Stories from Aceh

SABANG

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 12 May 2016 10:58:00 +0000

SABANG

Kerkhoff Poucut

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 02 May 2016 21:04:00 +0000

Kerkhoff Poucut is a Dutch military burial ground located in the hub of Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh. The cemetery name is a combination of the Dutch word kerkhof, meaning a churchyard or graveyard, and the Acehnese word poucut or poteu cut, meaning a prince.

Dutch military

Kerkhoff Poucut is recorded as the largest Dutch military cemetery outside the Netherlands. There are around 2,200 graves of white Dutch soldiers as well as recruits from the ethnic groups of Ambon, Manado and Java, besides four Dutch generals, including Gen. Kohler.

Gen. Kohler.

A semicircular gate welcomes everybody visiting Kerkhoff Poucut Cemetery, with a short corridor leading one’s view to old gravestones bearing Dutch names. The white marble walls of the gate are also adorned with the names of Dutch soldiers buried in the graveyard.

Kerkhoof Poucut

Based on the dates on the gravestones, the oldest grave dates back to Dec. 27, 1873, when a Dutch naval officer died from cholera and was buried there. In the middle of the cemetery is the tomb of Meurah Pupok, the only beloved son of Sultan Iskandar Muda.

Meurah Pupok was punished by stoning as ordered by Sultan Iskandar Muda for having committed adultery with the wife of a young officer assigned to train Aceh soldiers. Meurah Pupok was stoned in public as evidence that the Sultan would impose the same penalty on anybody with the same sin. The choice of the Dutch graveyard served as a severe punishment because his son was thus seen as equal to infidel Dutch soldiers.

Dutch soldiers

At present, the cemetery is under the supervision of the PDIA and the Banda Aceh city administration with aid funds from Stichting Peutjut-Fonds, a foundation owned by the families of former Dutch soldiers established on Jan. 29, 1976 after the visit of Dutch military police Col. ( ret. ) J.H.J. Brendgen.

Around 1978, under governor Muzakir Walad, there was pressure to level the burial place and replace it with a more beneficial building like a market or mall. Some people disagreed with the presence of the cemetery of ex-colonizers, mostly being non-Muslims. Furthermore, it is strategically situated and near Baiturrahman Mosque — the pride of the Aceh public.

But fortunately, the governor wouldn’t allow it to happen because the burial place testifies to Aceh’s history, so it should be maintained and preserved to enable future generations to get acquainted with their past through the existing heritage.

So far the cemetery has remained well maintained so that it looks more like a park than a scary graveyard. Almost every day many local people visit this place only for a walk like tourists and even for posing before photographers.

Indonesia at KM 0

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 02 May 2016 15:15:00 +0000

Zero kilometer country Indonesia

Here is where Indonesia officially starts. This small island is the northernmost point of the country and offers everything you neaed for adventure.
One cannot ignore the tsunami when talking about Aceh province. The province was devastated by a magnitude-8.9 quake and tsunami in December 2004. Hundreds of thousands were killed in one of the worst disasters in history. Most coastal parts of the province were destroyed.

Sabang, a city of islands including Weh Island — the largest island — and other islets, including Rubiah, Seulako, Klah and Rondo, was much less affected by the tsunami than other parts of the province, such as Meulaboh and Banda Aceh.

Sabang has several beaches popular for diving and snorkeling that offer emerald-green waters and breathtaking underwater landscapes, including Gapang, Iboih and Sumur Tiga. Rubiah Islet is also among the best-known world-class diving spots in the country.

Sumur tiga beach

Sumur Tiga Beach, which has white sands stretching along 3 kilometers — is relatively close to the Balohan ferry terminal. It takes only about 15 minutes by car to reach the beach from the terminal, while it needs about an hour to reach Iboih and Gapang by car. At Sumur Tiga Beach you can find accommodations that provide beach-view bungalows.

Iboih beach

Iboih and Gapang Beaches, where there are a lot of fine lodging options, are closer to the statue that was built to mark the country’s kilometer zero point, called the Kilometer Nol (KM 0) monument. The monument was inaugurated in 1997 by then research and technology minister, and later president, B.J. Habibie.

