Lhokseumawe beach escapes tsunami<\/p>\n
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Lhokseumawe<\/p>\n
An Acehnese couple, Hadi and Cut Mala, enjoyed the ocean view
\nfrom Ujung Blang beach in Lhokseumawe while savoring a cold
\ncoconut juice.<\/p>\n
Although the recent natural disaster had affected most parts
\nof Aceh, Hadi and Cut Mala were not worried.<\/p>\n
\"There's nothing to be afraid of on this beach. It's safe,
\nthere's no giant tidal wave like in other places, and no
\nvictims,\" said 27-year-old Cut Mala, a local teacher who lives
\nnearby in Banda Sakti district.<\/p>\n
She said she liked to go to the beach with her boyfriend,
\nHadi. \"It just so happens that he's on leave now, so we've come
\nhere. It's peaceful and a good place to relax.\"<\/p>\n
Located in Hagu Teungoh village, Ujung Blang beach is located
\nonly two kilometers from Lhokseumawe and can be reached by a
\nmotorized pedicab, or becak mesin, the only public transportation
\nin the area.<\/p>\n
A trip from Lhokseumawe to the beach costs Rp 3,000, but on
\nweekends, the fare increases to Rp 5,000.<\/p>\n
Traders along the beach said that before the tsunami, visitors
\nreached over 100 people, mostly from neighboring cities like
\nBireuen, Takengon and Sigli in Aceh or even from as far away as
\nMedan.<\/p>\n
The number of visitors has dropped sharply since the disaster,
\nand has forced some traders to close up shop.<\/p>\n
Siti Sarah, a mother of three and owner of Jambo Kak Sarah
\nfood stall, said she had only reopened a couple of days ago, and
\nmade only Rp 6,000 on the first day.<\/p>\n
Previously, she could bring home around Rp 150,000 on slow
\ndays, and up to Rp 800,000 a day on weekends.<\/p>\n
\"But now it's really hard after the tsunami. Not many visitors
\ncome here,\" said Siti, who opened her food stall last year.<\/p>\n
She admitted she did not fear any new tsunamis, although her
\nfood stall, just like the others, was located on the beachfront.<\/p>\n
When the tsunami hit on Dec. 26 and destroyed most of Aceh,
\nthe waves at Ujung Blang beach rose to two meters, but did not
\ncause any damage to residents' houses.<\/p>\n
\"If the tsunamis hit here, hundreds of people would die and
\nthe beach would be history,\" said Siti.<\/p>\n
Ujung Blang has been gaining popularity as a tourist site only
\nin the last three years. The area was once a residential area,
\nbut after an alleged arson razed the houses, it was transformed
\ninto a tourist resort. Now, at least 70 stalls fill the five-
\nhectare site, offering food and souvenirs.<\/p>\n
Siti said before Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam province was placed
\nunder a state of civil emergency, foreign visitors frequently
\nvisited the beach.<\/p>\n
\"If the beach is managed properly by the government, this
\nregion could develop faster because it has tourism potential,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/lhokseumawe-beach-escapes-tsunami-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}