Map of West Sumatra
You have many options (probably too many to see in just one visit so put a return visit in your diary now):
- Explore Padang
Padang is a provincial capital and international gateway to the island of Sumatra. In 1862 Ingwer Ludwig Nommensen, a German with a passion for the gospel, landed here. However, his focus was not the Muslim Minangkabau people, on whom he made little impact, but animists living in another part of the island who were transformed by the good news.
- Explore Bukittinggi
Bukittinggi, known during colonial times as Fort de Kock (the town was fortified by the Dutch) or Parijs van Sumatra (a reference to its resort status), is still a major tourist destination.
- Take the West Sumatran tour
Stop at Pariaman, Padangpanjang, Batusangkar, Sawahlunto, Pagaruyung and, if you choose, Pariangan, all centres of culture and history. You can also stop at the natural beauty spots, Lake Maninjau, Lake Singkarak and the Twin Lakes.
- Visit some out-of-the-way places
These include a 'Surprise Destination' and some amazingly useful space-age technology in the depths of the rural heartland.
Most of these trips will take less than 2 minutes plus time for prayer. Visiting Padang, Batusangkar, and Bukittinggi will take longer (about 6-12 minutes each plus time for prayer).
At the end of your visit click here to leave West Sumatra.
Return visitors: You can shorten your arrival and come straight to this map by clicking on the cabin image displayed on the "Welcome aboard flight APL01" page.