Discovered Sumatra: Banda Aceh, Warung Pak Rasyid, Grand Masjid of Baiturrahman, Putroe Phang Historical Park, Aceh Tsunami Museum (Day 4th)

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

After checked out, we had a breakfast at Warung Pak Rasyid located about 5 minutes drove from our accommodation. Bahrul and Ibnu suggested us to taste Nasi Guri as photo above. The rice was served with sambal and crackers and I’ve added fried egg. The owner (I believed) given us a small piece of ‘dendeng’ beef as a freegift. This stall served Nasi Kuning as well.

Later, we visited Grand Masjid of Baiturrahman located at the center of Banda Aceh. The masjid is one of architecture which still standing while other buildings were destroyed by the massive earthquake and the Tsunami 2004.

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.

Discovered Sumatra: Sabang, Iboih Beach, Pulau Rubiah (Day 3rd, Part 1)

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

There is a white Masjid beside PUSKESMAS

Since we were on the way to Iboih for snorkeling, Mrs Hana dropped by Iboih Mini Hospital, PUSKESMAS Iboih (Pusat Kesihatan Masyarakat Iboih) cuz one of our friends was not feeling well.

PUSKESMAS Interior

She had vomiting, headache, nausea and sore throat since yesterday evening.  I wasn’t sure the exact caused, however we believed those symptom appeared due to the hilly pathway and the winding road at this island and she not supposed to drink coffee too much. Plus maybe she didn’t drink much water due to this island was hot and dry weather.

Discovered Sumatra: Weh Island, Sabang, Sumur Tiga Beach, Nol KM, Bixio Café, Taman Wisata Kuliner (Day 2nd, Part 2)

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

We reached Balohan Ferry Terminal, Weh Island at 1.30pm and the journey took about 2.5 or 3 hours by slow ferry. Weh Island was previously connected to the Sumatra mainland and became separated by the sea since the volcano eruption long time ago. Sabang is the main town in Weh Island and this island is surrounded by 4 islets which are Rubiah, Seulako, Klah and Rondo.

We meet up with Mrs Hana (contact no: 085260829376), our driver (supir) at Sabang and we had a lunch at some area before went to hotel. After freshened up and performed solah at hotel, we occupied the evening at Sumur Tiga Beach.

Discovered Sumatra: Banda Aceh, Kapal Tsunami Lampulo, Situs Tsunami PLTD Apung, Ulee Lheue Mass Grave, Ulee Lheue Port (Day 2nd, Part 1)

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

I was not feeling well cuz I cant sleep last night! First time I cant sleep while traveling, I was not sure why, the hot coffee perhaps? Whatever. We walked to the stall nearby to have our breakfast. I wasn’t in the mood cuz feel tired due to lack of quality sleep, so I decided to have ‘nasi lemak and telur sapi’ (fried egg). If my mood ok, of cuz I have chosen my fav, fried chicken and ‘bergedil’ (potatoes)! Some of the delicacies for breakfast were as above.

Our first dropped by for today was Kapal Tsunami Lampulo located at Gampong Lampulo, Kuta Alam. We witnesses a fisherman wooden boat was stranded above a local house. We managed to meet up with the locals there and they shared their experiences during Tsunami hit Aceh.

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)

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

Sumatra, Indonesia

Time = UTC/GMT +7

Currency = IDR (Indonesian Rupiah)

Currency rate = 0.0283 (e.g IDR1k = RM0.283, ≈ 0.30 sen senang kire)

Language = Indonesian (Aceh has their own mother tongue: Atjeh)

Pada May2014, iaitu setahun lalu aku ke Sumatra, area Pekan Baru, Riau dan Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatera. May2015 kali ni aku nk kongsikan pengalaman aku ke Aceh dan Pulau Weh (Sabang). Aceh suatu ketika dulu pernah dilanda gempa bumi 9.0 skala Richter dan diikuti bencana Tsunami pada 26 Dec, 2004, iaitu hampir 11 tahun yang lalu. Banda Aceh is located at the northern tip of Sumatra Island and Pulau Weh merupakan sebuah pulau yang menarik untuk aktiviti snorkeling dan selam scuba cuz ikan ngan coral kat situ so breathtaking.

We bought AirAsia flite ticket (return) on promo and we managed to get RM85.80 per pax. While checked-in, we added up luggages and Indonesia airport departure tax (bag+tax=RM52 per pax). Total payment for flite was RM137.80 per pax. We departed at 1315 from KLIA2 and reached Sultan IskandarMuda Airport (BTJ) at 1345 (Indonesia time). The journey took about 1.5 hours by airplane.

