Tanah Gayo, another term from Takengon in Central Aceh has a very beautiful nature. There is the blue sea of Tawar Lake, the expanse of green rice fields, to the swift, clean river. Tanah Gayo is a paradise for travelers especially for photography enthusiasts.
Like previous trips to Aceh, I always prepare photo hunting plans to areas that I think have the potential for natural beauty.
In the past I went to Banda Aceh, Lhokseumawe, and Sabang, which had the beauty of the coast and the underwater world, this time my heart was more interested in the mountains.
The first time I went to Central Aceh, at that time I was still in elementary school. Until a dozen years later I never went to the district that was famous for the coffee. It was only in this year that I was interested in returning to see the natural beauty of Gayo Land.
As a trip and photography, of course this trip is not just to enjoy the beauty of the famous Lake Laut Tawar, but also to capture it with a camera.
Sunday morning after the morning prayer, around 6 am, the journey to Takengon began. At first I planned to leave using a travel car. But because the family also wants to go on vacation, finally the trip is done by private car.
The distance from Lhokseumawe to Takengon which is the capital of Central Aceh district, is approximately 160 km, or about three and a half hours' journey without stopping. The two districts passed to reach Takengon are Aceh Jeumpa and Bener Meriah.
Before starting the trip, don't forget to fill the car fuel tank completely. Because after passing through Bireun City (the capital of Aceh Jeumpa district) there is no gas station that can be found except before arriving in the city of Takengon.
During the trip, there are actually many objects that can be perpetuated like the sun rises. But considering we have to chase time to arrive at Takengon as early as possible, so that the beautiful moment must be passed away.
In the middle of the trip, there is a tourist attraction that is quite famous in the Bener Meriah area called Wehni Kulus. This is a rock that is rocky with quite heavy water flow and certainly the water is very cold!
Entrance fees to this location are also very cheap, only Rp. 3,000 per visitor. Unfortunately, this tourist spot is poorly managed. Some huts to sit and relax are not maintained, and most of them can no longer be used.
But for photography enthusiasts, Wehni Kulus river flow will really arouse the desire to perpetuate it. After taking several photos, we continued the journey.
The hiking trail with a narrower road, somewhat hollow, and surrounded by a cliff must also be passed. The speed of the car will sometimes be slow because it must be behind the truck, and it is very difficult to get through because the road conditions are not possible.
During the trip, my eyes and neck began to feel sore because I looked left and right so I wouldn't miss it if there was a good view to capture. At first I thought that in the mountainous area there was only a coffee plantation.
A view that I had not imagined before was a stretch of terraced rice fields or commonly called terracing, in the area of Bener Meriah Regency. Green rice stalks really captivate the view.
Immediately I asked the car to stop. I was a little bit ludicrous because I had to pass through the rice fields, I had to do it to get the right angle for taking photos.
Entering Central Aceh Regency, there is a hill known as Enang-Enang. On the side of the road there are many small parks that are planted with various types of flowers of various colors.
Right below the wall of the cliff that is written Enang-Enang, the view of the hill is shaped like a row of camel humps on which overgrown with rows of pine trees, looks beautiful with the exposure to the morning sun.
A few kilometers from Enang-Enang, my gaze was fixed on the wall on the right side of the road with graffiti that read "Visit the Gayo Land". My mind immediately fantasized about objects that had been targeted since I was in Jakarta. "Takengon, I'm coming!"
Entering the city of Takengon, I immediately chose the road that surrounds Lake Laut Tawar. Understandably, the clock is already showing at 10:00, and the sun is less friendly. Feelings of relief appear instantly when the car has started walking on the edge of the lake.
The desire to remove the photo equipment that I brought became even greater. Since we were hungry, we finally took a break at the side of the road while enjoying the food brought from home.
The atmosphere presented is very comfortable. Sit on the grass with a view of the hill on the left side, and the blue water of the lake to the right of the road.
Most of the residents around the lake work as fishermen, horse breeders and fish in cages. So don't be surprised if around Lake Laut Tawar you will only find cages belonging to local residents.
While cafes or food stalls will be a little difficult to find. There are only a few locations around the lake that are available cafes and stalls, and that too is a bit far apart.
In some plots of rice that had just been harvested around the lake, a group of horses were enjoying their lunch. The horses are race horses that are kept by the population.
I had to sneak around to get closer and photograph the horses without making them afraid. I took several photos to capture the moment of the afternoon.
The plan is that I want to meet a friend who lives in Takengon to guide photo hunting. Unfortunately he was busy being the coordinator of the cycling program that day.
Fortunately, we accidentally managed to meet and he gave instructions on the location of interesting objects around the lake. The participants of the cycling event also held activities to clean the lakeside and plant trees.
Feeling enough with the information provided, we continue the trip around the lake. Laut Tawar Lake is quite extensive, the road as far as 57 km and most of the hilly area must be passed to surround it.
Do not be complacent especially until you fall asleep, because sometimes there are sights and beautiful moments that are different from other spot points. One of them is a brown stone hill covered with pine. This hill looks different from the surrounding hills that are overgrown with weeds.
A moment will take a picture, I see a fisherman pedaling a canoe near the hill. For me, the fisherman and his boat are "bonuses" that come suddenly. Do not want to lose this moment, the burst shot menu on the camera was used.
Actually, the Tanah Gayo area not only presents beautiful scenery for tourists who like the atmosphere of the mountains and also lovers of landscape photography. For fans of wildlife, human interest and macro photography, they can also hunt objects there.
Starting from buffalo, horses, birds, insects, various plants, until fishermen who are fishing or fishing are all there. After traveling around, finally the car arrived in the city center. But don't forget, it's time to buy Takengon souvenirs.
Because this area is famous for its plantations other than coffee, the most frequently purchased souvenirs are avocados. The price is quite cheap, IDR 3,000 per kilogram.
After shopping, we immediately continued the journey back to Lhokseumawe so that it wasn't too late at home, and that meant that my agenda for photo hunting this time was finished.
