SUMATRA

Sumatra, is the sixth largest of the world islands, 1.100 miles long and 225 miles wide, with a population of over 15 million people, predominantly muslim. This is a scenic island with beautiful mountain ranges that are interspersed with 12 active and 78 inactive volcanoes. The highest peak, mount kerinci in central sumatra, is 12,467 feet. The eastern coast has swampy lowland crossed by large, meandering rivers. Administratively, sumatra is divided into six provinces. Culturally, aceh, the batak highlands, and minangkabau are the most interesting areas.

BANDA ACEH

Banda Aceh, at the northernmost tip of Sumatra, is the capital of the province of Aceh. One of Indonesia’s most strongly Islamic regions.

HOW TO GET THERE

Banda Aceh, 420 km. by Air from Medan, can be reached by Garuda, Merpati and Seulawah Airlines from Medan. There is also a road between the two cities and buses run regularly.

SIGHTS

Loknga Beach : about 15 km. from Banda Aceh. Beautiful beach, taxis not available, but a private car can be arranged from the hotel.

Sabang : a small hilly island at the tip of Sumatra. Swimming and fishing. Sabang Hill Hotel has a nice view food available, Chinese restaurants nearby.

MEDAN

Medan, capital city and trading center of north sumatra, is slightly north of the equator. With a populations of about one million people, it is indonesia’s fourth largest city. Ethnologically, it is the hub of the batak’s. The city of medan, which means “open field” in sanskrit, emerged from the swaps sometime in 1682. With the success of deli tobacco as a premium cigar wrapper, the city grew and was incorporated as a municipality in 1909. Much of the architecture and the wide, tree-lined streets date from that period. The equatorial climate is pleasant with sunny. Warm days and cool nights. Taxis are licensed but not metered. Rate are high, it is advice able to bargain before hiring.

HOW TO GET THERE

Medan Is 1,400 Km, Or 2 Hour Flying Time, From Jakarta. Garuda, Merpati And Seulawah Airlines Connect Medan And Jakarta. Garuda And Merpati May Makes Stops In Palembang, Padang, And Pekanbaru Between Jakarta And Medan.

SIGHTS

The Masjid Raya (Great Mosque) Jl, Sisingmangaraja. Built In 1906, It Is One Of Indonesia’s Largest And Most Beautiful Mosques.

The Sultan Of Deli’s Palace : (Istana Sultan Deli) Jl. Katamso Built In 1888, Recently Renovated, Still Occupied By Present Sultan And His Family. Tours Can Be Arranged.

Bukit Barisan Museum : Jl. S. Arifin. Open Weekdays 8 To 4

Chinese And Hindu Temples : Scattered Throughout The Area.

Medan Fair : Jl. Binjai. Permanent Exhibition Grounds With Cultural, Agricultural Exhibits, Open Fall Months.

NEARBY SIGHTS

Lake Toba 176 Km. (Depending On The Route Taken) From Medan, At An Elevation Of 2700 Feet. This Beautiful Volcanic Lake Is In The Center Of Batak Country And The Site Of Several Traditional Villages. While The Lake Itself Is A Fine Setting For Water Sports, The Area Is Best Known For The Adat Houses And Local Culture On Samosir Island. Tours By Speed-Boat Are Easily Arranged In Prapat, Bargain, Ambarita Is The More Interesting Of The Two Easily Accessible Villages, With Beautiful Houses, Curious Stone Furniture And Tourist Wise Children’s Doing Dances. Mornings Are Best For The Trip, The Lake Becomes Very Rough Later In The Day.

HOW TO GET THERE

There Are Two Routes To Toba, One Through Brastagi, Kabanjahe, Past The Pematang Purba ( Batak Palace ). Through Pematang Siantar (A Good Place To Stop To Stop For Lunch) And On To Prapat. This Trip Takes About 6 Hours. Through Varied, Lovely Scenery And Offers A Number Of Side Trips Enroute. The Second Route, Through Tebing Tinggi And Pematang Siantar, Takes Only 3 ½ To 4 Hours. Driving Over Better Roads Through Palm Oil And Rubber Plantations.

Brastagi : 68 km. (2 hrs) from Medan. Cool, pleasant mountain resort area at the foot of Mt. Sinabung, an active volcano, Flowers everywhere.

Raya Museum : 4 km. out of Brastagi on road to Kabanjahe. Newly built museum in traditional style.

Sipisopiso Waterfall : 120 ft. falls, between Kabanjahe and Pematang Purba, off main road, at northern end of Samosir (at Tongging)

Lingga : traditional village with 32 adat houses, 16 km. from Brastagi. Hostile to outsiders, recommended only to intrepid anthropology buffs accompanied by local guide.

Pematang Purba : 150-year old wooden adat “palace” between Brastagi and Pematang Siantar, inhabited by Batak royalty until 1945. Beautifully maintained, numerous houses for wives and staff.

Siantar : lunch at Hotel Siantar, on main square, Charming “Colonial” hotel good food if you don’t mind waiting. European and Indonesians.

