Padang, Sumatra

Padang is the capital of West Sumatra. The main sights in the city include Adityawarman Museum (close to the bus station) in a traditional Minangkabau house and featuring a good collection of antiques and the cultural center where we can see traditional dances on Sundays. Padang has several houses built in traditional architecture, including Padang Museum, which houses objects of cultural and historical interest. Small boats can be hired to some small islands nearby: Sirandah, Sikoai, Pagang, Parsumpahan. Padang is a prosperous city and major ports, which has retained the atmosphere of a market town. It is the third largest city of Indonesia with a population of more than 300,000.Dr Mala & Linda, enjoying the scene on the bridgeRobust town, lots of Minang architectureMany boats at the harbourLots of food sold on the bridgeHill side houses next to the harbourOne of the mosque by the riverWell maintained town centreNot as busy as other Indonesian citiesFresh corn, bananas and mineral water soldBoats parks by the quay, in the eveningOld houses next to the harbourHill side with lovely houses