Lake Toba, The Amazing Wonders of Nature Tourism in Indonesia

Lake Toba

 

Lake Toba since time immemorial has become a magnet that attracts a lot of tourists, both domestic and from abroad to enjoy the natural beauty and unique tradition of Batak people who live around it. Many of the activities that can be done on the lake Toba. From watching the sunset in the afternoon, a walk in the morning around the lake Toba, or just sit in the space provided on the edge of the lake while enjoying roasted corn or food other minor, accompanied by a glass of warm drink is the right choice to enjoy the beauty Lake Toba.

Generally, tourists who come to the Lake Toba will be crossing to Samosir island located in the middle of Lake Toba. Samosir Island in the distance is seen as a cluster of hills to the hills that connect to each other. It is not surprising, when on this island there is a waterfall and even a lake on the island of Samosir famous. By the locals referred to as a lake above the lake. Residents on the island live in areas scattered following the contours of the hills on the island.

 

Access to Samosir Island

To reach the island of Samosir travelers have several options. Tourist buses and private travelers who bring a car to get around in a tourist attraction on the island of Samosir, can use the ferry from the port located in Parapat. The fee was around Rp 200,000 / car commute. Departure and return schedule has been scheduled, so it is important for tourists to pay attention to the schedule, in order not to fall behind the ferry. Especially for those who bring a personal or rental car and use the bus tourism, because there are many ferry serving the route Toba-Samosir. After arriving at the island of Samosir, tourists have a few hours to get around to the sights and shopping in the market of art and souvenirs are widely available in Samosir Island, then back to the dock to return to Toba.

Lake Toba Boat

Travelers also can use special ship passenger capacity of up to 100 passengers and is generally a two-story. When the weather is friendly, not too hot and not raining, sitting on top of an open deck enjoying the breeze and the blue waters of the lake Toba and Samosir island chain in the distance a fun option. Ships of this type can be found in the small docks located around the periphery of the lake Toba lot. The departure schedule is different ships with direct ferry departed on schedule. The new ships will depart after the capacity of the vessel are met. After departing from the port, it is not uncommon these ships would go around looking for passengers in advance, by visiting the hotels and inns are numerous in the side at the edge of Lake Toba. This is why the arrival time on the island of Samosir longer. Even so, there are advantages to using this type of ship. In addition to the departure time is more flexible, it also usually before heading to the island of Samosir, tourists are invited to visit the "Hanging Rock". A tourist attraction which in the rock in the lake Toba, there is a large rock which depends apart from other large rocks. According to local belief, the stone is the embodiment of a daughter who committed suicide. Near the hanging rock, there is another stone that is believed embodiment of a guard dog princess. Hanging Rock is a beautiful tourist place, supported by the shady trees in the area of ​​the cliffs.

A trip to the island of Samosir can be reached adalam about 30 minutes. Travelers will be docked at the pier Samosir Island. Here we can see the sights around the island contained samosir and of course shopping for souvenirs. And 1 hour later to be picked up the same ship, but for those who want more time not to worry, because we can still aboard the other.

On the dock there is a "Welcome Monument 'circular with reliefs, depicting the Batak tribes located in North Sumatra as Batak Toba, Batak Simelungun, Samosir Batak, Batak Pakpak, Batak Mandailing. Not far from this monument there is a Visitor Centre with a gate that read "Welcome to Tomok Horas". In the Visitor Centre there is a map of the area of ​​Toba and Samosir, along with tourism contained therein. Unfortunately there is no brochure prepared for the visitors.

Welcome Monument Samosir Island

From here, the many souvenirs and souvenir sellers are starting to offer his wares to visitors. The assortment of souvenirs on offer, ranging from T-shirts that read "I Love Toba", t-shirts emblazoned Lake Toba and Samosir island, a replica of traditional Batak houses, Ulos fabric, and wood carvings patterned Batak. Everything is here, stay fresh. And do not forget to smile to the seller, even if you can speak in dialect Batak and tell us juaga derived from Batak. Usually we can get a cheaper price.

Batak society at the time of yore, besides divided into clans each had an alliance, as well as from every clan that inhabits an area will consist of several villages or village. Each town or village has a king respectively. It is not surprising that in the land of Batak there are many specific kings. On the island of Samosir course there are relics of some kings like Siallagan, Sidabutar and others.

 

The Tomb of King Sidabutar

First of all we could visit the tomb of a king who had ruled in Samosir Island, a king Sidabutar. To reach the tomb, we have to climb the stairs. Arriving above, we will see the formation of stone sculptures totaling 19 mini-sized pieces in a circular shape. When observed, each sculpture depicting different attitude there in an attitude of prayer, holding a gun and others. Due to changing times and weather conditions, these statues look mossy and began unclear engraving.

Tomb of King Sidabutar

Near stone sculptures, there are tables and chairs made of stone. King formerly used as a place of discussion and deliberation on the condition of the country he leads. Here are some of the tombs. Although the tombs here are made of stone, there is no way to distinguish the tomb of the king who still embraced Batak original (known as "Pelbegu" or "Parmalin" who worship the spirits of ancestors and objects sacred) with a king who has embraced religion other than grandma Ancestors Batak, especially Christians. Where in the Toba and Samosir is the dominant religion. It's easy. To the king is still the ancestral religion, in addition to larger stone coffin, is also the face of the king who had died, carved in the coffin. In contrast to Christianity, in which the body of the deceased is inserted into the crate, then inserted into the ground and made the tombstone, so that it can be said the crates were planted below the ground surface, and made the sign of the cross on top. At the tomb of the king religions ancestors Batak, the king's body will be inserted into the large stone coffin along with his belongings. Similar to the burial of kings in Egypt and the Indonesian people in other provinces. Before the arrival of Hinduism and Buddhism are often referred to as the Stone Age or prehistoric. Where the bodies of the deceased entered into a coffin made of stone called sarchopagus or a grave stone.

