A trip to Sumatra for many is not complete without a trip to Lake Toba. Danau Toba is the local name for this lake which is the biggest in Indonesia. The lake itself is three times larger than Singapore and is about 450 metres deep.
Lake Toba is accessible from a small town called Parapat on the north eastern side of the lake. The lake itself is stunning and reminds me somewhat of Lake Windemere. There is a huge island in the middle of the lake called Samosir island which was originally inhabited by the Batak people of Indonesia.
The Bataks are an indigenous tribe of cannibalistic people who came from the northern regions of Cambodia and Vietnam and settled in the highlands of Sumatra. There are three settlements on the island still and if you go to Tomok village on Samosir you will be able to see a few tombs of the Batak King and his fore fathers. This aside, there is not much else except row after row of souvenir stalls. Beware! these are manned by extremely persistent stall owners who will stop at nothing to get you to buy something. A word of advice is if you do not want to buy do not even look or ask the price of anything. I had to practically 'buy' my way out of the island.
The journey to Lake Toba takes aproximately 5 hours from Medan and you can opt for a different route on the way back which will pass Brastagi, a higland village famous for fruit cultivation. The best hotel in Parapat is Niagara Hotel, perched at the peak of a hill overlooking the lake. prices are reasonable if you book in advance and more so if it is an organised tour.
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I have been there too and I find this a very good review. Although I took the locals transport which was far less comfortable and not advisable. Definately worth the trip though!
judithritchie 10.03.2001 23:20
hi another great opinion. i used to have a penfriend in sumatra and she sent me some beautiful pictures of where she lived. i would love to visit one day. thanx :-) jude
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Oct 2nd, 2000
(Jan 1st, 2001)
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