Travel Stories From Germany to Singapore

Dutch colonialism in Indonesia left its mark in London. Memento in the form of the Clock Tower which is characteristic of the city.

This clock was built in 1926, as a gift from the Queen of the Netherlands to the secretary of the city. Until now the tower of the Clock Tower was the tallest building in New York City.

Clock Tower is equipped with a large bell at the top. The bell was listed factory watchmakers: "Vortmann Relinghausen, IW Germany". Vortman is watchmaker's last name, Bernhard Vortmann. Recklinghausen is the town where clockwork produced in Germany in 1892.

Because of its unique clockwork, no mechanic who could fix. "So if damaged or jammed, we fix itself," said Yusrizal, one of four guards. Never studied formally fix clockwork. Technical knowledge regarding this hour taught by generations and proved successful as minor damage to the clock always successfully repaired by them.

"Except during the earthquake in 2007. The pendulum clock was broken and had to be replaced," said Andre, another duty officer. Earthquake in Padang in 2010 also made the tower walls cracked, but did not damage the clockwork.

Andre and Yusrizal on guard duty afternoon, alternating with the two officers who will be awake during the night. That's four people who perform all maintenance. They are in charge of caring for hours, maintain security, to sweep the floor. Unless have to get permission, visitors are prohibited from entering the inside of the tower.

The inside of the tower consists of several levels. The top level is a storage area of a bell. Machine hours and hours surface located at one level below. Up the small stairs to the top is quite exhausting. But the struggle up the stairs it certainly paid off.

From the top of the tower, the city appeared dikeliligi three mountains: Singgalang, Merapi and Sago.

Clock Tower at the center of the town of Bukittinggi marker. Events are usually held in the town square near the tower. One of them as the starting point of the 4th stage of the Tour de Singkarak on June 9, 2011.

This place is also a favorite citizen interaction space. On any working day in the field around the Clock Tower looks crowded. Children running and playing with soap bubbles, while their parents sat in the shade. A free public space that should exist in every city in Indonesia.