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Lake Toba is the largest body of fresh water in southeast Asia, situated roughly 160km south of the city of Medan in the north-central part of the island of Sumatra. It is 81km long and 31km wide at its widest point, and was formed by a volcanic eruption 75,000 years ago. In the middle of the lake is the island of Samosir, measuring roughly 40km long by 20km wide. Samosir's highest peak is 1,657m tall, or 750m above the lake surface.
Ferries leave from the small town of Prapat, on the eastern shore of the lake. |
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Andy, my oldest nephew and personable traveling companion. |
Once on Samosir, it's possible to rent a motorbike, but be sure to bargain hard! |
Beautiful scenery on our ride around Samosir. Although there is a road around most of the island, traffic is virtually nonexistent. |
A village of the Batak, the principal group who live on Samosir. The traditional houses are on stilts to allow shelter for animals below |
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| Batak spirit houses, modeled on their traditional homes ("rumah adat"). The Batak were converted to Christianity only during the Dutch colonial period in the late 19C, and still retain many elements of their traditional animist beliefs. | |
Typical scenery in the region surrounding Lake Toba, one of the most scenic in this part of Asia. |
View of Lake Toba from along the highway north to Medan. |
Medan - the author stands by an open market in this busy, polluted, yet fascinating city founded by the Dutch in 1682. |
Medan - at the central market. The staggering array of produce and goods reflects the city's long commercial heritage. |
Medan - the Mesjid Jaya (Great Mosque), built in 1906 by Sultan Makmun al-Rasyid, and designed by a Dutch architect. |
Medan - the Istana Sultan Deli, or royal palace of the Sultan. It was built in 1888 in a complex which came to include the Great Mosque, and is an odd mix of Oriental, Arab, and European styles. |
Medan - the Vihara Gunung Timur, the largest Chinese temple in the city. Medan has a large Chinese population, and has been the scene of much ethnic tension in the past few years. |
Map courtesy Mapquest. |
