In Parapat we took a tour to Samosir Island, an island of Batak tribe. They had beautiful handcrafts which you can buy for friends as souvenirs. At Samosir, we visit the old grave of Sidabutar and learnt the legendary old grave and its tomb of Sidabutar's and its people. If i were not mistaken, Tomok refers to their kings and families who were very wealthy and healthy (fat, since enough of food, during that time).

Tomok - Tigarajah (Three Kings) - Boat to Samosir Island
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Boat known as Tuk Tuk to Samosir
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Leaving for Samosir - The Parapat jetty
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Heading the Samosir Island - our boat look similar to this boat
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Reaching the island - First landmark we saw at Samosir Island
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There is also Telaga(wells) which said to have different taste of water in each well. We werent manage to visit the wells since during our visit, it starts raining. Life at Danao Toba today, is a mixture of sacred, culture and well planned tourism center with internet cafes and five star hotels. But still, it is worth to get the feel of Batak's culture and lifestyle. It is also wonderful to watch kids fishing at the lakeside with their bare hands.

Paddy field and the hill scenery
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An old Batak's hut
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The society building
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A resort HKBP Resort Tomok
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Shopping Gifts
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The Old Grave
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Selamat Datang - Welcome to the Horja Bius 2 Tomok
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A welcome note to the Old Grave of Raja Sidabutar
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My huby ..
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The stairs to the old grave
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Each visitor was given a handmade shawl
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This is me with the beautiful shawl
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The Batak Museum
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We didnt spent a lot at the lake since the lake is quiet since there werent many people in that little town makes we feel a little creepy esp at night. Nevertheless, we should somehow visit the lake some other time again.

It is great to had a chance to cruise the beautiful Lake Toba with speed boat. Tomok, me, huby and some Indonesian friends were five very lucky to have the exclusive trip for free. Someone had generously gave us the special treat. Thanks to Tomok. Size of the lake is the size of Singapore which had been formed millions years ago by the massive volcanic eruption. It has become such a beautiful lake and among the most beautiful in the world. Not many of us know that Lake Toba is not actually a lake. There is a very small land connecting the island, known as Samosir Island and the big land of Parapat.

Cruising the lake, you can learn some legendary stories from local such as a princess been curse and became a hanging rock and another popular one about the "ikan nila" which i had forgotten about how the story goes.

If you like, you can fish, motorsurfing or swim at the lake which are absolutely great and if you are lucky, you can see local kids swims expertly like a fish, and then is when you can throw some coins (for entertainment and fun)

sTrip to Brastagi aint easy but we chose the smoothest way by hiring a tour guide. Glad that we met Abg Iwan, a local that helps so much in the tour. He brought us to met Pak Ginting (the guide) early in the morning (as schedule) and with cost of Rp200k we will be touring brastagi (the town, 1 day) and then to Lake Toba (the next day). Thanked God we got mobiled in quite convinient way. FYi, beside hiring guide like Pak Ginting , to get to Brastagi, you can take a 3-4 hours trip by bus. Their buses, as we observed were not in good condition for a hill trip. They were size of van and stuff up to 20 people. They will go roller coaster all the way to Brastagi. Well, it is actually common to see that in your trip here.

Since it was early in the morning, we didnt manage to catch up hotel breakfast. We get it done by the roadside, eating Nasi Gurih (a popular one in Medan). Enough to serve my starving stomach till we reach Brastagi.

We saw, a lot of beautiful sceneries and life of Sumateranean on the way to Brastagi. Brastagi is a town located in the middle of Mount Sibayak and Mt Sinabung. Both are active volcanic mountains.

As soon as we arrived, we get our lunch done and it was an excellent lunch, nasi Padang nyum mnymm. Checked in to a motel and spent sometime shopping and town touring. We also, went to the bottom of Mt Sibayak to get the feel of hot spring. Very refreshing.

Bus to Brastagi
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Me and huby At the hot Spring of Mt Sibayak
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Brastagi Town
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Horse Riding at Gundaling Hill

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How Minang Crave their mansion, the oldest mansion of Minangkabao is in this video

A clip about Minangkabao Dance or known as Balingtuduang Show. A performance to attract tourist in BUkit Tinggi. They perform everyday but plays almost everyday during pick season.