Joined Historical Trip “Teuku Umar Trail” with Yayasan Bustanussalatin... It's a Holiday.. Yaaay...

Hi readers, today I want to share about my experience when I went to Aceh 5 months ago, at 10 – 12 February 2016. I went there with Yayasan Bustanussalatin who makes a historical journey named ‘Teuku Umar Trail’. This trail has aim to invite the local society in Aceh and also outside Aceh to join us visiting the cemetery of Indonesia’s National Hero, Teuku Umar, at Mugo, Meulaboh – Aceh.  There were a ceremonial to remembering the death of Teuku Umar at 11 February 2016, that event held by the local government at Meulaboh.  We also joined the ceremonial when we visited the cemetery. Besides visited Teuku Umar cemetery, we also went to several Tsunami sites that located in Banda Aceh. So, let’s have a look to those places that I visited in Aceh.

1.   Kuburan Masal Tsunami, Siron (The massive grave for people who passed away because of tsunami disaster). Here, we can feel that the disaster was really horrifying. Because many people died dragged along the sea water with a big wave that came to the mainland. Actually, I was here, in Aceh, when Tsunami happened. Is it true? Yes. I came here with my father for my school holiday. But, on the second day in Aceh, the disaster happened. The earthquake was really terrifying. I really thank to God, because we were saved from that disaster, and came back to Bandung safely. So, if you go there, you will feel that this is really a big disaster.

2.      Blang Padang. 

     This is a big field named Aceh Thanks the Worlds. There were many monuments ship-liked that have written “Thanks and Peace” on many languages. There was also a jogging track that often used by the community for jogging or running. There was also a monument of the first transport aircraft in Indonesia named ‘RI-001 Seulawah’. This plane was bought by Aceh people’s donation. So proud of Aceh!

3.    Museum Tsunami. 

    This museum was designed by Ridwan Kamil who is the Mayor of Bandung City. There were several things that connected to tsunami disaster back then. There were photo, video, and miniature that illustrating the incident. That was cool being there, the story and things inside this museum remind me of the tsunami disaster again! But unfortunately, we couldn’t spend a lot of time here, because this place is not the main destination in this Trail. I hope in another trail/ trip that will be held someday by Yayasan Bustanussalatin, I can come again and explore more here. You have to go here too sometime, that was an amazing experience!

4.      PLTD Apung. 

    This is a big ship that dragged by the wave of tsunami till reach the local housing. That was an amazing view, seeing a big ship in the middle of city. From the story, it is said that there were people who saved inside the ship when the tsunami incident. That was a miracle for them *o*

5.     Masjid Baiturrahman. 

     This is a very beautiful Mosque in Aceh, and that’s really big. When I went there, there is still in the middle of construction for developing the mosque’s building. Ah ya! If you go to Baiturrahman Mosque, you have to wear a polite cloth. For woman, you have to wear a long skirt and of course hijab, and you do not be able to use tight cloths. If you do it, you will be informed by the guardian that you have to use a sarong. Baiturrahman Mosque has 7 domes that makes this mosque looks more magnificent.

 

6.    Rumoh Cut Nyak Dhien. 

    This is the house where Cut Nyak Dhien lived previously. Here, we got explanation from the guide about the family tree of Cut Nyak Dhien and about her marriage with Teuku Umar, and also the history about them in the wartime. The architecture of Rumoh Aceh is really cool, and still maintained well until now. Inside the house, we also can see some pictures of historical figure, kinds of weapon, and also furniture that used in the past. Beside the house, there is a well for take some water. But the weird thing is, the well was built high, almost as high as the second floor. Why? Because, in order to not let the water be poisoned by the enemy. What a nice thought…

7.       Puncak Geurutee

This place is very beautiful, we can see the sunset from the height, we also can see the sea with several islands far away. To get the best place for taking picture, you have to find a kiosk that has the most amazing view. In that kiosk, you can buy coffee, some cake, or noodle. If you want, you can also rose through the rocks stairs, to the top of ‘Puncak Geurutee’, and walla, you will be able to enjoy the wonderful view!

                   

But, sorry my camera is not very good to capture that amazing view… :p So, don’t forget to bring a good camera to save the moment here :D

8.       Meulaboh, Cemetery of Teuku Umar at Mugo

So, this day is the main event of the series of this journey. We would see the Teuku Umar’s cemetery and also joined the remembrance ceremony of Teuku Umar’s death. Before went to the Cemetery, we also visited the house of West Aceh’s Regent. To enter the Cemetery territory, we have to walk about 1 km (I think) through a forest, and that’s was cool. But, be careful with leeches here, so use a closed shoes / sneaker when you go here, and also bring a first aid tool would be help. In short, we arrived in the cemetery and take part on the ceremony. The interesting part here is, we were given lunch with a lot of food, the traditional food from Aceh and especially from Meulaboh. One of them is ‘Jruek Drien’, the main ingredient of this food is fermented durian. This food is similar with ‘Pliek u’, which is another traditional food from Aceh, but different main ingredient, the main ingredient of pliek u is fermented coconut. Honesty, I don’t really like the Jruek Drien, haha, the taste is unusual for me, but, if you ask Aceh people there, they will like the food. I prefer to eat the ‘Pliek U’, that’s have a better taste for me :p

9.       Ujung Kalak & Suak Ribee

“Ujung kalak” is the place where Teuku Umar shot by enemy and killed. There is a monument that marks that historical place.  Now, this place is very beautiful too, because the place is near beach and we can see the sea. “Suak ribee” is the place where we can drink coffee with a unique way. You can see that from the photo! We can also buy Aceh Noodle here, and the taste is very good. You would like to come here too to try this right? Hehe..

So, that’s all of my story, I hope I can share another experience of my journey to another places in Indonesia (or maybe another country? I hope :P), especially in Aceh. Because there is much  places in Aceh that we can visited. So don’t forget to Visit Aceh :D

I’m sorry too for my bad grammar in this blog, this is my first time writing in English here, hahaha…

See you!