Let's Hear the Sounds of Nature in Rayap Waterfall
Aceh Utara Regency in Indonesia has a lot of potential for natural, religious, and historical tourism, either well-managed or untouched at all.
There is the tomb of Sultan Malikussaleh, who is known as the founder of the Islamic Kingdom of Samudra Pasai, which is located in Desa (village) Beuringen, Samudra District. There is also the Sultanah Nahrisyah’s tomb complex and the magnificent Malikussaleh museum. Although there are local tourists and occasional foreign tourists visiting, these tourist destinations have not been handled professionally.
For nature tourism, there is a Seven Angel waterfall in the interior of Geureudong Pase which can only be accessed on foot for about four hours through difficult terrain. There is also Blang Kulam waterfall which was once a favorite place for residents for weekends, and now Saweuk and Termap waterfalls, both in Kuta Makmur District, which are now the choices for residents to enjoy natural beauty, even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rayap Waterfall is located in Desa Panton Rayeuk I, Kuta Makmur District, North Aceh. This location can be reached by traveling 20.6 kilometers from Kota (city) Lhokseumawe via Jalan Buloh. For those who have never been there, it may be difficult because there are no signs along the way.
However, using Google Map will be very helpful. Residents met along the way will also be happy to show directions. It is typical in Indonesia to find an address.
The Rayap waterfall is now managed by local residents. Visitors are charged an entrance fee of IDR 5,000. This fee includes parking for motorbikes, and to car is different charge. After parking the vehicle at the designated place, visitors walk down the unpaved road with a high slope. In the midst of hot weather, walking to the Termite waterfall about 500 meters, is quite tiring.
But don't rush to get disappointed. A few meters away, travellers will hear the roar of water, the chirping of birds, and the sounds of other natural animals. So, don't take your steps too quickly. Better to enjoy everything along the way.
There are some visitors who choose to drop off their vehicles, including cars. However, the manager does not recommend it because the road leading to it is steep and slippery, besides there are several logs on the road that can threaten safety.
Rayap waterfall is not high, it is not even very suitable to be called a waterfall because there is only one point whose contour makes the water fall abundantly down, causing a beautiful roar. In Rayap, there are large stones that are used as a place to take pictures and people rest after getting tired of swimming or crossing river currents.
However, you must be careful when swimming in the river channel of the Termite waterfall. The water in that location has a depth of up to 8 meters. There are no warning signs to tourists that the water there is 8 meters deep. People who cannot swim may be tempted to try the fresh water there and may be in danger.
When I visited there, at that location a group of young people jumped from the top of a tree into the river, worthy of jumper. One or two youths felt the need to climb onto a higher tree branch to feel the incredible sensation of floating in the air and falling into the river.
Their bodies sink under the current of water and a few moments later reappear to the surface. I looked at him in amazement and horror at not being able to do that. The tree branches they use as footing are so small that they risk breaking and they fall to the ground, not into the river channel.
The on-site snack centers also need to be made cleaner, tidier and more beautiful. Local residents set up food stalls carelessly, with tent roofs that look more like they are in refugee camps than tourist destinations.
Additional homework for the government of Kabupaten Aceh Utara. []
