THE WONDERFUL OF TOBA LAKE

         Lake Toba (Indonesian: Danau Toba) is a large natural lake occupying the caldera of a supervolcano. The lake is about 100 kilometres long, 30 kilometres wide, and up to 505 metres deep. Located in the middle of the northern part of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, with a surface elevation of about 900 metres. It is the largest lake in Indonesia and also the largest volcanic lake in the world. Lake Toba is the site of a massive supervolcanic eruption estimated at VEI 8 that occurred 69,000 to 77,000 years ago, representing a climate-changing event. It is the largest known explosive eruption on Earth in the last 25 million years. According to the Toba catastrophe theory, it had global consequences for human populations; it killed most humans living at that time and is believed to have created a population bottleneck in central east Africa and India, which affects the genetic make up of the human worldwide population to the present.

         Lake Toba is a lake with the the best view and landscape from any side you want to document it. If you look from the height, then you are able to see almost the entire surface area of Lake Toba. Lake Toba have been proposed by the government of Indonesia as one of the 7 wonders of the world along with Borobudur Temple to  the United Nations because Lake Toba is being built by Supervolcano eruption that has been formed a giant caldera and change almost large part of the earth climate for seven years. And because of the beauty and its elegance, the Indonesian government through the government of the province of North Sumatra want to make this place is one of the favorite destination for tourists both local and international tourists by improving and enhancing the facilities and infrastructure that exist in this region for the better and easier to be visited. Hotels, guesthouses and comfortable  & save homestays scattered in this area ranging from an affordable rate to exclusive. There are some places attractions that you can visit in Lake Toba that will not make you stop in awe to enjoy it.  I will describe one by one here but it would be better if I deliver the travel information that you need to go to rich this place easily. 

The Trip  Information

          For those of you who come from outside the province of North Sumatra and from abroad, if you want to visit to Lake Toba, you will land at the International Airport Kuala Namo, Medan. A magnificent for international airports and is the third largest airport in Indonesia. From the airport, you can continue the journey to the city specifically to Jalan Sisingamaraja, Marendal than forward to ride the bus Medan - Parapat by route. There are many transportation options at the airport to Medan City, namely: Train, Bus and Taxi. If you ride the Taxi, you can ask the driver to drive you to the Bus heading to Parapat. If you using the airport bus, the next stop is Jalan Sisingamaraja, Marendal. But if you riding the train, you will stop at the Train station in Lapangan Benteng. From Medan heading to Parapat, there are many transportation option for you to heading to Parapat and it will take 4 - 5 hours trip. You can find the Bus namely Sejahtera which is always keep up this route for years. For detail information about this trip to Parapat from Medan, you can check it out here. 

Well, lets begin to discuss about the Tourist Attraction available in Toba Lake as stated before on the above articles. 

1.  Taman Simalem Resort
        The angle of view of the location of Lake Toba from simalem park resort is a tourist place in Desa Merek, Tanah Karo, North Sumatra, promising the  beauty of Lake Toba exclusively. one tree hill there is a path that can be found if a right turn toward the orange orchard from the front gate. At this place the tourists can see Lake Toba from the highest point in the resort. You have to pay Rp. 50.000 for walkers who want to enter it just to see the view of Lake Toba from Simalem Resort. For motorcycles of charge Rp. 85.000 and Rp.250.000 for cars. See this sample of Danau Toba view from Simalem Resort below.

2. Bukit Simarjarunjung
          Toba lake view also can be seen from the hill (Indonesian : Bukit) of Simarjarunjung, Tigaras at Si Sapu Angin, Simalungun, North Sumatra. You can enjoy the view of Toba Lake from here being accompanied by food and drink that will make you vacation and relaxation more complete. Simarjarunjung hill offering panoramic views of the mortal tub which may only exist in heaven. The Bukit Simarjarunjung is the tourist attraction which is lies on the top of the hill to see the beautiful scenery of rice fields, tea gardens and Lake Toba. The scenery is also equipped with a blue sky and a gentle breeze. If the weather is sunny and foggy, you can see the area around Lake Toba like green hills, mountains and blue lake water sparkle. That can linger at the top, you are recommended to bring a thick jacket and lunch at this place because of its cool air and cool. This place is also often in use for camping by the students or the community of nature lovers. 

