Second Trip to Berastagi

Berastagi is one of the most favorite tourist destination. It has a good panoramic, interesting view, fresh air and even a very strategic location for a holyday. Today these guys and i start our trip from Padang Bulan forward Berastagi. Before arriving at Berastagi we’re stopping in several places and spent a lot of time We do enjoyed and i really like these guy they are little crazy but it's ok for some kid or joke to complete our journey. All of us have a different style but we make it more fantastic. Who knows the difference it makes perfect. During at the trip we play about a number of songs it’s kind of rock songs, pop, country, clasical music and singging though we have no nice sound atleast it’s one of our act.Well’ firstly we stop at the Bukit Kubu take a rest. A part of us play some kites and celebrate our friends brihtday's. She is morlina Malau. I've never felt like this before, on peaceful maybe as last memory with these guys. Really amazing you know! Someday had passed but something need to know this day really come to fill my empty on the previous day. One hours at the hill sides then we continue our trip toward the hill Gundaling make some view there. Actually cool and enjoyable from the top we could see the beauty around Berastagi. Some services provided there like horse drivers and the others. There is also a place to stay. Felt so great this place proved to be very many visitors, whether they are students or not at all. but maybe one thing who make people disgusted at this place because of the horse manure than in any place. But I do not know the opposite is also possible. We wonder to know bout hotspring in Sidebu-debu, directly we move on to the hotspring. Exactly once with the weather cause the time to get there rain pouring down right above our heads. Actually it's the correct time to get swim for a few hours and it’s also become a kind of cool day & tobe going a lot of fun with these guys and me. Thank’s my friends we really come to the truly word. So we may enjoy the following day.

Dear………

Night Taptu

Precisely on the 16^th of August students SMAN 1 Pangururan, making the line in order to welcome the birthday of independence of Republic of Indonesia (RI) of the 64. The movement of this line is known as Taptu night. Here we can see the spirit of the student movement as the struggle of our former heroes.This event alive with the bands hosted by the student and Boy Scout membership. I myself follow the show premises of which the Community Service Program is a curriculum demands that must be followed by students as one of the requirements toward graduation later. With this program we know is very real among the education community life in this country. It felt very satisfying. It was voiced a writer's dream. thanks headmasters SMAN 1 Pangururan and all of staffs that worked there. may you have great day now and later. Keep your spirit all student make your progress in your daily study.
greetings to all brothers in Indonesia.
horas...

Traveling

The travel writing of my journey full of my life throught the day and night. The sun, the lake, the land, the wind would be closely to complete my daily life. I am continuing nonstop toward better future with His blesses in accompany me each time i got step. God created sea, lake even river and painted them blue to make it nice for us. And here i am at peace, the bow pointed toward east, when i could be heading north with an unsuspected drama deep inside. I had been swimming and enjoyed the water for over one hour. I am gonna catch each move who could bring me forward my dream. As i go back on my childhood looking for something and wonder it that i haven’t seen before. In my place the land i was born i had found many of inspiration and new performance of life. But sometimes i become blind for my slow progress. But i need to kill it by taking a refresh one way swimming at the natural object and enjoyed it as possible well. Now i’m thingking bout something in the way of reaching a specific thing and make it sure be useful in my hand. I‘d keep talking until i stay longer as planed before and also couldn’t stop learning in increasing my progress that i had built at this alongtime over and over again. And this won’t last. It doesn’t matter how long we life but how we life and stand to win. I know the way i sit, get dressed say a lot bout me. Out of the blue someone has sent me gift by the time i depressed although i didn’t give her feedback. Sorry i never look down for anything even a piece of cake. I think everything is mean but anytime we need to filter it. By the way it’s very nice i think ate some foods or snakes after got swim. Like fred mield, fred rice and the ohters. Wow is delicious And all i need is statisfying my daily life and my dream become true.

