We packed off for a week’s holiday to Lake Toba, the biggest lake in South Asia. It’s the prettiest volcanic lake, which is created around 50,000 years ago, and termed as one of the youngest. In the middle of this lake is an island called Pulau Samosir, almost as big as Singapore, which is home to the native tribe ‘Bataks’!
First we went to Medan, the fourth largest city in Indonesia, which takes around 50 minutes by flight. The travel is by Garuda Indonesia, which is a relatively expensive and reliable airline. We brought a round trip fare from Banda Aceh- Medan for two adults, one Child and one Infant. The price calculation for the airlines in Indonesia is little interesting, and is as follows:
Total Fare= Base Fare+ Tax 10%+ Surcharge+ Passenger Fee
With that calculation, the one way fare from Banda Aceh to Medan is (All figures in Indonesian Rupiah; 1 USD= Rp 9,000)
For Adult: 295000 +29500 +10000 +60000 =365000
For Child: 222000 +22200 +10000 +60000 =314200
For Infant: 29500 +2950 +10000 +60000 =102450
We booked in Semarak hotel, which is a 3 star category, but its not up to the mark. They have offered Ramadan Package for Rp. 250,000 for standard room including Buffet breakfast and Buffet Dinner. Both are very basic.
But when we went to occupy the room, the room is very small, with no window, and looks little dingy. So we had to ask for ‘Superior Room’ for which we paid Rp. 330,000 per day. We felt like cheating. The hotel services are also not very good. We asked for pool towels, but they never brought them to the pool. The staff are also not very cooperative. How ever, we stayed for 2 nights there, since we have to do some shopping in the city.
The next day, we have to travel by road to Parapat, a small town located at the shore of the lake. Its hilly, and there are ferries to Samosir Island every hour. We booked by ‘Tobali Travels’ which offers convenient transport at Rp. 80,000 per person for a 4 hour ride. They run a 8 seated cars, which are not too bad with comfortable legroom. They came to hotel to pick us up, and then we realized that it’s not Air Conditioned! Till we cross the city, this takes about 30 minutes, its hot inside, but after that it’s Ok. They also drop us in any place we want after reaching Parapat. So it’s little convenient than taking a bus.
After reaching Parapat, we had to get down at the harbor where we have to take a boat to the island. The boat which was scheduled to come at 3:30 did not come, so we had to wait for the boat at 4:30.
The boat is very basic, with no safety flotation devices. Has some iron chairs to sit. It take 45 minutes to reach the island. On the way, its very cool with beautiful scenery every where. The island looks very near, but as we travel, it looks like its going far and far. One we reach the island, the boat goes to each important hotel and drops off the passengers! Typical water taxi!!
We were booked in Carolina Hotel which is the best in the island. There is another best, they say, but looks not very impressive. The up side of Carolina hotel is best restaurant and in expensive rooms.
The down side is that the garden is not protected for children; they may fall down into the lake while playing. So we had to watch them all the time. Another one is that there is no separate pool for the children. People who know swimming have to dive straight into the lake.
We stayed in a large twin bed room with hot water shower, bath tub and mini bar for Rp. 99,000 per day including taxes. We didn’t use the mini bar, since the climate is pleasant. The food is also very in expensive, and we spend for three day meals for 4 of us only Rp. 391,600..
The hotel has a small library which loans and sells books. It also has internet facility, laundry, massage, money changer, ticketing etc., they also rent variety of vehicles viz., Car, Mini Bus, Boat, Motor Bike, Bicycle.
We hired a car for local sight seeing, which is wonderful part of our trip. It’s a 7 hour trip around the island, which is full of un-disrupted traditional architecture, and rich culture. ‘Horas’ is the common work for greeting one another. Through out the island, the villages are dotted by majestic tombs, which are more significant than their own houses. They are big and beautifully decorated near to their houses.
We started in the morning at 9:30 towards north of the island.
Simanindo: A small village called Huta Bolon is home to one of the kings called Raja Simalungun, and his 14 wives. His home is presently converted into museum, which is very few items. Next to his house is the royal boat, which is nothing but a small canon. Near to his house is a place where they sacrifice animals and feast. There we had a show of 12 different types of Batak dances, performed by local people. The show is for 45 minutes, and at the end, they will invite people also to dance with them. The ticket to the show is Rp. 30,000 per person.
Hot Springs: The next destination is hot springs which is around 43 Km from our hotel. It is near the village called Pangururan, out side of the island. The island and the main land is connected by a small strip of land, so transportation is not a problem. The hot springs are due to calcium carbonate deposits in the hills, and they say its good for health. There is a place called- for foreigners only, and we went to bath there. The water is hotter, and we were not able to stay for long in the water.
Lumban Suhi-Suhi: It’s a village which is 33 Km away, where they make Ulos. Ulos is a traditional Batak blanket, which the people wear till today. The women make it in the village, and as soon as they see tourists, they display all their beautiful work. But they also wanted to sell them, at around 40 USD per blanket.
Ambarita: This village is 5 Km away from the hotel, which consists of stone chairs. These are 300 years old, where king Siallagan used to hold conferences and decapitated people. At the end of this area, there are souvenir shops, with no people to sell. After seeing us, two of them came and started pleading us to buy some thing. We took some clothes for the children.
Tomok: This is like the capital of this island, where a car ferry runs frequently. There is a beautifully decorated tomb which belongs to King Sidabutar. Surrounding his tomb is several souvenir shops, were we took several items for our friends.
The last visit was a drive around a peninsula called Tuk Tuk, where all the hotels are located, including our hotel. There are quite a large hotels existing, but with very low occupancy. The biggest hotel has 250 rooms.
There are also trails for walking over the mountains. The most famous place to commence walking is Ambarita to the village of Dolok (2KM), then to Lake Sidihoni (12 Km) then to Pangururan. Walking trails are also exist from Tomok- Ronggurnihuta- Lake Sidihoni- Pangururan.
We came back the same way to Medan by tobali travels, and they dropped us straight into the hotel Garuda Plaza. We were impressed by this hotel, it has every thing a hotel needs, and the room costs Rp. 300,000 per day, with excellent facilities. It’s a proper 3 star hotel, with airport pick up and drop service. There are several airlines offices in the ground floor, and shops all around.
Finally, we came back to Banda aceh tired….
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