Moving on from seeing volcanoes to volcanic craters there was no direct transport from Berastagi. First of all we got an opelet for 12km which took 20 minutes to Kabanjane. From here we got a small bus for 3 hours to Pehantang Siantai along dodgy roads with rollercoaster driving. The third leg of the journey was another opelet drive for 1.5 hours to Parapat with our bags strapped to the roof. Next was our second opelet of the day for 2km to the ferry port before our final leg, which was 8km, 35 minute water crossing to Tuk Tuk on Samosir Island. Not forgetting a 200m walk to our accommodation at Liberta Home-stay with the wonderful Mr Moon.
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| Lake Toba |
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| Approaching Samosir Island |
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| We finally made it Mr Moon |
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| Our cute little Batak styled bungalow on the lake |
The island sits in the middle of the lake and is inhabited by Batak people who were just so friendly. We explored the little peninsular of Tuk-Tuk which has a circumference of only 4km and the place is beautiful with views out over the lake. Locals told us that it is shaped like a mushroom. Magic Mushrooms are everywhere and apparently legal and can be found advertised alongside having your laundry done. We did not try the local mushrooms and even when eating pizza refrained away from any hint of mushrooms just in case.
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| Some of the friendly locals |
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| Views from Tuk-Tuk and cool car |
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| What shall we do today? |
Our friend Pilka did however take us out with his friends on the back of motor-cycles, 10km through Tomok to a wooden shack with beautiful views over the lake. The shack was the local bar where locals meet at 4pm everyday to tell stories, play guitar and have a good time while drinking jugs of the local jungle juice.
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| Not a bad view for Jungle Juice |
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| The locals are ready for 4pm |
We had a riot with two locals John and Ramon, Heather from England and Kai from Sweden along with his wife. Jungle Juice is the Indonesian equivalent of Palm Toddy Beer in Kerala, India and we sampled a No 2 and a No 1. No 1 was the best and the class is organised by how fresh the liquor was. No 1 was straight from the local palms that very day. The taste of a No 2 was quite sour but the No 1 was like fresh pineapple juice which is quite dangerous, even though it is only said to be about 2% Abv. You definitely feel like you have had a drink. The snacks were also out in force. Whole barbequed local fish that just stared right at you and local nut snacks along with sunflower seeds.
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| The Jugs are flowing let the Fun begin |
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| Gives a whole new meaning to beer & food! |
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| Stop staring at me. God I love this stuff |
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| Kate disagreed that it tasted like pineapple juice but drank it anyway |
The experience was a real privilege and it carried on into the evening. Once we arrived back in Tuk-Tuk we spent the night at Roy’s Bar with live music from the local band where we ripped up the dance floor with the locals. Unfortunately there was no more Jungle Juice but Bir Bintang helped to fill the void. It was a fun day and night which left us staggering back to Liberta in the darkness with the help of our self winding penguin torch. A night never to be forgotten and we learnt that every Indonesian plays guitar sings and loves to dance. I am now a huge fan of Jungle Juice and I wish we had Palm Trees back home.
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| The local band at Roy's Pub |
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| I think Heather was having a storming evening! |
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| Pilka & Kai decided to take over from the band. Good old Jungle Juice |
The rest of the days were spent swinging in Hammocks at Mr Moons and writing my India Blog. That’s why in December twelve postings appeared in a matter of days. We also visited the village of Ambarita and the stone chairs. A scenic walk across the tranquil island. You just forget that you are on an island in the middle of a volcanic lake 900m above sea level.
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| Kate enjoying her Hammock time |
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| Pretty sure thats our washing in the back garden |
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| The Stone Chairs at Ambarita |
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| A Batak House |
We were even roped into some Batak Dancing with some local youngsters while watching a show. What an introduction to the culture.
The place was mind blowing and even though we had invitations to stay for Christmas and New Year which was still three weeks away, we just knew that we had to keep moving.
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| Nearly forgot. Our Batak Dance Teachers |
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| Fairwell Lake Toba it's been emotional |
Not saying that we were not tempted. Leaving Lake Toba was very sad, but we still had Bali and the Indonesian south islands to visit. Sumatra is just an amazing place what a gem.
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