Hotel Renggali Banda Aceh

... it's still raining, and as we turn the corner I spy many young children peelig their clothes of and running through the large muddy puddles which are gathering at the side of the roads and it is some sight I tell you. Back at the hotel I enquire about the tsunami museum and they are usure so I go and ask my 'friend' who seems to run a whole street of shops in the centre. He informs me that Friday is holy day and therefore the musuem is shut...noooooooo this ...

... this evening and soaked up the atmosphere of the place...it's crazy to think that a few years ago this place was completely unreachable to those of us from the western world because today (or tonight even) you would never know...

Other than the presence of Red Cross vans and vehicles emblazoned with 'Donated by Unicef' this city has made huge steps in an attempt at returning to so called normailty...and has done so extremely well.

... like the time was right to move on and do something new...and here I am!!

Carolyn finished her dive and we went to grab a bite of food. It's so great to travel with someone who gives you the freedom to do your own thing whilst providing excellent company too. The contrasting personalities of Miriam and Carolyn have really given me an insight into the kind of company I hope to find on this world tour. We sat and laughed about the ...

... then hit the beach for some sun, sand and sea action. Can't actually believe I am writing this as prior to coming here we were warned that we couldn't eat in daylight hours and would have to swin fully clothes as a result of it being Ramadan!! No such thing though and we spent all afternoon soaking up the rays on the most idyllic beach with not a soul joining us!! Bet there are not many places in the world like this...most of them have been discovered followed by the erection ...

... bus back to Georgetown and this was the guy from the bus...hang on a minute though that was in Malaysia!! This guy from this tiny village we stayed in o an island in Malaysia recognised me at an Indonesian airport!! WOW!!

Lots of flights had been delayed and there were a lot of hungry people hanging around for their flights...we unfortunately forgot about the fasting of Ramadan until we had polished off a bag of crisps and the noticed we were the only ones eating...however our ...

... to spend the next six nights. Pulau Weh is just off the northern tip of Sumatra in the Andaman Sea. Unlike Banda Aceh, it only suffered minor damage during the tsunami of 2004, most of which has now (supposedly) been repaired or rebuilt. The island is known for its fantastic diving and snorkeling and Dean was intending to spend three days of our time here doing the PADI Advanced Open Water scuba diving course. By the time we arrived, Tracey was feeling decidedly worse for wear and ...

... to the kitchen and doing odd jobs for her. After you've taken 12 plates and bowls in and you ask her where she wants them and she points to the floor where the crowd of cats are eyeing you up waiting to lick the plates clean, the urge to eat mamma's barbeques funnily seem to disapear. Haha, thats a nice surprise for those of you who ate with us at Mamma's, as me and Dan decided not to share that bit!

Without going in to too much detail we had to leave Mammas after 4 ...

Pulau Weh is the dream island!
White sandy beaches, the reef just a few meters away, very good diving spots, cozy bungalows by crystal clear water ($3-5), friendly locals and good food!
I think this list is enough to make anyone jealous and wonder what they are still doing in front of a computer screen!!
Now...take a look at the photos ;)


Traduzione Italiana:

Pulau Weh, Aceh, Indonesia chibisimo

We landed in Medan and went to the bus ticket office to buy an overnight trip up to Banda Aceh for that night. Our method of transport was a new variation to the rickshaw we had in India, a becak. It was a small motor bike with a side car welded onto the side so we loaded up the bags and set off. We managed to get the ticket alright and eventually set off around 8pm north for Aceh. When we were buying the ticket they asked for my name and after a ...

So I am calling this entry what a weh (way...Pulau Weh....haha I am so clever) to "end" a trip...and I say "end" because I am actually extending my trip until August 4th...but at the time I thought it was my final destination, and I have to admit it was a good choice of a spot to end a trip! It's such a perfect island, and even more perfect because it's got that Indonesian personality. :)

It was a bit of a complicated ride to get to Pulau Weh though. First ...