3. Pulau Samosir
         Samosir Island is a volcanic island in the middle of Lake Toba in North Sumatra province. Pulau Samosir commonly called the island in the island with an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level, making the island became an island that attract tourists. Tuktuk is the tourists favorite place on the island. From Parapat, Tuktuk can be connected by crossing ferry. In addition to water transportation, Samosir Island can also be reached by road through Pangururan that a place where Samosir Island and Sumatra Island are connected. Samosir Island itself is located in the district of Samosir newly bloomed in 2003 from Toba Samosir regency. On this island there are also two small lakes as a tourist attraction which is Sidihoni Lake and Lake Aek Natonang who earned the nickname "lake on the lake".
There are various place as tourists attraction in Samosir Island as the following :
1.   Tomb of King Sidabutar, located in Tomok, the tomb made of intact stone that been
      carved without any linkage to the resting place of King Sidabutar businessmen Tomok 
      region at that time.
2.  Parsidangan stone, located in the village of stone Siallagan is being structured so during 
      the reign of King Siallagan place to prosecute and execute criminals.
3.  The Performances of Sigale-gale, were in Tomok is a folk art sculptures that are made to 
      be danced following the Gondang tradisional music.
4.  Marhosa stone, lies in sigarantung-village of Parmonangan, is a natural phenomenon of 
     the stone who can breath or able to exhale the air.
5.  Ambarita beaches, for bathing and fishing.
6.  Aek Natonang, located in the village Tanjungan,- that is a lake on the lake and be planned
     as an Tourism area covering 105 ha of the Forest.
7.  Tuktuk Siadong, the region similar cape of peninsula is now become the center of tourist
     activities (central tourism district) which been crowded y the business hotels &
     restaurants as well as a painter and engraver.
8. Bukit Beta kite International, a special area in Tuktuk Siadong which has been defined by
    Mr. Governor of North Sumatra. T. Rizal Nurdin in August 2004 for the location of the 
    Kite game International.
And a lot of more tourist place can be found in this Samosir Island.

Samosir Island

 Currently, there are many hotels, homestay, and guest house available on every place you are visiting within Danau Toba. You can found it all in Parapat Town, Samosir Island and other place in Danau Toba. The cost for stay in is varies from Rp. 100.000/Night - Rp. 550.ooo/night depend on grade or class room. Well, I can sure you all the potential tourist will not disappoint once you visit the Toba Lake. I will welcome you when you are here.  

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MENTAWAI BEACH, PARADISE FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SURFERS

         

           Mentawai Islands is an archipelago located on western of the Sumatra Island and surrounded by the Indian Ocean. Mentawai Islands are part of a series of non-volcanic islands and archipelagoes that the peaks of an underwater ridge. The Mentawai district consists of four main island groups that inhabited which is the island of Siberut, Sipora Island, North Pagai and South Pagai island. In addition, there are several small islands are uninhabited and mostly just another island planted with palm trees. Mentawai tribe as the main population in the district and generally the public did not have a clear picture of their origins, although any of them know some of the mythology that sometimes a little vague and unbelievable. Local people call their country by the name of Bumi Sikerei. Most of the inhabitants of the islands in the Mentawai Islands district comes from the island of Siberut. Mentawai tribe society physically has a culture that is mostly like an archaic neolithic era where the public is not familiar with the technology of metalworking, as well as planting and the art of weaving.  District population half of which are animists, then mostly Christians and Muslims. After the independence of the people in this district has been mingle with other tribes in Indonesia, especially after the district became one of the transmigration destination.

The Mentawai Beach - The Surfing Paradise

         Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra has a gorgeous stretch beaches. The Beach with white sand blends with the blue water. Mentawai has great waves that are well known among surfers the world as a surfing paradise, and that's why the Mentawai waves is being positioned at the fourth great waves on surfing in the world. There are many stunning beaches in Mentawai, call it Turkish Mapaddegat, Tuapeijat, Makakang in North Sipora, Simatalu in West Siberut and Sipora Katiet in the South. Besides beaches mentioned earlier, here are many other beaches spread over 10 districts in Mentawai. In addition Mentawai Islands also became one of the adventure tourism and cultural destination. Madobak village, Ugai village, and the village Matotonan are some cultural villages that are worth visiting. 