Night Crossing

Sunset had ended an old season. Early in the morning people ‘ll be laugh at each others and cheer up cause new season had come. Dry season has gone and changed by rain season till green up some fields. My friends and I start our trip forward hotspring. As people fashioned a small party we did and took a bath at the swimming pool. Good time I think cause enjoyed a beautiful night rode it on large happiness. I imagined that it be going to continue actually at the different places or maybe countries. We sat in the chair at the corner and made some order, firstly we ordered hot sugar tea cause night was cold….ber..”rrr…..r. Then we have some foods to throw out our hungry all day during having a trip. No visitor tonight was seemed from picture it’s caused of heavy rain out there. So it can less the amount of visitor as usual. Fortunately people around Pangururan still want to visit hotspring eventhough just for taking a bath atleast it could add the amount of visitor at lonely night. Night wouldn’t perfect as I thought without playing a guitar and sang some songs to ride the night till the end.

Seven Tastes Water at Sianjurmula-mula

As we visit our friends, firstly we did plan make a trip to observate tourist destination object at sianjurmulamula.
Not so far from Pangururan it’s reachable by using motorbikes and the other transport. In the noon we visit“Aek SiPitu Dai/Seven Tastes Water”situated at sianjurmula-mula village. The legend of batak story mentioned that Sianjurmula-mula is the first land where all batak etnese were born. Then widespread to another places for getting a better life or starting a new life. Our visiting wasn’t longer cause we didn’t met someone else who might told us more bout Aek Sipitu Dai. In other word we just visiting and tasted the different each waters. Actually it’s getting hard to found the different taste. I mean that something difficult for me to tell what kind of taste/color each water of amount. May you visit this place but you have to keep this one” do not speak reclassly” cause people around it do not allow you make some observation by using a small talk or something that looked on impolite.

Sing an old song at night

At hurricane season, i am seeking a friends at the north of Sumatera for better friendship. Late at night i adjusted cushion for more comfortable and lay down on it. Out touching my wristwatch showed at 24.15 am. My room is very hot i think and i threw out my blinket from my body. I woke from my bed and have a glass of water. Later i took my mobile to set alarm at 5.00 sharp to remind of my preparations in the morning. But i couldn’t get sleeping again i was thinking of her and remember when i run each other at the SUMUT BANK. It made me happy with small conversation. I imagined my self when i was fallen in love at the first sight. The good idea was thinking of me by taking a guitar and sing an old song with clasical music. I realized that i had already found someone who built my finest day. I used to call her each morning five minutes after i got up. Her voice on the telephone had a slow sensuality and she also has a nice sound when i asked her sing a song. Three weeks passed we rarely contact again. I’ve never seen someone like her before. She is different with others i think. Each time i try careless on her but i can’t. As if getting hard to breathe. But lately i’ve been down upon my kness ask my father to bless me each time i having step.

The next night i spent at friend house’s, he is my best friend as we like a family. And old sister approach me and asked me to play the guitar and sang some songs on her request together. Yeah i did enjoy it and it’s a beatiful night. We took some snakes , and some of bottle teas . we staying up untill morning. A girl with blond hair dancing in the dark night on australian style “jungle salsa”. I don’t know where did she learn that dancing. But actually nearly perfect. Wow it’s crazy night for us and celebrate dark night with small party.

Use your spare time..!

BOROBUDUR TEMPLE

At the Samosir Cottages

get a drink at the cafe

a good journey

A Beautiful Beach

so what are we looking at the beach?

and what are we doing there?

most of people choose a beach to spent their holyday. mainly student of a college event senior high school. it's mean that beach made as the best place to scream the sound of heart with their lover. but it's only opinion for some people. we can avoid circumstances it's often happen arround you. As we know they do not only having vacation but sometimes to get a new inspiration from natural object places. it's possibly to bring their life into happiness and build their soul to the magic of dream son.

at The Lake Toba Transport (Ship)

It was the day, where I went to my home town.i got trip start from Medan forward Parapat. It was Monday, february 16^th 2009. Every time i go back, commonly i choose by via Parapat than via Tele. cause got a trip by via Parapat is marvellously beside it, more likely we met with foreigners and enable we gave in touch with them and share some experiences. Start form Amplas station I rode SEJAHTERA transport, it took four hours with SEJAHTERA. I did take a sit at the corner near window of bus so that I can view some of place arround road. As if I got and spent holyday. really I like it so much.

