On my way back to Jakarta after spending week end diving at Pulau Weh, I spend half day touring kota Banda Aceh. Visit Tsunami Museum, Masjid Raya Baiturrahman, Pasar Atjeh and enjoy the legendary coffee, Kopi Solong Ulee Kareng.
On November 18, 2012, I take an early ferry, Express Bahari, from Pulau Weh to Banda Aceh. The ferry was a bit crowded, with a lot of people going back to Banda Aceh after spending week end at Pulau Weh. I heard local Banda Aceh said, why they named Pulau Weh. Weh in Aceh means away, since Pulau Weh is away from Banda Aceh. It is about 45 minutes from Pulau Weh to Ulee Lheu Harbour, port of Banda Aceh.

A crowded ferry from Pulau Weh to Banda Aceh
Since I was travelling alone, I was lucky enough to meet group of divers on the same ferry from Pulau Weh. Gladly I joined them to take half day tour of Banda Aceh, and share local transportation. Our first stop is for the best coffee in Banda Aceh, Solong Coffee at Ulee Kareng.


Kopi Solong didirkan oleh H. Muhammad Saman, atau lebih dikenal Abu Amad Solong, pada tahun 1974 yang racikan kopinya sudah beliau temukan sejak 1969. Solong Coffee was established in 1974 by H. Muhammad Saman also known as Abu Amad Solong using his own brew created in 1969. Our next stop was Aceh Tsunami Museum.



The Aceh Tsunami Museum is designed as a symbolic reminder of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami disaster, as well as an educational center and an emergency disaster shelter in case the area is ever hit by a tsunami again. Next stop is Masjid Agung Baiturrahman known as Grand Mosque Baiturrahman.


Grand Mosque Baiturrahman is a landmark of Banda Aceh dazzling in Mughal revival style. It was rebuilt in the 19th century by the Dutch as a conciliatory gift to the Acehnese after the original one burnt down. The mosque survived after the 2004 earthquake and tsunami with minor damages.



We conclude half day tour of Banda Aceh by visiting PLTD Apung and Lampulo, a ship at a house rooftop to observed how big the tsunami’s when hits Banda Aceh. Lampulo is a 25 meter and 65 ton ship. Like PLTD Apung, those ship are drifted to the land during tsunami.