This is not the last episode of My unforgettable journey in Samarkilang, Bener Meriah, Aceh, Indonesia. If you haven't read the 1 and 2, feel free to take a minute to read or see the picture and it would be nice if you watch the video, I posted there too 🥰. By the way I have already got permission from the organization to share this story and the videos. The Director told me that this is part of my contribution to Katahati institute too.

Back to the village, Hubby and I were taking our time to go to the suspension bridge in the morning. The big river is not to clear after the rainy in the last two days. This river also known as Krueng Kala Meriah (Kala Meriah River) at the other part of the sub-district.Ppeople came to enjoy the river tourism activities, usually during the school vacation or Eid's vacation. The Special adventure you can enjoy there is called River Bamboo Rafting.

The Director's Husband who also a journalist for mongabay, Junaidi Hanafiah told me that he has had follow an adventure down the river a few years ago to collect some information for the news he needs to report on. it was about the Hydroelectric Power Plant which will be built in Samarkilang (it taken 2 days and 1 night rafting in the river along 60 KM).

_{this picture was taken from under the bridge towards the west side of the river}

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After spending an hour walking around and across the bridge (that's my mission 😆) we head back to the village to get ready for the Business Center Launching ceremony as the highlight of the journey.

_{we're ready to welcome the guests, they're coming from the other sub-districts and neighborhood district, Central Aceh. this field lies across the street we live in.}

_{taking pictures with the amazing women involved in the project, those flowers will be using for the opening ceremonial. we called the process as "peusijuk" or "tepung tawar", it's a traditional way to bless the important person who has authority to protect and support the community. I forgot to bring my red clothes.}

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We were actually waiting for the representative of the Canadian Embassy from Jakarta to join us. Until that morning, Raihal failed to get their respond, because unexpected occasions on their side. While the villagers were so eager to meet the foreigner who funded the project. The second leader of the village finally made a "hilarious" decision which also icing the cake of the ceremony so it can be conducted successfully.

Many of the guests and the villagers don't have a clue who my husband is. So, the second leader told them that he's a Canadian or "orang Kanada" 😂 Hive account@dipoabasch was asked to act like a foreigner, can't speak Bahasa and must wear a special hat for the honor guest. so, the children and women had surrounded him to take the pictures with.

_{this Orang Kanada aka Canadian was so involved in his acting, he didn't speak, he stood next to Raihal, following the lead of the second leader of the village willingly and of course it's a free service 😆alright, he got the look!!}

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I did my job as the MC, and we wrap up the event before midday and enjoy our lunch time together with the honor guests. All foods prepared and served by the women of the village. Everyone was happy that this important milestone was done successfully. The Women's group produces two products, Yam based and Sugar Palm's based.

_{I was too busy with my job as the MC and I don't have time to snaps some pictures of the event and the commercial stands where many other communities based micro business also joined the event. The picture above are the end products of the project in Samarkilang as my "payment" of the day 😁no, it's souvenir!!}

According to the latest information I heard that day, almost all products were sold out. I have no chance to buy a few more organic liquid palm sugars or the sachet one. It's been 2 years after the project completed in Samarkilang. The women's group still producing the yam-based product also the palm sugar. Katahati Institute through their initiative called Katahati Enterprise manage the marketing of the products.

This story end here and I'll post the last episode that will wrap up the full story of the journey to Samarkilang I took in January 2022. The last picture is the thing related to the next post.

_{the king of fruit, Durian. My favorite's fruit in the world}

Thanks for stopping by and the support all this time! Have a wonderful life and enjoy the day