Dragon Boat Race Competition in Padang City, West Sumatra

Dragon Boat Race Competition

Boat race competition in Padang City has been started since the Dutch colonial government occupied Indonesia. At the time, it was called Selaju sampan (literally means paddling boat). The boats are decorated with colourful ornaments so the paddling boats in the competition will be more attractive. In 1995, Chinese people brought Dragon Boat race Competition around the world including Indonesia. Later on, its development in Indonesia occurs rapidly rather than other countries. Hitherto, Dragon Boat Race Competition is functioned by some regions having rivers on it, as annual event, national or international, by International Dragon Boat Foundation. In Padang, West SumatraProvince, Dragon Boat Race Competition takes place to commemorate the birthday of Padang City, on August 7^th. Recently, Dragon Boat Race Competition takes place at international level.

Dragon Boat Race Competition that takes place in Padang has some distinctions from other similar events in other provinces in Indonesia. Rivers in Padang tend to have broad side, calm water and constant stream. That is why; it is regarded as the right place for such event remembering its comfort offering challenges for the players to achieve the best results.

This competition has some categories, 200 meters race, 250 meters race, 1000 meters race and 2000 meters race. For each team, there are three classes, 10 paddlers, 20 paddlers or 30 paddlers each team. Dragon Boat Competition in Padang will be more interesting when the home team joins the competition. In 2006, when the competition of Dragon Boat took place in Malaysia and in 2007 in China, the Dragon Boat team from Padang, Indonesia won the race.

When Time of Events Dragon Boat Race Competition?

Dragon Boat Race Competition in Padang usually takes place in Sporthall of Haji Agus alim, Padang City. West Sumatra Province,Indonesia. The event is commonly held on August. The location can be accessed by any kind of public transportation via Ketaping Airport – Padang City route. It is around 30 minutes fromKetaping Airport to Padang City. For you who want to spend more days around the location, you can easily find some comfortable lodgements and inns. For food and beverages, Rumah Masakan Padang are always there for you 24 hours.

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Samalona Island

Samolana Island

Samalona Island is a cluster of coral reefs area with 2,34 ha in width. This small island is a favourite destination for local and international tourists. There are some activities you can do there like sunbathing above the sandy beach and diving into the deep waters of Samalona Island to observe the wonderful coral reefs and beautiful sub-marine life within. The best months for visiting Samalona Island range from February to October.

This pleasant recreational area contains so much mysteries dealing with some wreck ships, the remnants of the world war II. At least there are seven ships that were sank there. They are Maru Boat, a Japanese warship that is approximately located at 30 meters deep; Japanese gunboat; Hakko Maru cargo vessel made of the Dutch; and Japanese submarine hunter. Now, they have turned into wonderful coral reefs where ample fishes live within. Such wonderful scenery of submarine life surrounding Samalona Island is a distinction from other destinations. Many come to the location for diving in purpose to observe some wreck ships inside the surrounding waters of the island.

Besides revealing the mysteries within and observing the wonderful submarine life in Samalona Island, you can watch the sunrise and likewise the sunset on the same position.  There are numerous kinds of local seafood cooked with special recipe and method. For instance, fishes are cooked by putting them above coconut shell covered by some leaves growing around the location. By such cuisine, the appetizing aroma wafting from the coconut shell will lure you to taste it soon.

Samolana Island Location

Samalona Island is administratively included into  Ujung Pandang Sub-district,  Makassar City, South Sulawesi Province. The location is 6,8 km away from Makassar City. It can be reached for approximately 20 – 30 minutes by taking speedboat for maximum 12 people. Its costs range from IDR 250.000 to IDR 350.000. 

In the location, there is a middle-class guesthouse for 20 people. Its costs range from IDR 150.000 to IDR 250.000. Some food tents offering fresh seafoods can be found as well. Its costs around IDR 15.000 to IDR 20.000 each portion.

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