A traveller's reflection: Aceh 04: Banda Aceh

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Friday, 23 February 2024

Aceh 04: Banda Aceh - Kuala Lumpur

"Even in the darkest of times, the human spirit has an innate capacity for hope and healing..." - Ghost of the Tsunami

(Aceh's local crafts souvenirs)

Day 4: 23 February 2024 (Friday)
Route: Banda Aceh – Kuala Lumpur

We had early breakfast and checked out by 9.00 am. This morning we went for last minute souvenirs shopping at Pusat Ole-ole to by tid-bits and Kopi Gayo.

(Our last day in Banda Aceh)

(Colourful souvenirs on display)

(Pusat Ole-ole Banda Aceh with our tour guide)

From Pusat Ole-ole, we visited Lampulo village. Among the red roofs of the newly-built houses in Lampulo village, there is an extraordinary sight of a huge fishing boat perched on top of two houses. The 25m-long wooden vessel has become a popular attraction on the tsunami tourism trail. Signs point to Kapal di atas rumah, which means the boat above the house which saved 59 people's lives.

(Fishing boats at Aceh River)

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(The attraction at Lampulo Village)

(A fishing boat perched on the roof of the house)

(Story-telling session by one of the Tsunami victims)

(Names of victims on the wall)

(Detail write-ups of the boat on the house)

(The aftermath of the Tsunami)

Next visit was to Makam syeikh Abdur Rauf. Abd al-Rauf ibn Ali al-Fansuri al-Sinkili (1615–1693) was a well-known Islamic scholar, spiritual leader of the Shattariyya tariqa and the mufti of Aceh. He was the confidante of Sultana Safiyat al-Din. He was considered the first person to spread the Sufi order in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. Some believe he was an ethnic Minang from Singkil. Unfortunately, the makam was closed and will only be opened after solat Jumaat.

(The beach at the end of the road)

(The gate of Makam Sheikh Kuala was locked)

(A snap shot from the gate)

We had lunch at Rumah Makan Eungkot Paya located somewhere near the airport.

After lunch the bus sent the ladies and our luggage to the airport. Then later sent the men to a nearby mosque for solat Jumaat. Masjid Jame’ Nurul Huda is a short distance away from the airport. The ladies performed jamak Zohor/Asar prayers at the airport surau.

(Masjid Jame' Nurul Huda)

(Joining the locals for solat Jumaat)

We bade goodbyes to our friendly tour guides and driver and managed to tip them generously. We checked in quite early but had to wait for the immigration and custom gates to be opened.

(Arrived early at Angkasa Pura II)

(Sultan Iskandar Putra International Airport)

(The lounge overlooking the terminal building)

(Waiting patiently, our flight was delayed)

The 5.45 pm flight was delayed for more than an hour. We landed safely at KLIA2 around 9.00 pm. We had dinner at Oriental Kopi at KLIA2 with our grandkids.