CITY EDGE : Photography Class's Final Project

CITY EDGE

Enjoying a scenic riverfront view of the old city of Banda Aceh

Do you know Indonesia?

Well, if you don’t know let me tell you.

Indonesia is an archipelago. It’s a name of a country in the South-East ASIA. The capital city of Indonesia is Jakarta. Indonesia has five big islands. There are, Sumatra Island, Java Island, Kalimantan Island, Sulawesi Island and Papua Island. So, I would like to take you to Sumatra Island!

LET'S GO WEST ! 

If you look on a map. You will find a province, called Aceh. And if you zoom in more you will find Banda Aceh, the capital city of Aceh. Banda Aceh is a city that surrounded by the sea. Banda Aceh is divided into two parts by a river. A famous and historical river, It’s called Krueng Aceh.

This is what I called as “CITY-EDGE”

Being a traveler is not only when you went abroad with the airplane or when you riding a boat/ship to an Island. Some people do a trip by their car or their motorbike. Maybe when you did such thing you will feel that you are really going to a vacation. For me, to be a traveler is need strength to walk. Do you know why? Even when you went abroad, after landing in the airport from the airplane and staying at a hotel, you still need to walk to get to your destination~ when we walk, we will feel closer to the surrounding. We can interact with the air, trees, bird, and other things that you can’t do it if you are in your car. If we choose to walk, so we already did a great thing too! It means that you are one of the persons that care to your earth. You reduce the air pollution when you walk. Doesn’t it interesting? XD

at this time, what I want to show you is a place where you can walk to see a scenic riverfront view from the old city of Banda Aceh.

the riverfront view

Krueng Aceh is one of the famous and historical rivers in Aceh. This  river flows from mountains that include the 2780-metre high Mount Peuët Sagoë for some two hundred kilometers northeastward to reach the junction of the Indian Ocean and the Andaman Sea at Banda Aceh (source: http://www.en.wikipedia.org).

When we talk about the river, what we had in mind is the transportation on the river. YES ! It’s the boat !! On past, this river was the main access of the people from all over the world to do the trade with Kingdom of Aceh. On this river also the citizen keeps they boat to look for the fish. That’s why most of people around the river are fisherman. 

The area on the east bank of the river called Peunayong and on the west bank called Merduati. Actually the areas on these two sides of the river are the historical area. Peunayong is famous with the Chinese culture and Merduati is famous with the colonial heritage buildings such as bank of Indonesia built by The Dutch. 

The starting point !

 Here is the starting point where you can walk around the river side on west bank.. 

At this time I choose to walk on the west bank by the day time, I really hope I could get the best pictures with the blue sky and the good reflection.

When I went around near the peunayong bridge, I found an interesting activities, where the boat’s keeper try to reach they boat under the bridge. At that time I realize that there is another life that I never seen it before.

The man crossed the single wood bridge to the boats

The riverfront has a very nice pedestrian path. It is not only clean, but also very well shaded with trees and vegetation, giving you a nice breeze during the hot and sunny day. I feel so comfort to walk along this pedestrian way.

I came several times to this place because I like it! I want to show how nice and beautiful is this place. The right picture show you that the situation is really warm and the left picture show you that the location is so greeny :’)

 

After walking for few minutes from the starting point, you will find a platform. From the platform you can look across the riverside and enjoy the view around the riverbank. If you lucky enough, you will see some boats passing around the river. And I was able to see one of it.

 

The  blue boat is passing the platform.

The platform itself is built for the water transportation. Well, I don’t know when the water transport will start but at this platform there are several events that held here such as Festival Peunayong and another water activities and competition.

the platform

view from the platform

And next to the platform there is a café where you can eat and have some drinks here. There is also gazebo where you can sit and talk with your family and friends :’)

the gazebo

 
And let’s continue our trip!

After passing the platform and the café, on the right side you will find the public transport station. FYI, the public transport in Banda Aceh is a minibus called Labi-labi.

 

public transport station

peoples walking

Walking and moving the attention to the right and left, you will find a lot of nice views and you will feel so comfortable with the environment. Let me show some pictures that attract me the most.

 
 











There is a building that really stand out from it surrounding, it is a Bank of Indonesia Building, built by the colonial government in Aceh. This building is one of heritage building in Banda Aceh. The Colonial style is presenting by the ornament and the building mass.

 

Bank of Indonesia

 Seeing this sign , and you are here now !

 

at Taman Krueng Aceh

Here is the place where you can rest and sit and also enjoy the riverfront view. Taman Krueng Aceh provides you the rest area and there are a lot of flowers and trees in here. 

People who come here would find some signage of the flower and the tree’s leaves. You can walk around the garden or you can sit and relax. I suggest that you should come here around the 4 or 5 PM when the sun is not too hot but still shining so bright. Around that time the breeze is also nice and you will fill so comfort in here.

here is the pictures of the main gazebo at Taman Krueng Aceh,
the right picture is the main gazebo and the left picture is the roof structure of the main gazebo.


 
The end of the trip

This is what I told you before, when you choose to walk so you are already be one of the persons who care to your earth. Even though it’s only 15 - 20minutes walk, you have made great contribution to the environment. So, I suggested you guys try to walk around this riverside. Not only at the garden, but try to walk along the pedestrian way and try to walk on the east bank too. There are comfort benches and nice view awaiting for you there. 

I’ll post the city-edge at night soon guys!

-Hanani yasmin-