SEC-S16W1 | My Memorable Trip In Childhood | 22 years ago before the Aceh Tsunami

_{22 years ago when I was 7 years old I took a picture on the front lawn of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh.}

My most beautiful childhood trip was visiting the most historic mosque in Aceh Province, the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque. This mosque holds many historical events, such as the Tsunami disaster that hit Aceh and the death of General Kohler, the leader of the Dutch troops.

1️⃣ Name and description of the place you remember as the best trip of your childhood.

When I was a child, my parents took me to the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh, which is a place of worship for Muslims. In addition, this mosque is also the most popular tourist destination in Aceh Province, it is known that many visitors from the island of Sumatra come to the location of this mosque, even some visitors come from various parts of the world to witness firsthand the architectural features of the beautiful ornamental features of this mosque and some historical facts of this mosque make many people come to see firsthand, the most remembered historical facts are about the Aceh Tsunami and the death of General Kohler the Dutch colonial leader. Here I describe two historical facts that occurred in this mosque:

☠️ General Kohler's Death

This mosque also has a great history during the Dutch colonial period, according to several sources that I have read General Kohler was shot dead in the courtyard of the mosque on April 14, 1873. Previously, during the colonial period, this mosque was successfully controlled by Dutch troops, but the Acehnese people at that time never tired of fighting to defend religion. A sniper from a distance secretly shot dead General Kohler during a troop inspection in the courtyard of the mosque.

The death of the general weakened the Dutch defense, so that finally the war troops from the Acehnese community managed to reclaim the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh. In addition, in the yard of the mosque there is also a small monument that reads the place of General Kohler's death, the small monument was deliberately written as a historical record that Dutch troops were defeated by Acehnese fighters at that time.

🌊 Tsunami Disaster in Aceh

_{Sumber : djkn.kemenkeu.go.id}

History recorded many casualties in the Aceh Tsunami disaster that occurred on Sunday, December 26, 2004. An earthquake measuring 9.3 on the Richter Scale (SR) devastated all buildings in Aceh, many buildings collapsed, roads were split in two, due to the earthquake that shook Aceh so strongly.

But not this mosque, this mosque still stands firm without a single pillar collapsing. This proves that the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque building in Banda Aceh was made so solidly that to this day it still stands upright even though it has been hit by a high-powered earthquake.

After a strong earthquake shook Aceh, the next disaster came, sea water rose and hit the entire land. The height of the sea water at that time was estimated to reach 10 to 15 meters if at the edge of the sea. The sea water that came hit all the people on land, the water that came so strong and fast made many people become victims. Many people ran here and there looking for a higher place to take shelter.

But the great fact is, the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is not a high place, even though the surrounding area of the Tsunami waves that came so high, but the water did not want to touch the area inside this mosque location. The water that came to the mosque area immediately flowed to another location by itself so that everyone inside the mosque could be protected.

An eyewitness who saw the event told me, "suddenly the water flowed apart by itself, so it is no wonder that many people were saved when they chose to take shelter inside this mosque." Many people believe that this mosque was protected by the almighty God, the God who protects his servants inside the mosque.

2️⃣ All the people who accompanied you during this journey.

My beautiful journey to the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh was with my beloved family, especially my father and mother. The journey to the Banda Aceh Baiturrahman Grand Mosque from my home location is 272 km, or takes 8 hours to get to the location. This is a long and long journey. But I was very happy to be able to go to the most historic place with my family.

_{We traveled at that time with my father, mother and sister.}

I still remember very well at that time we drove a green Kijang LGX car, the most tiring trip when it was on Seulawah hill because the road was so steeply climbing, many damaged roads and potholes this made me vomit along the way.

But no matter how tiring the trip was, there was something that really entertained me in the middle of the trip: the monkeys on the side of the Seulawah road. I always prepare a banana to share with the animals as I pass by on the Seulawah hill. The monkeys were very cute and compact, and for a kid like me, it was great to see animals like that.

3️⃣ A unique anecdotal fact that you would like to share.

_{A photo from 22 years ago when I was little with my sister.}

I still remember when I was traveling with my family at that time, my sister and I mocked each other that the monkeys were your friends, then my sister also replied that the monkeys were my friends, she replied with angry emotions.

Then I then continued, look at that monkey the monkey looks more like you because he is scratching his head, because my sister at that time also did the same thing because she had lice in her hair, listening to that remark we all laughed to see then the younger sister cried.

4️⃣ Any other details or aspects that you would like to share with us in the publication. What happened on that trip?

_{22 years ago when I was 7 years old I took a picture on the front lawn of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh.}

My family and I didn't have many publications at that time, because it was not as sophisticated as it is now where everyone can take pictures using cellphones. But I was able to get the best portrait using the services of a traveling photographer there, even though I had to pay dearly, it became the most historic moment of my life.

The photo is still neatly stored even though it has been 22 years, I am very grateful to my parents who have always captured precious moments since I was a child. All the moments when I was a child are beautiful memories that can no longer be repeated, losing these precious photos is the biggest loss for my life so I always keep them well in social media accounts.

Thus this article, I hope it is useful and inspires all who read it.I also invite you to participate in this contest. @fantvwiki @patjewell @fadia

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to comment.
Greetings by @miftahulrizky