October 17, 2006
Rest Day in Bukittinggi: Exploring the city
Breakfast is included in the price of the hotel, so we have toast with jam or chocolate sprinkles,scrambled egg and tea.
Our hotel is just down the road from the main center and clock tower and markets. Bukittinggi is sometimes referred to as the Kota Jam Gadang (Big Clock Tower) and is the center of the Minangkabau culture. The clock tower was built by the Dutch with the original roof a Dutch Colonial style. The roof was changed to an oriental style around WWII, then to Minangkabau style after Indonesia gained Independence in 1945. This style reflects the horns of the buffalo. Minaga = a river in West Sumatra, and Kerbau = buffalo.
We walk to Fort Benteng de Kock and across the footbridge to the zoo. The Lonely Planet is right about the zoo being a "depressing place" all though there is evidence of work on sections.
We wander around the market place and have lunch at Cafe Bedugal with a "tourist only" sign. We rest and read, exchange books we've finished reading and for dinner Chinese Food at the recommended "Mona Lisa."
Someday, we will be cycling again.
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