Updated: June 10, 2024 – Aceh The New Dawn
Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
Battle of Aceh
Aceh The New Dawn is the most controversial province in the eyes of the media. It is also one province that had made the Dutch colonial government reaching to a near stage of bankruptcy; during the Aceh War (1873 – 1904). This is because of heavy spending on failed strategies. For instance, there used to be a terrible separation conflict here in Aceh between 1976 to 2005 by the Free Aceh Movement. Consequently, this movement group tried to seek independence from the Indonesian government. However, the tsunami in 2004 had the catalytic effect ending almost immediately, and the peace is still holding here.
As a result from that, Aceh is more autonomous. So there is sharia law which has been imposed with increasing strictness, including financial banks. This is a plus point, whereby the interest rate is higher than conventional ones. However, some people will like that. Because they feel the tsunami was the punishment from god. But other people might worry that sharia law has scared away the foreign investment that many believed that this province badly needs.
The Controversial Province
Aceh, the new dawn, is the only region in the world’s most heavily populated Muslim majority country with the autonomy to impose Islamic law and lashings. It has come under fire in the past for putting a moral restriction on women. They used public whipping as a punishment for gambling, drinking alcohol, adultery, and having premarital sex. Despite widespread anger, as dozens watched outside mosques, usually in Banda Aceh or Lhokseumawe every Friday.
Dear Coffee Lovers…
Above all odds and controversial, as a peaceful visitor exploring the beauty of Aceh, the new dawn. The locals are friendly and they welcome you with open arms as long as you respect their culture and their way of life. In fact, less visitor means less pollution and fewer damages to the natural beauty Aceh could offer.
If you are a coffee lover, you will definitely love the Aceh’s Arabica King Gayo Coffee. Because as expatriates, living in one of the major coffee-producing countries in the world; you have a wealth of opportunities to taste fresh coffees, visit the actual plantations where they are grown, and learn more about the beverage you enjoy so much.
Beautiful Takengon
The best part of all, only a few specific regions have gained worldwide recognition, with the Gayo Highlands being one of them. The coffee plantation is in Takengon area, the capital of Central Aceh district which lies in the heart of Gayo Highlands. So it sits to offer you a handful of rareness you must see. In fact, buyers from around the world stop in Takengon to meet with the various local coffee co-ops to get a better understanding of how their coffee is grown and processed and to seal supply deals. I find it fun to actually chew on the roasted high quality coffee beans. The aroma just lifts me up, intoxicated, flying high.
The scenery in Takengon comprises the beautiful Lake Laut Tawar (Sea of Fresh Water) with marvelous mountains covered in mist. What more, with the triangular shape homestay houses decorated the pine tree forest beside the Takengon Lake. A magnificent view to witness the rising sun from the east. Agro-tourism and activities around the lake are the reasons to extend your stay.
Spectacular New Dawn
Coffee Cafes In Takengon offer you a wide variety of excellent high-quality coffee which mushrooming all over the town. Not to mention the legend of a princess that turned into stone with her observable unseen guards. There is an interpreter (speaks Bahasa Indonesia only) live next to the Putri Pukes Cave, whom could explain all the main stalactites and stalagmites in that cave including the princess legend story for Rp 5.000 per person. He sounded very robotic throughout his storytelling, though.
It has the visual concert of passing pine trees, series of tropical vegetations dotted with semi permanent dwellings, locals drying coffee beans and stoned looks of local children as your persevering labi-labi pass them by. This labi-labi is a local black mini van that transport passengers from places to places. Try it and enjoy it like a local.
The breeze would be gradually chillier in the coats of mists. Here, the night average temperature was almost 14 degree Celsius at the time of stay, but I love it.
Lovely Lhokseumawe
From highland to the beaches, we stopped by Lhokseumawe for some fresh seafood lunch. My first encounter with Coconut Juice. How creative. Lhokseumawe is one of the few places for its oil refinery plant in Indonesia.
Back to Medan
We continue our journey back to Medan with sweet deep memories that will last for a long time in a strongly conservative Islamic Aceh province, which operates under Sharia Law. It is far from nonsense when we mention in the first place that Aceh is truly a spiritual gateway to Indonesia. Aceh the new dawn of Indonesia.
So, what is the little Lego block you can add to enrich your life moving forward?
The True Aceh People
“Sejak zaman kompeni, Aceh punya keberanian individu, Jawa punya keberanian kelompok. Beda sekali.” ― Pramoedya Ananta Toer.
The translated version from Bahasa Indonesia:
“Since the days of the Dutch Colonization, Acehnese has had individual courage. Javanese has had group courage. It’s so different.” ― Pramoedya Ananta Toer.
#Author #Writing #Vetpreneur #InnerVoice #InnerJiva #VetpreneurVoice #WorkPlayInvest #TheUltimateGameChanger #Aceh #Takengon #thevetpreneurvoice #veterinarianindonesia #lifestyle
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Great post! Indonesia is on my bucket list of places in the world to visit. Thank you for an in-depth look into. Love also Indonesian coffee, but becoming rare to find it nowadays.
It is great that you’ve enjoying reading it. I have become a coffee lover when I started living and working in Indonesia since 7 years ago. I didn’t know Indonesia is one of the biggest coffee producer in the world before this. Coffee brewing is an art of itself.
Loving all these travel posts
Thanks Nancy for taking the moment to enjoy reading them. Appreciate it very much. As local travelling is more a thing now that international ones, I will have more blogs about the Indonesia travelling.
Thank you for this wonderful post. I’m putting Indonesia on my list of places to visit for sure. Looks like a perfect mixture of amazing nature and interesting culture to get to know. And the food!
Indonesia has never stopped its charm being an amazing place to explore be it in its culture, places and food.
So rich in history! I would love a proper cup of coffee right there on the shore!
Indonesia has one of the best coffee in the world!
I love the pictures you’ve shared from the trip. So much beauty and the coffee looks delightful. I would love to try a cup of the freshest coffee!
This looks absolutely idyllic to me; I am always up for a good cup of coffee in idyllic settings. Having been to a few Asian countries I have to say we haven’t ever had a bad coffee.
Great guide and review of Aech Indonesia! I understand how an influx of travelers can change the atmosphere. Aren’t we all looking for the road less traveled?
I feel like Aceh is a wonderful place to visit. I too a strong coffee lover and glad that this place offers popular Arabian coffee variety.
Aceh offers one of the best coffee in Indonesia.
Great review and guide of Aech Indonesia. I am always looking for that unique cultural town to visit that’s off the beaten path. Tourists and too many visitors sure can a good atmosphere.
This has to be the place you need to visit. Highly recommended before it gets too touristic.