Here I am thinking of something. In case I have lot of money perhaply I am going to spend my holyday arround the world. Cause I like travel so much .regarding with not right time to enjoyed it. What can I do. Willy nillly I have to finish my collega first and get a job. It’s seem at the picture I rode a ship forward tomok harbour. Beautiful and unirreplaceable even I couldn’t forget it. Do not worry if you got the same trip at ship .commonly you can get some snak at the ship; like peanut, eggs, rice, fred noddle, and some drinks. Moreas you stay on the ship it’s must be pleasant.
Get your journey …!
Dear blogger++

Batak Dance

In front of an open terrain a more tourists are gathered than we saw in total the last couple of days. And in front of a scale model of a traditional Batak house are a group Batak people dancing. Well, dancing is a big word for the small movements they make. The program indicates multiple dances, but we see little variation. When some tourists join them, we hardly see a difference. And then a dancing doll enters the scene, making more moves than the dancers themselves. The tourists are supposed to give a donation to the doll, which is rewarded with a loud “Horas”. And that is the most exciting part of the exhibition.
The accompanying Batak museum isn’t much either. A little disappointed we hop pack on our motorbikes and move on. What amazes us most is that this place attracts most of the tourists around Lake Toba.
We move on along the outside of the island, passing many traditional houses, most of them with zinc roofs. Also many impressing grave towers, with on top of them a miniature traditional house.

Candra slides

Candra life at Hot springs "Pangururan"

As we approach the other side of the island, the mainland comes in sight. A large white spot on the crater edge draws our attention. It almost seems like a ski trail, but we suppose it must be chalk or sand. A little later we arrive at the village where the island is connected to the main land by a small bridge. In fact, the bridge was only needed since the Dutch dug a canal to separate the island from the main land in 1906. We pass the bridge and drive up to search for our next goal: the hot springs. The closer we get, the more we realize the white spot is where we will find the hot springs.
The hot springs are accompanied by a number of restaurants and a large parking lot. But there are not many tourists. At one of the restaurants we park our motorbikes and order a meal. While we wait we see a little girl playing with to chicks, one of them bright yellow, the other bright green. Funny little animals, although it is sad that they probably have no mother and are obviously artificially colored.
After lunch we search for the hot springs. Every restaurant appears to have a bath of swimming pool fed with hot water from the springs, but we want to find the springs themselves. So we climb up, until we reach a restaurant that only lets us through if we order something. Here is a pool as well, but also a natural bath in the rocks. And as we climb up, we reach the actual source of the hot springs. In some kind of white moon landscape there is a stream of hot, yellow water. It is boiling up from the rocks, although we cannot see exactly where.

life with an actuality

merry christmas

"PANITIA PERAYAAN NATAL"

Keluarga Besar Himpunan muda\i kost Gg.Tanjung(HIMKOTA)
Sekretariat jl.Mesjid Gg.Tanjung No 63 Pancing -Medan-Estate

Tema : Kamu adalah garam dan terang dunia (Mat 5:13,14)
Sub Tema : Jangan seorangpun menganggap engkau rendah karena engkau muda ,jadilah teladan bagi orang percaya dalam perkataanmu dalam tingkah lakumu dalam kasihmu kesetiaanmu dan dalam kesucianmu.

Penasehat : -R.Sitanggang
-D.Sukapiring
Penanggung jawab : -Maulid habeahan

Badan Pengurus Harian(BPH)

Ketua :Lamhot Sinaga
Wkl.ketua :-Indra Purba
-Hendri Silalahi
Bendahara :Sandirawaty Rajagukguk
Wkl.bendahara :Verawaty Simatupang
Sekretaris :Agustina Sipayung
Wkl.sekretaris :Horas P Simbolon

Panitia Natal Himkota
Ketua :Jhon Sinaga
Wkl.ketua :Verawaty Simatupang
Sekretaris : Horas P Simbolon

Seksi-seksi:
1.Seksi acara
koordinator :Candra Sihaloho & Tanti Melyana Sianturi
2.Seksi penerima tamu
koordinator :Zorro Malau
3.Seksi konsumsi
koordinator :Astuti Hutapea
4.Seksi dekorai
koordinator :Daniel Pakpahan
5.Seksi dana
koordinator :Felix Alfaro Sitanggang
6.Seksi keamanan
koordinator :Tua Welson Sinaga
7.Seksi peralatan
koordinator :Juniver Gultom
8.Seksi hiburan
koordinator :Martahan Situmorang

