First stop was unexpected religious

Northern Shipyard

Slowly recovering from disastrous treatment of Northern Shipyard in Langkawi we arrived at island We in Indonesia with more problems that we began the sailing and luckily enough gear box fall off completely from the engine exactly at the moment when we have been setting the boat on mooring. It seems that consequences from that morose experience we had in Northern Shipyard will follow us long after we will forget the name of the shipyard.

     While the boat underwent maintenance I embarked to explore so controversial surrounding of region of northern Sumatra.

Aceh, Indonesia

[1]

Waking up the first time in the morning at island We, after two 2 days and 2 nights in sea, I was struck by splendid and quaint environment of clear turquoise water and surrounded of rain forest jungle on the slopes of the mountains and the moment couldn't be more quintessential but I wake up not after having peaceful deep sleep rather by sirene and outcry of countless mosques calling for pray. Never would come in my mind something more islamic conservative then my past visiting in Eastern Malaysia as Kelantan or Terrenganu but most astonishing discovering were yet to be uncovered amid religious enclave in province Aceh which is the only one region in Indonesia that officially practicing sharia laws[1]. From absence of cinemas and muslim police that conducting hijab raids or other survey to detect deviation from islam religion to public caning for drinking alcohol or having sexual intercourse before marriage has made this place utterly hostile not only for liberal western tourists but also for modest or secular muslims Indonesians it self which live outside Aceh region.

Scarred by destructive tsunami in 2004 in the the main and biggest city in the region Banda Aceh, it left hundred thousand of deaths behind with devastated to ground, towns and villages. Though despite catastrophic impact of the nature it also brought to discussion table government of Indonesia with local rebel armed group Free Aceh Movement which resulted in a peace deal after almost 30 years of insurgence[2].

     

[2]

Atmosphere in the city of Banda Aceh doesn't seem extremely dramatic, spending some two days with a local person just in case not to get in trouble, I was repeatably told how coarse the law enforcement operate even if it doesn't appear from outside. From time to time when notorious muslim police were hastened and vigilent circling around us monitoring any alternation from normal behavior or outfit could be felt provoking and militant to such extent that I became instinctively alert the next time I could spot them. Hospitality never come to be expected in general from the ruling regional theocracy if you are foreigner and especial if you are not muslim luckily not everyone are keen to support or obey outdated religious books which helpfully will show around and explain from inside the life in the religious deluded reservat. Talking with other locals one could be horrified yet fascinated by their honesty and indulgence to explain me how fair and legitime is ISIS or Boko Haram groups are, indignat and profound expressing animosity towards other religious not nationalities or countries but religious particularly Jews. Unabashed platonic hatred and love relationship is apparently ongoing since the HaShem created earth and Jews and Alah created the same earth but with muslims and now both religions are striving to find out which god created first the earth. 

Seawolf boat

After another week of heroic achievement to repair broken parts and systems on the boat we are ready to get the wind in sail and cross between the Bay of Bengal and Indian ocean towards Sri Lanka. First real challenge and mission to sail during 7-9 days which will test the boundary of compatibility of unelected crew.

Sabang, Indonesia 25 | February , 2020

Source

1. "Policing Morality Abuses in the Application of Sharia in Aceh, Indonesia". Human Rights Watch. 2010. pp. 13–17. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Aceh_Movement - Free Aceh Movement

Pictures and photos

1.  Ion Storland, 18 February, 2020, Mosque, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
2.  Ion Storland, 18 February, 2020, Muslim police, Banda Aceh, Indonesia