The provincial capital and largest city in the province of Aceh, Banda Aceh is more recognized as one of the cities that was heavily destroyed during the 2004 boxing day tsunami. Despite the devastation the city has gone through, the city has quickly redeveloped in recent years. Some remnants of the tsunami are still visible around the city, like a massive ship washed on shore. More than just a city that was destroyed by the tsunami, not many know that Banda Aceh is actually a historic city, and a city that holds to its Islamic roots. But unlike the dreaded Islamic cities westerners tend to fear, here you will find the people very friendly and free spirited.