Istana Pagaruyung Aerial

Istana Pagaruyung, in the hearth of the Minangkabau highland. The palace is very impressive, in terms of its grandeur and massive structure (constructed entirely from wood) and down to the delicate details of carvings and ornaments. Magnificent.

The Pagaruyung is located in Tanah Datar, a fertile valley and also the cultural center of the Minangkabau, an ethnic who spread over the Malay Archipelago (many of descendants of Minangkabau reside in Malaysia and become Sultans in Malaysia, especially in Negri Sembilan; the two countries, Indonesia and Malaysia are closely related, historically, ethnically, and geographically, especially with the Minangkabau and the Melayu). A visit to this palace is a must if you are in the highland, and you will be entertained by the breathtaking view of lush and green paddy fields on the way, one of the most beautiful of such view in the country beating that ones in Java and Bali. This is confirmed by Stamford Rafless when he first visited the Minang highland in 19 century. To his surprise, the agriculture and view of this highland resemble and even surpass those in Java. But he didn’t mention the delicious food that await you nowadays, including a plethora of keripik and snacks wink emoticon

Kelok 9 dari Udara (Aerial Photo)

Pemandangan Kelok 9 dari udara
Kelok 9 Aerial Photography
Pemandangan Kelok 9 dari udara
Kelok 9 dari udara
Pemandangan Kelok 9 dari udara
Pemandangan Kelok 9 dari udara

berada di perbatasan Sumbar – Riau merupakan urat nadi perekonomian yg juga menghubungkan propinsi Sumbar dgn Sumatra Utara dan Jalur Lintas Timur. Beberapa tahun lalu, pemerintah membuat jalan yang lebih friendly bagi truk-truk besar sehingga Kelok 9 tidak lagi menjadi momok bagi para pengendara yg dulu bisa terjebak kemacetan berjam-jam kalau ada truk yg mogok tak kuat naik. Terbukti, kini perekonomian Bukittinggi dan Payakumbuh semakin berkembang. Ketika weekend sy lihat banyak sekali mobil2 Riau yg menjadikan Bukittinggi seperti Bandungnya warga Jakarta.