Do the frequent earthquake occurances in Sumatra, influence your decision to travel there?
''A major earthquake of 7.8 magnitude struck off the coast of Aceh on the Indonesian island of Sumatra on Wednesday ''
In December 2004, a magnitude 9.15 quake off the coast of Sumatra's Aceh province triggered an Indian Ocean tsunami ...
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Magnitude 7.8 quake shakes Indonesia's Sumatra
Sumatra is one of those mystery places I want to go to. I have no clue what it would be like to be there, and want to go to find out. I am a little nervous about the number of earth quakes that happen there though.
Reply to this Sumatra is one of my favourite parts of Indonesia, I highly recommend going. Very diverse, lots of interesting varied cultures, extremely friendly people and few other tourists. If I was thinking about going there again I wouldn't let the earthquakes put me off - just imagine how small the chances are of one hitting the place where you are while you are there statistically
Reply to this I will be very close to Sumatra in a few months from now. I am seriously tempted to go in that direction instead of Malaysia, but since I havent been to either, the one that needs no visa fee wins.
But, Samatra in the not too distant future I hope. Likely, the earthquake risk will go to the back of my mind when I have so much to distract me in a new place. 😊
And, I am going to stop talking about it now, to prevent me from spending the next 2 hours looking at maps and Lonely Planet books, trying to figure out a way to squash Sumatra into my trip and then later telling myself to unsquash it because doing too much makes trips less relaxing, and Sumatra will still be there for future trips anyway. :D
Reply to this My Wife and I were in Sumatra a couple of years ago... It's amazing and I'd go back now if I had the means...
Lake Toba is really chilled and beautiful, and as I'm a monkey nut, you get to see Orangutans up close in Bukit Lawang without the tourist hordes like in Sandakan, Borneo. Although don't get me wrong seeing them in Borneo was amazing too...
The threat of earthquakes wasn't in my mind at all, like Ed said what's the chance of being in the same place at the same time as one happening, more than in Europe but still pretty miniscule.
You're much more likely to be attacked by an Orangutan... just like I was, although to be fair, I should've run faster... 😄
I'm gutted we didn't get to Pulau Weh at the northern tip, I've heard nothing but good things about the place and that's right in the hot zone for earthquakes.
Safe travels Mell, put Sumatra at the top of your list for next time...
Mike
P.S. I know they're not really monkeys, Just thought I'd state that before someone pipes up that they're Great Apes not monkeys... 😊
Reply to this Safe travels Mell, put Sumatra at the top of your list for next time...
I think I might put it on my list of top places to go, since it is so recommended by 2 so far. So my list of highly recommended now has Syria and Sumatra on it. Syria is hopefully happening next spring, and maybe I will replace Cambodia with Sumatra for next Summer.
NOW I know why you went to Uruguay;-)
Yes, you read it in my blog... Thanks for your fan mail. 😊
You're much more likely to be attacked by an Orangutan...
Now, that is scary. I was bitten by a monkey in Thailand one year. The biting wasnt all that scary, but the 6 or was it 7 anti rabies shots that followed were. I never knew if the next doctor would have the gentle touch, or leave a 2 by 2 inch bruise on my arm. And every single time, I had to go to the hospital for those, I had to argue with the manager at work to give me time off. I used to have to tell her, that I will blame her if I get rabies and die, before she would agree that my going to the hospital again is more important than being at work. Shortly after all this, she was going to Phukett on her honeymoon, so I gave her my Lonely Planet of Thailand as a present and an apology for taking so much time off work.
Reply to this I was in Sumatra a few years ago - it should be at the top of your list. Pulau Weh in Aceh has some of the best, unspoilt coral in the world.
As to earthquakes, I lived through one last year - there was a 7.5 to the south of where I now live in Java. I remember thinking as the floor of the room where I was teaching English started moving around as if I was on a boat in heavy seas; "So, that's what an earthquake feels like".
Reply to this Already planning Sumatra for August/September 2011. Thanks for the recommends. 😊
But, does anyone know if the funeral rituals Sophie and Dale describe in the following blog are all over Indonesia in August? I dont want to encounter those. Far too gory for me!
Buffalo heads for a funeral bed.. Reply to this No those are only in the Tanau Toraja area of Sulawesi
Reply to this never been to Sumatra. If ever given the chance.. I would still go there
Reply to this Sumatra is really amazing, as has been written here already I suppose. Do go if you have the chance. Very few of the problems that are so typical of other, more touristy parts of Indonesia (constant hassle, rip-offs, traffic madness etc), just a beautiful island with intact and authentic culture. I spent some time in the northern parts, and would love to go back one day to explore the south. Don't miss Krakatau at the very southern end (well rather out in the ocean on the way to Java) - stunning!
Reply to this Sumatra is a great place. it's one the best places in the world.
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