Friday 8 March 2013

Banda Aceh, Begin from Zero


BANDA ACEH

Setiap saya bilang Banda Aceh, kebanyakan orang pada kagak tau, trus terpaksa deh ungkit-ungkit crita tsunami, baru ohhhhhhh there.. baru kebaca. Oh itu biasa, pernah saya jumpa orang di Frankfurt, saya bilang tinggal di Jakarta, Indonesia, dia ga tau kalo Jakarta itu di indonesia, taunya dia Bali deket Indonesia, saya hampir pusing di buatnya. 

Banda Aceh on the Map
ok kembali ke crita soal Banda Aceh. 

Menurut beberapa referensi yang di bantu bang Google, Banda Aceh. 

Banda Aceh adalah Ibukota Propinsi Aceh, dulunya di kenal Kutaraja hingga 1962. nah seperti kita tau bersama Banda Aceh pernah di Hantam Tsunami dan Gempa yang maha dahsyat, sehingga Banda aceh menjadi lumpuh total, beberapa tahun setelahnya, Banda Aceh bangkit maju membangun jauh belih baik. 
nah kata wak Wikipedia : 

Banda Aceh is the provincial capital and largest city in the province of AcehIndonesia, located on the island of Sumatra, with an elevation of 35 meters. The city regency covers an area of 64 square kilometres and according to the 2000 census had a population of 219,070 people.[1] Banda Aceh is located at the northwestern tip of Indonesia at the mouth of the River Krueng Aceh.
The city was originally named Kutaraja, and determined as the provincial capital in 1956.[2] Kuta Raja means "City of the King", in reference to the founding of the Aceh Sultanate from Champa origins. Later its name was changed to Bandar Aceh Darussalam or popularly known as Bandar Aceh, with the first part of the name coming from the Persian bandar(بندر) meaning "port" or "haven". Today the city is spelled Banda Aceh with the lost of "r" in "Bandar". The city is also dubbed to as the "port to Mecca", and Aceh is also referred to as the "porch of Mecca" (Indonesian: Serambi Mekkah), since in the past during the days when the hajj pilgrims travelled by sea, the hajj pilgrim from all over Indonesian archipelago traditionally always make a stop over in the city before continuing their journey to Mecca. It is also known that earliest Southeast Asian Islamic sultanates — such as Samudra Pasai — were first established in Aceh, which meansIslam first arrived in Aceh before spreading throughout Southeast Asia.
Banda Aceh was not frequently the subject of international discussion until 26 December 2004, the day the Indian Ocean earthquake struck off the western coast of Sumatra. Banda Aceh was the closest major city to the earthquake's epicenter, and suffered further damage when a tsunami struck shortly afterward. It was the worst hit area out of all the locations hit. 167,000 people died and many more were injured.[3] The tsunami resulted from an earthquake of magnitude 9.3 and struck at about 6:58am.[4] The epicenter was about 155 miles off the coast of Banda Aceh.[5]
The elected mayor and vice-mayor of Banda Aceh are Mawardi Nurdin and Illiza Saaduddin

Kalo Mau crita lebih detailnya, coba baca disini
How to get there 

By Bus : 
Dari Medan bisa naek bus non-stop ke Banda Aceh, 10 sampe 14 Jam, duuh lama banget. Beberapa Perusahaan Bus seperti, PMTOH, KURNIA, PELANGI, PUSAKA. kebanyakan perushaan Bus ini bermarkas di Jalan Gajah Mada, Medan. Harga nya variasi, mulai Rp. 140.000 untuk regular ato yang exclusive Rp. 220.000


By Plane 
Airport di Banda Aceh namanya Sultan Iskandar Muda, code aiport BTJ. 

International Flight : 
Cuma dua flights, tapi ga tiap hari
Airasia <--> Kuala Lumpur,  4 times a week
Firefly<---> Penang,  3 times a week

note : another option for International Flight : banyak penerbangan luar negri yang dtang dari Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore ke Medan, kemudian lu bisa termbang ke Banda Aceh dengan Lokal flight. 

Domestic Flight : 
Garuda Indonesia <----->Medan, Jakarta, 3 daily flights from Jakarta, 2 daily flights from medan
Lion Air<----->Jakarta, Medan, 2 daily flight from Jakarta, 1 daily flight from medan
Sriwijawa Air <---->Medan
SMAC<----->Blang Pidie, Meulaboh, simelue, takengon, tapak tuan. 

