Day 1, From Padang to Sikuai Island

We arrived at the International Airport Minangkabau around 9.30. It was hot and very shiny in Padang. A driver picked us up using Daihatsu APV. It was late for taking the first boat to Sikuai Island. So, we decided to visit our friend, Tita, at Hotel Pangeran Padang. So, we went there and went to her room. It was 4 stars hotel. The room was nice and modern even the building was old style and not interesting.

 

After had a little chat, we went to Dermaga Wisata Bahari. My daughters and I took the 2 o'clock boat. Tita went back to her hotel. Harisko and Irfan went to their hometown Batu Sangkar.

 

The boat was late.

We left Dermaga at 14.30. We used a small boat. I didn't think before that the trip would be like this. The wave was big enough, or our boat was too small? Our boat was slammed to the water many times and the water splashed to the passengers. It was like riding Niagara-gara, a ride in Dunia Fantasi (Fantasy World), Ancol, Jakarta. Only harder and more adventurous (of course, we were in the Indonesia Ocean). Lucky us, we took the front row, so the splash was only a little to our faces. But the passengers in the middle, they got wet. When the water on my face dried up, I touched my face with my index finger and I felt salt on my face. I tasted it and of course it was salty, silly meJ.

 

After more than 1 hour trip, we arrived at Sikuai Island.

From the distance we already could see the beauty of the island. The sand was white and the water was blue. After we check in our cottage, we went straight to the beach. We played at the beach. Arin had tried to look at the fishes at the coral reef only using a goggle for swimming. Tomorrow we planed to snorkel.

 

At 5.30 we were ready to watch sunset. The front office staff told me that it only took 20 minutes to go to the sunset watching area.  I didn't think before that we had to climb the hill. Even there was stepped footpath; I had to manage my breath. I was left behind by my daughters. The age was talkingL.

 

On the top of the hill, there were only us.

Nobody was there even I knew that there were some couples and families stayed in the island. Maybe they didn't know about the sunset or maybe the footpath was not attractive. We found a swimming pool with big enough pool deck and a ruin of shower room and toilet. There was an earthquake that destroyed that building.

 

So, my daughters and I sat on the pool deck and waited for the sunset. We took photos while were waiting. Lucky us, I brought snacks and water because it was tiring to climb the hill. The scenery was remarkable. We could see other islands and fishermen's ships.

 

It was 18.15, the sun started to touch the sea. At the first, I was worried that we couldn't see it because there was cloud. But, we were lucky, after climbing the hill finally we could enjoy one of natural phenomenon that happens everyday but we often miss. It felt very great. As I remember it was my second sunset seeing after the one in Kuta beach a very long time ago.

 

When the sun hid behind the ocean, we walked down the hill again. It was rather spooky for me, because there were only bushes and trees at the right and the left side of the footpath. It was getting dark and there were only my daughters and me. I didn't tell about my fear to my daughters because I saw them didn't feel the same way with me. They led the way because they are much much younger than I am and have much much more energy.

 

After we had dinner on the balcony, we went to bed. We chose spaghetti bolognaise and seafood fried noodle. They tasted good. We watched TV before we fell asleep. We were too tired and too happy to be able to fall asleep soon.