        To reach these villages, you have to travel about 5-6 hours through the river and the trail through the route of Muara Siberut Rokdok-Madobak-Ugai-Matotonan. The village is famous due to a waterfall Madobak Kulu Kubuk as high as 70 meters consisting of 2 levels.

Beside to the village Madobak, you can also visit Lake Rua Oinan which is shaped estuary surrounded by a large tree, which is located in the middle of the woods in the hamlet Saumanganyak.

           In addition to presenting the charm of beautiful beaches, Mentawai also become the central gathering endemic animals such as Mentawai macaque, pig tailed macaque monkeys, squirrels musk, Sipora flying squirrels, flying squirrels siberut and much more. Which would further spoil your travel and can be one of educational travel for your children in the region of West Sumatra. When you come to Mentawai, do not forget to taste the typical food Mentawai, taro chips derived from the taro plant, only to be found in the tourist attractions of West Sumatra.

Trip Information

           To get to the Mentawai islands, sea transport is still the mainstay. Using a motor boat that operates twice a week on Sunday night by Sumber Rezeki Baru Boat and Thursday night by Simasini Boat through the Bungus Port. Bungus Port takes around 50 Minutes from Minangkabau International Airport. Due to the location is  quite far away from the city of Padang, a trip would take in 1 day. This ship which became the main transport also when returning to the field that is departing on Tuesday and Friday nights at a cost of Rp. 125,000 per once trip. You can also use air transport departing from Minangkabau International Airport and then rent a small plane such as Tiger Air or SMAC up to Tuapejat in Sipora Island. Shorter journey time of around 3-4 hours to reach the mouth of Siberut. Several tour packages that exist in West Sumatra travel also provides packages including lodging, round trip transportation and take pictures with tribal facilities Mentawai and tour guide with a price range of Rp. 1,500,000 - Rp. 2,500,000.

           Well for those of you who are interested to venture Mentawai Islands district, you do not have to worry about where to stay if the price of lodging does not match your pocket. Several islands in the southern districts and the North Pagai siberut provide homestay. Hospitality of the population is already well known by tourists so that they would be happy to welcome you to stay and stopped at their residence.

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PANTAI CAROCOK DAN PULAU CINGKUAK

     

PANTAI CAROCOK

        West Sumatra known as a province in Indonesia that has a variety of beauty and uniqueness in attracting tourists and travelers who wish to spend the holiday with the  unique and extreme activities. It is been proved that one of the region within West Sumatera being famous by named which is Bukittinggi the Tourist City. West Sumatra which is geographically located in the area along the mountain of Barisan or Bukit Barisan (Indonesian Language) makes the province as an area that presents a variety of scenery and uniqueness in terms of tradition and culture. West Sumatera is also a province that is crossed by the equator, making province of western Sumatra have good soil fertility with good weather climates anyway. Since most of the province of West Sumatra lies on a peninsula Mountain of Barisan makes the most of this region has a fresh air and cold. 

         In addition to the natural scenery of mountains and hills, West Sumatra also has a favorite maritime tourism destination and the ultimate choice for travelers and tourists, one of them is Carocok Beach and Cingkuak island located in Painan, Kabupaten Pesisir Selatan, West Sumatera-Indonesia. Being Located approximately 80 KM from the Padang City, this location is not difficult to be found for tourists and visitors to visit the Carocok beach and the island cingkuak Area due to all the facilities to reach this location has been available including transportation, information and promotions. The Carocok beach and Cingkuak island lies in one acreage. Because between the coast and the island is separated by approximately 500 meters of shallow waters. If you visit the Carocok Beach, you can reach the Cingkuak Island as well by crossing the sea using canon boat that is available too in that location. At Carocok beach you can find a lot of accessories, traditional jewelry and the other unique stuff being sold as like as the public market. You also can taste the various recognize Padang Culinary and seafood here.

