Beautiful views, so clearly water, and fisherman boats spread away to catch fish. Danau Singkarak or Singkarak Lake is always become my trip destination while i drive a car to Bukittinggi. I do enjoy all my time to stop by for a while. it takes 45 minutes only from Solok city or just around 70 km from Padang, West Sumtera.
Singkrak lake is located at 2 major districs, they are Tanah Datar and Solok districs. The area is around 1.000 ha and become the second largest lake in Sumatera beside Toba Lake. This is the Tour de Singkarak route that annually held in here West Sumatera. The main reason why the tourism board add beautiful name for this race. Because, in the morning Singkarak lake was so calm, no waves, and so quite. Really good place to uplift your bore day. The deepness of the lake is 268m and 363.5m above sea level. This is kind of tectonic lake that predicted of the earth plates since forms.
The uniquenes of this lake provided around 19 species of fish but the limited of plankton can survive to live in the lake as generally because the sunlight can't penetrate in to main based.
Things To Do in Singkarak Lake
There are so many activities that you can do to enjoy Singkarak Lake. Some spots can swimm in to clearly views, want to catch fish by fisherman is already here, just ride a gondola to see beautiful lake. But this is the perfect spots to capture the beautiful "Bukit Barisan" that other side its a pitty to miss. When i drive a car so many local people make any souvenirs on left and right side of the road to Padang Panjang with various items such as doll or even big pillow hanging around.
The limitation of the infrastucture of this area do not make your trip more cramp of bored. Just a fews hotel established around the lake but my recommendation just stay in Bukittinggi and drive a car in to this place. The main reason is currently Singkarak Lake just a place to stop by for a while. But in the future will see the perfect amenities to support as a place for tourist attractions.
Culinary.
The culinary is another tourist attractions. I really love a small fish that really yummy, cruncky, and spicy. Because, only this place i can find the tiny fish that already cooked by local people with various purposes as the gift for the family members. But i do enjoy to eat my lunch around ombilin to grab the tasty fish. The local people say it "Ikan Bilih".
Not only fish, the other Padang foods is serving on your table with cold beverages really amazing. I just give any recommendation to avoid in weekend, school holiday, or national holiday to enjoy my table like this. Because the rate a quite more higher as the common days in weekdays. But, sometimes i don't care about this situation. I jump to traditional market (around ombilin market) to see the tiny restaurant to serve this menu. I avoid main restaurant. Save more budget
Overview of Ikan Bilih (Bilih Fish)
One of these types of fish are the fish Bilih (Mystacoleucus padangensis). Bilih fish be so special because it can only live in this Lake only. Many fisherman have tried this fish to reproduce beyond Singkarak Lake, but always failed because the Bilih fish always die.
Bilih fish is normally small, maximum length about 10 cm long only with a shimmering silver colored scales. The Bilih fish is the main sources of local people economy. A fishermen catch it and sell it to the restaurant, rest area, and traditional market. Or sometimes they reproduce in to fish farm. This is the most delicious fish that i have tried so far in fried menu and delicious sauce in sambal.
How to Get There.
As a travellers always to minimize budget to get there. You can catch the bus from Bukittinggi around Jambu Air. The major destinations are Solok or Sawahlunto. The tickets prices around IDR 25.000 - IDR 35.000 (single trips). From Padang, you catch the bus also at JL Sutomo with main destination to Solok. The ticket is around IDR 25.000 - IDR 30.000. But you must catch another bus to Singkarak Lake in Solok Terminal (Bareh Solok terminal) or Jl bypass solok Selayo, the main destination to Padang Panjang and Bukittinggi. The tickets is around IDR 20,000 - IDR 30,000 (single trips). Your destination is "Dermaga Singkarak / Singkarak dock". My recommendation is you can rent a car to add this route in to your whole day tour package. Because Singkarak Lake located is so strategic and the tour guide can cover this trip in to your schedule to visit West Sumatera.
Tips.
1. This is the main stage of Tour de Singkarak. The national even of tourism board that held in annually. You must see the beautiful lake in the morning, and before sunset.
2. If you want walk alone as a backpacker, i just give recommendation to add this trip in to the whole packet of the tour. Because, the limitation of amenities around the lake and transportation sometimes really full.
3. Prepare some cash. Because around the lake do not available ATM. The ATM located in Sumani or Padang Panjang. So, you must ready on your wallet.
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