Airport Bus to City
Bus dari Aiport bekerja cuma di jam jam tertentu, 10:00AM to 2:30 PM cost 15,000/person. 
but leave from the airport just half hour setelah kedatangan pesawat, jadinya departure time of the bus tergantung jadwal pesawat. lebih kurang. Bus hanya berhenti di Kota, tidak di terminal bus atau Pelabuhan Ule Lhee. 
Another option, private taxi, cost Rp. 70.000, I guess if you come with groups, much better take private taxi, so they can drop you right at your hotel or destination. 


VISA
untuk yang datang dari luar negeri, BTJ sudah menyediakan Visa on Arrival. 

Where to Stay 
menurut Wiki Travel : 
  • Linda's Homestay, Lr, Rahmat No. 3, Keutapang, Banda Aceh (In a small, attractive area a bit outside of the centre, traditional Acehnese style house), ☎ +62 811 680 305, [12]. checkin: all day; checkout: all day. Stay with a small family, enjoy the traditional, wonderful Acehnese food cooked by Linda. Close to several banks, restaurants, supermarket and internet cafe, but well away from the more interesting downtown areas. Airport and harbour shuttle and services available. US$20-35.  
  • Hotel Lading, Jl Cut Meutia 19, Banda Aceh (next to Bank BRI), ☎ +62 651 635123, [13]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 1PM. Only 5 min walk to the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque and Pasar Aceh market. With a nice view of the Aceh River. Close to several banks, restaurants, supermarket and internet cafe. Airport shuttle services also available. US$15-30.  
  • Hermes Palace Hotel (formerly), Jl. T.Panglima Nyak Makam, ☎ +62 651 755 5888, [14]. IDD telephone, refrigerator, hair dryer, internet access and 32 channel TV, wake up call service, concierge, meeting room, business centre and 24 hr room service. From US$70. 
  • Hotel Medan (in the centre). 1 star hotel.
  • Hotel Sultan (in the centre). 2 star hotel, around US$30-40.
  • Pavilliun Seulawah, Jl. Prof. A. Majid. Ibrahim II No. 3, (in the centre,). Good hotel with a restaurant, wifi is included. Next to a park with sports possibilities. Around US$50.
  • Oasis Hotel (just outside the centre). More cozy than the Swiss Bell and the rooms are just as nice, with WiFi in the lobby. Around US$75 per night.
  • Uncle's Homestay, Jl Mujahidin No. 2B, Lambaro Skep. ☎+62 852 6028 4432 (mobile phone) or homestay ☎+62 651 26219. The family who run it tend to be noisy through the night so sleep can be difficult. Both Abdul and his wife Yulia speak English. A homestay room with fan for about Rp 75,000, A/C costs more.
  • The Pade Hotel, Jl Soekarno Hatta 1, ☎ +62 651 499999, [15]. checkin: 12 noon; checkout:12noon. Boutique hotel in the town, Spacious and modern rooms, individual terrace, WiFi. Saturday night BBQ, Wednesday pasta party US$50-120. 
  • Hotel Wisata, Jl. Jend. A. Yani 19-21 (In the centre, next to Hotel Medan and Hotel Prapat). Clean basic rooms with fan, cold shower and wifi for Rp. 125.000. A room with A/C costs more (Rp. 175.000?). Hot water also possible (costs more). Located right across the street from a popular night food stall area and coffee shops. $13-18-23. 

What things to do and don't 
lagi lagi wiki travel : 
Grand Mosque Baiturrahman
  • Masjid Raya Baiturrahman/Grand Mosque, (Muslim dresscode). Baiturrahman is a great mosque located at the heart of Banda Aceh, The mosque has five black coloured domes and white four minarets. The mosque stands upon an elegantly green landscape. The white washed walls and minerals and charcoal blacks domes of the Grand Mosque are the most famous landmark in Aceh. The Mosque was built in 12 Century and caught fire several time including during a Dutch attack upon Kutaraja (Banda Aceh) in 1873. A replacement mosque was built by the Dutch military government and was completed in 1883. The Mosque is extraordinary in architecture and ornamentation. It has five onion shaped domes, two tall minarets, wide white walls and decoratively ornamented pillars. 

