Discovered Sumatra: Banda Aceh, Masjid Baiturrahim Ulee Lheue, The House of Cut Nyak Dhien, Lampuuk Beach, Bu Si Itek Restaurant (Day 3rd, Part 2)

Plz note actual date discovered Aceh and We Island (Sabang) was on 23-26 May, 2015.

Right: Kuah Pliek served with white rice, prawn sambal and chicken
Left: Meuraxa Hospital exhibited in Gallery nearby Masjid Baiturrahim

Alhamdulillah, we reached Ulee Lheue Port, Aceh within an hour by fast ferry. Afterward, we went to the eatery opposite/nearby the Masjid Baiturrahim Ulee Lheue to have a lunch. Ibnu (our driver) suggested tasting ‘Kuah Pliek’ which is one of Aceh signature dish. It is gravy with ingredients of 10 or many types of vegetables and herbs including carrots, melinjo, corns, long beans and etc. 

Next, we visited Masjid Baiturrahim Ulee Lheue to perform solah. This masjid is one of an architecture that still standing while other buildings nearby were destroyed by the Tsunami 2004.

Traveler may contribute in the donation boxes provided at the masjid. We managed went to Gallery nearby to see exhibition photos regarding after and before the Tsunami phase.

We dropped by The House of Cut Nyak Dhien located at Lampisang, Peukan Bada, Lhoknga. This house was rebuilt (replica) in the year of 1981-1982. It was rebuilt in the original location of Cut Nyak Dhien’s house which was burnt previously by Dutch in 1896.

Picture (left): well

Currently, the house is a museum that gathered up the history of Cut Nyak Dhien and Teuku Umar (her husband). Cut Nyak Dhien is one of Woman Warriors of Indonesia. The House of Cut Nyak Dhien is one of the buildings that still standing even though Lhoknga was the worst area hit by Tsunami 2004.

Since we were still at Lhoknga area, we visited Lampuuk Beach which has a rock mountain. I was told there are underwater caves and I was not sure about that.

As picture above, the wind was strong and I felt like flown away. The sandy breeze made us a bit suffocated, however the amazing landscape over there made us ignored the sandy breeze. Lampuuk Beach is bounded on the south by Lhoknga Beach which well-known for one of the best surfing area.

Some of famous culinary in Aceh is ‘Bebek’ (duck) cooking and ‘Ayam Tangkap’ (chicken). Hence, we decided having those cuisines at Bu Si Itek Restaurant located at Teuku Umar Road, Setui, Banda Aceh. During adzan (calling for solah), all workers in this restaurant will stop their task immediately and went to perform solah. However, customers are still welcomed to sit and wait for a while.

Bu Si Itek (Nasi Gulai Itik)

The white rice was served together with cuisines such as Duck Gravy, ‘Ayam Tangkap’ (chicken), salted egg and melinjo crackers. ‘Bebek’ cooking is a duck gravy and ‘ayam tangkap’ is a chicken marinated with pepper, garlic, salt, etc and then fried together with leaves including pandan leaves, curry leaves, salam koja and a few more. The chicken will be served together with all the leaves (the chicken is hidden amongst the leaves).

Since tonight was our last night here, we did a shopping spree before returned to hotel. Amongst the items we bought were two types of coffees (arabica and robusta), designated handbag, fridge magnets, keychains, dendeng Aceh and assorted brooch.

Discovered Sumatra:

Banda Aceh, Bakso Ancol ADS, Friendship Village of Indonesia and Tiongkok China, Tebing Lamreh Ujung Kelindu, Pantai Pasir Putih (LhokMe Beach), Dhapu Kupi, Pusaka Souvenir (Day 1st)

Banda Aceh, Kapal Tsunami Lampulo, Situs Tsunami PLTD Apung, Ulee Lheue Mass Grave, Ulee Lheue Port (Day 2nd, Part 1)
Weh Island, Sabang, Sumur Tiga Beach, Nol KM, Bixio Café, Taman Wisata Kuliner (Day 2nd, Part 2)
Sabang, Iboih Beach, Pulau Rubiah (Day 3rd, Part 1)
Banda Aceh, Masjid Baiturrahim Ulee Lheue, The House of Cut Nyak Dhien, Lampuuk Beach, Bu Si Itek Restaurant (Day 3rd, Part 2)
Banda Aceh, Warung Pak Rasyid, Grand Masjid of Baiturrahman, Putroe Phang Historical Park, Aceh Tsunami Museum (Day 4th)