NIAS ISLAND and SIMEULUE islands of INDONESIA is quite dissimilar, except for some things in common, the great Tsunami in 2004, subsequent Earthquakes and a long standing ‘heaven for Surfers’.

Nias Island is considerably larger, with an economy and population (+ – 800,000) to match. It has therefore suffered proportionally much more than its distant south western neighbor, in structural, human and economic damage. Part of a chain of islands along the west coast of Sumatra, it was part of a flourishing tourist industry related to its International Surfing Competitions, and other mixed economies. Long known for its diversity of Festivals and Celebrations, mostly dating back to prehistorically island cultures, in which women feature predominantly to ‘wow’ tourists with their song and dances.

Their building constructions are also suited to the region, standing high on stilts, they are mostly safe from normal storms but unfortunately no type of building is ‘shock proof’ to the new intensity of earthquakes, the large tsunamis and tectonic plate movements below the seas, recently experienced. With the help of various UN and NGO organizations the Island has made remarkable recovery, an ongoing process.

Simuelue Island , tiny in comparison has a much smaller population of about (80,000) and suffered only some structural damage and no loss of life due to a remarkable ‘cultural memory’ whereby the previous serious disasters (1907) were imprinted and passed on to following generations, preparing them to instinctively seek high ground and thereby saving all human life. This virtually autonomous island is gearing up, albeit on a small scale, to encourage ‘Surf and Sea Tourists’ to equally exotic seaside locations, unspoilt natural forests and underwater marvels. It is only accessible by small aircraft, or small boats, which gives it exclusivity not found on other similar islands.