Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

After the Wave: Sumatra, Indonesia

Experiencing Banda Aceh, among the areas hit hardest by the 2004 tsunami, and tropical Sabang.

In Sabang, lives – and daily routines – have mostly returned to normal.
In Sabang, lives – and daily routines – have mostly returned to normal.

While living in Asia I decided to travel a bit. My first stop was the island of Sumatra, Indonesia – devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed over 230,000 people in 14 different countries.

But Sumatra remains a place of healing and rebirth.

The city of Banda Aceh was said to be among the hardest-hit areas. I stayed here, in north Sumatra, for two and a half weeks. Once we arrived in Sumatra we found a hotel for $14 U.S. dollars a night and re-grouped.

The ride into Sabang village.

Sabang

The next morning we made way to the docks and boarded a speedboat for Sabang, an island just off the coast of Banda Aceh. In Sabang port we found a tuk-tuk that would take us to the village where our hotel was. In Southeast Asia, “tuk-tuks,” or motorcycles with side carts, tend to be the de facto mode of transportation.

Sponsored
Sponsored
We pulled over so I could take a picture of this town.

The ride through Sabang was about an hour long and offered some of the most amazing views I’ve ever encountered: to right were cliffs and crystal-clear reefs; to the left dense tropical rainforest with monkeys and colorful birds. Looking up, I saw mountains in the distance and huge palm branches covering the mountain road. The colors were so vibrant and clear, I felt like God had photoshopped the whole thing.

As we drove through town we saw locals partaking in their daily routines. Kids walking home from school with pineapple on a stick, farmers tending crops – all were excited to see us visiting. The smiles these people had for us melted my heart. Everyone had a story, and I was excited just to sit down and chat.

After about a week of exploring Sabang, we headed back to the main island of Sumatra.

Spent the day on the beach with this beautiful family.

Banda Aceh and the tsunami

The first young man I met in Banda Aceh was Fajar, a phenomenal artist who dreams to come to America one day and sell his artwork. He introduced me to his friends, who showed me all the good places to eat.

They also showed me what Indonesian coffee culture is all about: people gather in groups for coffee at local shops, and talk, smoke clove cigarettes, and share laughs. The traditional meal is chicken and rice mixed with a variety of spices. Simple is best with the people of Aceh.

Fajar and I sit down and he begins to tell me what he remembered from December 26th, 2004. He expressed in a soft voice, “The wave was so big, it was like my city was surfing on a huge wave. Then all of a sudden I see a blast of water push the wall down, crushing my mother and sister. ”

He tells me he was only seven when this happened, but remembers it like it was yesterday. His house and town were flattened by water, and they were forced to find a new place to live. I was lost for words. These are situations I only see in the movies; for him it was reality.

Fajar elucidated the spiritual conspiracy that surrounded the disaster. The town of Aceh is considered an Islamic society, and some believe the tsunami was a severe punishment for Muslims skipping their daily prayer and religious practices. During my trip to Indonesia I witnessed very devout, disciplined Muslims and practices. I myself was not allowed to meet alone with Fajar. If another community member saw a man and a woman alone together they would be punished. I’m not Muslim, but I respected their practices, so whenever we met it was in a group sitting over coffee. I did this not only to respect the culture but to avoid death stares and verbal abuse.

With all the pain and suffering the tsunami brought to Banda Aceh, Fajar told me there was a silver lining: the tsunami prompted a peace agreement between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (also known as GAM), an Aceh separatist group that had resisted the Indonesian government for over thirty years. Before the tsunami, it is believed that over 12,000 lives had been lost in the fighting. Aceh residents say they are thankful for peace at last.

Beach in west Sumatra.

If you go

If you want to experience the beauty of Sumatra there's one thing you must keep in mind: this place isn’t your typical tropical vacation. It’s a mission for open-minded people who want to participate in a different culture and community. An environment like this might make some uncomfortable and a bit shy – but after all, some of the best things in life happen outside your comfort zone.

You’ll leave Sumatra with a finer appreciation for the simpler things and memories you will never forget.

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Why did Harrah's VP commit suicide last summer?