PADANG

Padang is situated almost halfway between the northern and southern ends of the western coast of Sumatra. It has a spectacular views of the sea, mountains and jungle. All along the west coast is a high volcanic mountain chain called the “Parade of the Mountains” which has created huge river systems throughout the island. Padang is the Minangkabau heartland.

HOW TO GET THERE

Padang is 925 km. by Air from Jakarta. Garuda and Merpati Airlines have frequent flights to Padang from Jakarta, there are also flights from Medan. Taxis, non-metered, can be hired for the ride from the airport into Padang.

NEARBY SIGHTS

Bukittinggi 90 km. (via Maninjau, 2 ½ hours) from Padang on a good road. Renowned for scenery, Anai waterfall, adat houses both enroute and in museum.

Lake Maninjau : untouched natural lake of great beauty N.W. of Padang. Swimming allowed. Possible side trip enroute to Bukittinggi.

Lake Singkarak another beautiful lake, N.E. of Padang, on longer route to Bukittinggi. Many adat houses on this road.

Pandai Sikat village of traditional red and gold-decorated wood carving outside of Bukittinggi (Singkarak road), visit the wali negeri’s (headman) house.

Kota Gedang famous for fine embroidery and silver filigree. Can be reached from Bukittinggi by crossing the Ngarai canyon on the edge of town.

Bundo Kanduang Zoo specializes in Sumatrans wildlife, including spectacular “rhinocheros bird”.

Rafflesia worlds largest flower, on road to Medan 11 km from Bukittinggi. Sign on left points to pass on right. One km walk before going call forestry Dept. to make sure there are blooms.

Bungus Bay virgin crescent beach about ½ hour from Padang, conservative local attitudes, scanty attire not recommended.

BENGKULU

Bengkulu (formerly bengcoolen) is a city of 50.000 on the south west coast of Sumatra. It is the capital of Bengkulu Province, and was a famous 18-19^th century British trading settlement. Sir Stamford Raffles served here as Leutenant Governor before going to Singapore, which the British acquired from the Dutch in exchange to Bengkulu.

HOW TO GET THERE

Bengkulu is about 1 ½ hours by Garuda Airlines from Jakarta. Since the air trips is unpaved, direct flights are sometimes impossible during the rainy season. In that case, you can fly to Palembang and take a train (10 hours) to Lubuk Linggau, arrange to be met by jeep for the 4 hour drive into Bengkulu.

SIGHTS

Fort Marlborough built by the British in 1709, the well – preserved structure provides an excellent lookout over the harbor.

Former President Sukarno’s Home the house Sukarno occupied when he was exiled by the Dutch to Bengkulu in the 1930’s.

Pantai Panjang (long Beach) clean, beautiful, unspoiled beach with nice surf and safe for swimming.

PALEMBANG

Palembang, located in south Sumatra, is a large port city on the Musi River. The basis of its economy has always been river and ocean commerce. A large oil refinery and a fertilizer plant are new developments.

HOW TO GET THERE

Palembang is one hour by air from Jakarta. Garuda and Mandala Seulawah Airlines have flights. an alternative for the adventurous about 6 hours, train trip from Jakarta to Merak, overnight ferry trip to Panjang (small, 4-bunk cabin, bathroom outside). Twelve-hour train trip from Panjang (3^rd class to Tanjung Karang, get off and buy 1^st class on) to Palembang. Take foods and drinks.

SIGHTS

Palembang Golf Course excellent 18-hole course, modern club house, clubs maybe rented.

Rumah Bari the Palembang museum. Interesting megalithic remains and beautiful wood carvings.

Boat Trips along the Musi river and around Palembang harbor can be arranged through a travel Agency, or by renting your own boat near the bridge.

Lemah Abang a kuburan (graveyard), interesting architecture old tombs. Knowledgeable guide (Indonesian language only)

Rumah Wahab open a visitors by appointment, beautiful example of traditional architecture.

TELUK BETUNG

Teluk Betung, 350 km, from Palembang, is a busy port area importing goods for much of south Sumatra. It can be reached by plane from Palembang by ferry from Merak.

NIAS

Since Nias as yet no facilities for tourists, a trip to this fascinating island off the coast of Sumatra, with its stone altars, stone furniture, and unique architecture, is not to be undertaken lightly.

HOW TO GET THERE

Fly to Medan, then drive or take a bus to Sibolga, stopping overnight on the way at Toba, if you wish. The road from Toba to Sibolga is spectacularly beautiful but narrow and mountainous. Alternatively, fly to Padang, then drive North through Bukittinggi to Sibolga.

SIGHTS

Gunung Sitoli no megalithic remains in the vicinity, but as the capital of Nias, Gunung Sitoli is more accessible than the southern part of the island. Boats of various types daily.

Teluk Dalam must be reached from Sibolga by freighter or cargo boat, irregular schedules, at least one weekly.

Hilisimaetano about 14 km from Teluk Dalam. Old traditional houses inhabited by approximately 850 families.

Bawamataluo near hilisimaetano, beautiful king’s House relics from megalithic culture