A brief introduction of Meulaboh City

Meulaboh is a city on the west coast of Aceh, about 245 km south-east of Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh, and will spend about 5 hours by road travel.

Before the 20th century, the city was famous for its harbor which is often visited by people from various places in the world. From there, spices, especially Aceh's famous black pepper are transported to various markets, as well as other natural commodities, including mining materials in western Aceh, such as gold, which are still explored there to this day. Because of its good harbor on the coast of the Indian ocean, this city became known as Meulaboh which means where people dock their ships since the past. But since the mid-20th century, the city's role as an international port has ceased and disappeared.

In later times in the second half of the 20th century, it was just a small remote town on the west coast of Aceh. But a legendary struggle in the late nineteenth century has been remembered for this city and became its pride until today. A legendary leader in the struggle against colonial power has died on Meulaboh beach after his great victories.The leader is Teuku Umar Johan Pahlawan. The Dutch colonial government knows for sure the greatness of that leader. Now, his name is remembered for a famous university in Meulaboh, Teuku Umar University.

Tsunami attack Meulaboh

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By the end of 2004, twelve years ago, the earthquake centered only about 150 km from Meulaboh had delivered a devastating tsunami to Meulaboh.

Meulaboh was attacked by seven waves that destroyed it very badly, killed more than 40,000 and destroyed most of the city, including its port. The city was back to its zero point and provide the darkest memories of its history.

The world come to this city

A moment later after the disaster, the world came to Meulaboh. Various humanitarian aid came with them.and with their condolences extended a good hand in the name of humanity's solidarity.Almost everyone from different parts of the world can be found here in those days. And from that point on, this west coast city was rebuilt, reconstructed and rehabilitated.

Some corners of Meulaboh today

Years later, after the city was relatively successfully rebuilt, the World began to leave the city and return to their own country. Maybe, among them never saw that city again. So when I visited the city yesterday, after more than 12 years of tsunami disaster, I deliberately toured to take pictures from several corner of the city to then I share it here. Who knows, those who have been in Meulaboh can see how that city is, today.