Did the fight the Rincon casino had with San Diego County over Covid play a part?
Next Article

Extended family dynamics

Many of our neighbors live in the house they grew up in
In Sabang, lives – and daily routines – have mostly returned to normal.
In Sabang, lives – and daily routines – have mostly returned to normal.

While living in Asia I decided to travel a bit. My first stop was the island of Sumatra, Indonesia – devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that killed over 230,000 people in 14 different countries.

But Sumatra remains a place of healing and rebirth.

The city of Banda Aceh was said to be among the hardest-hit areas. I stayed here, in north Sumatra, for two and a half weeks. Once we arrived in Sumatra we found a hotel for $14 U.S. dollars a night and re-grouped.

The ride into Sabang village.

Sabang

The next morning we made way to the docks and boarded a speedboat for Sabang, an island just off the coast of Banda Aceh. In Sabang port we found a tuk-tuk that would take us to the village where our hotel was. In Southeast Asia, “tuk-tuks,” or motorcycles with side carts, tend to be the de facto mode of transportation.

Sponsored
Sponsored
We pulled over so I could take a picture of this town.

The ride through Sabang was about an hour long and offered some of the most amazing views I’ve ever encountered: to right were cliffs and crystal-clear reefs; to the left dense tropical rainforest with monkeys and colorful birds. Looking up, I saw mountains in the distance and huge palm branches covering the mountain road. The colors were so vibrant and clear, I felt like God had photoshopped the whole thing.

As we drove through town we saw locals partaking in their daily routines. Kids walking home from school with pineapple on a stick, farmers tending crops – all were excited to see us visiting. The smiles these people had for us melted my heart. Everyone had a story, and I was excited just to sit down and chat.

After about a week of exploring Sabang, we headed back to the main island of Sumatra.

Spent the day on the beach with this beautiful family.

Banda Aceh and the tsunami

The first young man I met in Banda Aceh was Fajar, a phenomenal artist who dreams to come to America one day and sell his artwork. He introduced me to his friends, who showed me all the good places to eat.

They also showed me what Indonesian coffee culture is all about: people gather in groups for coffee at local shops, and talk, smoke clove cigarettes, and share laughs. The traditional meal is chicken and rice mixed with a variety of spices. Simple is best with the people of Aceh.

Fajar and I sit down and he begins to tell me what he remembered from December 26th, 2004. He expressed in a soft voice, “The wave was so big, it was like my city was surfing on a huge wave. Then all of a sudden I see a blast of water push the wall down, crushing my mother and sister. ”

He tells me he was only seven when this happened, but remembers it like it was yesterday. His house and town were flattened by water, and they were forced to find a new place to live. I was lost for words. These are situations I only see in the movies; for him it was reality.

Fajar elucidated the spiritual conspiracy that surrounded the disaster. The town of Aceh is considered an Islamic society, and some believe the tsunami was a severe punishment for Muslims skipping their daily prayer and religious practices. During my trip to Indonesia I witnessed very devout, disciplined Muslims and practices. I myself was not allowed to meet alone with Fajar. If another community member saw a man and a woman alone together they would be punished. I’m not Muslim, but I respected their practices, so whenever we met it was in a group sitting over coffee. I did this not only to respect the culture but to avoid death stares and verbal abuse.

With all the pain and suffering the tsunami brought to Banda Aceh, Fajar told me there was a silver lining: the tsunami prompted a peace agreement between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement (also known as GAM), an Aceh separatist group that had resisted the Indonesian government for over thirty years. Before the tsunami, it is believed that over 12,000 lives had been lost in the fighting. Aceh residents say they are thankful for peace at last.

Beach in west Sumatra.

If you go

If you want to experience the beauty of Sumatra there's one thing you must keep in mind: this place isn’t your typical tropical vacation. It’s a mission for open-minded people who want to participate in a different culture and community. An environment like this might make some uncomfortable and a bit shy – but after all, some of the best things in life happen outside your comfort zone.

You’ll leave Sumatra with a finer appreciation for the simpler things and memories you will never forget.

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

WAV College Church reminds kids that time is short

College is a formational time for decisions about belief
Next Article

Extended family dynamics

Many of our neighbors live in the house they grew up in
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader