upper gate which had already existed.

The Lower Gate was seen from T-junction of Pemuda Street, Perintis Kemerdekaan Street and Soekarno Hatta Street.

While at inner side of lower gate, there is an inscription which contains a brief history of legendary Janjang existence as high as 5 meters and 4.6 meters in wide which was built in the past.

I was still staring at the elegance of this colonial era integration facility, while residents seemed to be moving up and down at Janjang. I really didn’t want to leave this area quickly, stunned to think of how form of this area when Janjang hadn’t been built, maybe where I stood was still in the form of steep hills which separating three market activities.

Janjang Ampek Puluah is just one of many Janjang in Bukittinggi. Apparently Colonial Government was quite serious in integrating all city economic spots at that time. You need to know that there are still Janjang Saribu, Janjang Koto Gadang and Janjang Pasanggrahan in the town which called as Fort de Kock in its past time.

At outer side of gate, public transportations start to generating city pulse. The appearance of imperious Banto Trade Center increasingly shows that the surrounding area can be relied upon as a driving force for city’s economy.

Okay let’s continue….If you go straight ahead, what else is there?

Bung Hatta Proclamator Monument Park and Its Unpretentious Story

8 July 20208 July 2020travelingpersecond

One hour I have peeled heroic story in Unknown Hero Monument. Now I would study other history in a different park. It’s precisely east across of that dragon-shaped black monument. Only need to cross for a moment on Istana Street.

From a signboard display at park front gate, apparently West Sumatra was preparing to hold a race series belonging to Union Cycliste International on a week ahead.

The 9th Tour de Singkarak, the fifth ranked bicycle race in the world.

Climbing twenty-two black stairs, I reached park courtyard. Named as Bung Hatta Proclamator Monument Park, this park features a intact statue of Mohammad Hatta in his four-pocket safari dress who with his charisma waved his right hand toward a T-junction of Istana Street, Haji Agus Salim Street and Sudirman Street.

If I had been under road surface when I was at Unknown Hero Monument, now I was high above road surface when I visited Bung Hatta Proclamator Monument Park. Two days exploring the city, it began to realize that I was sometimes briefly down, then suddenly I was on high. It isn’t Bukittinggi if it don’t like that.

Looks behind the statue, there are three wall pages which tell the story of a character struggle whose real name is Mohammad Ibn ‘Atta.

On the first wall page, you can see Bung Hatta’s life in his simple house, Hatta story who studying Islam at Batuampar and then continuing his education at MULO (Meer Uitgebreid Lager Onderwijs).

On second wall page, It is tell about a time when Hatta led “Perhimpunan Indonesia” Organization in Netherlands when he studied.

The first and second pages are on right side of Mohammad Hatta statue.

Third wall page is a beautiful period when Hatta managed to proclaim Indonesia independence with Ir. Soekarno on August 17th, 1945 until his struggling from one negotiating table to another negotiating one for world’s recognition of proclaimed independence.

And like a normal scenario, fourth wall page is Hatta’s retirement from his political world to the time when he received an award from President Soeharto (The second president of Indonesia).

Streets have seemed crowded with activities, one by one residents who were exercising seemed to visit this park to just cool down after jogging, sat relaxed at park and took a picture with Bung Hatta statue which became pride figure of small city of Bukittinggi.

The park still looked wet as rest of heavy rain overnight.

Just thirty minutes for me to visited this park. I would continue Bukittinggi exploration by visiting Janjang Ampek Puluah, a connecting market link which is quite famous in this city’s tourism.

Sudirman Street situation was starting to get crowded with vehicles.

Come on….Continued to walk again….

Opposing Colonial Tax in Version of Unknown Heroes Monument

4 July 202029 June 2020travelingpersecond

There was only Noah who snoring flounder due to residual effects of drunk last night at De Kock Cafe’s 1st floor. I tried to remain quiet to bath under shower at edge of room. Even until I was ready to wander, his snoring didn’t change at all.

Cafe’s 1st floor remained wide open without a guard when I left hotel in half-dark, quiet and still cold.

Down through same road when yesterday afternoon hunting for the charm of Gadang Clock Tower, only this time, I was alone who looked very rushed in the quiet of morning.

Nagari Bank and Novotel were once again overtaken without expression, I had seen them yesterday afternoon. Likewise, I passed Gadang Clock Tower without any impression. Same, maybe because I snatched its charm a day ago. I just thought to immediately landing my step in a city park.

