Rafflesia arnoldi is the largest flower in the world - up to 90cm across - has remarkable red-and-white colouring, and an appalling smell like rotting meat. One of the most accessible places in Sumatra to see this rare and extraordinary flower is at BATANG PALUH , 13km north of Bukittinggi; take a local bus (Rp900) and ask in the village. Inquire at the tourist office in Bukittinggi first as it generally flowers for a couple of weeks between August and December - but even in bud the plant is quite something.