This morning we arranged a becak (tuk tuk) to take us to visit another tsunami monument, 'Boat in the House'.
We arrived at the house and both stood stunned, looking at a huge fishing boat embedded in the 1st floor. This boat helped save the lives of 56 people who were able to climb aboard. There was a photo gallery inside the disused house with images that could never be shown in the UK. It was upsetting to see but a harsh reminder of how fragile we as humans are.
The becak driver kindly waited whilst we quickly grabbed lunch, before whisking us off to Uleelheu Port to catch the slow ferry to Pulau Weh. On the way we passed the tsunami mass grave, now a pleasant looking garden area. The army were training on the nearby river in small inflatable boats. The air rang with the sound of gunfire from their blanks.
When we arrived at the port the ferry was cancelled due to strong winds. There were bus loads of children who seemed to be on a sports trip being turned away too. We caught a becak back to the hotel we had checked out of about an hour ago. Full! Luckily, the hotel next door had a room. It was a little more expensive but certainly a step up with a TV, wifi and hot water for drinks.
We met a German lady in the hotel reception who asked us if we could recommend a restaurant. No problem. We explained about the restaurant we had been to which served prawns on every meal we've tried. We set her the challenge of ordering a meal that definitely does not come with prawns. She accepted the challenge and ordered vegetarian noodles. We actually think that should be classed as cheating or maybe just a smart move ... but the meal came with prawns anyway. We laughed!
We chose to eat at a street stall that had just set up and had something a little different. Bebe (we think) which was a delicious curry. There is however something we are uncertain of. We thought Bebe was associated pork but in a strict Muslim city? Maybe it was beef, it certainly looked like dark chunks of meat. However, Darryl was unsure of what part of the cow contained the tiny ribcage that he found. Or was it a boiled rat! Thankfully, we have since found out it may have been goose!
We finished the last mouthful as the heavens opened and a ferocious storm ripped through the city. The cake shop offered shelter and we just had to purchased an almond muffin. We waited and waited but the rain never eased. Another cake? We resisted and made a run for it back to the hotel. National Geographic entertained us whilst the weather raged outside.
We arrived at the house and both stood stunned, looking at a huge fishing boat embedded in the 1st floor. This boat helped save the lives of 56 people who were able to climb aboard. There was a photo gallery inside the disused house with images that could never be shown in the UK. It was upsetting to see but a harsh reminder of how fragile we as humans are.
The becak driver kindly waited whilst we quickly grabbed lunch, before whisking us off to Uleelheu Port to catch the slow ferry to Pulau Weh. On the way we passed the tsunami mass grave, now a pleasant looking garden area. The army were training on the nearby river in small inflatable boats. The air rang with the sound of gunfire from their blanks.
When we arrived at the port the ferry was cancelled due to strong winds. There were bus loads of children who seemed to be on a sports trip being turned away too. We caught a becak back to the hotel we had checked out of about an hour ago. Full! Luckily, the hotel next door had a room. It was a little more expensive but certainly a step up with a TV, wifi and hot water for drinks.
We met a German lady in the hotel reception who asked us if we could recommend a restaurant. No problem. We explained about the restaurant we had been to which served prawns on every meal we've tried. We set her the challenge of ordering a meal that definitely does not come with prawns. She accepted the challenge and ordered vegetarian noodles. We actually think that should be classed as cheating or maybe just a smart move ... but the meal came with prawns anyway. We laughed!
We chose to eat at a street stall that had just set up and had something a little different. Bebe (we think) which was a delicious curry. There is however something we are uncertain of. We thought Bebe was associated pork but in a strict Muslim city? Maybe it was beef, it certainly looked like dark chunks of meat. However, Darryl was unsure of what part of the cow contained the tiny ribcage that he found. Or was it a boiled rat! Thankfully, we have since found out it may have been goose!
We finished the last mouthful as the heavens opened and a ferocious storm ripped through the city. The cake shop offered shelter and we just had to purchased an almond muffin. We waited and waited but the rain never eased. Another cake? We resisted and made a run for it back to the hotel. National Geographic entertained us whilst the weather raged outside.
