Musafir Ke Serambi Mekah - Aceh

"Life is a balance between what we can control and what we can let go. Learn to live between effort and surrender...'

(Kilometer 0 Viewpoint, Pulau Sabang)

Aceh and Pulau Sabang Trip

(20 -23 February 2024)

It was a 4-day trip to Banda Aceh and Pulau Sabang with a large group from Setiawan, Perak.

Aceh province is the westernmost province of Indonesia located on the island of Sumatra. Aceh is known as Serambi Makkah because it used to be a stopover for pilgrims to deepen their knowledge of Islam before leaving to Makkah to perform the Hajj.

Aceh, which is a semi-autonomous Indonesian province on the northwest tip of Sumatra Island. It's known for beaches, diving sites and mountain wilderness areas.

Day 01: KL - Banda Aceh

Day 02: Pulau Sabang

Day 03: Banda Aceh

Day 04: Banda Aceh - KL

My Reflection Blog:

musmun.blogspot.com

Aceh 01: KL - Banda Acheh

"Sometimes, the overwhelming power of nature can make you question the very foundations of your existence..." - Ghost of the Tsunami

(Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, Banda Aceh)

Day 1: 20 February 2024 (Tuesday)
Route: Kuala Lumpur – Banda Aceh
Hotel: Medan Hotel

As it was only a 4-day trip, we decided to drive and park our car at KLIA2. We met with the rest of the group from Setiawan at the check-in counter. After self-check-in, we had ample time for breakfast at Mamak Express. The Air Asia AK423 flight to Aceh was at 7.40 am and was on time.

(Breakfast at Mamak Express KLIA2)

(On board with Normah, our besan)

(Arrived safely at Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport Aceh)

We landed safely at Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport Aceh. The airport is located 13.5 km southeast of Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh province. It is named after the twelfth sultan of Aceh. By 9.00 am local time, we boarded the 44-seater tour bus and right away started our Banda Aceh city tour. Banda Aceh is the capital city of Aceh, which is a semi-autonomous Indonesian province on the northwest tip of Sumatra Island. It's known for beaches, diving sites and mountain wilderness areas.

(A brief stop at Tsunami mass burial graves)

(The huge metal gate)

(Many bodies of victims were unidentified)

Our first visit was the Tsunami Mass Burial Graves. The 2004 tsunami devastated the coastline of Aceh province, about 20 minutes after the earthquake. Banda Aceh, the closest city, suffered severe casualties. Almost a quarter million souls were lost.

 

(A late breakfast at Warung Sareng Kupi)

After visiting the mass grave, we headed to Warung Sareng Kupi2 for breakfast and tasted the famous local coffee and local kueh mueh.

Next attraction was the Aceh Tsunami Museum. It is a museum designed as a symbolic reminder of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami disaster, as well as an educational center and an emergency disaster shelter in case the area is ever to be hit by a tsunami again. Exhibits at the Aceh Tsunami Museum depict the 2004 natural disasters' impact on the region.

(Museum Tsunami Aceh)

(Beautiful intricate design by Mochamad Ridwan Kamil)

(The replica of the museum, aerial view)

(Rescue Helicopter and victims names on the wall)

(Reliving the moments with sad memories)

(Bridges leading to the exhibition halls)

The Aceh Tsunami Museum was designed by Indonesian architect and former governor of West Java, Ridwan Kamil. The museum is a four-story structure. Its long curving walls are covered in geometric reliefs. Inside, visitors enter through a dark, narrow corridor between two high walls of water, meant to recreate the noise and panic of the tsunami. The museum walls are adorned with images of the after effect of Tsunami. The names of the victims are inscribed on the wall of one of the museum's chambers.

(The aftermath of 2004 Tsunami)

(The remnants of buildings, vehicles and quran) 

(Paintings on the walls)

(Displays in the many exhibitions halls)

By noon we had a sumptuous lunch at Restoran Nasi Gurih. The spread of local dishes were tasty and delicious.

 

(A table full of tasty dishes for lunch)

After lunch we performed solat jamak Zohor/Asar at the Masjid Raya Baiturrahman located in the center of Banda Aceh. The 19th-century Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is a regional icon of Banda Aceh with delicate Mughal tracery, black domes and a reflecting pool. is a symbol of religion, culture, spirit, strength, struggle and nationalism Baiturrahman Grand Mosque of the Acehnese people. The mosque has survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

 

(The magnificent 130-year old grand mosque of Aceh)

(The vast beautiful courtyard of Masjid Raya Baiturrahman

The original Masjid Raya was built in 1612 during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda. Some say the original mosque was built even earlier in 1292 by Sultan Alaidin Mahmud Shah. The original royal mosque featured a multi-tiered thatched roof, a typical feature of Acehnese architecture.

(The pulpit and mimbar area)

(The muslimah section at the back)

We checked in GM Inn but unfortunately, we had to move to Medan Hotel because of interrupted power supply. After a short rest, we went to visit Yayasan Pasantren Lampoh Beut and handed over some donations and gifts for the school children.

 

(Welcoming Speech by the young Mudir)

(Group photo with the students)

Our next visit was to the miraculous Masjid Rahmatullah Aceh Besar also known as Masjid Turki to perform our jamak Maghrib/Isya prayers. Masjid Rahmatullah was established in 1997. The mosque is still standing strong and did not collapse despite being located only 500 meters from the beach while the nearby surrounding buildings and trees collapsed. The 1,600 square meter mosque only suffered some minor damages in the inner pillars.

