Samosir - A Rustic Paradise

Samosir is the largest island, within an island, located in Northern Sumatra in Indonesia. The island is situated in a crater lake, at an elevation of just over 900 metres above sea level. Samosir is home to the Batak ethnic group that has a fascinating culture. 

The stillness of a daybreak scene -- the orange-grey hued rays splashed across the sky, mirrored in the water of the crater lake, capturing the silhouette of a Batak fisherman in his wooden boat. The December air, at sunrise, is cool, breezy and crisp.  

Mother Nature's Art Gallery -- there is no better way to soak in sunrise each day, relaxing on the sunlounger by the lake, watching the first light of day, transforming natural beauty to an art experience.

The journey to Tuk Tuk 

We travelled overland from Medan to Parapat, made two stops along the way -- the first stop was at the King of Fruits stall to savour the durians, by the roadside of an oil palm plantation. The next was at Siantar market to get some local fruits and to enjoy the best handmade noodles at this small eatery, owned and managed by the same family for three generations. 

The drive though took about over five hours was simply one of tasty delight! More rewarding if you are in Parapat on a Saturday morning to enjoy the local market chaotic, colourful and noisy scene. 

From Parapat, there are ferries available to Samosir Island. They make stops at the villages of Tuk Tuk and Tomok. The ferry leaves every hour and a half from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; takes about an hour to Tuk Tuk. 

A December ferry journey from Parapat to Tuk Tuk

The ferry to Tuk Tuk stops at the private pier for guests staying at this resort.

Tuk Tuk village
A small sleepy place, one can hire a bike or bicycle to explore the village and the main island. The narrow, windy roads are not in the best condition. A good option is to hire a local biker to take you around. 

A leisurely walk is another option to enjoy Tuk Tuk village

A local Batak folk sorting out peanuts. The womenfolk are really hardworking. They are often seen tending their small fields, weaving craft work, drying and sorting out their farm fresh produce.

A quaint tailoring shop

A traditional Batak house

Spotted a durian tree and some avocado trees; my favourite fruit!

Rice farming in Tuk Tuk

Chilli farming

The ferry to Tuk Tuk -- the economical transport for all kinds of goods to and from Parapat

The Batak folks enjoy swimming, and for some, they love the thrill of diving into the lake from the roof of the ferry, swimming the rest of the way towards Tuk Tuk pier.

Batak lifestyle -- they wash their clothing and bathe in the lake by the pier in the late afternoon. A local folk is fishing nearby. 

The multipurpose wheelbarrows are also used to load travel bags to and from the pier. 

We spotted a beautiful pair of turkeys, a forest eagle in a cage and more turkeys roaming about in a sprawling lawn!

A quiet road

The local daily mobile mini-mart 

The fruit vendor and his homemade fruit container on the back of his motor bike. I was taken in by the Batak girl in her natural afro-textured hair that I miss seeing in a while!

The local folks make an effort to keep their land clean

This is one amazing rider on his bike, balancing a full load of yummy treats, riding along the hilly, bumpy roads with potholes!

Some cool kids on their way home from school. 

A laid-back village scene

Karo Batak Highlands

This is home to the Batak Karo group of people -- the village of Lingga is located about 15 kilometres from Berastagi, on a plateau, at about 1200 metres above sea level. This is one unique village where traditional houses are preserved and inhabited by the local folks. 

A traditional Karo Batak house or the siwaluh jabu, in the old village

In the new village nearby, the modern Karo Batak house is differently constructed without stilts

The pointing ends of the roof -- Buffalo "heads" are made of timber, with real buffalo horns.

According to traditional folk customs, the real buffalo horns are believed to ward off bad luck. 

The building is raised by stilts about two metres above the ground

There are eight families living in each house, without partitioning, while each family have their own cooking stoves.

One family unit stove area

The view of Mount Sinabung

A group of curious local kids happily followed us around. 

The view of Mount Sinabung, one of the highest peaks in northern Sumatra. 

Ethnic Carving Artworks

The village folks make traditional handicrafts to sell to visitors. They are made from bamboos. 

Berastagi Hill

Berastagi is located in the northern part of Lake Toba at about 1300 metres above sea level, with an enticing cool climate all year round. 

This part of Lake Toba is popularly known as, "The Hawaii of Asia".

A sprawling lawn of a hotel in Brastagi Highlands

The popular Sipiso-piso waterfall

A sad farewell to my comfortable shoes that have been my travel companions for the last several years...

The Batak local folks are friendly and hospitable. Most of all, the least crowded when you want to get away from it all to simply chill out by the lake to watch sunrise even when I am not an early person and, go kayaking and soak in the local culture and food, on Samosir Island, in the middle of the largest volcanic lake in the world -- a rustic paradise! 

It all started out spending a 3-night stay in Tuktuk in December 2010, while visiting our Medan friends to celebrate a birthday bash. I took the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. A place so laid-back that I find myself going back almost each year and stayed up to a week in December 2014. 

(Travelled in December 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014)