Aceh, Part 3: To Sigli!

31.05.2012 - 06.06.2012 27 °C

The journey from Banda Aceh to Sigli takes just under three hours by Ojek (that is, if you're utilizing the motorcycle at full-speed, much like my companion was). It doesn't take long to get outside of the city; after all, Banda Aceh itself is green, and in what seems like minutes, you'll be bombing along surprisingly well-developed roads and simultaneously treated to wonderful rolling eyes, trees straight out of Jurassic Park, and vegetation as far as the eyes can see.

On the way, one can find the occasional village or waroong. We stopped at one on the way so that we might eat. Acehnese food is influenced by Indian and Arab cuisine: breads, such as pitta and so forth are commonplace, just as kare (curry), usually in the form of duck, goat, chicken, or beef, is. There is also the famous Mie Aceh (Acehnese style noodles), which is best served with with kepiting (crab), and the seafood is generally fantastic.

This fine broth was cooked by some villagers in a waroong just off the main road. It is kare kambing (goat curry - see below).

Further along the road to Sigli, we stopped at the mosque pictured below so that my companion could pray. As he was praying, I went for a wander.

The three ladies pictured below were stationed just outside the mosque; they were selling peanuts fresh from the ground, boiled and then salted. The peanuts were still warm and delicious. In fact, they were the finest peanuts man has ever tasted.

Further along the road and much closer to Sigli, I was treated to a fine sight. These elephants have been domesticated by the villagers, who clearly utilise their strength and power in order to aid their daily lives.