Big plans for West Sumatra's land of lakes<\/p>\n
Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post, Padang<\/p>\n
Magnificent Maninjau and Singkarak come to mind when
\nmention is made of West Sumatra's famous lakes, but its so called
\nTwin Lakes area is also being promoted for its scenic beauty.<\/p>\n
The crisp, invigorating mountain air signals arrival in West
\nSumatra's \"lake district\" of Solok regency, home to four --
\nSingkarak, Diatas, Dibawah and Talang -- of the five lakes in the
\nprovince (the exception is Maninjau in Agam regency).<\/p>\n
The area where Diatas, Dibawah and Talang are found has become
\nknown as Danau Kembar (Twin Lakes), and is a popular resort area
\ndue to its location just off the Padang-Muaralabuh-Kerinci
\nhighway.<\/p>\n
Diatas (literally \"upper\" lake) and Dibawah (lower) are
\nlocated only 300 meters from each other, with Talang about 4.5 km
\naway. Nestled on the slopes of Mt Talang but farther from the
\nhighway, the latter lake -- less known and much smaller than the
\nothers -- is also included in the Solok administration's Twin
\nLakes Tourist Area.<\/p>\n
The Twin Lakes draw about 45,000 domestic tourists annually
\nbut only 500 foreign visitors, and the regency administration is
\nintensifying the development of the area to make it a prime
\ntourist resort not only for Solok regency, but also for West
\nSumatra.<\/p>\n
\"We are developing Danau Kembar tourist area into an agro-
\ntourism area. Visitors can savor the beauty of the lakes and at
\nthe same time let their eyes feast on the expanse of vegetable
\npatches, fruit orchards and tea plantations,\" said Tamium TM,
\nhead of the regency's tourism agency.<\/p>\n
The area is easily accessible from the provincial capital of
\nPadang via an inter-city bus to Alahan Panjang or Muaralabuh (Rp
\n7,000). The 60-km-long route, full of sharp twists and bends,
\ntakes about 1.5 hours.<\/p>\n
It is a scenic trip; sights along the way include PT Semen
\nPadang cement mill, Sumatra's oldest cement factory, and the tea
\nplantation owned by PT Perkebunan Nusantara VI Kebun Danau
\nKembar.<\/p>\n
Visitors should alight from the bus at Pasar Simpan, where
\nthere is a fork in the road, and then take a right for Lake
\nDiatas.<\/p>\n
It's a curiosity that the road that branches to the left goes
\nuphill toward Lake Dibawah, which, despite its name, is actually
\nlocated higher up than its \"twin\" (a motorcycle taxi to either of
\nthe two lakes will cost about Rp 1,000).<\/p>\n
\"Although it is nestled up the hill, the water surface of Lake
\nDibawah is on the same level as the bottom of Lake Diatas,\"
\nEdiyar, a Solok regency communications official who is in charge
\nof the river, lake and ferry transportation office in the area,
\ntold The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Diatas is a shallow lake, only 44 meters at its deepest point.
\nIt is 17.20 square kilometers in area, at 6.25 km long and 2.75
\nkm wide, with a water surface about 1,600 meters above sea level.<\/p>\n
Lake Dibawah's water surface is about 1,566 meters above sea
\nlevel, with an area of 16.90 square kilometers and a depth of 886
\nmeters. Most visitors choose to visit Lake Diatas first, which
\nhas an entry fee of Rp 1,500.<\/p>\n
There are motorboats on the lake, which are a vital source of
\ntransportation for fruit and vegetable vendors, including
\nferrying them to the market at Pasar Simpang. The quay is managed
\nby the local river, lake and ferry transportation office.<\/p>\n
Boats will ferry visitors to the villages located on the
\nlake's banks for only Rp 1,000 roundtrip (the fare goes up to Rp
\n3,000 on Sundays and public holidays). The trip allows one to
\nsavor the view of the lake cradled among a crown of small hills,
\npart of the Bukit Barisan mountain range.<\/p>\n
Not far from the quay is a spot for swimming, and there is
\nalso a small patch of pine trees nearby where visitors can picnic
\nand relax.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, Dibawah has yet to be developed for tourists,
\nand there is no swimming or boating on the lake. Still, there is
\nits beautiful panorama, as well as small fruit stalls selling
\nflowers and fresh produce, including cabbages and carrots. It is
\nespecially famous for its passion fruit and terong Belanda (Dutch
\neggplant).<\/p>\n
Some vendors sell dried mountain grass flowers, which are
\nusually found in the swampy areas around the lake and only flower
\nonce a year at the lake. A bunch costs from Rp 5,000 to Rp
\n15,000.<\/p>\n
After enjoying the beauty of the two lakes, it's time for a
\nshort visit to Lake Talang, which is located uphill (take a
\nmotorcycle taxi for Rp 10,000 roundtrip). The lake is only 1.30
\nsquare kilometers in area, but it is cooler and quieter here than
\nthe other lakes.<\/p>\n
Part of the local administration's efforts to develop tourist
\nfacilities in the area includes building a resort in Gumanti
\nValley at the edge of Lake Diatas.<\/p>\n
A convention hall with a capacity for 800 people is available
\nhere at a cost of Rp 150,000 a day. There are two large two-
\nstorey villas, for tourists, each containing three bedrooms, a
\nsitting room and a kitchen, which cost Rp 250,000 per night.<\/p>\n
There are also two smaller one-bedroom villas (Rp 125,000 per
\nnight) and the choice of 10 cottages (Rp 100,000).<\/p>\n
Also planned are a quay, a playground, motocross arena and a
\ngreenbelt section.<\/p>\n
A tea plantation owned by PT Perkebunan Nusantara VI, about 10
\nkilometers from the Twin Lakes, provides homestay facilities, a
\nguest house, tennis courts, a soccer field and a trekking path on
\nthe slopes of Mt Talang. Rent of a homestay, which is ideal for
\nthe whole family, is Rp 150,000 a night, including breakfast.<\/p>",
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