And so we went to the tomb of Laksamana Malahayati. From the tomb I saw this slope behind which seemed to 'invite' me to explore...
So I went up. Saw these stones (or was it heaps of stones) which looks like it has been arranged by human hands for certain purpose. Is this part of the famed Benteng or fortress of Malahayati? At the time I did not realise that the fortress was still some 2.5 km away...
Nevertheless, it was the desire to look for the Malahayati fortress that made me explore further. Then, I still thought the fortress should be somewhere near these parts. Here's a look at the tomb of Malahayati (the whites under shades) as I continued to climb...
A look towards the sea shows a valley flanked by the tomb area and another protruding part of the hill...
Then's when I saw this path. Immediately I had a deja vu... as if I've been here before sometime ago although this is the first time I've ever arrived at these parts of the world!
I followed the path to get the other side. As I passed the valley between the tomb area and another flanking hill-part I looked beyond towards the cement building which first 'alerted' me about the connection I would get here. Look again at what was said in The number 191, a clue to something special about Lamuri...
The path soon leads to an opening...
... an opening which leads on to an area like a platform, a verandah even facing the sea...
All the way I could still feel the deja vu strong. Yes, I not only get a feeling I've been here before since I first saw the path mentioned a few pictures above. In fact I began to remember the views at every step I took as something I have seen from some sort of 'past' experience!
Never mind, I'm used to having such deja vus. In fact I've had those that continously lasted almost an hour! Still, normally my deja vus are short which I get quite often. So far in Aceh the longer ones (those of 5 minutes and above) happened only once if I recall correctly and that was at a certain place which I've shown in the last picture in the article From Pidie on to Bireuen . The one at this hill exceeded that!
Whatever, the views here are superb. Here's one with the cement store again. You could also see the eastern tip of the Lamuri bay which I learned later is where the Benteng or fortress of Malahayati is actually situated at...
This is the view straight on into the sea, north-wards that is. Seen also is what looks like a path downhill, a path I would have explored if I did have plenty of time then...
A view north-west of which the west-tip of the bay should be in view. Seen also (in the horizon) is the island of Wei if I recall correctly which lies off the coast near Banda Aceh.
A west-ward view. Somehow this whole area has a certain 'Mediterranean' feel to it. The climate, growth in fact the views itself are similar to the ones I've seen as I took the coastal route from Genoa, Italy to get to Nice in France. Then again that was almost 15 years ago. Click the links to the European travel stories at the top-right hand of this blogspot especially Trip to Europe 1995... Gangsters of Genoa... .
There. The areas to the top of the hill from where I was standing also looks like the hills I remembered at Mediterranean Europe! If only I have more time to explore... for I have a feeling that there used to be an ancient palace around these areas.
Soon I have to return to the tomb. I haven't finished paying respect and my wife was waiting. Besides we still have to go to the actual Malahayati fortress. To be continued...
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