I traveled from Lhokseumwe to Banda Aceh yesterday, Saturday, March 18, 2023. It rained the entire trip, and after covering 150 kilometers in 3.30 hours, I arrived at a stretch of rice fields on either side of the road. I stopped there because the rain let up.
I parked the vehicle on the side of the road, there are no signs prohibiting parking. It is this Medan-Banda Aceh road that divides the rice fields, a former railroad line built by the Dutch East Indies government at the end of the 19th century. That place is the Blang Malu (in the local language), the English translation is Shame Rice Fields (maybe funny 馃槉),Mutiara Subdistrict, Pidie Regency, Aceh.
The view after yesterday afternoon's rain caught my attention and forced me to capture the moment which I thought was very beautiful. The expanse of paddy fields, yellow rice plants, and the mist that blankets the countryside opposite add to the charm of the rural scenery.
Some moments of road users on two wheels are also worth capturing. I shot using the panning photography technique. Especially for the following pics, I tried to make a description for each image. It must be understood, the explanation is not correct, and I am attempting to comment on what I observe in terms of style, conduct, and local culture. I'm familiar with the area because it's the district where I was born and raised until I was a teenager.
Concentrate on the cyclist, a middle-aged man returning home from collecting used plastic bottles placed in the front basket. He'll sell it once accumulated in large quantities. I experienced something similar when I was in elementary school.
A farmer came home carrying two sacks of paddy he had harvested.
A young husband and wife are carrying home three sacks of compost. You can see the smile of his wife, who is so happy. Maybe the fertilizer is for his wife's flower plants 馃槏.
A woman carries a middle-aged woman, presumably her mother, sitting sideways (the traditional way of sitting behind a two-wheeled vehicle for women). They took home some of the mineral water and other things in boxes that had been opened. One pillow and mat indicated he had just returned from someone who was hospitalized.
The three of them were still wearing their thin plastic raincoats. The little family had just returned from a short trip, presumably from the city of Sigli.
I admired the mother, driving with her daughter in her arms. I believe she is an independent woman with her own income. The motorbike he rode was classified as top-class. He came home from his independent work activities.
Why is the narrative they all go home? Because it will be evening. Activities there will be quiet when the moment changes from day to night.
After taking pictures, I continued another 135 kilometers toward Banda Aceh. And thank God I arrived safely at my destination.
Thank You
by Irfan M Nur (
Pictures taken with: Sony Alpha 7 III camera + Sony FE 50mm F1.8 lens + Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM + E-Mount Metabones adapter.
