Enjoying the Sunset View at the Lhokseumawe City Reservoir

One afternoon that took me by surprise, my husband invited me out to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of late afternoon as night fell in the city where he works. The place was a bit far from home, but this walk made the atmosphere feel different. It was warm, and of course, I’d never been there before On a late afternoon like this. Usually, We arrived in the morning at sunrise this is my favorite spot for jogging, and my we are had never visited it at dusk. Instead of a surprise, my husband treated me to an extraordinary view.

Right behind me, the sun began to set over the city’s expanse of water, surrounded by mangrove forests on all sides. This isn’t the open sea but a river channel that flows directly into the sea; we call it a kuala. I’m not sure what it’s called in your area, but the surrounding mangrove forest is home to a diverse community of animals thriving in a lush environment, and the government actively protects it. Yeah, my husband works in that field; he’s told me a lot about the forest.

The forest was intentionally planted by the government to prevent coastal erosion in the city’s coastal areas. Urban planning in the coastal areas has been excellent so far, especially around this reservoir. This reservoir actually serves as a floodwater retention area when the city floods; it captures the excess water flow, so this area rarely experiences flooding.

Over time, because this area is surrounded by beautiful, winding roads, many people have taken the opportunity to open small stalls around here.

On top of the rocky seawall, there are simple wooden benches. They’re certainly not permanent, but these small huts where vendors sell their wares in the afternoon have become very bustling. You could say this place has now turned into a new tourist spot and a hangout for city dwellers looking to unwind after a long day of work. In my opinion, the view here in the afternoon is much better for enjoying activities—and definitely for sampling the local cuisine.

Just look at how they sell a whole basket full of grilled corn. I didn’t order any because it had already gone cold; instead, I chose to order a coconut ice drink right by the beach—a fresh coconut drink is definitely the perfect choice. It really boosts your energy for the day’s activities.

In addition to the food, the sunsets, and sports, this place is a favorite fishing spot for locals. Yeah, there are plenty of fish here—they spend hours relaxing on the bridge while fishing. Yeah, they don’t do it just as a hobby; some rely on it for their daily needs, and some even fish from canoes in the reservoir area.

The call to prayer began to ring out; afternoon had given way to evening, and everything was changing—the sky was turning red as the sun had completely set. Yet the sky looked so beautiful; ahh, I didn’t want to go home. The atmosphere grew even more enchanting as lights began to come on everywhere, and the streets were already starting to empty out.

Here, indeed, as night falls like this, all activity comes to a halt, and people begin their prayers. Some people, including me, were still there; I felt reluctant to leave. But my husband started urging me to go home, saying it would get even darker. “Ugh, this is my favorite spot right now—I’ll be back,” a voice inside me said.

On the drive home, I was treated to a beautiful view along the river, where there were floating net pens. The fishermen were still busy feeding the fish, and some were still out on their boats. The atmosphere was so beautiful that I asked my husband to pull over so I could take a photo—it’s a moment worth capturing for me and all of you here.

That’s a brief overview of my experience visiting the reservoir in Lhokseumawe, which has now become a popular spot for afternoon outings and a gathering place for many people. It has become an icon for the local community, with many young people choosing this spot to enjoy coffee from the afternoon into the evening. The full address is Jl. Baru Pusong, Mon Geudong, Banda Sakti District, Lhokseumawe City, Aceh, or Keude Aceh Pusong, Lhokseumawe.

About The Author

_{A woman, firm and stubborn who is called "Nurul", born in July 1993, comes from Indonesia, Aceh province. My daily activity is work.}

_{Besides working, I have several hobbies, namely reading, writing, cooking, gardening, making crafts, and traveling. From this hobby of mine, I will develop some inspiring content for all of you. I am also very happy to discuss positive new things with all of you.}