Takengon

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Takengon is in the Gayo Highlands and is rightly famous for its coffee (i'm on my 3rd cup). 100,000 people and I was the only foreigner in town! I got more than my fair share of attention with "hello mister" everywhere I went. I actually didn't do much as I was exhausted from the previous journey and needed to catch up on internet stuff. One afternoon I walked part way round the lake and snapped these shots. Probably the most amazing thing was the fish dinner I had that night. I was invited to sit with a group of locals. They worked for Save the Children. I got all sorts of good tibits from them and then to top it off one of them paid for my meal! Most people in the west don't realize how hospitable the general Muslim populace is. Well that does it for this cowboy town, I'm off to the jungle!

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Comments

[Hery Firdaus]

Nice to met u
Cato.. How u doing? hope u fine and done extraordinary trip.. i just opened your blog and smiled while i was reading your story at that night.. I was surprised knowing you've been outgrew since 10 years ago..it's not short time, is it right? I have no bravery like you very inspired with what u done, and hope do the extraordinary activities in my life.. So..if you would like traveling again around Aceh and Medan, please do not hesitate confirming me and i would like trying be a good host for you haha :) c u Hery

[Bisara Tobing]

Hi Cato, How are you? I still remember the "ayam kremes (Javanese style fried chicken)" and "wedang jahe (traditional ginger ale)" that we enjoyed at Takengon. And then pak Herry Firdaus of Save the Children share 'jungle stuff' information with you. Did you go to Lake Toba and Bukit Lawang? You told us that you like orang-utan so much. Wish you all the best and come back to Indonesia again some times, warmest regard from Medan, Bisara L. Tobing