Lake Singkarak, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Overall Raing: GOOD
Reviewed November 3, 2013
Visited November 2013
Reviewed November 3, 2013
Visited November 2013
As others have described, this is the second largest lake in Sumatra Island, and in Indonesia. It is created by nature from dead caldera of a volcano... so you can imagine the surrounding of its area. Very attempting and relaxing at the same time.
West Sumatran is famous of their culinary attraction. And for this area is no different. If you visit Lake Singkarak, don't forget to treat your taste buds with this several must to try dishes:
1. Ikan Bilis Goreng (friend Bilis fish), plane or spicy, both very good. This is one of two places where these kind of fish exist in this world. Lake Singkarak, and another one is a lake in Brazil.
2. Pangek Ikan Sasau (Pangek Sasau fish). Sasau is the kind of fresh water fish with tender white meat. Pangek is the style of preparing the dishes with spicy and sour sauce.
3. Rendang Pensi. Pensi is very small oyster and rendang is the style of preparing the dishes with thick coconut milk.
The lake itself, is always inviting us to swim in... The water is fresh and cool and you can see the Bilis fish swimming by between your feet. Or you can just rent a boat to take a tour on the lake while you enjoy the Barisan Mountains as the background. Fishing is very welcome in this area, so for you who like fishing, you can try your luck to catch some of Sasau fish.
The only minus for this area is public facility. The local stake holders should pay more attention to this issues, since this area has very potential values to explore. It's hard for you to find the decent hotel which close enough to the lake. If you want to stay at 4 or 5 star-hotel or even 3 star-hotel, you have to stay at Solok city or Padang Panjang city, the two closest cities to the lake. But still it will take you 45 to 60 minutes by car to get to the lake (depending on traffic).
West Sumatran is famous of their culinary attraction. And for this area is no different. If you visit Lake Singkarak, don't forget to treat your taste buds with this several must to try dishes:
1. Ikan Bilis Goreng (friend Bilis fish), plane or spicy, both very good. This is one of two places where these kind of fish exist in this world. Lake Singkarak, and another one is a lake in Brazil.
2. Pangek Ikan Sasau (Pangek Sasau fish). Sasau is the kind of fresh water fish with tender white meat. Pangek is the style of preparing the dishes with spicy and sour sauce.
3. Rendang Pensi. Pensi is very small oyster and rendang is the style of preparing the dishes with thick coconut milk.
The lake itself, is always inviting us to swim in... The water is fresh and cool and you can see the Bilis fish swimming by between your feet. Or you can just rent a boat to take a tour on the lake while you enjoy the Barisan Mountains as the background. Fishing is very welcome in this area, so for you who like fishing, you can try your luck to catch some of Sasau fish.
The only minus for this area is public facility. The local stake holders should pay more attention to this issues, since this area has very potential values to explore. It's hard for you to find the decent hotel which close enough to the lake. If you want to stay at 4 or 5 star-hotel or even 3 star-hotel, you have to stay at Solok city or Padang Panjang city, the two closest cities to the lake. But still it will take you 45 to 60 minutes by car to get to the lake (depending on traffic).