Sumatra

Hi,
I have stayed at Hotel Tiga Tiga in Padang- big old hotel, very basic, but ok in my opinion as a back packer.
Recently I have come across a website advertising a NEW HOMESTAY in Padang.
Have no idea what it would be like, but maybe it is worth a look, even you only stay a night and then take Paul's advioce and head up to Bukittinggi.
Pamela.

Hi roskelld
We stayed in Padang for two days and quite liked it. There is not much to see around Padang, but the town itself is not a bad place. No tourists in Padang. Best place to stay: Hotel Immanuel (Home Stay). You could also stay at the beach in Bungus (quite close to Padang).

To do day trips in the area Bukittinggi is probably a better place. The new airport lies between Padang and Bukittinggi - there is public transport to both.

Hope I could help!
Marionna

Hi Marionna,
Is there a bus from Padang Airport going direct to Bukittinggi or does one still get the Damri bus going into Padang and ask to be dropped off 15 minutes into the trip where a travel car takes one onto Bukittinggi.
Pamela.

Hey Pamela.
Because our flight was very early in the morning we took a taxi to the airport from Padang. The guys at the hotel said that there are direct buses going from the airport to Padang and Bukittinggi...but well, you never know what an indonesion "direct" can mean, can you? :-))
Marionna

Marionna,
Yes, you are right about the actual meaning of direct. Back in 2006 that is how they used to do it but it may have changed. I would love to know, but will not be back there myself until June 2010.
Hopefully someone reading this will let us know how it works now.
Pamela.

Like everyone else I cannot claim to have experienced all the connections in place but last year when I went from Bukittinggi to Padang by shared taxi it stopped at the airport. Look everyone threre are travel agents who arrange these things -- ask them! If you go by public bus perhaps you can go to the bus station and ask there. It is not in there interests to mislead you.

Paul

Hi,
Here is a post from Trip Advisor where I also post regularly.
FootyboyMalaysia has just done a trek up Gunung Kerinci with the same guide mentioned by Marionna.
Kerinci Post from Trip Advisor
Pamela

I would also like to thank marionna for this thread. I am planning on spending 2 1/2 weeks in Indonesia and I am now thinking of extending this and just staying in Sumatra!
The one main thing we want to do is go to Bukit Lawang and after reading several emails would like to stay at the Jungle in and preferably in one of the better rooms (presidential, hooneymoon etc). I know it is probably difficult to answer but will i need to book the room before we arrive? We are visiting Sumatra as part of a 6month tour of SE Asia so do not know the exact dates we will be in Bukit Lawang.

Thank you for any help you can give me

Hi Spouncey,
Here is a recent thread on Bukit Lawang with contact details for Jungle Inn with Rahman's mobile phone no.
Just text him when you know the dates closer to the time.
Pamela.
Did you see Amtraakker's Recent Sumatra Trip Notes - a must read for sure.

Hi all,

my boyfriend and I are going to Sumatra for 4 weeks in september. Since we'll be there during the last 2 weeks of Ramadan it's probably better to spend those weeks in an area which is not strongly muslim like Aceh... Does anyone have been to places like Pulau Pisang or other nice islands where we could hang out during the last week of Ramadan? Danau Toba is probably a good idea but not for 2 weeks. Thank you very much!