Gunung Marapi

Mount Marapi, also known as the Merapi volcano has a height or 2891.3 m above sea level. As one of the most active volcanoes in Sumatra, Marapi has erupted frequently. Starting from the late 18th century until 2008 there were about 454 times erupts, 50 of them on a large scale, while the rest on a small scale by eliminating the ash sulfur.

Among the many mountains that exist in West Sumatra, Mount Marapi is a tourist attraction that is often visited by the tourists. Mount Marapi have a fixed point for the climber, making it easier for the climbers to make the climb. On this mountain, there is growing interest edelwis blooming around the slopes of the mountain, which adds beautiful view of Mount Marapi.

Mount Marapi, located near the town of Bukittinggi, precisely around the District Agam and Tanah Datar, West Sumatera, Indonesia.

Access to reach the Mount Marapi is fairly easy, considering it is situated not far from the central town of Bukittinggi and Padang Panjang. From Padang or airport Ketaping to Mount Marapi, it took about 1,5 hours to get to the location. Meanwhile, if departed from the town of Bukittinggi took about 30 minutes. Transportation to reach the site can be reached by landline, can use public transport or travel. The cost of transport ranged between 15,000-Rp. 20,000 per person.

Location of Mount Marapi is not so far from the city of Bukittinggi and Padang Panjang. In view of Mount Marapi is close to 2 cities, tourists from out of town who want to linger in the area, to stay at the hotel in two of the city. Along the road to Mount Marapi, there are many restaurants serving various cuisine of Padang dishes that can cure the hunger of the tourists.

There are several hiking paths at this point, but the starting point that people use to make the climb here is from Koto Baru. Before you make the climb, the climbers usually climb up a few supplies that are lacking in this Pasar Koto baru. Here also we can eat and relax and chat with other climbers.

For more interesting, should make the climb on the mountain is done in the morning. In addition to health problems, during the ascent we also can enjoy the beautiful sights along this route. From the Pasar Koto Baru ascent to the post we can choose between starting with the countryside on foot or public transport leading to the post climbing. If we choose to walk away, more or less took about 30 minutes to arrive at the post climb.

From the climb heading toward Parak Batuang journey continues through the estate with residents. In Parak Batuang we can enjoy the fresh air and filling the volcano in the source water bottle that contained this region.

From Parak Batuang, proceed to the summit of a volcano. From here take limb about 5 hours to mencapi peak. Travel in the contents with a view of tropical forests and some fairly steep ascent path.

Having reached the top, ta ki should choose a location on the rock for a camping place. To reach the summit should be done at dawn, so that we can enjoy views of Mount Marapi sunrise and enjoy the stunning scenery of Mount Marapi in the morning. From the summit of Mount Marapi, we can enjoy views of the town of Bukittinggi, Mount Singgalang, views of Lake Singkarak located in the District of Solok.

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Danau Di Atas Danau Di Bawah

Solok district that is rich in beautiful lakes. No fewer than four of the lake found there, namely: Lake in Upper Lake at the Bottom, Lake Batur and Lake Talang. I am really lucky to be able to visit some of them and enjoy its natural beauty.

Lake in the Upper and Lower Lakes are often referred to as Twin Lakes. Twin Lakes is comprised of two separate lake about 1 km distance. Although practically twins, both completely different both from the area, shape and height. We can see both of them together when they are very high, maybe when were in the helicopter.

The two lakes are separated in a distance of about a mile it's got its own uniqueness. Lake named Above precisely located below. And, conversely, Lake Bottom is located at the top. The water level of Lake On the Lake water level with elementary Down because they are different depths so far away.

In addition, twin lake has also become one of tourism object which is rumored to continue to try to be developed by the government of the District of Solok. It is seen from a number of facilities available in the vicinity. Twin Lake Panorama, for example, has a pretty garden-landscaped gardens plus a permanent bench of cement a place to sit relax.

There are also some of the gazebo to place people look at the beauty that lay On Lake area, set in picturesque valley of Gumanti. Just near the parking lot, there is a hall-like building that is locked and the walls are dull.

Here and there appear scattered garbage. There is a pack of biscuits, some plastic bottles and glass of mineral water. The location of this lake tour impressed hidden from the hustle and bustle of tourist traffic that echoed the government. Meeting hall built near Lake Under even looks a bit shabby unkempt. Similarly tour tilled water that did not seem serious, though admittedly the means highway built to the location of the Padang is relatively good.

In this twin lakes, water tourism can only be done on Lake On Top. Visitors can only motor boating "traditional" around the lake at a rate of Rp 5,000 per person. The lake is relatively "shallow", only about 44 meters deep. Meanwhile, Lake Down, with a depth of more than 800 meters, it is impossible to explore by boat. "People are generally scared because of its depth," said Mr Ancun, a motor boat owners there.

In the tourist sites of the lake water clearly that no other facilities, such as water bikes at the edge. Similarly, no special facilities for visitors who have a hobby of fishing. It is said that more entertainment facilities. In fact, at that location there is only one small shop, with seating limited to just sip coffee while enjoying snacks.

That said, the actual location of this great tour so less attractive because of the limited facilities department. Visitors were most of the citizens of West Sumatra itself. It may be too many people outside do not know the particulars of Sumatra natural charm of this two volcanic lakes.

To reach the tourist area of Twin Lakes is actually not difficult. Located about 60 kilometers southeast of Padang, the trip can be taken approximately one hour by private vehicle. With public transportation routes or Padang Padang, Alahan Panjang, Muara Labuh, the trip can take up to two hours.