Candra & Mr.James

Never say good bye for my best memories
it's rarely happened all at once at the time. we couldn't reach it purposely.

no ones could break my happiness, all i have done without lying, crying and boring. i do enjoy my trip when i met with Mr. James. happines pass me at the time. at least some problem had solved though it wasn't seemed by our seeking. who knows tomorrow is dry season actually some peoples arround you or me. may be they are stingy to give their smile to give you spirit or to build your day life like others. Just remember everyone need water to kill/lost their thirsty. its like a trip forward our dream. may it be more easier for you to gain your goal. just believe it you must need some friends or some one special to bridge your goal, realtionship and everything good in your mind. There are many benefits when i shared with him. one of them, i had measured my trip far away start from when begin my write my step in mind. yeah must learn more to improve my knowledge till i have a good prepration in a facing world.

At Hotspring "Pemandian Air Panas"

There is no second day when we enjoy the journey or holyday that had passed. Like singing or dancing at the different area looked like unique but most of people glad stay there. Here we are geting a small conversation and shared a thing or two to complete our journey. are kindly, good friend even honorable guest. Mr. James come from England and Ms. Marsane come from australian. I did enjoy when got a little conversation with them.

Ms. Marsane has been staying in indonesia she is a teacher in Surabaya for private school (extra) or may in Senior High School. A sincerely smile she told me that she liked indonesian people coz they are kindly and it’s looked from our regard and she also said t that Australia also the best country to visit or to stay or may be to get a job.
This place is one of the best tourist objek to visit in samosir /arround danau toba besides you take a shower you also could make a good viewing to many objects. you may enjoy batak food, observe adathouses and directly speak with people to know more bout the place you visit

thank you guys hopely you get nice holyday. Last words i say give your support to Danau Toba tobe TobaDreams for 2010-and go on " have a good journey and see you again

horas tano batak

At The Gareja Bolon Pangururan

Memory Tu Akka Namardongan

Start over from now and tomorrow be going to over. Where some of memory or story might be deleted or had forgOt it and there is no love to review all had happened at the passed. Only some person who remember that memory and singing several songs that formely did it. When they have to sparate to gain their dream, ambition each other, there is only something to make them could gather it is when celebrated Merry christmass and new year. Posibbly these are a correct time for them.
lean your eyes for them who is singing a song

"MOLO HU INGOT"

At the Lapo Tuak

Here i am stoping at the lapo tuak and sang together with my friends especially batak song that time when i back from my old friend house then i stoped over at this lapo (stall) and g0t some drinks such usual people did at the night. The name of this lapo is "PONDOK PISANG" besides got drinks we also eaten peanots batak said" tambul ni tuak" and we also play batak traditional musik it's flute, sirene and small kecapi. How beautiful the night is.

candra starts the trip

A Few Minutes at Pasir Putih

White sand is one of the objects of nature tourism (scenic spot) the beautiful and freshly. White Sand is often called the "PASPUT"; in the year 2007 was inaugurated by Mr. Regent samosir ir.Mangindar Simbolon. White sand located in the village Hutabolon Parbaba. We have white sand into the most favorite tourist attraction for a pretty good panorama, affordable & stuated especially welcome local people who attract the attention of tourists and so the place is always crowded, and have enough parking area. The number of visitors usually tend to be much on Saturday and Sunday, except on certain days such as on public holidays. The number of visitors doubled to five major bus transportation to the location of the beach look busy. To this day the impression that getting from the visitors that White Sands is truly satisfying for a place to spend a vacation. Because besides the beach and a beautiful lake is also a snack, food typical of Batak, shady place, where sunbathing, beach Volly areas and other supporting factors.


enjoy your holyday and come to lake toba you 'll be there enjoy
support samosir / lake toba be dream island.
"HORAS"

Annai Velangkanni

great sunday at annai velangkanni.i can't imagezine that it was a great day and crucial for.

at the church

in front of the church

Graha Bunda Maria Annai Velangkanni

Graha Bunda Maria Annai Velangkanni adalah tempat ziarah yang ditujukan sebagai devosi kepada Annai Velangkanni. Pada awalnya tempat itu diperuntukkan bagi umat Katolik Tamil yang ada di Medan akan tetapi dalam perkembangannya semua umat Katolik dapat datang dan berziarah disitu tanpa batas asal-usul ataupun ras karena sesungguhnya tempat itu dipersembahkan bagi seluruh umat Katolik baik di Indonesia maupun negara tetangga terdekat dari Medan.

