The Porn bus to Bukittinggi

It's really a simple matter to get out of Padang. Take a couple of opelets to Minang Plaza then join an aircon minibus for the 2 hour trip up into the hills. I jumped on a bus run by the R.N.S. company or PO R.N.S. for short. After the usually harangueing of every passerby in the north of Padang by the bus conductor to fill up the few empty seats we were at last on our way. It was bucketting down outside so I was more than happy to be travelling in relative comfort. The seats aren't too comfy and people smoke without opening the windows but hey, that's the adventure of it all. I sat next to a man from Payakumbuh who has given me the address of his brother in Kerinci and his phone number for when I head over to Harau. Hospitality everywhere!

Bukittingi is quite small, easy to walk around in a day, visit the famous clocktower and view the nearby canyon as well as an old Dutch fort and a very sad little zoo. There's a museum as well but it was closed.
I'm slowly making my way through the cuisine, luckily I love spicy food and lots of rice. I'm studiously avoiding the backpacker cafes and eating at the local restaurants, though sometimes the need arises for a cold Bintang so I must....

Yesterday I went walking to a local village where they make filigree silver jewelry so I bought some earrings as I forgot to pack any, silly me. Picked up a guide who showed me a more scenic route along the canyon, which would have been awfully spectacular before the earthquake last year caused most of the green walls to cave in so it's just muddy walls and a very rubbish strewn river running through it. It's translated name means Buffalo Hole rather than "canyon", I can certainly see the allusion!
Today I hit the markets, in particular Pasar Bawah, or lower market, where all the food products are sold. I am a total sucker for markets and could spend all day wandering around taking photos.In the afternoon I headed off in a different direction and ended up finding a lovely old traditional house down a laneway. While I was taking photos, the old ladies living there invited me in for refreshments and polite conversation. Yes I am practising my Indonesian language and seem to be getting somewhere.
The word is out that there are some Rafflesia flowers blooming in Palupuh so I'm off there tomorrow to check out the world's biggest (and smelliest) flower.

for lots more photos of Bukittinggi and nearby canyon, click HERE