A warm welcome in Sabang, Indonesia

This morning we smelled smoke before we even pulled back the curtain. We were docking in Sabang, Indonesia. It very much reminded of our time spent in Indonesia back in 2011-12 when we woke every morning to the smell of burning trash.

Sabang was not on our original itinerary but some changes were necessary due to political unrest in Myanmar. We docked before breakfast and had to be back on the ship by 3:30 so we literally didn’t even spend a full day here! But the locals were excited to see a cruise ship and greeted us warmly. I'm guessing they don't see cruise ships very often so many residents turned out to greet us. They had made 2 large signs welcoming the Insignia and even had local dignitaries on the dock to greet our ship upon its arrival. In fact, people were coming out by land and in boats just to take pictures of the ship or to have their picture made with the ship in the background.

 

view coming into port - smoke from burning trash

 

a fisherman taking photos of ship with his phone

 

locals coming out to greet the Insignia

 

Welcome Insignia Passengers

 

locals pose with ship in background

taking photos with Insignia in background

Sabang is a city in the Aceh province, Iindonesia consisting of Weh Island and several smaller islands off the northern tip of Sumatra. It covers an area of 47 square miles. It has a population of 43,208, by far the smallest population of any city in Indonesia.

The people of Indonesia, unlike some places we’ve visited, are just so very friendly! You might recall that we had to be very sensitive to people along the west coast of Africa because they really did not want to have their pictures taken. Quite the opposite is true in Indonesia. Indonesians (mainly women and children) walk right up and ask us to take pictures of their children or themselves, or ask if we will let them take their pictures with us! They may even run up and snap a selfie with you! 

Even children came up to us, asking where we are from and posing for a photo. One little boy came up to me and shook my hand. The mothers act very pleased when we take photos of their children and they seem to enjoy having their own picture taken as well. Needless to say, they made us feel very welcome!

 

a cute threesome in school uniforms

darling siblings

they wanted their picture with Ronnie

 

a couple of cuties

her mom wanted me to take her picture

We, along with another couple and a single guy negotiated a price with a driver to take us to several locations on the island. He was very nice but we forgot to ask if he understood English (he didn’t). Thankfully his car was air conditioned, but it was super hot any time we were outside the car. He took us up to see the Kilometer Zero Indonesia Monument which was on the opposite side of the island. The monument, a popular tourist spot, marks the northernmost and westernmost points of Indonesia. Vendors lined the road selling mostly clothing, knick knacks and food items. 

 

Kilometer Zero Indonesia Monument

souvenir market

clothes for sale at monument

frying bananas

what's cooking?

using stone to grind peanuts

she asked for a photo together

The two lane road that circles the island was narrow with lots of ups and downs. Only once did our driver have to split the difference between an approaching scooter coming toward us (in our lane) and a car coming toward us in the other lane. Driving in Indonesia takes some real skill! He also allowed us a few other photo stops including a scenic overlook of the Andaman Sea and beach below.

 

Ronnie swinging at Andaman Sea overlook

overlook - Sabang, Indonesia

overlook point

 

these girls happily allowed me to take their photo as they ate lunch

 

Back at the port, the city had set up a big tent in the port where locals were selling food and handmade crafts of all kinds. As hot as we were, the women must have been hotter still because of the coverings they wear, including their head and neck. I would have enjoyed hanging around longer but it was hot and we were ready to get back to our “home away from home” for showers and lunch.

 

hats and baskets from palm leaves

daughters selling their dad's postcards

these girls told me that they are nurses

a "side ride" on his scooter

fresh coconuts for sale

 

shy girl with her Mama