Cut Nya Dien House.
  • Cut Nya Dien House. Cut Nya Dien was an Indonesian woman revolutionist from Aceh. The house is a replica of the heroine Cut Nyak Dhien House, from the Aceh War. The colonial forces burned down the house but a replica was built later. This house in Lam Pisang, about 6 km from Banda Aceh and is now is a museum. The house is in Lampisang Village, Lhok Nga subdistrict, Greater Aceh district. Although Lhok Nga was the area worst hit by tsunami, the Tjut Nyak Dhien House survived. The daughter of a chieftain, Tjut Nyak Dhien joined the fight against the Dutch invaders in 1875. Her first husband fell in battle, and she remarried. When her second husband also died fighting, she continued the struggle with her children. After six years in the jungle, she was captured by the Dutch and exiled to West Java where she passed away in 1906. Tjut Nyak Dhien is recognised as one of the National Warriors of Indonesia. 

  • Gunongan and Taman Putroe Phang. Gunongan had erected by Sultan Iskandar Muda (1607 - 1636) as a private playground and bathing place for this wife Putro Phang (From Malaysia). This whimsical architectural fantasy had access to the sultan's palace through the traditional 'Pintu Aceh', used by royalty only. This building likely functioned as an important recreational peace located in the Taman Sari Park for the Queen and other royal family members to climb. It is quite enjoyable to visit this place during the late afternoon or sunset.
  • Graveyard in Bitay Village. In Bitay the grave of a saint, Teungku di Bitay, may still be seen. The tomb of Tuan di Bitay, who taught the Achehnese among other things the art of casting cannon, and the mosque which stands beside the grave are revered as sacred up to the present day. * Aceh and Turkey had a close relationship in times past. Many technicians and weapons from the Turkish fleet came and settled in Aceh. Historical remains of this time include a mosque and a monument and headstone Turkish people in the village Bitai (~ 3 km from Banda Aceh). 

The Museum Aceh
  • The Museum Aceh. The museum is situated in Sultan Alaidin Mahmud Syah St. The museum exhibits ceramics, weapons and many cultural artifacts such as clothing, jewellery, calligraphy, Islamic ornamenation, kitchen equipment and many other items. A most interesting item is a big bell called “Lonceng Cakra Donya”, a gift from China Grand-Duke (Ming Emperor, in the 15th century) for Sultan Aceh that was delivered by a Chinese Moslem, Admiral Cheng Ho in 1414, an inscription on the bell reads; “Sing Fang Niat Toeng Juut Kat”. In this complex there is also ‘Rumah Aceh’ house that was built by Dutch Governor Van Swart in 1941 in a style typical of classic Aceh’s house architecture. In the western of Museum or northern of Aceh House of Custom there is graveyard complex holding the remains of Aceh Sultans. 
Indonesian Airline Monument

  • Indonesian Airline Monument (Seulawah-Indonesian First Airplane). The Monument was erected to commemorate the heroic contribution of the Acehnese to the emergence of the Republic of Indonesia. When Indonesia became independent in 1945 the Dutch intended to reoccupy the country. In the ensuing struggle in 1949 much area had fallen to the Dutch, the Republic of Indonesia was badly in need of an airplane to avoid the blockade of the enemy. Soekarno, Indonesian president at that time, urgently asked the Acehnese to donate money for an airplane. A Douglas DC-3 was purchased shortly afterwards, and paid for with the donation. This very early plane was the precursor of Garuda Indonesia fleet. 




  • Kerkhof (Dutch military graveyards of Banda Aceh), Teuku Umar St (the entrance gate is in front of the south eastern corner of Blang Padang). Kerkhoff or War Memorial Cemetery or known by local peoples as Peucut Kerkhoff, 2,000 Dutch soldiers who died in an Aceh War were buried in this graveyards. On the walls of the Kerkhoff entrance gate you may see the names list of the persons buried including details of where and when they died. 
  • Ulee Lheue-Banda Aceh (Tsunami Ground Zero). Ulee Lheue is a shore line facing the Malacca straits; when the tsunami hit Banda Aceh on 26 December, 2004, the beach line and the village nearby were severely damaged and submerged by a 10 m high wave. Now the local government has built a new seaport at Ulee Lheue, and if you have plans to visit Sabang and Weh island, you can take a Ro-Ro ferry or speed boat from Ulee Lheue. Ulee Lheue beach has still kept its enchanting beauty, and almost every day people come to this place to enjoy the blue horizon of sky and sea, to see a beautiful sunset in the evening, or to enjoy the beach at night on the weekend. 
  • Aceh Culture & Tourism Agency, Jl. Tgk. Chik Kuta Karang No. 3 (There are two eateries in number 3-5. The tourism agency is inside the government building right across the street of these eateries.), [3]. Very friendly and helpfull staff. They provide (free): a map of Banda Aceh and the region around Banda Aceh, a map of the Aceh-province, a very nice Aceh Guide Book (colorprint). These items are put in a small, really beautiful, shopping bag with pictures of Aceh on it. 

