LAKE TOBA-BRESTAGI-MEDAN

LAKE TOBA-BRESTAGI-MEDAN

It was in 1993, when we participated in a 5D4N trip to Lake Toba – Brestagi - Medan – took a ferry departing from Lumut to Indonesia. It took about 7 hours of rocky sea before we reached our destination. During the 1990s, Lake Toba has been one of the more popular place for Malaysians to visit as it is not too far from our country. People used to visit nearby places in the 90s compared to distant places like UK, Canada and USA in 2000s.

SAMOSIR ISLAND

When we reached Lake Toba's resort – it was already in darkness – so our holiday only start on the second day – where we took a boat ride to explore Lake Toba and obviously to view its “panorama sights” - the lake is surrounded by stunning mountains, waterfalls and hot springs, and many villagers that made it extraordinary. We also drop by the Samosir Island, located within the lake itself.

LAKE TOBA

Lake Toba (Danau Toba) is a large natural lake in Indonesia occupying the caldera of a super volcano. The lake is 100 km long, 30 km wide, and up to 505 m deep. It is about 1707 km area – formed by gigantic volcanic eruption – caused massive death and extinction of several species of living creatures. The lake is located in the middle of the northern part of the Indonesian Island of Sumatera. It is the largest lake in Indonesia and the largest volcanic lake in the world. It is also the largest lake in Southeast Asia and the second largest in the world which includes the deepest in the world. Samosir Island is an island that settled in the middle of the Lake.

LAKE TOBA

By night, after dinner we were entertained with the dance along with the Batak Tribe at the hotel ballroom.

BRESTAGI

On the third day, another long day – traveled by bus up to the mountain site called Brestagi – meaning “rice store” is a town and district of Karo Regency situated on a crossroads on the main route linking Karo highlands of Northern Sumatra to the coastal city of Medan. This village rose to significance when Dutch settlers in Sumatra opened a boarding school here in 1920s. Brestagi is located in the Barisan Mountains area, the temperature is 9C – 18C. The town is popular for its market that sells colorful fruit and vegetable especially its passion fruit. Other attractions include two active volcanoes – Mt Sibayak and Mt Sinabung.

MEDAN TOWN CENTRE

Subsequently, on the final day (fourth day) – we had a short stay over in Medan – strolling in the town centre – before we wave goodbye to Medan-Lake Toba.

I have written a separate story in detail for Medan in another title Medan in my blog.

Departed on the fifth day – back to Lumut – via ferry.

JANUARY 13 - 18, 1993