visiting museum

nuansa pagi tak kunjung lepas dengan indahnya cahaya dan embun yang menyeru hiraukan bumi.serasa ingin melepas dari tidur yang kurang nyeyak. ngga masalah jika hari ini mengunjungi sebuah museum yang terletak di pekanbaru (sidalu-dalu)

wah ............. sungguh indah dapat mengetahui benda -benda purbakala sekaligus sebagai sumber pengetahuan bagi saya untuk mengenal adat-istiadat suku lain selain suku saya sendiri

Dalihan Natolu

Dalihan Natolu Sumber Hukum Adat Batak


Pengertian Dalihan Natolu secara letterlijk adalah satuan tungku tempat memasak yang terdiri dari tiga batu. Pada zamannya, kebiasaan masyarakat Batak memasak di atas tiga tumpukan batu, dengan bahan bakar kayu. Tiga tungku itu, dalam bahasa Batak disebut dalihan. Falsafah dalihan natolu paopat sihal-sihal dimaknakan sebagai kebersamaan yang cukup adil dalam kehidupan masyarakat Batak. Tungku merupakan bagian peralatan rumah yang sangat vital. Karena menyangkut kebutuhan hidup anggota keluarga, digunakan untuk memasak makanan dan minuman yang terkait dengan kebutuhan untuk hidup. Dalam prakteknya, kalau memasak di atas dalihan natolu , kadang-kadang ada ketimpangan karena bentuk batu ataupun bentuk periuk. Untuk mensejajarkannya, digunakan benda lain untuk mengganjal. Dalam bahasa Batak, benda itu disebut Sihal-sihal . Apabila sudah pas letaknya, maka siap untuk memasak. Ompunta naparjolo martungkot salagunde. Adat napinungka ni naparjolo sipaihut-ihut on ni na parpudi. Umpasa itu sangat relevan dengan falsafah dalihan natolu paopat sihal-sihal sebagai sumber hukum adat Batak. Apakah yang disebut dengan dalihan natolu paopat sihal-sihal itu ? dari umpasa di atas, dapat disebutkan bahwa dalihan natolu itu diuraikan sebagai berikut : Somba marhula-hula, manat mardongan tubu, elek marboru. Angka na so somba marhula-hula siraraonma gadongna, molo so Manat mardongan tubu, natajom ma adopanna, jala molo so elek marboru, andurabionma tarusanna. Itulah tiga falsafah hukum adat Batak yang cukup adil yang akan menjadi pedoman dalam kehidupan sosial yang hidup dalam tatanan adat sejak lahir sampai meninggal dunia.

Lake Toba Legend

In first time, before Lake Toba exist, Toba area are consist of mountain and valey with small river.In that time live young man and the name is Toba and he work as a fisherman. One day Toba go to the river, for all day fishing but not one fish he get. Desperate cause it sunset and Toba throw his fishhook to the water, he was shock when he does get one fish a big one (Cyprinus carpio). With proudly he bring the fish and wanna go home.
But Toba shock when the fish talk to him said "Don;t bring to your home to eat me, but only keep me in the house in middle of farm, and you come again after three days". Toba surprise to look the fish can talk and doing what the fish said to him.

After three days, he goes to the farm and get in to the house, Toba really shock he show a beautiful lady with long hair not a fish. Surprised Toba ask the lady "Who are you and what are you doing in this house ??", and the lady said "My name is Nauli, Princess of water, sending by God to be human."And Toba persuade the girl to be his wife. The girl said "I want to be your wife but you must promise. Whatever and what happen to our family in the next, that you will not said that i am a fish and if you broken i will return and back to my first time being a fish". Toba agree that he will keep promised. They have married and live in that house.

