Introduction
General Information
Trip Planning Resources &
Contacts
Padang
Keresik Tua
Letter "W" Waterfall
Sungei Sangir
Sungei Penuh
Tapan Road
SUNGEI PENUH
Dawn. Silhouette of clock tower at roundabout. In the background is a multi-storey shopping complex.
This is a small town where
birders stay to birdwatch along the famed
Tapan Road. From the Kerinci-Seblat National Park (KSNP) Office, the
birdy stretch is between half and hour to an hour’s ride
away.
There is a simple shopping complex there and there are several Internet
cafés around. Few people speak English there, even at the
guesthouse. As with most towns in Sumatra, the birdlife inside
populated areas is poor. Ojeks (motorcycle taxis) are everywhere and
they will frequently approach you.GETTING THERE : From Pak Subandi’s guesthouse, just take a minivan that heads away from Padang. Its just a few hours away.
ACCOMODATION : Matahari losmen has budget rooms. Those who prefer better accommodation may wish to put up at Aroma Hotel (for local businessmen) instead. Both of these buildings are included in the sketch of the town.
Birders
wishing to grab an
early breakfast before sunrise will be glad
to know that there is breakfast available by 5.30am. It is at a wooden
canteen that caters to soldiers from the adjoining army camp. The local
food there is very cheap (ie < US$1.20 per dish) and quite
tasty. Both the staff only
speak Bahasa Indonesia and they do not have a menu. Ask for
“Mee
Rebus”(noodle soup), “Mee Goreng”(fried
noodles) or
“Nasi Goreng”(fried rice). Their “Gado
Gado”
was quite a welcome change from the standard fare. They were able to
wrap packet lunch for me and even lent me a metal spoon so that I could
eat along Tapan Road. Other useful terms to know include
“bungkus” which means take-away and "tanpa
cili" which
means "Without Chilli".The
two ladies who operate the canteen
outside the army camp.
outside the army camp.
In order to birdwatch along
Tapan Road, you will have to get a permit
from the KSNP office (right picture) at the edge of town. You can ask
the rangers there
to arrange transportation for birding along Tapan Road.MAPS : Refer to Sketch of Sungei Penuh Town
