Walking to Malahayati's fortress, the Benteng Inong Balee...

Continued from Deja vu at the hillside facing the bay of Lamuri ...

From the hillside where lies the tomb of Laksamana Keumala Hayati or Malahayati we stopped at the mosque at the foot of the hill. Then we went to look for the actual Malahayati fortress which is situated about 3 km further east...

Actually the driver has been there once. So he knows where it is although he vaguely remembers the location and entrance. As for me, I first thought it was at the hill-slopes near the tomb. I guess God wanted it that way, underwise I wouldn't have discovered the path and clearing which gave me a long deja vu as mentioned in the article Deja vu at the hillside facing the bay of Lamuri .

What made me realise the matter was when we returned to the car after the visit to Malahayati's tomb. Actually I've brought along a travel pamphlet I got on Monday when visiting the monument called Gunongan in Banda Aceh. The pamphlet which was left in the car shows Malahayati's fortress better known as Benteng Inong Balee looking very different from anything I've seen on the hill-slopes. Besides it also shows the prominent cement store at Pelabuhan Malahayati as being on the left as one heads towards the fortress meaning it is indeed some place east of the slopes, just like could be seen in the above picture...

So the driver vaguely remembered the location. Luckily we found this signboard saying "Benteng Inong Balee" which indicates we were on the right-track. Thank God it was still readable to a certain extent.


A nice clear view of the Lamuri bay as we pressed on further...

However at this juncture we decided to leave the car. The path did not look so smooth from herein and we sure don't want to spoil the Hyundai which was bought only about a month earlier...

So we started walking...

It seems we have to walk quite a distance. Thank God the superb views help to make it easier...

At some parts the road looks smooth enough for any car. But still there are parts with cracks in-between. If only we have brought a 4WD. Then again maybe we need the exercise...

This is among the times which I feel glad having a wife like I have now. Imagine, she was 6 months pregnant yet still have the strength and spirit to keep going on!

At last Malahayati fortress @ Benteng Inong Balee is in view...

First, a pose to make my wife happy...

And there... can you see the walls facing the waters? That is part of the fortress we're talking about. I'll put more pictures in the blogspot SENI LAMA MELAYU (MALAY OLDEN ART) ...