Tsunami Tour
Tsunami boat
It is possible to go on a "Tsunami Tour" as there are many boats still inland and other monuments devoted to the devastating day in 2004.
  • Fisherman boat on an inhabitant house, Desa Lampulo, Kota Alam. 59 people were reportedly saved by boarding this small boat and riding it to safety. Very dramatic image indeed. free. 
  • Floating Electric Generator Ship, Kampung Bunge Blangcut, Jayabaru. A ship was carried 5 km inland during the tsunami. You can get a nice overview of the city from the top of the ship. 
  • Tsunami Monument & Garden. Located beside the electric generator ship. 
  • Apung 1 ship, a 2,600 ton vessel that was swept 2 km inland. Now it is a tourist attraction.
  • Mountain Biking Cycling Hiking, Jl Al Huda Blok B, No 2 (close to food court), [4]. Cycle around the mountains, rice fields and beaches near Banda Aceh. Hike and Bike tours and mountain bikes available from Rp 50,000.  
  • Banda Aceh city highlights tour on a Bicycle., Jln Al Huda Blok B, No 2 (close to food court),[5]. A bike is a great way to explore both the long history of Banda Aceh as well as the impact of the 2004 Tsunami. Bicycles, maps and route descriptions are available at Aceh Adventure.  
  • Tour around on a Motorbike (A motorbike is an easy and adventurous way of exploring Aceh), Jl Mesjid Al Huda Blok B No 2 (close to food court), ☎ +62 813 99578873, [6]. 24 hr. After the tsunami international donors and the Indonesian Government build plenty of excellent roads. The road along the west coast is of great beauty. Expect green hills and mountains and behind every corner an even more beautiful beach. Rp 100,000. 
  • Island dropping, Jl Mesjid Al Huda Blok B no 2, ☎ +62 813 99578873, [7]. open 9AM-5PM.The uninhabited island of Pulau Kreusik has a splendid, mosquito free white beach and is located about 1 hour from Banda Aceh. The island has safe swimming. You can either make a day trip to the island or stay overnight. around Rp 800,000 pp. 
  • Discover Aceh Divers Club, Jl Utama No. 1 Lamjamee, ☎ +62 812 6970 1430. There are some nice diving spots around Banda Aceh such as Pulau Tuan, Pulau Bunta and Lhok Mata Ie with underwater fish and corals. If you are lucky you will see Manta rays. The price includes the boat from Banda Aceh. Certified divemasters will accompany you when diving. €25 per pax per dive, minimum 4 pax. 
Sumber : wikitravel 

GET OUT
Nah ini ni yang paling asyik, Ke Sabang ato Pulo Weh, saya jelasin disini

Banda Aceh? seberapa jauh kamu tau?


TURIS BANDA ACEH


Seperti moment moment yang laen, ketika harus menunggu lama dudok sendiri malumun diantara ribuan orang yang melakukan hal yang sama, ada yang nanye, jawab. tanya balek saja males. tak ada yang tanya, tidor. 

Ada cerita lama yang sebenarnya sering datang, ketika jumpa orang baru dan memulai pertanyaan ini itu, saya sebagai traveler sering di tanya, dari mana, dan di akhiri dengan apa yang tertarik dari tempat saya berasal, jawaban saya, sama, selalu, "Nothing Interest", sebenarnya itu bukan jawaban pertama kali pas ada yang nanya, namun kl keseringan orang tanya, jawabannya pasti itu. dulu pertama kalo orang tanya, saya sangat antusias menjelaskan betapa indahnya Aceh dan kayanya budaya, namun ketika menjelaskan detail pertanyaan yang kira kira seperti ini :

How to get there?
Jawab : waduh, bagaimana caranya kesana, dulu orang luar musti naek pesawat ke Medan trus ke Banda aceh, karena belon ada International Flihgt, trus seteleh tsunami ada Penerbangan International tapi masalahnya tak ada pelayanan Visa on Arrival, yang belakangan baru bisa tahun 2011.

Where to stay?
Jawab : ada tuh, hotel bintang 4, hermes hotel, Oasis, Sultan hotel, dan banyak hotel mederate yang lainnya. Masalahnya gimana caranya booking? tau deh ah.. lu cari sendiri dah di internet. 