Along the way, a relatively good road conditions and wide enough, even though a lot of twists and climb the rather steep. After the Municipality District Sitinjau Laut, about 30 kilometers from Padang, we begin to be treated to a very beautiful natural scenery. In one of the roads in this sub region also has a sharp bend in the road very slippery, so the drivers should be extra careful driving a car.

After the city's districts, there are many sharp turns to enter the area called Lubuk Selasih. If it does not hold, such conditions can-can make the stomach feel queasy. But, as far as the eye could see, that looks just green hills open to the sky is blue. In Lubuk Selasih also has the fork: the northeast toward the town of Solok, while the direction to the southeast toward Alahan Panjang. From a distance also looks that are still active Mount Talang rose as high as 2597 meters.

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Paragliding in Puncak Lawang

Sport kite flying start in Puncak Lawang, Matur, Agam Regency, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Paragliding sport is held in Puncak Lawang is located at an altitude of 1210 m above sea level (asl). This place is one of the flying tourist attraction visited by many tourists, both domestic (local) and foreign.

Because the place that is above the height of the natural scenery of Lake Maninjau in the valley is breathtaking, the area of Puncak Lawang used as the location where the start (take off) Paragliding sport. Thus the pilot, as he hovered in the air, can see the beauty of Lake Maninjau.

Each year, local governments always held a competition sport kite flying in the area. For lovers of sport kite flying, these activities would need to be scheduled to follow. In the contests that have been held before, participants who followed the race came not only from various regions in Indonesia, but also abroad.

Locations in the start of the level of 1210 m above sea level or just above the hills that surround Lake Maninjau makes this place challenging sports enthusiasts kite flying. With that height, the pilot can linger in the air while enjoying the beautiful panorama of Lake Maninjau. Beautiful scenery presented as a blend of natural green vast stretches of mountains that surround the lake with a green sheen of water, the vast stretches of paddy field, and township residents who regularly made the main attraction is pity to miss.

In addition, the effect of heating the water of Lake Maninjau, giving effect to the position of the glider pilot, which is able to bring the pilots to fly higher than take-off location.

This location can be reached by landline. There are two alternative pathways to get to Puncak Lawang, namely from the west and the east. From the west, the journey begins from the town of Padang Pariaman passing lane toward Lubuk Basung (the capital city of Agam District), passing Lake Maninjau and Curved 44 with travel time approximately 2.5 hours. To transport can use a private car, public transport, travel or car hire.

While traveling from the east following the route of Padang-Bukittinggi, Bukittinggi and from the location to use public transportation, personal car or rental car with a travel time of about 3 hours. For public transportation, no one serving Route-Location Padang (Puncak Lawang) directly. Therefore, travelers are advised to use a rental car or private car.

On location there is an open mushalla building complete with bathrooms, ablution and toilet. While on the edge of the cliff near the security fence, there are some binoculars that are permanently attached and can be used by the visitors to see the panoramic view of Lake Maninjau no charge.(by: julius yelita)

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Taman Marga Satwa dan Budaya Kinantan

Taman Marga Satwa dan Budaya Kinantan or better known as Kinantan Zoo is located in Taman Bundo Kanduang. This area was built in 1900 by a Dutch named Controleur Strom Van Govent. This wildlife park built on a hill called Bukit Malambuang.

At the start of construction, the park was not yet have a collection of animals. New in 1929 made the zoo to include several collections of animals into the park. In 1929 the zoo made by Dr J Hock and is the oldest zoo in Indonesia and the only one in West Sumatra.

Thanks to a very serious management by the Dutch colonial government, Bukittinggi Zoo continues to grow and achieve heyday in 1933. This year, farm animals Bukittinggi able to provide about 150 animals typical of the island of Sumatra at Surabaya Zoo. Conversely, Bukittinggi Zoo Surabaya Zoo received from a number of animals typical of Eastern Indonesia.

In 1935, in Bukittinggi Zoo built traditional house. Rumah gadang bergonjong' has 9 rooms and platforms on the right and left. On the walls of traditional houses have carvings that reflect the height of the realm of Minang culture.

To reach this location, tourists can use a landline. From the city of Padang to Bukittinggi, the trip can be taken for about 2 hours drive.

The zoo was originally named Kebun Bungo after it changes the name of a Taman Puti Bungsu. In 1995 through local regulation No. 2 of 1995 again changed the name of a Taman Puti Bungsu at Taman Marga Satwa dan Budaya Kinantan, along with his official fortress Fort de Kock joined through Bridge Limpapeh.

Bukittinggi Zoo also features the Museum of Zoology and ornamental fish aquarium. In the area of the zoo was built is also a place used to perform various types of traditional art performances Minangkabau.
There are also Rumah Adat Tradisional functioned as a museum displaying the objects of culture and history, like the Minang traditional clothes and jewelry.

No less interesting is the presence in the region Limpapeh Bridge Zoo Bukittinggi. This bridge connects Bukittinggi Zoo with Fort Fort De Kock located in Bukit Jirek.

Now, Bukittinggi Zoo is known as the Taman Marga Satwa dan Budaya Kinantan. A wildlife park which has undergone various changes, reaching a peak of glory, then recede in appalling condition.

The long journey of this wildlife park could not help make it as a precious heritage for all the children of this nation. Therefore, to maintain its existence in order to remain sustainable is the glorious duty of every child slung over the shoulders of this country.

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