For daily needed they do farming. And they are happy family. Not for long time they have one child and give the name Samosir. One day when Samosir bring a lunch to his father at farm, Samosir have accident, he down and the food droped, now the food already dirty. But Samosir collecting all the food back and bring to his father. After arrived, Samosir call his father to get lunch, but he affraid to tell him the he get accident before he go to farm and the food was dirty. When his father opened, he surprise Samosir bring a dirty food. And he angry to Samosir and said "Cause your are kid from fish, you bring to me dirty food.", Samosir crying that his father angry to him, and he go back his mom and make a report. Nauli crying too when her son Samosir tell to her. Nauli sad to Toba he broken promise, and Nauli hugging her son Samosir and tell him that all is true. Nauli order Samosir to go to highland, this is consequence if your father Samosir broken his promise, i will return back as a fish.

After Samosir already in highland, Nauli pray wishes God bring she return back, and the rain coming make flood in Toba area and it become Lake. Nauli was back to her life as a fish. And the lake become Lake Toba and highland where samosir going become Samosir Island.

Note :Promise ( Padan : in Batak Language) is important word in this legend. Don't say promise if broken it next time, cause who broken promise can get disaster.
copy from www.samosirtourism.com

What Your Dream

when we have had understood more about world,life ,death and many others that become encourage our spirit until we could show our best performance in arround dwelling people', something like story of coboy life journey. All people have a big dream and would reach it as possible well. Whatever people will do anything so that they may reach their dream and it's really. It's not difficult to gain it cause have known the way to get it only prepare, workhard and your seriously(self confidence for what you have done).Day dream is not enough to pass our time at this world it just squander time and didn't get anything. Moreas you 're a lazy man ,'fate wouldn't turn for you, imposible a work or money looking for you. No body perfect at this world everything workhard no exceptions. when you had mature surely must choose the berst way to continue your last chance , all depends of you", man its what is your thinking say can or say something if you believe, not onlly small talk, and u couldn't avoid circumtances we are not shadow but appear make something more better and remember for this one you stand to wins. there is a will there is away. So do you ,' you have strong point make it be useful don't let it bring you to the darknes. You are the key for all your destination. the questions "What Your Dream" ,'my dream is when tobe someone that i think have had happen or would come tommorow and i happy stay there also enjoy it so much. Till you would scream that you have succesed.

Follow Your Dream

Follow your dream…
Take one step at a time and don’t settle for less.
Just continue to climb.
Follow your dream…

If you stumble, don’t stop and lose sight of your goal.
Press to the top.
For only on top can we see the whole view
Can we see what we’ve done and what we can do
Can we then have the vision to seek something new
Press on.
Follow your dream.

Pangururan Beach

Pangururan is one of the central city market district in the area samosir. Communities around pangururan typical Toba Batak people. A number of tourism areas not far from our next pangururan playing in ancol panguruan (edge of the lake) we can also look towards the mountain and also spent a trip to the Batak people hotspring say "Aek rangat" This is where the tourist attraction because of its strategic location of the water bath This hot rows until a height of several meters. From here we can see the natural beauty of the beach samosir. You can also get more information with other tourist attractions of "SIDIHONI" not so far from pangururan, the entry intersection before entering the terminal pangururan 'JL Ronggur Nihuta. In Sidihoni you will find a lake called "Lake sidihoni" is filled with objects that phenomenon.

According to the local community of older, this lake describes a story that very few stories of legend in getting writers ..! said residents around the lake was "one when the lake provides a different color from the original form of a lake that is it will give a signal which will occur one time thing that needs to worry about," could be a misfortune, illness comes, a prolonged drought. From the bottom "Pangururan terminal" to the lake sidihoni with the distance of about 8-9 kilometers. But for those of you who want to plan a trip to sidihoni not mistaken you need a guide for the improvement of local trip.

Tourism World

Most of the world community deal with the world torism . One thing that makes people have to discuss further with the above topics is that the awareness of the importance of living with the tour. tourism object we have in the ground water or closer to your environment makes the sources very important in everyday life. generally the most favorite tourist attraction brings a number of tourists who very much besides facilities, infrastructure and other supporting factors (media availability of transport and communications and also guides the journey that makes perfect since they (guide) which is aimed primarily communications with foreign tourists neither other areas.

