Air Manis
It is located about four km south Padang, literally means sweet water. To get there, you can take a bemo (a three-tire vehicle) to Muaro, then hire a small boat across the river or walk through Jembatan Berayun (a small path bridge) and walk to the Chinese cemetary which is now already been shifted to Bungus beach. One km walk will take you to the village of Air Manis. According to local mhytology, the rock at the end of the beach is the remains of Malin Kundang (a man who was transformed into stone when he rejected his mother after making a fortune) and his boat. Climb the hill beyond Air Manis for a good view of the port of Teluk Bayur. Special privilage for me, i can walk from my house to that place, but it's quite tiring coz i should climb the hill (the chinese cemetary).

Anai Valley
Anai valley is surrounded with a magnificent dense of tropical forest all around. Below runs the river Anai with its crystal clear water just on the side of the road is a 40 meters high waterfall. You can park your car about 10 meters from the waterfall and walk into the forest. I�ve seen the Corpse flower grew in this forest before. It�s so huge! Anyway, for those who never seen one before I get the " picture " of it from one of my references websites. If I�m not mistaken that plant had grown there for more than 3 times. I think it likes that forest so much.

Bungus Beach
It�s a picture of a soft pearly white carpet, decorated by the coconut trees. Swimming is safe, the water being almost too warm, this is the perfect place to relax, sun bath, swim or bath-comb. It is possible to hire canoes, surfboat and snorkeling equipment and boats go to the island nearby stay at home stay along the beach, sit and watch the sun go down over this splendors bay. Some restaurants serve seafood and others in the spot of the surrounding. (Thumbs up!) I really love this place. Too bad it�s quite far from my house, about 30 minutes driving.

Embun Pagi
A-ha, this is also a nice place. If you�re a kind of person who can�t live without city environment, this place provides luxury hotel together with swimming pool, gym, pool room and even sauna. But of course, it is higher in cost. You can also enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lake Maninjau. Often the clouds inside the crater will be beneath you, but when they clear the view is spectacular. You can take the bus from Bukittinggi to Lake maninjau or Lubuk Basung and stop there. My recommendation is to take the tour because, you need to pass through some small path without proper direction to go there and you may get lost on the way (we did lost once ;P).

The Islands
There are four islands Pisang Besar, Sikoai, Pagang and Bintangur, which are easy to reach from Padang and are not too expensive to get to. All four offer good diving and snorkeling opportunities. Although it�s not difficult to catch your own dinner, it is suggested to take your own food. There are camping grounds on each island and fresh water is available. The closest island is Pulau Pisang Besar (Big Banana Island), which is only 15 minutes from Muara River Harbor. You can hire a sampan with an outboard motor from there. The others are quite far; between one or two hours from Teluk Bayur. I�ve never been there before. My dad doesn�t want to go there because he said there are lots of big mosquitoes there.