Volcanic Fury

Saturday 1st August 2009
Day 35

The sunrise was smashing as we drove uphill towards Bukittinggi (930 metres above sea level).

We eventually arrived around 9am and hopped on an oplet (minivan taxi) into the city. Our hotel had a terrace overlooking one of the three volcanoes that are visible from the city - Gunung Merapi, Singgdang and Sago. In particular, Gunung Merapi looked pretty intimidating and, is apparently, one of Sumatra's most active volcanoes.

The city itself is famous for its Pasa Atlas Markets, a seemingly endless market selling everything from second hand Converse to skinned chickens done on the spot.

Bukittinggi appeared severely lacking in travellers. We therefore stuck out like sore thumbs and were heckled, high-fived and hello mistered all the way through our market assult.

That evening a Friends of the Earth couple from Oz and the Dutch guy from the coach head to Taman Panarama where you get sensational views of the canyon that the city overlooks. You could also go down the Japanese caves built through slave labour during World War II.

For dinner we decided to get a tradition Panang feast where a table full of dishes are put in front of you and you eat the ones you want. Layla and the Dutch guy both had dicky tummies so eyed up the dishes anxiously but the food turned out to be fabulous. "All thish for jusht one Euro" proclaimed Menau, our Dutch friend.

A strange lady with a speech impedement then tagged along as we walked back to town. We were cream crackered so said our goodbyes and hit the sack.