Environmental tourism not only do you get / find guests who only just but part of holyday we get a million important information and find out more information from the area of origin of different visitors.
so enjoy as much as possible areas of tourism in your homeland and keep caring with conditions that may need more management than before.


greetings for lovers of travel: primarily guide / guide

( "may prevail")

horas ... !
hello visitors enjoy your day
winners see light in the darkness
winners never complain and
wake up in the morning"

Lake Toba

The Lake Toba is the largest lake in Southeast Asia, once created by an enormous eruption less than 100,000 years ago. Th eruption was approximately 8,000 times more powerful than the eruption of Mount St.Helen in 1981.
here are of course legends on how Lake Toba was formed. The traditional Batak canoe, the solu, was 10-15 metres long. All had the same width. The canoes were decorated with carvings, the captain, the chief, sat in front and gave orders. The solu had its own spirit and when a new canoe was built offerings were made for both teh canoe spirit and to Boru Saniang Naga, the Goddess of the water. Batak feared her ad disasters could easily happen when she was angry.
Place of Interest

1. Samosir Island

Samosir is approximately 50 km long and 15 km wide island in Lake Toba, almost as big as Singapore. It is often described as the hearthland of Batak culture. Samosir is actually a peninsula and not an island, as it is divided from Sumatera only by a narrow man-made canal, the Pusuk Buhit Canal between Samosir and mainland, onece made by the Dutch. Samosir is a perfect place to relax and cool down. It is beautiful and scenic and very relaxing. Accommodation is extremely cheap, but food rather expensive (according to Indonesian standard). In the end it evens out compared to other major tourist destinations in Indonesia. The island is small enough for visiting everything of interest from any place you choose to stay in.

2. Jangga Village

A traditional Batak village 24 km from Parapat. Here visitors can watch the weavingof the traditional Batak ulos textiles and wander amongst traditional houses and historical monuments of the olf Batak kings.

3. Tuktuk

Samosir Island is accessible by ferry from Ajibata or Parapat. One of the main inhabited areas on the island, Tuktuk has been described as Samosir's answer to Bali's Kuta Beach. This popular destination offers scenic views at very low prices. People come here to relax, enjoy the sceneries, eat well and cool down fronm tougher travelling in other areas. Culture is available on certain days and in other nearby villages anyway. Western tunes have replaced the harmonic popular songs of the well-singing Bataks. The whole little peninsula is full of restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops. There are a few discotheques, bars and hotels, one of the best hotel in Tuktuk is Toledo Inn.

4. Tomok

A traditional village with beautiful houses and ancient tombs. Tomok is gateway to Samosir and one of the main landing-points on the island. Rows of stalls sell an array of handicraft, traditional ulos cloth and Batak musical instruments. The 200-year-old stone sarcophagus of King Sidabutar built in the shape of a ship is its most famous sight. It is located a short walk away from the lake. Tomok is also known for the Sigale-gale dance.

5. Ambarita

Ambarita, just north of Tuktuk is one of the musts when visiting Samosir. The traditional village with King Siallagan's stone chairs is of interest, There are many souvenir stands between this historical object and the boat landing. There are however not so many boats anymore, but now and then there are direct connections with Parapat, normally early morning. Ambarita is also a good starting point for treks across the island. There are many nice and quiet places to stay between Tuktuk and Ambarita and along the coast north of Ambarita.

6. Simanindo

Simanindo is a picturesque village and has some of the best-kept traditional houses, incl the house of Raja Sidauruk, now a museum. This nice museum also has daily cultural performances. The market and the boat landing are 150 metres before the Museum, down to the right coming from Tuktuk. There are some nice local coffee shops here. Opposite Simanindo is the island Pulau Maulau, or more commonly known Pulau Tao. There is a restaurant on the island. The island is 800 metres from the boat landing below the museum but you need a boat to get there. Several boats go there from the hotels on Tuktuk. The clan Maulau owns the island according to adat (traditions), but the clan Sidauruk is living there and they built the restaurant and the hotel and changed the name to Pulau Tao. The Maulau clan protested and after negotiations an agreement was reached in June 2001. The islands belong to the Maulau clan, but is managed by Sidauruk. The proper name is Pulau Maulau.

7. Pangururan

Pangururan is the only proper town on Samosir and also the administrative center of the island. There are a few hotels here. The town has a strategic location next to the bridge between Samosir and the mainland. Most foreigners just pass through on their drive around the island or on their visit to the hot springs an the mainland. The town itself is nicely located along the shore of Lake Toba. There are a few nice old colonial buildings to admire. Besides the hot springs a visit to the summit of Pusuk Buhit can