(This mosque which survived the 2004 Tsunami)

(Miracle of Allah, still standing strong and unscathed)

(The main prayer area was not affected)

(The damaged parts of the mosque)

(Looks like a disaster movie)

The restoration and renovation were funded by the government of Turkey. The two beautiful white towers, stand strong on the left and right sides of the mosque, while Turkish star and crescent symbols are displayed in front of the building. In addition, Turkish government also built 700 houses around the mosque. The village in Lhoknga sub-district was dubbed as "Turkish Village".

(A small museum next to Masjid Rahmatullah)

(The mosque after the devastating 2004 tsunami)

(Photo displays in the museum)

We had dinner at Restoran Nasi Sate Matang located in front of our hotel. The beef satay was served with rice and hot soup. There was quite a crowd at the restaurant but the service was excellent.

👈👈Musafir Ke Serambi Mekkah - Aceh

Day 02: Banda Aceh - Pulau Sabang👉👉

Aceh 02: Banda Aceh - Pulau Sabang

"Loss is not just a concept, but a palpable void that echoes through the lives of those left behind..." - Ghosts of the Tsunami

(Pulau Sabang beautiful sunrise)

Day 2: 21 February 2024 (Wednesday)
Route: Banda Aceh – Pulau Sabang
Hotel: Star Beach Resort, Pantai Iboih

We had early breakfast in the hotel. Packed our backpack for a one-night trip and kept the larger bags in the hotel. By 7.00 am we were on the bus and headed to Ulee Lheue Port.

(Heavy breakfast in the hotel restaurant)

(Ready to board the bus to the port)

We boarded the 8.00 am ferry to Pulau Sabang. Pulau Sabang is the most well-travelled island in Indonesia besides Bali. The morning ferry was packed with local and foreign tourists. The weather was extremely humid. Luckily, we managed to get seats in the air-con room while some preferred to stay on the open air deck. A one-way ticket costs Rph35,000 per pax. The ferry ride was about 1hr 30 min.

(Time to board the ferry)

(On board with Normah and Kak Nor)

(A one-way ticket)

We arrived at Pelabuhan Balohan in Pulau Sabang around 10.00 am and were met by our local guides and drivers. Pulau Sabang, also known as Pulau Weh is famed for its beautiful beaches and natural attractions. The island even owns interesting historical places for tourists to explore.

(Arrived safely at Pulau Weh)

(The main gateway to Sabang town)

(The rural road along the coastal line)

(Beware of livestock on the road)

The island tour started with the visit to Benteng Jepang or Anoi Itam Fort. Anoi Itam Fort is a Japanese defense complex located in the Ujong Kareung area about 12km from the Sabang city center. The fort has been there since 1942. Anoi Itam Fortress is built with underground tunnels. The fortress connects to other fortresses that reside near to the location through these tunnels.

(A short climb up the hill to the fort)

(Massive overgrown roots encroaching the pathway)

(A beautiful scenic view from the top)

Because of its proximity to Anoi Itam beach, this fort is named Anoi Itam Fort. It took us a short uphill trekking to reach the site. There panoramic view of the sea and its jagged shoreline is stunning.

(A huge signage of Benteng Anoi Itam)

(Rugged rocky edge)

(The calming view of the blue green ocean)

(A brief history of the Fort Anoi Itam)

(The small fortress perch on top of the hill) 

(An old canon in the fortress)

(A nice view from inside the fortress)

(Another hidden fortress at the foot of the hill)

After visiting the fort, we had tasty rojak buah and drinks from the local vendors before we went to visit the next attraction.

(A beautiful white sandy beach)

(Enjoying cool drinks and rojak buah)

To the east coast of Pulau Sabang, there is a beach that has its own attraction. Pantai Sumur Tiga beach is a beautiful white sandy beach. The naming of a location is closely related to events, figures, or other things that are considered sacred, legendary, or as a form of respect. Once upon a time, there were three fresh water wells along the beach that became the source of water for people on the island around. The three wells were built by local pious men of the island and considered as 'Perigi Keramat'. The wells are no longer used as water source by the residents but still attracts visitors because of the mysticism.

(Three fresh water wells along the beach)

(A beautiful rocky beach)

(One of the mystical wells)

By noon we went for a hefty lunch at Restoran RM Kencana, one of the popular eateries in Sabang island.

(The famous RM Kencana Restaurant)

(Tasty spread of local dishes)

After lunch we performed jamak Zohor/Asar prayers at the Great Babussalam Mosque in Sabang City. The mosque was built with a strong touch of Ottoman Turkish architecture. The building is tall and has massive walls. Four sturdy towers stand at the four corners of the mosque, and a large dome sits on the roof of the mosque. This mosque is also equipped with a large courtyard is covered with very beautiful star-patterned floor tiles.

(A vast open courtyard to cater of Eid prayers)

(Quranic verses in the main prayer hall)

This mosque was originally just a small mosque located in the city of Sabang. However, along with the growth of people's need for mosques and the desire of Muslims there to have a holy and beautiful place of worship, the Sabang Grand Mosque was built with the magnificent architecture it is today. The Babussalam Grand Mosque often holds religious activities every year, such as the Prophet's Birthday, Musabaqah and various other Islamic nuanced activities.

(The men in our tour group)

Later we checked in Star Beach Resort located at Pantai Tiupen Laeyu, Iboih. After a short rest, by 4.30 pm we boarded the van to Kilometer 0 Monument and viewpoint to watch the beautiful sunset. Bought some t-shirts for souvenirs from the many souvenir shops.

(Sabang Kilometer 0 Viewpoint)

(A group photo)

(Spending some Rupiahs at the souvenir shops)

(A beautiful sunset from Kilometer 0)

Back at the resort, we had early buffet dinner and had a good night rest.

👈👈Aceh 01: KL - Banda Aceh

Aceh 03: Pulau Sabang - Banda Aceh👉👉