Fog over Lake Lut Tawar: Nature!

THE LIGHT of the sun rises yellowishly at the top of a hill in Takengon City, Central Aceh, Indonesia. Its warm rays offset the cool Takengon air. A perfect combination to enjoy the morning with a walk around the beauty of Lake Lut Tawar.

If you spend the night in several hotels in Takengon, the view of the hills that surround the lips of Lake Lut Tawar can be seen from any angle. Many photos show hilly landscapes with their reflections on the silvery surface of the lake in the sun.

The hills above reflecting on the surface of the lake look like two pairs of hills supporting each other. From a distance, the mist slightly obstructs the beauty of Lake Lut Tawar. It's bland, but from the other side, it makes it look more exotic, like a painting of nature behind a thin transparent curtain.

A morning walk around Lake Lut Tawar feels more different. In the midst of the cool weather, because it is located about 1,100 meters above sea level, smoke comes out of the mouth when speaking, as if you are in Europe in winter. The surrounding air also feels fresh and pollution-free.

In recent years, Lake Lut Tawar has grown as a tourist destination in Central Aceh. Its location which is not too far from Takengon City, only about 10 minutes drive, makes it always a traveler's choice. Besides being able to get around by boat, tourists can also get around by motorbike, although walking a certain distance is better for health.

With an area of about 5,472 hectares and a length of 17 kilometers, of course, it requires strong physical strength to get around without using a vehicle.

In fact, this is an opportunity for the Central Aceh Tourism Office to combine natural beauty with annual sports activities such as marathons to invite tourists as well as a promotional event. These sports activities can be synergized with other tour packages in Central Aceh which are very diverse, such as mountain climbing or white water rafting.

Every weekend, many visitors choose to stay on the shores of Lake Lut Tawar, a holiday package that is less of an option in the rainy season. Visitors can rent a tent on the edge of the lake at an affordable price. If there are also toilets and bathrooms that are more appropriate and clean, tourists will be more comfortable staying on the edge of the lake.

Lake Lut Tawar which is also inseparable from the various mythical stories that lie behind it has also become wealth for the people of Central Aceh.

With 37 species of fish, 49 species of insects, and 20 species of mammals in the vicinity, Lake Lut Tawar has the potential for biodiversity research that must be preserved. Decreased water discharge due to forest encroachment, pollution, and the cleanliness of the lake is homework that must be solved together.

The existence of Central Aceh and Bener Meriah as tourist destinations in Aceh is getting stronger with the growth of various class hotels there at affordable prices. With the support of scheduled land and air transportation facilities, access to and from Takengon is increasingly wide open.[]