Our hotel, Bunda Hotel (the same chain as in Bukittinggi was older. We were on the 5th floor - here are some pictures of the city around us!
We wandered across to this bakery and yes it was time for a cup of coffee and a snack!
There is a man at the door opening up for you and 3 young girls standing ready to assist you!
They have some tongs and have a tray and as you walk and look at the pastries in the glass cases - you point to them and the girl picks out what you want. Then to the cashier to pay for your order.
Many people are always in the stores helping...the pay is very little, Nick says, but it is an opportunity to learn a trade and also receive a salary at the same time! These girls most likely are students learning to work with the public! It was a very busy little bakery - many people were constantly walking in. Also a man outside was there to help with the parking in front of the shop - 2 places on the curb - he would lead them in and stop traffic and then when the client leaves he would stop the traffic again and the driver would roll down the window and give him a little tip for the effort! This way he too makes a little money! We see that a whole lot in front of stores and hotels and restaurants, someone directing the traffic! The tips are usually small but it helps everyone to make a little money - a great system!
While walking through the streets - we saw a sign....
When we had come to this Axana Hotel the very first evening upon arrival in Padang, and experienced the graduation Party with the girls in the Reception/dining room - the Manager Yon Hendri who approached us, had invited us to come and stay at his hotel...and so we accepted the offer after 2 days at Bunda Hotel.
We are settled now into Axana Hotel and wifi is GREAT!!!!!! Yeah...I can now call Jim & Mom and see how things are going! Cecile Nick sis has her Birthday tomorrow ~for us today already... HAPPY BIRTHDAY Zus!!!
Nick got up early to send her an email so she will have it when she wakes up!
Today, Friday we need to inquire about how to get from Padang to Palembang in the next few days...and hope to meet up with our American friends.
They have invited us to call them when we arrive in town. The drive to Palembang is 15 hours...WOW!
Did I hear that right?
Sumatra sure is a BIG island....man oh man, oh man...oh MAN!!
So either "the public BUS system" - 20 hours sitting with a whole lot of people, stopping at every city, smokers on board or going by a Van - joining others (5 people in a van) 280,000 rupiah's each = 560,000 which is $56,- dollars for the two of us) for 15 hours. We hear we could request non-smokers, many men smoke clove cigarettes here in Indonesia and it is a very strong & heavy lingering odor!
The other option is flying ~ $120,- p.p. to Palembang! Quite a difference huh? Flying does sound like the way to go. Shall we Nick? We need to talk about our 3 choices! I think I know what I would like to do....ha! Sumatra is BIG! So almost 1000 km to get to Palembang from here! Way far huh!
We will do a little homework on the Net tonight - might find a reasonable flight out!
In the mean time we are comfortable, settling into this hotel and will enjoy our afternoon~ right now it is raining cats & dogs outside! I think I will make a cup of coffee and relax for a while - the rain doesn't go on continuously.
Interesting fact:
Java the next island we are going to... is 4x smaller then Sumatra but has 4x more people living on it! Nick says it will be more crowded of course on Java but also more to see and do! I AM LEARNING!
We also wandered to the coastline.
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