Lake
Toba is one of popular lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia. For Indonesian, it is
strange if you never heard its lake. With beautiful scenery and fresh air, you
will enjoy every second by exploring the lake. Early morning is the best time
if you want to enjoy the beauty of Lake Toba. Cool and freezing air will
accompany you but that is the beginning of your journey to explore one of
beautiful lake in Sumatra Island.
Initially,
you can climb the rock to reach the peak of mountain to watch Lake Toba from distance.
At the foot of the hill, you will see an extraordinary panorama. You will have
immense view there because you can see the stretch of blue water and buildings
in the city. It is hard to imagine if there is a perfect spot like this unless
you visit Lake Toba.
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| Picture Medantouristguide.blogspot.com |
Lake
Toba is located at North Sumatra and categorized as volcanic lake with 1.145 km2.
Actually, its lake is more resemble to ocean than a lake. And when you come
there, you can visit the only one island that is situated in the center of lake
named Samosir Island that has elevate 1.000 meters above sea water and
estimated formed by the explode of Toba Mountain around 73.000 – 75.000 years
ago. Because of its beauty, some people agree if the lake become one of
treasure for North Sumatra because visitors can enjoy the group of hills and
comfortable atmosphere.
If
you start your adventure to Lake Toba from Jakarta – Medan, it takes 1 hour 45
minutes. Then, you have to continue your way to Parapat by a car for 4 hours
till you arrive to the lake. Along the lakeside, you will see so many motel or
guesthouse and restaurants. Those restaurants provide you local dishes along
the street. Most of them using clan’s name based on where they come from. Actually
Batak ethnic has many clans, such as Batak Angola, Batak Pakpak, batak Karo,
batak Simalungun, Batak Mandailing, and Batak Toba. The tastes of those dishes
is resemble to Padang food, rich of flavor, cooked by coconut milk, and spicy.
Visiting
Toba Lake is not complete if you don’t go to Samosir Island. Samosir Island is
just like a magnet and enamor for tourists. You have to cross the lake to
Samosir to visit Tuktuk and Tomok. Those are subdistrict and become a popular
tourist destination. Actually, there are many ways to reach its island.
Firstly, you can take a boat with Rp5.000 or 50 cents for 30 minutes or by
ferry. But, ferry will be available only twice a day, 08.30 and 12.00 local
time. If you take a boat you will be entertained by music. When you arrive at
Tomok port at Samosir Island, you will be welcomed by car’s owner and public
transportation.
Hiring
a car is the best choice because you can travel around the island. But, you
have bargain because sometime they will charge you more expensive. For 3 hours,
you can bargain IDR120.000 or US$14. In Tomok, you have to go to 3 places,
Batak Museum, Tomb of King Sidabutar, and Si Gale-gale Puppet. The performance
of puppet will be showed together by tor-tor dancing and it will be performed
by children with music instrument. You have to pay IDR80.000 or US$9. According
to the legend, Si Gale-gale puppet made to memorize son of King Harahap named
Si Manggale. This puppets was made in order to make the king did not desperate
and sad. Long time ago, Batak ethnic considered a son as golden boy because he
would continue the family clan.
The
next destination is visiting Tomb of King Sidabutar. What is the uniqueness of
its place? This tomb is made from big rocks and carved with the shape resemble
to the king’s face, included his long hair. There, most of tourist takes the
picture because few tombs are made with this condition. After you feel enough
with the tomb, next you can explore Batak Museum. The building adopted
traditional house of Batak ethnic with red to black color and featured by
Batak’s carving style. Inside the museum, you can see traditional clothes,
traditional weapons, daily utensils, and traditional calendar. The atmosphere
is rather dark and it describes the uniqueness of Batak Museum.
After
satisfied visiting Tomok, you can go straight to Tuktuk. Tuktuk is dominated by
guesthouses which is offers you tranquility. There, you will see an art village
that has beautiful view direct to Lake Toba. You will pass rice field and
villages that sell handy craft. If you want to spend the night there, you have
to pay IDR350.000 – IDR500.000 or US$35 – US$50. You can stop by and strolling
to take the picture with the background of Lake Toba.
By
speed boat, you can try to go to other sides of its lake. This time, you will
see pieces of big rock which is hanging on the high cliffs. The magic
impression will appear around the Batu Gantung (Hanging Rock). When you come to
this spot, maybe you will see lot of kids on their boat waiting the visitors.
Do you think what are they doing? Try to throw your coins and you will see the
next because they will jump into water, diving and take the coins. Is it sounds
simple for you? Surely it is not because the depth of Lake Toba is 900 meters.
It would be not easy to take the coins. Lot of tourist enjoy to watch those boys
diving and that is why they doing it.