      If you'd like to enjoy the white sand clear beach scenery and performing snorkeling and feel the clear of the sea water, you got to cross to Cingkuak Island from Carocok coast by using the canon boat that being provided for the tourists who want to cross over there by paying for Rp. 15000 for one line trip cross. on the Cingkuak island, there are many options for you to try exciting activities such as Banana Boat, to surround the island by speed board, snorkeling, and feel the crystal clear sea water. You may spend the vacation by fishing  for those of you who like to fishing. Due to this Location is one of the venue for the Fishing competition all over Indonesia once ago, fishing can be the interest activity to enjoy your holiday  here.

PULAU CINGKUAK

DIRECTION OF THE JOURNEY TO REACH THE LOCATION

      For you the visitors coming from outside of West Sumatera or from abroad, your plane will be landing on Minangkabau International Airport, Padang. Than forward to Padang City by public transportation such as Damri or Tranex or Taxi is also available on the airport. If you use Airport Bus, you need to pay the cost for Rp. 20.000 for or if you are going to use Taxi, the cost is negotiable but it will not less than Rp. 100.000 to Rp. 130.000 from Air port to Padang City. If you been arrived in Padang City, than you need to go to Pasar Raya Padang to find the next the public transportation for the next trip to Painan City. There are two option for the transportation which are legal transportation and illegal transportation. But most of people like to use the illegal transportation that they name "Travel". Why? they have service to drive the passenger to the address they want. You just pay it for Rp. 30.000 for the cost from Padang to Painan. You can reach this travel around the Taqwa mosque which is the biggest mosque in Pasar Raya Padang. You can ask the people around it where the travel stand on is. I would suggest and recommend you to this transportation based on my experience for many times to go here. But if you want to use legal transportation, you may have a next trip about 15 minutes from pasar raya padang to the place that name Rawang or Teluk Bayur by the mini station car with the blue color named "Oplet" and you need to pay the cost for Rp. 2.500. You can find a lot of bus or mini bus heading to Painan stand on waiting for the passenger but it will drive you slower than travel and they will drop you on the bus station or at the traditional market lies in Painan City. The cost for this kind transportation is less than Rp. 20.000   Padang to Painan take a distance around 80 Km and take 2 hours. During the journey, you will be shown the beauty coast and the blue ocean from the higher elevation. The retired and bored will be gone become the amazing trip as long as you are in the car heading to Painan. Once you arrived at Painan, there are many home stay and hotel you can found here along with reachable cost for stay by range Rp. 150.000 to Rp. 300.000 per night. 

AVAILABLE GAMES ON CINGKUAK ISLAND

      On the Cingkuak Island, there are several activities and games that you can try and enjoy such as Banana Boat, Donut Boat, Speed Boat, Flying Fox, snorkeling, fishing or swimming. We will discuss each one of the games in the island Cingkuak:

1. Banana Boat
       Banana Boat is a balloon made of rubber and contain dense of air. The shape of this balloon seems like banana and that's why it called Banana Boat. There are 8 available seats on the balloon and equipped by the rope as a handle for the person and withstand them in order to in order to keep them up from the speed of banana boat which is dragged by a speed boat which is snaking on the sea level carrying passengers touring around the island. Nuance that we feel when ride a banana boat is like riding a roller coaster or a fast train drive you up and down, twisting and spinning without slowing down. The perceived challenge is how strong your grip on the handling rope in front of you unable to drop you down due to high speed boat. But for those of you who can not swim do not worry, because each passenger shall suit off a life jacket before the game starts so it makes you afloat when you down. 

Banana Boat

2. Donat Boat

       This game is not so different to the Banana Boat. Your strong hand and ability to keep up your body not down is the challenge for this game. Only the shape of the balloon makes it looks different. So, I would not tell it more detail about this.

Donat Boat

3. Flying Fox

     Besides Banana and Donut Boat, for those of you who like extreme sports and challenges, Flying Fox can be the ultimate option to see your braveness. This Flying Fox span along 300 meters from the Batu Kereta Island to the west coast of Carocok. The adrenaline rush combined with a desire to see the beach from above. From the tower of flying fox,  Carocok beach looks beautiful. The blue of the water combined to white sand and green trees equipped the coast make this scenery looks amazing from the distance.  Once the tool is installed safely and completely, please start sliding while enjoying the beauty of the beach Carocok from the elevation. This is a good game for wo those like an extreme sports and activity.

Flying Fox

Well, after all the great games and activities explanation, what make stop you to visit this place and try all of it. Have a nice holiday.

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