What things to do?
Jawab : oh banyaakk. 
  1. Mesjid Baiturrahman,…. oh tunggu, dulu ada temen di teriakan sama di usir dari mesjid raya, padahal baru nginjak tangga. ga usah crita ah. kalo lu bule, ato mirip mirip bule, ato punyga temen semacam itu yang kira kira non muslim, mendingan jangan di coba bawa masuk dah, pasti petugasnya cegat, mereka pasti bilang Non Muslim tak boleh masuk mesjid. bener sih. 
nah, orang sekarang kan ga bego, pasti kebanyakan mereka udah pernah ke Turkey, yang main attraction nya Mesjid tapi jadi pusatnya turis, malah ada yang namanya Mosque Tour. atau mereka tau pas Obama ke Jakarta, segampang gampangnya dia masuk Mesjid Istiqlal, trus apa bedanya? yang jelas petugasnya hanya tau itu Hukum dan Peraturan. nah kalo di jelasin panjang deh jadinya
  1. Tsunami Museum, every knows about this, 2 tahun lalu saya kesono, pertama, museumnya tutup, kedua kalinya, museumnya lagi perbaikan. lah emang kapan bukannya? ohh lupa, disamping nya ada kuburan belanda, namanya lupa, kerkoft ye?
  2. National Museum, as Local people I could say, hmmmm nothing to see there
  3. Ejoying food and drinks?.. actually Aceh really terkenal sama kopinya, di setiap sudut, persimpangan ada warung kopi. yang tak mudah di temukan di kota lain. bahkan di negara lain. maksudnya warung kopi independent buka yang brand ato chain product. di Aceh asli produk local. kebanyak turis sukanya yang kayak gini. Soal Makanan, hmmm mie aceh, apa lagi ya? 
  4. Kapal Apung, kalo siang siang kesono, ih panassss
  5. Pegi ke pante, Banda Aceh punya pante bagos deket kota, Lampuuk dan bebrapa pantai indah lainnya. ntrus mau jelasin kalo kesono naek apa? bingung deh. kayaknya cuma bisa pake kendaraan pribadi. nah kalo turis gimana coba? ya sewa mobil. iya kalo rame2. nah kalo dia sendiri, gimana dong?
  6. nah yang terakhir, ke Pulai Weh. kayaknya yang nanya pasti tertarik, bener sih, pas saya cerita how beautiful the island is, rata rata mereka langsung memasukkan Banda aceh di list "must visit" mereka. namun pas mereka tanya, lagi, How to get there, where to stay, how to contact, what to do and so on. balik lagi kayak penjelasan di atas, pusing gw. akhirnya gw jawab, cari aja di internet.
  7. ohhh masih banyak lagi yang tertarik kalo mau ke aceh. mikiiiir ape ya?


garis besarnya dari cerita di atas adalah, saya sebagai orang lokal saya pusing bin bingung mau jelasin ke orang jika ada yang nanya segala macam seperti yang saya ceritakan di atas. point is bagaimana kurangnya informasi dan persiapan pemerintah lokal dalam menangani turism di aceh. sehingga saya orang lokal saja bingung kalo mau jalan - jalan, contohnya ke sabang, masih aja di peras sama orang lokal sendiri. pffff


NAHHHHHHHHHH.

2 bulan yang lalu, Saat itu di Dubai Aiport, transit dari London nak balek kampoeng ke Banda aceh, masih ada dua transit lagi, di Singapore, Medan dan akhirnya kalo sampe, di Banda aceh. jumpa orang yang sama yang pernah nanya soal banda aceh 5 tahun yang lalu. 
Dia Traveler dari Belanda, baru balik dari Aceh pas jumpa saya di bandara, dia cerita banyak soal aceh. saya pun tersentak kagum. malah keseringan bilang, oh yaa, oh really, wow, nice, hmm. yang artinya how improved by now. 

setelah dia berlalu saya pun langsung buka laptop, tanya bang Google. eh tadaaaaaa. 
Trip Advisor? Trip Advisor site sudah menulis tentang aceh? artinya memang layak di kunjungi toh. trus di baris kedua, booking dot com, di ikuti, agoda dot com dan international site lainnya, ada juga website hotel lokal, website pemerintah lokal dalam mempromosikan banda aceh, daftar hotel dan lengkap nomor telponnya. dan baris baris penting dan tertarik lainnya yang di pampang bang Google. plus ratusan artikel menarik dari para bloggers. uhhh akhirnya semuar pertanyaan2 itu terjawab. 

coba deh tanya bang Google sekarang. kalo males, nich saya recap hal hal penting kalo elu mau ke Banda Aceh, how to get there, what to do or don't, where to stay, transport, food and many more. but first of all, you got know bit history about Aceh. 

nah baca cerita selengkapnya


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