Lake Toba is a large natural lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia, occupying the caldera of a supervolcano. It is the largest lake in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest lakes in the world. Sitting high above sea level, the climate is also much milder than in the Sumatran lowlands, while at the same time, still being warm and sunny.
Centre of Batak culture
I recently had the chance to visit Danau Toba (Lake Toba) in North Sumatra on February 10 after attending the Indonesian National Press Day 2023 (Hari Pers Nasional Indonesia 2023), which is held on February 9 every year since 1985.
I had heard the name of the largest lake in Indonesia since I was in primary school. Given that Lake Toba is one of the most popular tourist destinations in both Indonesia and the world, I have always had a dream of visiting it.
The journey to Lake Toba starts at 9am from Medan, Indonesia, the third-largest city in the country, which comprises 17,000 islands. After travelling for about three hours, we stopped in Brastagi and Prapat.
Brastagi, located approximately 65 kilometres from Medan, reminds me of Bandung on Java Island or the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. The area bordering Sibolangit is one of the most popular tourist spots in North Sumatra.
I discovered that the people of Brastagi primarily engage in agriculture and tourism because of its cold weather and fertile land. The area is also well known for its fruits and vegetables, particularly lemons.
I was informed that the Karo people were the area’s original and dominant tribe. In Brastagi, there are roughly 50,000 people, of whom 55 per cent are Christians and 46 per cent are Muslims.
While in Brastagi, tourists can visit its famous fruit market, Mount Sinabung, Sikulikap Waterfall, Karo Heritage Museum, and Sidebuk Debuk Hot Spring.
We stayed in a nice hotel not far from two active volcanoes, Sibayak and Sinabung, which can be seen from the hotel where we were staying. The scenery was breathtaking, as was the fresh mountain air.
For those who have been to Indonesia, one thing that strikes me as appealing is the friendliness of the people, as well as the excellent hospitality in shopping malls, hotels, and restaurants. Here, there are also numerous restaurants and places where we can enjoy local cuisine.
While in Brastagi, we also had the chance to observe the lifestyle of the Batak people, in addition to being able to visit the Tongging Waterfall and other tourist attractions like Gundaling and Simalem.
After an overnight stay in Brastagi, we went straight to Lake Toba. The famous lake was formed due to the eruption of the volcano named Toba itself. This lake is approximately 505 metres or 1,657 feet deep and measures 100 kilometres in length and 30 kilometres in width. It is indeed a spectacular and amazing place.
We intended to go to Samosir Island, a large volcanic island in the middle of Lake Toba. The island was created when the magma stove beneath Lake Toba filled up and gradually forced the obstructional rocks upward. At a height of 1,000 metres above sea level, Samosir Island is an alluring destination for tourists.
What’s even more amazing is that there are two small lakes that can be explored on Samosir Island: Lake Sidihoni and Lake Aek Natonang, also known as the “lake above the lake.”
Lake Toba and Samosir Island are unquestionably must-visit destinations for individuals who miss and adore the panoramic beauty of nature, history, and culture.
The island, which has an area of 627km² — three times the size of Singapore — is the largest island within an island, and the fifth largest lake island in the world. It is home to 123 villages and is certain to draw travellers interested in learning more about the unique culture of the Batak Toba community. There are ferries running every hour from 7am to 9pm with a fee of around RM5 per passenger.
By 3pm, we left by boat for Samosir Island; the trip took 30 minutes. During the journey, we can see houses erected all around the island while enjoying its natural beauty. Being on the boat and just basking in the ambience while seeing the wonders of nature is really enjoyable.
There are a number of spectacular waterfalls in Lake Toba. The 120-metre-high Sipiso-Piso Waterfall, however, is the most fascinating of them all. We were able to capture a group photo with the waterfall in the background.
The majority of the local population on Samosir Island is Batak, and the island is also known as the centre for Batak culture. I was informed that the people in the area depend mostly on caged fish farming. The Batak ethnic groups included Batak Karo, Simalungun, Angkola, Mandailing, Toba, Dairi, and Pakpak.
While on the boat heading to Samosir Island, some young island natives made an appearance, playing the guitar and singing a few songs, including traditional Batak songs. On Samosir Island, we had the opportunity to witness traditional Batak dance and Rumah adat Batak homes.
Visits to Brastagi, Lake Toba, and Samosir Island left me with fond memories. Travelling to other people’s places can indeed give us a breath of fresh air, new experiences, calm our mind and inspire new ideas.