Kilometer zero point monument

Setting foot on kilometer zero is one experience you should have when visiting Weh Island. It was built right at the point where the country starts, geographically speaking.

Besides taking pictures, you might ask for a certificate as a memento. The certificate, signed by the Sabang mayor on behalf of the Republic of Indonesia, recognizes your visit to the northernmost point of the country.

The journey to the monument is another story. While meandering, you better watch your surroundings. Mesmerizing sea views from the cliffs, caves from the colonial era, a lake, islets, and beautiful beaches are among the objects you will find along the way.

Approaching the monument you will pass through a protected forest, north of Iboih. Colorful butterflies, birds and wild monkeys will welcome you as you get nearer to KM 0. You may even run into a wild boar inside the monument compound, but don’t worry, it should be harmless. Sunset is said to be the best time to visit KM 0.

On the way back (or probably on the way, if you choose to enjoy sunset at the KM 0), take your time and visit the beaches nearby. Hang out in a local coffee shop and take a sip of Aceh’s famous coffee, popularly known as kopi gayo. Snacks and cakes will be served as complementary.

How to get there

Take a night bus from Medan, North Sumatra, or a flight from Jakarta, Medan, Penang or Kuala Lumpur to Banda Aceh. From Banda Aceh you can take a fast or a slow ferry from Ulee Lheu port to Balohan ferry terminal in Sabang. The trip with slow ferry will take up to three hours while the fast ferry only needs 45 minutes.

Ferry schedule
Banda Aceh – Sabang

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 1 p.m.
Friday at 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Sabang – Banda Aceh
Monday, Tuesday Thursday and Friday at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Express ferries ( Express Bahari and Rondo )
Banda Aceh – Sabang at 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., except Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Sabang – Banda Aceh at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Notes:
Aceh is a province with special autonomy that upholds sharia laws. Local residents will tolerate the behavior of tourists, but it is always better to respect their way of life, by, for instance, wearing appropriate outfit while getting around the city and talking with local residents. There are, however, tourist areas where you can freely put on your swimsuits and sunbathe. While rarely available in Sabang, alcoholic beverages can be found in western restaurants and resorts.

ATJEH

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 01 May 2016 04:03:00 +0000

Aceh (pronounced AH-chay) is one of the provinces of Indonesia and designated as a Special Territory of Indonesia, located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. Its full name is Nanggröe Aceh Darussalam. Past spellings include Acheh, Atjeh and Achin.

Of all the regions in Indonesia, Aceh, at the northwestern end of Sumatra, is the first to have come into contact with the world outside. Chinese chronicles of as early as the sixth century A.D. spoke of a kingdom on the northern tip of Sumatra named Po-Li. Several Arabic writings of the early ninth century, and later inscriptions found in India also mentioned the area. In 1292, Marco Polo, the famous Venetian adventurer, on a voyage from China to Persia visited Sumatra and reported that on the northern part of Sumatera there were as many as six trading ports including Ferlec, Samudera and Lambri. The irony is that this area, which had for so many centuries maintained contact with others, is at present one of the least known of Indonesia even among Indonesians.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Around Banda Aceh

Banda Aceh is the capital of Aceh and also the main gateway to the province. The Governor's Residence, was built by the Dutch in 1880 on the spot where the palace of the sultan once stood. This building is known as one of the historical sites with a unique architecture and completed with traditional house equipments.

This place is of course a restricted area and entering it must be with a kind of permission from the security guard.

Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is one of the most out-standing landmarks in the capital city. The old mosque that stood there before it was burnt down at the beginning of the Aceh War, was rebuilt in 1875, taking its present shape after a number of renovations and expansions.

Baiturrahman Grand Mosque

Gunongan and Pinto Khop which are located at a few steps from the Pendopo are also charms of the city. Gunongan was erected around the 16th century during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda.

Gunongan and Pinto Khop

Kerkhof or Churchyard is a much visited site especially by Dutch visitors where the remains of more then 2,000 Dutch soldiers lie buried.

Kerkhof