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.