My weekends in Meulaboh are fairly predictable. They usually include at least one meal at Café Mulia Hati, the beach, visiting with friends, a DVD, and catching up on emails. Yet last weekend I felt adventurous and decided to explore life beyond the town limits. I heard rumors about a good swimming river in Nagan Raya and after only minor convincing, it became the Sunday destination of a small group of Meulabohites.
It was a beautiful drive toward the mountains and our anticipation grew as the roads became windier. Pulling up to the bridge and descending down the steep hill, we quickly realized that a few hundred other people had the same Sunday destination in mind. Motorcycles and scores of children lined the rocky banks and the narrow shade under the bridge was packed with picnickers.
As we scanned the river bank for an available spot of shade we noticed a patch of grass and a few trees on the other side. We strapped on our backpacks and began to slowly wade across.
Although the river didn’t appear to be moving swiftly from the shore, the force of the water was deceiving, nearly knocking me over on several occasions. With my cooler in had, I had visions of Oreo Cookies and cans of Pocari Sweat floating downstream as I worked to balance myself. But after persevering, our group managed to reach the other side, wet from our waists down, and grateful that none of us ended up crawling ashore.
Our shaded patch of grass was actually quite pleasant—we found the riverside tranquility we were hoping for! We laid out our blankets, opened our cooler, enjoyed the scenery (and some dry Oreos) for about 30 minutes before the dark clouds moved in and the rain drops began falling. We watched the motorcycles drive away, but we remained put, unwilling to give up our hard earned patch of grass. But as the drops became heavier, we were, once again, in water up to our waists, wading slowly back across the river.
For my husband, however, the trip to the river was not complete without participating in the cliff jumping the locals seemed to be enjoying. He persuaded a teenager to show him the way. The young man scurried up the path and did a perfect swan dive into the river 3 meters below. My husband, not quite as gracefully, scrambled up to the launching spot, and then began sliding down the muddy path towards the water. He managed to flail himself into the river, feet first, just before slipping over the edge. But he emerged from the water with a smile and we cheered for him from inside our dry car.
Driving away we noted that the river may not be the idyllic Meulaboh getaway, but the drive was pleasant, the water was refreshing and it was an adventure. Plus, now we know where most of Nagan Raya goes on Sundays. Would we recommend it to friends in Meulaboh? It doesn’t compare with the beauty of the beaches, but if you’re looking for a little excursion and don’t mind sharing the river with a few hundred other day-trippers, it may be worth checking out. Perhaps Provash, one of Meulaboh’s newest expats, sums it up best, “It’s a decent little place.”
Directions to the Krueng Isep River (Buetung Sub-district, Nagan Raya): Driving towards the airport, turn left at Langkak. Continue on to Simpang Peut, where the road turns to the right for Blang Pidie, but instead of turning right, continue traveling straight. At the Jeuram Market, the main road curves to the right and you will continue to follow it until the Beutung Market where you’ll turn left. The paved road starts a gentle, winding climb into the foothills and you will arrive at the river shortly—you can’t miss it. Total driving time is approximately 90 minutes from Meulaboh.
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