Excursion Banda aceh discovery tour at Banda Aceh

See firsthand the effects of the 2004 tsunami on Banda Aceh and experience a UNESCO-recognized cultural presentation.

Disembark by Zodiac at Ulee Lheue port and drive heading to Banda Aceh. Visit PLTD Apung (Floating Diesel Power Station) to see the tsunamic wreckage, with the weight of 780 tons perched several miles in land. Continue onto Blang Padang "Indonesia thanks the world" Park. This park has a tsunami memorial to serve as a tribute to all nations who have given humanitarian assistance for the Acehnese after the December 26th, 2004 earthquake and tsunami. The Blang Padang park also hosts a Douglas DC-3 airplane, turned into a monument to commemorating the Acehnese effort to the Indonesia independence struggle. The plane was purchased with gold, donated by the Acehnese in order to break the blockade that the Dutch tried to impose in other parts of Indonesia.

Next to Blang Padang is Tsunami Museum, built to commemorate the tsunami with photographs, stories and a simulation of the earthquake that triggered the tsunami. The museum also has a tsunami research center.

Continue on to Museum Negeri (State Museum) to discover its exhibits of ceramics, weapons and many cultural artifacts such as clothing, jewelry, calligraphy, Islamic ornamentation, kitchen equipment and many other items. A most interesting item is a big bell called "Lonceng Cakra Donya," a gift from China Grand-Duke (Ming Emperor, in the 15th century) for Sultan Aceh that was delivered by a Chinese Moslem, Admiral Cheng Ho in 1414.

At the museum enjoy a performance of Saman Dance. One of the most popular dances in Indonesia, Saman dance is unique due to the speed of movement and harmony between dancers, and was announced by UNESCO as a world intangible cultural heritage. Return to port.

Please note: This tour involves minimal walking over mostly flat, paved surfaces, with just a few steps to navigate at the museums, making this tour suitable for guests with limited mobility. Guests are recommended to wear walking shoes, casual, light comfortable clothing with reasonable covering up for women, long trousers or skirt, sun screen. Shorts are not acceptable.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Banda Aceh, 2004 tsunami wreckage, Blang Padang Park, Tsunami Museum, Museum Negeri, Saman Dance performance (UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage)

Note

Please note: This tour involves minimal walking over mostly flat, paved surfaces, with just a few steps to navigate at the museums, making this tour suitable for guests with limited mobility. Guests are recommended to wear walking shoes, casual, light comfortable clothing with reasonable covering up for women, long trousers or skirt, sun screen. Shorts are not acceptable.