WOW, this is heaven on earth! exclaimed Aulina Oebit as she set foot on Iboih beach, Sabang, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. Her eyes gleamed at the beautiful sight. In front of her, an expanse of white sandy beach with greenish-blue water. Tranquil. There were no rolling waves, as is usual on a beach. The Iboih beach resembles a giant saltwater swimming pool.

On the slopes of the hill along the beach is a row of little stilted thatch-roofed cottages fo