Monday, August 22, 2016

HARAU VALLEY
 A Paradise in West Sumatra

Harau valley is a canyon near the town of Payakumbuh, Limapuluh Koto regency, West Sumatra province. Harau valley flanked by steep rocky hills with height of 150 meters. Harau valley is also surrounded by steep colorful sandstone, with  height of 100 to 500 meters.
Harau Valley or  sometimes called the Arau valley is the place where lush green ricefields are hemmed in between huge granite cliffs. There are dozens of waterfalls tumble down from 80 to 300 meters height into the valley below, cutting by the Batang Arau River. No wonder, that the Harau Valley is sometimes known as the Yosemite of Indonesia. 
Gibbons and Macaques and variety of wildlife is still roam freely as this area in the Lima Puluh Kota district that has actually been designated a nature conservation, covering some 669 acres. This place is truly has beautiful landscape, peaceful serenity that only interrupted by the calls of the macaques and the chirping birds.
There is waterfall named the Bunta Waterfall or locally called Sarasah Bunta that pours down fresh water from the highlands with three other waterfalls nearby. It was first visited in 1926 by a Dutch mayor. A carved stone indicating the year when the mayor visited the waterfall is still there expressing the beauty of this valley. Other waterfalls are called the Akar Barayun, Sarasah Luluh, and Sarasah Murai.
The most direct way to reach Harau from Bukittinggi is by renting a motorbike or taking an ojek for two hours.  Alternatively, take a Po Sarah Group minibus from the bus terminal to Tanjung Pati and then take an ojek the rest of the way.
Walking towards the Harau valley is very pleasant, with fresh air and genuine sightseeing of surroundings. The granite cliffs towering with a unique shape surrounding the valley will also pampering your sight. Those steep granite cliffs have height for about 80 m to 300 m. From the start we entering Harau Valley, we will find a lot of spectacular beauty along the way. 

(http://www.indonesia-tourism.com/west-sumatra/harau_valley.html)


WEST SUMATRA (www.indonesia-tourism.com/west-sumatra/)

West Sumatra is one of the most beautiful areas of Indonesia. It is mountainous and divided by three valleys. There are lovely lakes and spectacular volcanoes. But Minangkabau land is very special and has the most friendly population group of Indonesia. They love to talk with visitors and will tell us about their unique society. If a visitor tries to understand the culture and Minang traditions he will soon feel himself a member of the clan. He will be invited as a guest to their homes - a unique way to become acquainted with real Indonesian life. Most of our hosts and hostesses are English teachers so language will not be much of a problem. They will show us the community and explain their customs.

The land of the Minangkabau, West Sumatra has a distinct culture, which distinguishes it from the rest of the island. A land of scenic beauty with blue green lakes and mountains, West Sumatra's Centre of culture and tourism is Bukittinggi in the highlands, north of the provincial capital of Padang. Most prominent in the landscape is the horn-shaped roofs of the houses nestled in the coconut groves. The name Minangkabau means triumphant buffalo. It leads a community and family life based on a matrilineal system, which clusters around mosques and the traditional houses. As it is the women who have the properties, the men are known for their wanderlust and entrepreneurship. Traveling is considered a mark of success and therefore many of them are found "merantau" (emigrated) to other parts of the country. This is proof that many Minang or Padang restaurants, serve very spicy food, found in all major towns in the nation. The people are hospitable and eloquent in a poetic style of speech and ceremonies. Festivals are colorful occasions.

West Sumatra has a coastline where the capital is situated. The hinterland is a range of high mountains, which dip into picturesque valleys and lakes. Amongst them are the remnants of the old Minangkabau kingdom of Pagaruyung, (the art centers for silver, hand-weaving, embroidery and woodcarving).

Geographically
West Sumatra province has about 49,778 sq km width, which is located between 0o 54' North Latitude and 3o 30' South Latitude and between 98o 36' and 101o 53'. The boundaries of this regency is:
North Side: Riau Province
South Side: Indian Ocean
West Side: North Sumatra Province
East Side: Jambi and Bengkulu Province

Wide Area
West Sumatra Province has 42,297.30-km2 areas. The West Sumatran coastline faces the Indian Ocean and stretches 375 km from North Sumatra province in the northwest to Bengkulu in the southeast. West Sumatra lakes include: Maninjau (99.5 km2), Singkarak (130.1 km2), Diatas (31.5 km2), Dibawah (14.0 km2), Talang (5.0 km2). West Sumatra rivers include: Kuranji, Anai, Ombilin, Suliki, Arau. The mountains & volcanoes of West Sumatra are included: Marapi (2,891 m), Sago (2,271 m), Singgalang (2,877 m), Talakmau (2,912 m), Talang (2,572 m), Tandikat (2,438 m).

Climate
The temperature of West Sumatra province has ranges between 22o C and 32o C, and the rainfall is 2,289 mm per year.

Administratively
West Sumatra Province is divided among 8 regencies and 6 municipals with Padang as its capital city.

Demography
The people of this province have a strong tradition leaving their hometown to make their way of life. Indeed, West Sumatra communities (Minang) are easily found in each province of Indonesia. In 1994, the total population reached 4,265,900 people with its density amounted to 101 people per Km2. In the 1990-1994 period, the people grew at a rate 1.6% per year or in the lower level that of the population national growth amounted to 2.144% per year.



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