However, before entering the park, I was a little interested in the charm of a golden yellow large building. It is Balai Sidang Bung Hatta as mainstay Convention Center in Bukittinggi city.

On 7:10 hours, I began to enter the park which is located under Istana Street surface in west. While a gray high building which is owned by Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) Bukittinggi limited my eyes to east.

Park focal point lies in an artistic black monument in its middle circle. That’s the Unknown Heroes Monument which was designed by sculpture artists from Padang Panjang City, i.e Hoerijah Adam. Hoerijah Adam name itself was later enshrined as a name of Dance Workshop in Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta after Merpati Nusantara airplane accident of Vickers Viscount type which she rode in the Indian Ocean.

This monument was built to commemorate heroes resistance who couldn’t be identified with certainty in opposing Dutch Colonialism on June 5th, 1905. The resistance itself was due to application rejection of a 2% income tax for natives over all forms of trade which they undertaken.

The monument which is form of a dragon circle.

Laying of the first stone was carried out by General Abdul Haris Nasution on June 15th, 1963 who was then serving as Chief of Armed Forces Staff. And two years later this monument was inaugurated.

On one side of monument, there is a loud quote from a famous writer who is also an Indonesia National Hero, none other than Muhammad Yamin:

“Noble Dead without Tomb

Deciding Soul and Leaving Name

Become Cloud in Space

Becoming Froth in Ocean

Spread Out Its Fragrant in Air“

As it turned out, Bukittinggi kept a lot of history of nation struggle which I had only just found out after visiting it.

It was fun….Backpacking while getting to know about nation history.

Following Sermon with Backpacker Style in Bukittinggi Grand Mosque.

30 June 202020 June 2020travelingpersecond

I instantly realized that I hadn’t fulfilled yet Maghrib Prayer. While time had shown at 19:10 hours and prayer sounds had disappeared since earlier. Then time forced me to immediately move from Bukittinggi Plaza courtyard.

Walking through Cinduo Mato Street, I didn’t find a crowd like I imagined. Many shops on either side of road had begun to close its door. Only few shops still opened because they still had to serve some customer who passing through on streets.

I arrived at Bukittinggi Grand Mosque. A holy building with eight arched windows on second floor. Right on road side and marked by a green glowing tower in one of its front corners.

The front yard of Bukittinggi Grand Mosque.

Entering its terrace area, one thing which attracted my attention was concrete seating provision for women on left side, while men seating was placed on right wing. Separation began since entering its terrace.

I fulfilled Maghrib Prayer on red carpet, while other worshipers were solemnly listening sermon from religious leader who preached from pulpit. I calmed my mind, sat cross-legged and watered my hard heart with heavenly advice, something I rarely followed.

Ostad’s sermon which I followed to the end.

I went out with congregation, the Adam and Eve folk regularly came out on track. Married couples left the mosque one by one by riding motorbikes, some rode bicycles. While youths were seemed to entering narrow alleys towards their homes.

The end of Canduo Mato Street was gradually deserted. Bright shades of shophouses began to be abandoned by visitors. While some traders were still patient waiting for remaining buyers who would came.

Hunting for crowds, I crossed Minangkabau Street then entered Ahmad Yani Street. I really found it. Parking lots along shophouses were still packed with four-wheeled vehicles, making me even more excited to postpone my returning to the inn.

I continued to step past a T-junction which is cuted by Ahmad Karim Street from south left. Then continued with found tent stalls which lined lengthwise on one side of Ahmad Yani Street with Limpapeh Bridge view which was full of lights.

Row of culinary stalls along Ahmad Yani Street.

Satay scent which a minute ago was completely chewed by sense of taste, instantly drove out drowsiness which clung my eyelids since Ostad’s heavenly sermon at Bukittinggi Great Mosque.

Continued with displacing meatball bench to a coffee maker, my time slowly depleted at the same time with increasingly disappearing of “iron horses” bustles with vehicle license plate BA.

Temperature degree that night quickly diminished, I who didn’t wear jacket really felt Bukittinggi cold air, forced me to immediately withdrawed from street and slowly walked towards the inn. Tomorrow I would early wake up and walking around the city in early morning.

Memasuki lantai satu penginapan, Noah, Si Insinyur Amerika itu mEntering the first floor of hotel, Noah, an american engineer waved his right hand and greeted me with a big smile. A large beer bottle was in his left hand. “I will sleep early“, I told him. He raised his right thumb while saying a short word, “See you tomorrow”.

Good night Bukittinggi.