I guess it has been quite a difficult trip for AIESEC students when they are assigned to Padang. The city is naturally beautiful, but they couldn’t find much interesting activities here. Public transport (angkot) in Padang is quite tricky, they hardly carry their destination name or number on its body. And no route-map available at all; the only way to identify them is by their colour. It seems like only the locals know the way around. The locals are only able to speak 2 languages: Bahasa Indonesian and Bahasa Minang, their local dialect. So apart from infrastructure problem, they’d face a lot of communication problem.
Anyway, I really pity them so my parents recommend to take them to some small islands near Padang. Since they already visited Sikuai Island, yesterday (21Jan2010) we arranged the trip to Cubadak Island (Cubadak means Jackfruit in Minang language). Previously, we hardly recommend Cubadak Paradiso Village because the only way to get there is from Pantai Carocok - Tarusan, which need 1.5hours drive and 10mins boat-trip to get there. The driving trip was quite nasty, seems like we go on never-ending circle.
Anyway, I really pity them so my parents recommend to take them to some small islands near Padang. Since they already visited Sikuai Island, yesterday (21Jan2010) we arranged the trip to Cubadak Island (Cubadak means Jackfruit in Minang language). Previously, we hardly recommend Cubadak Paradiso Village because the only way to get there is from Pantai Carocok - Tarusan, which need 1.5hours drive and 10mins boat-trip to get there. The driving trip was quite nasty, seems like we go on never-ending circle.
The 10 minutes boat trip was delightful, it was an easy one. Once you approached the island, you’ll be greeted by Mr.Nani & Ms.Dominique, super friendly owner. I think they are French, but they speak perfect Indonesian. Then Ms.Dom showed us rooms get change (complete with bedding and bathroom). I can’t believe they provide us with rooms, we were only on day-trip! How nice!!!
Me & AIESEC students started explore the shore, not long, we went into the water. It was quite murky, I guess it is because of last-night hard rain. So, we wasn’t able to see through the water, we just walk and walk in the water. I didn’t know there were many coral around; I cut my feet, so did others... hiks... hiks...
Around noon time, Ms. Dom reminded us that the lunch will be serve at 1pm, which later conveniently announced by bell rings. So cool…!!! The lunch was so nice, yesterday we were served tomato and quail eggs salad, friend pumpkins, calamari rings and chicken in soysauce. Yummy!!!
Then after lunch, we braved ourselves to try snorkeling. I’ve never done it before. Gave it a few try, was quite hard for me to breathe from mouth. But after a few dips, I saw incredible scenery down there – the water suddenly becomes clear and I was able to pretty fishes and amazing corals. Naturally, I was able to snorkel. Hahahaha. The more I explore, the more I see, then I saw a group of sea-urchins; they really made my heart skipped. I decided to avoid them, I don’t wanna get poisonous punctures.
Later on me and other 3 AIESEC students took the rowing boat and started to explore the nearby reef. Basically we rowed, stopped and dipped our heads down the water to have a peek. It was amazing scenery down there!!! I saw many colourful reef creatures, saw fishes, giant clams, some crab-alike creatures, cuttlefish etc. Also saw a huge sea-urchin look alike creature, but it was so huge and it has striking blue colour; so I guess it was poisonous. On the way back, near the honey-moon suite, we saw a weird thing popping from the water, it was huge, slightly pinkish, swimmed slowly and has tail; we tried to get a close look, but it disappeared. I later asked Ms.Dom, who explained it was humphead parrotfish which commonly feed around the coral.
Overall, it was a very amazing trip. I hope AIESEC students enjoy it. For me, the trip was really worth the money. I really wish I could stay overnight there. Anyway, my only regret is that I don’t have underwater camera. I wish I can capture those pretty creatures for you to see. Will go there again, soon.
ps: Pics here are taken from Cubadak Paradiso website, I'll put up some of my personal pics... if there are any taken by the students
Me & AIESEC students started explore the shore, not long, we went into the water. It was quite murky, I guess it is because of last-night hard rain. So, we wasn’t able to see through the water, we just walk and walk in the water. I didn’t know there were many coral around; I cut my feet, so did others... hiks... hiks...
Around noon time, Ms. Dom reminded us that the lunch will be serve at 1pm, which later conveniently announced by bell rings. So cool…!!! The lunch was so nice, yesterday we were served tomato and quail eggs salad, friend pumpkins, calamari rings and chicken in soysauce. Yummy!!!
Then after lunch, we braved ourselves to try snorkeling. I’ve never done it before. Gave it a few try, was quite hard for me to breathe from mouth. But after a few dips, I saw incredible scenery down there – the water suddenly becomes clear and I was able to pretty fishes and amazing corals. Naturally, I was able to snorkel. Hahahaha. The more I explore, the more I see, then I saw a group of sea-urchins; they really made my heart skipped. I decided to avoid them, I don’t wanna get poisonous punctures.
Later on me and other 3 AIESEC students took the rowing boat and started to explore the nearby reef. Basically we rowed, stopped and dipped our heads down the water to have a peek. It was amazing scenery down there!!! I saw many colourful reef creatures, saw fishes, giant clams, some crab-alike creatures, cuttlefish etc. Also saw a huge sea-urchin look alike creature, but it was so huge and it has striking blue colour; so I guess it was poisonous. On the way back, near the honey-moon suite, we saw a weird thing popping from the water, it was huge, slightly pinkish, swimmed slowly and has tail; we tried to get a close look, but it disappeared. I later asked Ms.Dom, who explained it was humphead parrotfish which commonly feed around the coral.Overall, it was a very amazing trip. I hope AIESEC students enjoy it. For me, the trip was really worth the money. I really wish I could stay overnight there. Anyway, my only regret is that I don’t have underwater camera. I wish I can capture those pretty creatures for you to see. Will go there again, soon.
ps: Pics here are taken from Cubadak Paradiso website, I'll put up some of my personal pics... if there are any taken by the students
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