5th day: when endurance tested? On this day, we already marked 2,000 kilometers from Jakarta and about 700 additional kilometers to go to our destination. So stamina was definitely no longer at the peak and this day, the 5th day, was one of the longest trip between Sibolga in North Sumatera and Meulaboh in Aceh province.
In less than 3 hours from Sibolga we entered borders of Aceh where policeman in a uniform barricade the street and ask visitors to take covid19 antigen test. The tests were free of charge and professionally executed. We even got a letter of the result. Thank God none of us was positive so we continued hit the road.
Entering Aceh from Singkil was fabulous. In no time, we were greeted by the green of palm plantations, smooth tarmac and blue skies. Oh yes we love Aceh! We stopped at Sabusalam for a mie kepiting lunch (pretty cheap price for some tasty meals), enjoyed Aceh coffee and took Dzuhur and Ashar prayers there.
Unlike what we imagined before, this very long leg was far from being a tiring one. We really enjoyed it. The streets was very fun to ride on. Even when we hit the pitch dark plantations street at night, we really enjoyed the turns (it was between 8 to 9 pm). So the nightmare did not materialize 😁😁
Entering Meulaboh, a city by the sea in the west part of Aceh, thunderstorms welcomed us just about 5 minutes before we reached the hotel. I guess it was more like a welcoming gesture from the nature to celebrate our final leg tomorrow. THANK YOU, we're humbled.
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At the end of May 2021, me and 2 other colleagues went on a motorbike tour from Serpong to KM 0 on Weh Island. From several available route options, we took the west coast route of the island of Sumatra. On this trip we stopped at Krui, Bengkulu, Padang, Sibolga, Meulaboh, Pulau Weh and then ended the trip in Banda Aceh.
The condition of the road along the coast that we passed was practically very smooth. The best route we remember is from Krui to the Bengkulu border, Padang City to the North Sumatra border, Singkil-Meulaboh and Calang-Banda Aceh. We only remember a few damaged roads, namely between Bengkulu to Muko-Muko and the South Tapanuli area.
Thank God we were given health and safety until we returned home.
Here is our itenary for your reference:
Day 1: Jakarta, Merak, Bandar Lampung, Krui = 470 kilometers + 1 ferry trip
Day 2: Krui, Elderly Bridge, Bengkulu Border, Bengkulu = 327 kilometers
Day 3: Bengkulu, Muko-Muko, Lunang, Padang = 536 kilometers
Day 4: Padang, Pariaman, South Tapanuli, Padang Sidempuan, Sibolga = 479 kilometers
Day 5: Sibolga, Aceh Singkil, Babussalam, Meulaboh = 542 kilometers
Day 6: Meulaboh, Calang, Lhoknga, Banda Aceh, Km 0 (Weh Island), Sabang = 260 kilometers
Day 7: Sabang, Banda Aceh then loading the motorbike
Day 8: Fly back Jakarta
Expenses (in thousands of rupiah):
1. Fill gasoline 80-90 liters = 1,000
2. Lunch and dinner = 1,200
3. Towing motorbikes from Banda Aceh to Jakarta = 4,500. services using Sultan Towing Medan phone number 08116580828
4. Accommodation = 2,200 (in the first 3 nights we didn't share a room. In the last 4 nights we ended up sharing a room for some reason).
5. Plane from Aceh to Jakarta = 1,900 (with Garuda)
6. Ferry = 270
Equipment I bring:
1. Royal Enfield Himalayan 411cc
2. Panniers right and left by Royal Enfield
3. Video shot on Gopro Hero 8 black and Samsung Note 20
4. Phone holder by Baseus
5. Helmet by AGV K3 SV
6. Riding jacket by Eiger Equatoride
7. Riding pants by Eiger Equatoride
8. Inner baselayer top down by Tiento
9. Gloves by Respiro & Riders and Rules
It was definitely one of the most enjoyable group riding I've experienced.
Sumatra with its long coastline is extraordinary.
17 окт 2024