Only when the grave stone in prehistoric society incorporated into the soil, then this is not. Still lies on the ground, even the coffin open and shifted. But look great and the size of the coffin, of course, it takes enormous effort to do so.

In addition to carve the face of the king at the rear of the coffin, there is a carving of the king consort. In some occasions can be found figures that made a large contribution to the kingdom and respected the king as warlords or prime minister will also be carved face in the coffin of the king as a form of respect for the individual concerned. It is also found in other rock tomb.

 

The Cultural Attractions Sigale-gale

Sigale-gale Statue

 

From here, we can proceed to the next tourist destination that is known as the cultural attractions Sigale-Gale. Sigale-Gale is a human-like doll. Is said to be similar because it has a face and a human-like body shape, height and even the size of an adult human. Dressed in full dress with Ulos (shawl Batak). This doll can dance to the music and the audience demand. There are about 8 types of dances that are usually offered to the audience. Interestingly, the audience can also be dancing with dolls Sigale-Gale. Similar to the puppet and the puppeteer puppet show that has to move. Sigale-Gale also has a person in charge of organizing the rhythm of movement sigale-Gale.

 

The Architectural Beauty of Ancient Batak House

Besides watching the stunning show Sigale-Gale, we can take pictures and admire the architectural beauty of ancient Batak house. There are some houses that still in good condition and well maintained and still inhabited by its inhabitants until now.

Ancient houses Batak shaped stage, somewhat akin to the home stage of West Sumatra called "Rumah Gadang" (the longhouse), the shape of the roof is made of shingle and shaped like buffalo horn, but the stage is not as high as the longhouse and its smaller size and also the direction of the house and the placement of different entrances.

From here we can proceed to a tourism culture old graves King Sidabutar. A requirement for all visitors who enter this complex is the use Ulos (shawl Batak). Almost the same as the previous king graves contained grave stone carved face of the king for faiths ancestors Batak and cross to the king who had converted to Christianity. There is something interesting in the second king Sidabutar clan. In addition there is a statue carved queen, there is also a statue carved war commander of Aceh and Muslim. It seems clear from the cap he wore, the evidence that already exists between Batak kerajasama with other regions and beautiful manifestation of religious tolerance in Indonesia.

Here there is a black flag, red and white that lies between the stone tomb. Not flag Sidabutar royal clan, but a way to distinguish the king and his followers, religions ancestors Batak Christian kings and religious adherents. When the tomb was covered with a black flag, red and white, then it is definitely tomb tomb faiths Ancestor Batak, otherwise the Christians.

Not too far from the tomb complex Sidabutar, there is a Batak Museum. Was once a palace of a king on the island of Samosir and his family. Now functioned as a museum. In contrast to other ancient Batak house, this house is rich in color and brighter. In Batak museum can be found tools used everyday Batak society, such as cooking utensils, hunting and weaving tools. And there is also a traditional musical instrument angklung Batak similar. For tourists who want to bring a souvenir as a memento of Batak are not forgotten, this place is also a souvenir center. Visitors can choose a variety of souvenirs such as statues and other carvings.

Stone Chair King Siallagan

Then we can visit attractions "Stone Chair King Siallagan", which is located some distance away from the dock. Visitors are advised to use a motorcycle taxi. As the name implies, this place is a place of carrying out the trial. The enemies of the state and criminals who destabilize the country and bring disaster to the public, will be arrested and tried in this place. These criminals will be sentenced to death. Before the execution, the criminals will be tortured first and then beheaded. Heart and heart will be eaten by the king to increase his power. While the rest of the body to be eaten by people. Then the bones were thrown into the sea. This story gives the impression terrible to visitors who want to visit this place. Surely we would think that the people here are harsh and cruel. Though not so. The above story was never the case. But with the arrival of a new religion (Christianity), the practice of the court as it had been abandoned. And keep in mind, this heavy penalties apply only to the country's enemies or criminals who endanger and threaten the safety of the people. In addition, in deciding the punishment, the king Siallagan have to listen to input from other kings on the island of Samosir. And also officials, traditional leaders and religious leaders. And the severity of the punishment decision is set in the book of the law of the kingdom.

Stone Chair

In the area of ​​this attraction, aside from the Stone King Siallagan trial, there are also rock the execution of the death penalty, complex tombs of kings clan Siallagan and visitors can also enjoy the beauty of the architecture of ancient houses Batak.

There are still many natural attractions and the history of the island of Samosir and Lake Toba, for example, the panoramic beauty of the Cape camel, lake Sidihoni, Aek Natonang lakes, waterfalls and much more. Eating suggested, for those who want to visit Lake Toba and Samosir island, willing to spend a minimum of 4 days to be able to enjoy the entire tourism objects. Hopefully the article Lake Toba, The Amazing Wonders of Nature Tourism in Indonesia beneficial for all you lovers of traveling.