Monkey business woos tourists in W. Sumatra
Monkey business woos tourists in W. Sumatra
By Oktaveri
BUNGUS, West Sumatra (Antara): Scores of monkeys raced down
the hill to the roadside, scrambling and fighting for the food
thrown by visitors.
Some of the animals carried their young infants precariously
on their back. The visitors were intrigued by their antics.
The monkeys are very tame. Some of them even dare take food
directly from children's hands. Charmed by the monkeys' behavior,
the children asked their parents to hold the young monkeys so
that they could carry them on their back.
Despite the monkeys' trusting natures, people never catch or
hunt them as the animals are protected under a local regulation,
which acknowledges their tourism value.
This troupe of monkeys in the hills at Bungus in Teluk Kabung,
not far from Teluk Bayur port, is one of several attractive
tourism spots in Sumatra.
Located about 25 kilometers south of the West Sumatran capital
of Padang, the site can be reached by oplet (public minibus) for
Rp 300 (eight U.S. cents).
The left side of the road is smooth, while on the right the
vast open sea offers a beautiful and enchanting panorama. Out at
sea, fishing boats defy the turbulent waves in search of their
catch.
Around the site, many vendors ply their trade and restaurants
await customers.
"This place attracts a lot of tourists, many of them taking
pictures of the monkeys," said a woman who sells snacks at the
site.
She said most visitors come on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
Many parents bring their children just to watch the monkeys'
cavort.
On weekdays, youngsters like to visit the area to relax and
admire the beautiful sunset.
Visitors buy whatever local food is on offer, both for
themselves and feed the monkeys.
A tourist said the area had great potential, but added it
needed more management by the local administration.
"This potential should not be neglected, otherwise it will
harm local tourism," he said.
Bungus' other tourism attractions include the beautiful
coastline.
Head of the Padang Tourism Agency Office, Dermawan Ilyas, said
that although the monkeys were not yet part of the West Sumatra
tourism agenda, efforts would be made to further develop tourism
objects in the province.
In the surrounding area, several hotels will be built to draw
long-staying visitors, he added.
"The projects will be constructed in such a way that visitors
will be freer to look at the tame monkeys," Dermawan said.
Tourism experts will be called on for creating effective
marketing plans for Bungus.
Other Padang attractions include the Pondok Karolin area and
Pasir Putih beach. Bungus is also close to Sikuai Island,
renowned for the beauty of its marine park.