Conquering Rondo Island, Sabang - Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam

ISLAND Rondo is one of the outer islands on the western end of the archipelago. Island 42 hectares (Ha) is located in the administrative area of ​​the District Sukakarya Kota Sabang.

Four other islands of Pulau Weh, Rubiah, Seulako and Klah Island. Weh Island is the only one of the outer islands in the western end of Indonesia are inhabited.

Rondo Island itself is about 15 miles northwest of Kota Sabang (Pulau Weh) and adjacent to the Nicobar Islands, India.The island became the last point of Indonesia's territorial land directly adjacent to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In this place put tens TNI members to keep every inch of the motherland as a fixed price.

Journalist Porch Indonesia, Lush Dani opportunity to set foot on the island in late May 2015 Rondo ago.He along with seven other members of the media joined the entourage of the Armed Forces Commander, Gen. Dr. Moeldoko and Muspika Sabang Teuku Umar.Monumen inaugurated the monument featuring the figure of national hero origin into Aceh as a symbol of 'safeguarding' the territory of the Republic of Indonesia.

The trip starts with a fast boat menggunanakan an army through the port of Ulee Lheu, Banda Aceh. The cruise takes 2 hours before finally docked Pulo Rondo.Not an easy sail to the outer islands because that's where the meeting Malacca Strait to the Indian Ocean. The waves rolled up to a height of 3 meters and the start of a real adventure.

"Rondo Island has no beach so near the mainland, we alighted from the boat ride to the lifeboat. From there it moves to the drum are tied and pulled by the military from the mainland, "said Subur Dani started the story.He entourage finally set foot on the island of Rondo, the island that resembles a shell with rock structures and rocks. Rondo Island name itself is taken from the Java language that is meaningful Widow Island.

The delegation was welcomed by the 500 stairs that will lead them to the top of the mainland. Not easy to climb the stairs are steep and winding. Moreover, concrete steps that reach hundreds and even made the trip feel heavy.

In every corner of stairs are the words such as 'Jump 150 risers, reinforced knees young boy' or text reads 'Paradise Island Rondo 100 stairs again'.

They are all hand nicks TNI 'host' the guard Rondo Island. Subur not dismiss that field Rondo Island making body experience 'shock therapy', the island is only suitable for military personnel who had been trained. At the top of Rondo Island there are 4 houses each measuring 4 x 5 meter inhabited by the navigator. One house is empty and reserved for guests who berkunjung.Selain there is also the military camp and helipad. A beacon tower with a height of 20 meters and is divided into 8 blocks stood proudly atop Rondo Island

The tower became traffict ligt for ships sailing in the EEZ. Descending from the summit of the mainland, there is a monument of zero kilometer into Indonesian territorial boundaries land. But for an overnight Fertile, as he is familiarly called prefers to sleep on the porch wearing sleeping bag. The consideration given the heat that covered the island Rondo and safe from winding snake kerab visited.

Had long python snake types become friends for dozens of members of the security forces at the site of the outer islands. Substitution forces usually done every 3-9 months which consists of 24 marines and 10 rider.

"The troops were on duty had received a message from the army earlier in order not to disturb the snakes. Usually when we see many rats around us it was a sign around there is a snake, "said Lush.Rondo Island is like 'dead island'. Those who dwell in it to wrestle with how to survive with a friend with the nature that surrounded him.

The biggest problem is the lack of clean water and should be supplied from Pulau Weh, Sabang. If the supply does not come every month as scheduled, then the forces on the borders of the rainwater. Water limitations force them to use it wisely so that only intended only for drinking and ablutions.As for bathing and washing had to descend 500 steps to the sea. You can imagine the sea water after a bath, the body will be sweating up the 500 stairs back to headquarters.

"Unforgettable experience is when all BAB and shower only had to go to sea. Eating rice in banana leaves lime milk and buy a pack of cigarettes for Rp 50,000 each navigator, "Fertile story with a chuckle.This group spent 3 days and 4 nights at Pulau Rondo. It was a long time unforgettable once in a horror-horror terpencil.Perasaan island savory accompaniment to the group went home. When the Chairman of MAA Kota Sabang who will ascend into the vessel using a drum on the ground, instead plunged into the sea.

Since the command ship loaded with goods, Lush and comrades was transferred to the vessel Antares. For reasons of balance anyway, the boat that looks more like a fishing boat in which they were tottering under the blows of the waves crashing on the meeting of the waters of the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Malacca.

TNI soldiers risking their lives to maintain integrity of the Republic, even in the 'island of the dead'. Maintaining the integrity of every inch of the motherland as dinukilkan in the lyrics: From Sabang to Merauke lined islands / concatenated into one / that Indonesia