Fun things to do in Aceh Special Region

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Lhok Keutapang is situated on a tip of Sumatera mainland. The spot is also perfect secluded beach. Amazingly, it is around 45 minute from the city center. I went there with guides from the Aceh Explorer, Firdaus and Alex.

We started from Pekan Bada, one of the hardest hit tsunami area. En route, we passed by hills, villagers plantations like chilly and durian. Also I spotted hornbills. I was stunned!! This is my first time to see hornbills freely flying around above my head. Unfortunately, they were too fast (or my camera is too slow??). We found also squirrels, monkeys and eagles.

It took around 45 minute to 1 hour walking to reach the beach. The route is enjoyable. Especially when you passed by the plants that live in a forest bed. I saw similar plants in people's garden. But, in the forest, thay are all for free.

On the beach, there is a cave. But, if you want to explore the cave, you have to be careful with the big wave. Also, when you plan to go swimming. The under current can be dangerous.
My preference is too have a good look and enjoying my moment to see the scenery.

It is a great spot!!

Banda Aceh is a capital of Special Aceh Region (or also mentioned as Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam).
The city is not so big. People are often confusing between Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar.
For example, the Grand Mosque is located in Banda Aceh city, but Lampuuk is administratively belong to Aceh Besar. Though the location of both places are relatively near.

You can find information on Banda Aceh city on my page with link below:

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/6d20e/12abba/

Although it was affected by tsunami 2004, the beach is not losing its charm. With water clear as crystal, people use to go to the beach in the weekend. Although in the weekdays afternoon, you still can see people hang out or swimming in this lovely beach.

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When you visit Pulau Weh, you definitely have to go to Iboih. Once you arrive in Iboih, charter a boat (Rp 200,000) to take you to opposite island of Rubiah. This is definitely beautiful spot for swimming, snorkeling and diving. In Iboih, there are diving operators. Also they provide rental for diving and snorkeling equipment. If you are not a good swimmer, you can take a boat which has "glass peek" at the bottom of the boat. You can enjoy underwater scenery without getting wet.
In Rubiah island, you can take a hike around the island. There is Japanese bunker in other part of the island. You can also order food from warung (stall) in Rubiah Island.

Kerkhof was a beautiful landscape built by the Dutch colony in 18th Century, to the memory of General Mayor KOHLER where he is been buried over here with almost 2000 others. This place worth to visit by a foreigner and if you happend visit Aceh you can ask Becak driver to escort you to KUBUEAN BELANDA

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ULEE LHEUE was located about 20 KM east of Banda Aceh, this site was severely damage when Tsunami hit Banda Aceh in late December 2004. On the site which stated as 'Tsunami Zero Point' , we could see a new housing compound of Meuraksa village and a beautiful Panorama of Indian ocean, a bluish green of Bukit Barisan Mountain Range and from far away a bluish spot of WEH ISLAND also could be seen from Ulee Lheue beach line.

When I was take a walk from Masjid Baiturrahman to Pasar Atjeh, then continue stepping about 5 minutes to the River side, I found this Tsunami Memorial, the remark on tsunami was written on a mountain stone , it was donated by Japan Internatiaonal Cooperation Society as we can see Red circle Sun of Japan Flag on its

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This is one of church we could find in Aceh, the Methodist church was located in Panglima Poleem street, not far from Simpang Lima Peunayong. Although Aceh was wellknown with moslem Shariah, but the other who have different believer are possible to do their own religion. It was the picture of the social life that Moslem in Aceh was also respect to the other religion as Indonesian Motto 'Bhineka Tunggal Ika' mean 'Unity in Diversity'