Big plans for West Sumatra's land of lakes

Big plans for West Sumatra's land of lakes

Syofiardi Bachyul Jb, The Jakarta Post, Padang

Magnificent Maninjau and Singkarak come to mind when
mention is made of West Sumatra's famous lakes, but its so called
Twin Lakes area is also being promoted for its scenic beauty.

The crisp, invigorating mountain air signals arrival in West
Sumatra's "lake district" of Solok regency, home to four --
Singkarak, Diatas, Dibawah and Talang -- of the five lakes in the
province (the exception is Maninjau in Agam regency).

The area where Diatas, Dibawah and Talang are found has become
known as Danau Kembar (Twin Lakes), and is a popular resort area
due to its location just off the Padang-Muaralabuh-Kerinci
highway.

Diatas (literally "upper" lake) and Dibawah (lower) are
located only 300 meters from each other, with Talang about 4.5 km
away. Nestled on the slopes of Mt Talang but farther from the
highway, the latter lake -- less known and much smaller than the
others -- is also included in the Solok administration's Twin
Lakes Tourist Area.

The Twin Lakes draw about 45,000 domestic tourists annually
but only 500 foreign visitors, and the regency administration is
intensifying the development of the area to make it a prime
tourist resort not only for Solok regency, but also for West
Sumatra.

"We are developing Danau Kembar tourist area into an agro-
tourism area. Visitors can savor the beauty of the lakes and at
the same time let their eyes feast on the expanse of vegetable
patches, fruit orchards and tea plantations," said Tamium TM,
head of the regency's tourism agency.

The area is easily accessible from the provincial capital of
Padang via an inter-city bus to Alahan Panjang or Muaralabuh (Rp
7,000). The 60-km-long route, full of sharp twists and bends,
takes about 1.5 hours.

It is a scenic trip; sights along the way include PT Semen
Padang cement mill, Sumatra's oldest cement factory, and the tea
plantation owned by PT Perkebunan Nusantara VI Kebun Danau
Kembar.

Visitors should alight from the bus at Pasar Simpan, where
there is a fork in the road, and then take a right for Lake
Diatas.

It's a curiosity that the road that branches to the left goes
uphill toward Lake Dibawah, which, despite its name, is actually
located higher up than its "twin" (a motorcycle taxi to either of
the two lakes will cost about Rp 1,000).

"Although it is nestled up the hill, the water surface of Lake
Dibawah is on the same level as the bottom of Lake Diatas,"
Ediyar, a Solok regency communications official who is in charge
of the river, lake and ferry transportation office in the area,
told The Jakarta Post.

Diatas is a shallow lake, only 44 meters at its deepest point.
It is 17.20 square kilometers in area, at 6.25 km long and 2.75
km wide, with a water surface about 1,600 meters above sea level.

Lake Dibawah's water surface is about 1,566 meters above sea
level, with an area of 16.90 square kilometers and a depth of 886
meters. Most visitors choose to visit Lake Diatas first, which
has an entry fee of Rp 1,500.

There are motorboats on the lake, which are a vital source of
transportation for fruit and vegetable vendors, including
ferrying them to the market at Pasar Simpang. The quay is managed
by the local river, lake and ferry transportation office.

Boats will ferry visitors to the villages located on the
lake's banks for only Rp 1,000 roundtrip (the fare goes up to Rp
3,000 on Sundays and public holidays). The trip allows one to
savor the view of the lake cradled among a crown of small hills,
part of the Bukit Barisan mountain range.

Not far from the quay is a spot for swimming, and there is
also a small patch of pine trees nearby where visitors can picnic
and relax.

Unfortunately, Dibawah has yet to be developed for tourists,
and there is no swimming or boating on the lake. Still, there is
its beautiful panorama, as well as small fruit stalls selling
flowers and fresh produce, including cabbages and carrots. It is
especially famous for its passion fruit and terong Belanda (Dutch
eggplant).

Some vendors sell dried mountain grass flowers, which are
usually found in the swampy areas around the lake and only flower
once a year at the lake. A bunch costs from Rp 5,000 to Rp
15,000.

After enjoying the beauty of the two lakes, it's time for a
short visit to Lake Talang, which is located uphill (take a
motorcycle taxi for Rp 10,000 roundtrip). The lake is only 1.30
square kilometers in area, but it is cooler and quieter here than
the other lakes.

Part of the local administration's efforts to develop tourist
facilities in the area includes building a resort in Gumanti
Valley at the edge of Lake Diatas.

A convention hall with a capacity for 800 people is available
here at a cost of Rp 150,000 a day. There are two large two-
storey villas, for tourists, each containing three bedrooms, a
sitting room and a kitchen, which cost Rp 250,000 per night.

There are also two smaller one-bedroom villas (Rp 125,000 per
night) and the choice of 10 cottages (Rp 100,000).

Also planned are a quay, a playground, motocross arena and a
greenbelt section.

A tea plantation owned by PT Perkebunan Nusantara VI, about 10
kilometers from the Twin Lakes, provides homestay facilities, a
guest house, tennis courts, a soccer field and a trekking path on
the slopes of Mt Talang. Rent of a homestay, which is ideal for
the whole family, is Rp 150,000 a night, including breakfast.