TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - From the height of Lampu Hill, Teluk Bayur Harbor in Padang, West Sumatra, looked sparkling under the soft morning light. The mists had yet all gone, but the view of morning sea in light blue was captivating. Fishermen’s boats looked still in front of green hill and blue sky backgrounds.
That morning, we drove along uphill and curving asphalt road from Padang to Painan in Pesisir Selatan Regency. On the left of the road is the wall of stone that constitute the waist of the Lampu Hill and ravine on the right side. Down below, the ocean and the beach with hundreds of coconut trees nested comfortably. Our vehicle went uphill at 15 to 30-meter above the sea level.
We could not resist the tempation to enjoy the beautiful morning view, so we decided to pull over at a safe spot nearby a giant rock to take photos of the view. There are lots of giant rocks along the road in Lampu Hill. People are usually enjoy the sea view below from the rocks.
From the top of the rock, we could see the wide blue ocean, Teluk Bayur in a far, and coconut trees swaying on Nirwana Beach.
The Lampu (light) Hill is named after the lighthouse located on the right side of ther road that we passed by. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to stop by the lighthouse that was build in 1980 by the Dutch colonial.
After a fifteen-minute break on the rock, our little group continued the journey to our destination, Mandeh, which is around 56-kilometer to the south, in Carocok Beach, Tarusan, Pesisit Selatan regency, to be precise. Carocok is local name for the bay that is curved inward. Mandeh is consisting of curvy bay with small islands surrounding it.
Mandeh is new tourism destination in West Sumatra. The 18,000-hectare area stretches along seven ‘nagari’, one of which named Mandeh. I have been to Cubadak Island in Mandeh Bay. It is beautiful with clear green-blue water, coral reefs and white sand. This place is still secluded without many public facilities.
Me and my group visited Mandeh in a mission to promote this destination to the outside world. Among us there were photographers, paraglider, and some models who were all volunteering to promote Mandeh.
Once arrived in Tarusan, we continued to Panorama Satu Mandeh Peak on a hilltop facing the bay. There is an open space as large as three volley courts build by the local government for tourists’ parking.
From this location, Mandeh’s landscape lies beautifully. There is a view of the sea surrounded by the hills looking like separated islands. In front of it, groups of small islands scattered forming magnificent landscape. There is no wonder that high waves can not reach the bay as they are broken by those islands and hills. The bay is clear as glass like a massive pool colored in blue-green.
When the sun is right above our head, the color gradation from blue and green clearly seen. It shows the different depth of the sea. The green color also indicates that the water is rich of phytoplanktons where young fishes, shrimp and mollusca can have their good times.
“Ondeh mandeh rancaknyo (O, mother, it’s so beautiful!),” said some people who had just arrived.
They hurried to the brink of the cliff to overlook the Mandeh Bay. Our group were soon busy with our activities taking pictures of the models and the paragliders with background of blue sky.
When the sun made its way to the west, we went down to Carocok Harbor, about one kilometer from Mandeh Peak. A motor boat sailed us into the calm water of Mandeh Bay. Not long after, the boat passed by Cubadak Island where there is a resort called Cubadak Paradiso Village managed by a French entrepreneur.
Tourists are coming to the resort to enjoy seclusion in Mandeh. From there, they can do kayaking, diving, swimming and enjoying sunset on top of a hill in the island.
In front of Cubadak Island, there is a wreck-diving site. The shipwreck was a Ducth ship called Boelongan Nederland which was made in 1915. The ship used to transport crops from Indonesia but was bombed down by the Japanese on January 1942.
The boat continue to sail, passing the small islands before throwing its anchor near the Big Satan Island. We had to take a ride on a rubber boat since there was no docking for the ship. From the rubber boat we can see hundreds of small fishes dancing around the reefs under the sea surface.
The white sands on the island felt so soft on our foot. Mangrove vegetations growing in this small island. On the west, there is a high stone hill that blocks the view of sunset.
Because we dont want to miss West Sumatra’s famous red sunset, we hurried to sail again to find better spot on the beach. But the sun did not wait. It slowly sinking into the horizon when we were on the boat. The reddish light was reflected by the sparkling sea water. It was the first time I saw sunset in the middle of the sea and onboard of the boat.
The boat finally stopped between Cubadak Island and Traju Island. Just in time when the giant red ball slowly leaving the glowing golden light on the sea and horizon. The beauty of Mandeh felt so perfect that afternoon. Ondeh mandeh rancaknyo!
FEBRIANTI (PADANG)
