#1 Aceh Makes Me Melting~ (English Ver.)

First time came to Aceh, and were greeted by a colorful rainbow :)

That Place, Called Aceh

Hai, backpacker. What do you think about, when you hear the name Aceh? War? Aceh’s independent movements? Tsunami? Un-safe? Or even, Marijuana? I know what you think, guys.

Aceh really is identical to what I said before. But that ‘stigma of fright’ about Aceh might disappear when you guys ‘encourage yourself’ to visit Aceh the Veranda of Mekkah. Try and see, listen, feel personally this beautiful city of Aceh.

Aceh Has Risen

Aceh Tsunami Museum

Year 2004, the Malaysian Peninsula, India till Africa experienced one of their biggest natural disasters in the last 40 years, including Aceh, these areas received tremendous damage because of that disaster. A Tsunami.

Almost all of Aceh was swept clean by the raging waters that turned into a massive Tsunami waves. Thousands of people died because of it. Thousands of building was destroyed by it. Not much was left, Indonesia, no, even the whole world shocked by that disaster. Aceh was destroyed.

But…

“Come on kid, we are tired being asked about the Tsunami…” Said a man, a living eye witness that I interviewed when visiting Tsunami Museum, Banda Aceh.

Aceh is not what Aceh used to be. It’s not Aceh that we know from televisions, newspapers, or other informative media that keeps on showing the ‘misfortune’ of Aceh. Aceh has changed. Aceh has risen.

Tsunami Victim :(

I felt guilty when I interviewed the man about the tsunami disaster. It was clear they wanted and have forgotten it, and don’t want to recall it.

Oh. So this is Weh Island. Ooh..

We arrived at Weh Island at night. After a 40 minute car ride, passing Sabang City, and the wilderness. Exhausted and dark made me not attentive. When we arrived, all I saw was lines of kiosk, and small hostels around Iboih beach.

Oh, just a sec. You guys are probably wondering where we are. In Aceh, Sabang Island, Weh Island, Iboih Beach. Confused? So was I. At first, I was confused with the areas of Aceh. So, it would be better before we continue I explained to you guys the area of Aceh, in a short and brief explanation.

The capital city of Aceh province is Banda Aceh. Sabang is a name of a city in Aceh. Whereas the island is called Weh Island. Iboih is a name of a beach in Weh island. It’s like Denpasar city in Bali Island, where the beach there is called Kuta Beach. Something along those lines. Got it? Great. Let’s go.

Jumping Goat, Sabang

As soon as we arrived at Iboih, we were taken directly to our accommodation with a speed boat, it’s not really that far, about 5 minutes. But we were tired nonetheless because the trail was a hike, plus it was a day of nonstop action, as soon as we arrived at our accommodation, we just slept through the whole night.

“Byuur…Byuur..” The sounds of the waves crashing the reefs and the bright sunlight shining through my window, made me open my eyes. I look at my phone to see what time, apparently  it was still 6 am local time. I got up, close the window blinds. Walked slowly towards the door with eyes half closed and standing half straight, I looked at the view. There was a small pause, where my brain synched with my body and view. Glek. 

Melting? This is Beautiful Sabang!

A horizon of infinite blue, mix with the sunlight reflecting on the rocks and clear waters, leaves falling and floating on the surface of the sea, the skies bright golden colored, as though creating a magnificent piece of art from puzzles. I believe, Indonesia is a miniature heaven.

I know, you must be jealous :p

P. S. : Postingan ini gue buat dalam bahasa Inggris. Gue pengin belajar nulis pake bahasa Inggris. Karena Indonesia butuh travel blogger berbahasa Inggris, apalagi kalau bukan untuk memberitahukan pada dunia bahwa Indonesia itu CANTIK!

Jadi maafkan bila ada kata atau kalimat yang salah. Namanya juga belajar, iya gak? Hihi~

Dan please, gue butuh banget komen dari kalian tentang tulisan berbahasa Inggris ini :')