Even though I’m a person with Aceh descendant, I have never been to Banda Aceh at all before. I’ve been visiting the town where my parents’ family are staying quite often, but that was as far as I went previously. So this time during school holidays, my family and I decide to visit Aceh again. However, this time we will not stop at the town of Kuala Simpang where my parents’ relatives live, but all the way to Banda Aceh, the capital city of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province, and then across the strait to Pulau Weh for a vacation..
Travel
The wind blows hard, making a loud noise when it hit the tent wall. The temperature drops to below zero degrees Celsius. We are all safe and warm inside our sleeping bags in the tent. But our thoughts are out there, thinking about our friends who are still out there trekking from Bali Dump heading to the basecamp at an altitude of 4,330m above sea level, where we set up our camp. Walking through Meren Valley (Lembah Danau-danau) and Pintu Angin during the night amid strong winds and low temperatures like this, our physical condition would be easily and quickly dropped. The falling rain would also further hamper their trip and make it more difficult..
Heavy snow restricts us from being able to move freely. Moreover, we must be careful not to step and fall in between sharp stones covered with snow. Slowly, we slip through the gap down the steep ridge. “The lake is in sight ..!”, one of the trip member at the front yells. Yes, that is the Idenburg lake, our destination of this trip. Located at a steep valley on the side slopes of the snow-covered Ngga Pilimsit peak, the beauty of the lake and its surrounding scene made all of our effort trekking down the snowy slopes of Sudirman range since dawn paid off..
In addition to its natural beauty, Flores also attracts people to visit with its cultural variety & diversity. And Ikat, a hand-woven fabric, is one of the icons of Flores cultural treasure. This traditional work of art can be found in several regions in this island that become the production center of the fabrics that require persistence and patience in the production process. Maumere, Sikka, Ende, Ngada, Lio, Larantuka and Lembata to name some of them. Each region has its distinct character, respectively, of the motifs, patterns and colors of the ikat fabrics produced. A reflection of the ethnic diversity, customs and daily lifes of Flores island.