Sabang, Indonesia (May 11)
Located north of Banda Aceh, Sumatra (where a massive tsunami killed 60,000 people in 2004) Sabang, is the northernmost and westernmost settlement in Indonesia. Strictly speaking, the island’s name is Pulau Weh and Sabang is the main city on the north coast, but the names are often used interchangeably. It remains virtually untouched by tourism, and seems charmingly vernacular, much as Bali must have been 50 years ago. With a population of just over 40,000, Sabang is the smallest city in Indonesia. We were the first cruise ship to dock since the COVID outbreak, and the locals could not have been friendlier.
Site of fierce fighting in WWII, Sabang still has several Japanese bunkers, most of which have been turned into parks. Our “becak” tour (like tuk tuks) covered much of the island, passing small shops, mosques and temples, and beautiful beaches.
Did you run into Clarence and Ginni Thomas?
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