Itinerary 4D 3N (Pekan Baru, Riau – Bukit Tinggi – Padang, West Sumatera)

Day 1st (Pekan Baru)

Sultan Syarif Qasim 11 International Airport-Masjid Al-Fithrah-Masjid Bangkinang Islamic Centre-Danau Buatan PLTA Kota Panjang

Others:

Masjid Agung An-Nur / Masjid Raya-Balai Adat Melayu Riau (Jln Diponegoro)-Anjungan Seni Idrus Tintin, Seni dan Budaya Pekan Baru-Pusat Kerajinan Songket Melayu

Shop: Pasar Bawah (Mall Pekan Baru)

Meal: Ikan baung pondok asam pedas baung (depan rumah sakit awal bros)-Ikan patin HM Yunus (Daerah Simpang3)-Pondok ikan bakar bandar hidup 9

Day 2nd (Bukit Tinggi)

Pandai Sikek (weaving and wood carving)-Surau Nagari Lubuk Bauk-Pagaruyung Palace-Silindung Bulan Palace-Extraordinary spiral coconut tree-Graveyard of previous ruler-The written stone (batu bersurat)-Pondok Flora (lunch restaurant/perform solat)-Tabek Patah (local homemade pisang salai and traditional coffee milling)-Jam Gadang-Pasar Atas

Budgets 4D 3N (Pekan Baru, Riau – Bukit Tinggi – Padang, West Sumatera)

The expenses stated here was for 2pax. We can’t recall cost for the item no 11, 12, 14 and some souvenirs. Thanks to Baiz cuz she helped much to keep in mind all these cost. The Supir (driver): item #3 below, contact no +6281363385879 (Aldy).

Plz note transaction for item written in green was made in MYR (Ringgit) while other items was made in IDR (Rupiah). Plz click the image to enlarge and clearer figure.

Indonesia: Bukit Tinggi-Padang, West Sumatera (Day 4th)

After had breakfast and checked out, we went to Minangkabau Documentation Center (PDIKM=Pusat Dokumentasi dan Informasi Kebudayaan Minangkabau) at Padang Panjang. Locals marked this center as Minang Villages. This center such a museum and the best place for those needs to acquire informations and histories of Minangkabau tribe. Not to worry cuz beside the books and replicas, there is an officer may help you clarify and explain any queries. Plus, visitors may rent the Minang apparel here as well.

The city of Padang Panjang is located at the foot of Mount Tandikat. Mount Tandikat has historical volcano activities and it is a twin volcano with Mount Singgalang. According to locals, the final eruption was on 1924 and uncertain on the next eruption. Some locals had climbed up this mountain and share their experiences at the crater and the peak.

Indonesia: Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatera (Day 3rd)

After breakfast, we visited Taman Panorama Lubang Jepang (Japanese Tunnel Panorama Park) juz nearby our hotel [Entrance fees IDR10k (RM3) for 2pax (expense9)]. Visitors may go through the tunnel by map stated on the wall at the tunnel entrance or with assistance of the local guide. Normally the local guide charged RM5 per pax if tour group, however only both of us so the local guide charged us RM10 per pax and we paid RM20 for 2 pax (expense10). The guide accepted both IDR and MYR currency.

This tunnel was built as Japanese bunker by Indonesians under forced labour (as slave) by Japanese military in 1942 till 1945. Inside this tunnel, there are area to store ammunition, meeting rooms, prison, torture room, the Romusha (forced labourer) dining room, kitchen, surveillance room, ambush room, and the escape gate. When walking along the tunnel, it was cold ambiance, quiet, creepy and sorrowing surrounding.

Indonesia: Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatera (Day 2nd)

As for breakfast, the hotel café served us with fried rice, toast, coffee and tea. Im not a coffee lover, however I chose hot coffee cuz the fresh original coffee powder calling me! Yes, the Indonesian hot coffee was nice!

At 8.30am, Pak Yas meet up us at lobby and we enjoyed some of surrounding and scenery all the way to next venue. Before proceed further, we stopover at Sulaman Linduang Bulan to check out their latest design of embroidery and I was looking for cotton telekung.

Indonesia: Pekan Baru, Riau - Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatera (Day 1st)

We arrived at Pekan Baru (PKU) and we meet up with Pak Yas (Supir) and his son at Sultan Syarif Kasim II International Airport. Supir payment IDR2.2k (RM627) including Avanza new car, petrol, parking, driver fees and tipping (expense3). On the way to our next venue, we heard adzan of Zohor and we drop by Masjid Al-Fithrah to perform solat jamak and qasar. Hurm, at this Masjid no curtain or border between men and women area. Maybe this Masjid still in construction phase or the culture here perhaps. Here, ‘alas kaki’ is not a doormate; however it is referred to shoes.

All the way we saw some marriage ceremonies on our left and right side along the road. Besides, we passed by State Islamic University Riau. We saw lots of pineapples were sold along the road of Rimbo Panjang area. Locals made as pineapple crackers and they produce jackfruit chips as well. I never taste both crackers and first time I saw those.

Indonesia: Pekan Baru (Riau)-Bukit Tinggi-Padang (West Sumatera)

Sumatera, Indonesia time = UTC +7

Indonesia currency = IDR (Rupiah)

Currency rate = 0.0285 (e.g IDR1k = RM0.285)

Language = Indonesian

Plz note actual date went to Riau-West Sumatera was on 11-14 May 2014. The expenses stated here was for 2 pax.

As most of my previous journeys were arranged by travel agent, however this time we did it by ourselves from ticket, hotel, meal and itinerary. Hence, for the first time I depict myself as a traveler instead of tourist. Not so called traveler as we rent a car together with the driver (locals called driver as Supir). We booked AirAsia air tickets a few months earlier and cost us RM236 returned for both (expense1). We were advised to reach KLIA2 earlier cuz it was newly air terminal which was officially opened recently on 9 May 2014 and some area still ongoing construction.