As planned with the one toothed man on the ferry our driver arrived at 9.30 am to show us around the island.
We opted just for the driver and not a guide as this was much extra, plus I had google maps enabled and could see where we were going. This was going to be handy as our driver could speak no English. This was something we found interesting that many of the people spoke very good English and others none at all. Maybe taught at a basic level at school, but the people who spoke it well said they had learnt from tourists and watching tv shows!
I had an itinerary written out by our man on the ferry which I handed to our driver, I couldn’t read his writing and I don’t think the driver could either! So we missed the first place completely, him waving his arms saying later later at my objections.
Our first stop was Huta Siallagan, an ancient Batak village. Huta Siallagan village was built in the reign of the first Huta leader, King Laga Siallagan, A number of descendants of King Siallagan still reside here today in Ambarita Village, where tombs of their ancestors can still be found in the area. North Sumatra is home to the largest number of Batak people.
Another stone meeting place, this one including a long table for executions.
As usual the exit was through the obligatory gift shop and then out onto the street with more gift stalls selling trinkets made of wood (which we can’t bring back to Australia) and handmade blankets.
Our next stop was Batu Passa and Liang Sipogu, well worth stopping for.
As we were walking back to the car we came across a cave and a lady weaving baskets inside. Anthony was flexible enough to crab walk in, it was quite far back. I’m not sure how she managed to see as I had to use the torch on my phone to get this photo. There was a contribution box at the entrance which we put something into.
The beach was next and it was the furthest northern point on Samosir, Pantai Batuhoda. Very much like a holiday destination, with cafes and beach chairs and umbrellas along the sand. Anthony decided to go for a swim, it was quite rocky and I could see that reef shoes were needed. So I was happy to sit and watch.
From here we drove up to the hot springs and then even further up into the mountains. To get to the hot springs you have to cross the Aek Tano Ponggol Bridge which links Samosir to the mainland. We could smell the hot springs way before we got there, the windows in the car were down as there was no air con, so we were blasted with hot smelly air! It was our intention to have a dip but I remember swimming in hot springs before and couldn’t get the smell of rotten eggs off my skin for ages, so we gave that a miss!
The drive to the top was extremely steep and the road very narrow. So many bends and not a smooth road, countless spots just gravel. We eventually came to a stop as I didn’t think the car could go any further.
Mr Driver (I never did get his name) wanted to continue down this track, but I had other ideas. I didn’t fancy reenacting scenes from The Italian Job. Anthony wanted to walk to the far peak, but sadly I had to put a stop to that too, there’s only so many hours in a day.
The surrounding scenery from all sides was breathtaking and the lake looked crystal clear. It was so silent up here with just the wind blowing my hair in all directions. We were reluctant to leave but time was ticking on.
Time for lunch and we had seen a couple of nice ones on the way up, overlooking the lake. It seems Mr D had other ideas and drove straight past even though I was asking him to stop and turn round! His ideas for lunch did not coincide with mine, after he drove through a dusty township at the bottom and kept pointing to dark and dismal places, which I vetoed. We eventually found somewhere on the beach, but I wasn’t happy at all. I still tipped him though!
We arrived back at our hotel around 4pm, in time to check out the hotel’s pool. Dinner that night was at Lynn’s place, called Tarian X-Iren Kitchen. It was a delicious home cooked meal. After we had finished eating she sat with us a while and told us a bit more about her life and she was also interested in ours. She offered me a ride to the hotel on the back of her bike, which I accepted! I haven’t been on a bike for over 30 years, little did I know I would be doing this again soon!
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It really does look beautiful, Ali. I could have sat on one of those chairs with my feet in the water quite happily. I was very curious to see inside one of those Batak houses. They’re such an odd shape. Were you allowed in? Happy travels, darlin!
Thanks Jo, I did have a peek inside, dark and dusty, I couldn’t tell if the inside was staged or people were actually living in it
🙄💙
Beautiful look. Wonderful all place. Great photography.
What a wonderful trip..from interesting Batik houses to lakes and a long and winding road!
Yes it was magical, thanks for your comments Sue 😊
Pleasure!
Like the other comments, I’m captivated by those unusual houses, shaped I guess to protect from extreme weather, one way or another. Sounds like you didn’t quite hit it off with your anonymous driver, Ali…bit sometimes these little misunderstandings are part of the fun. This is an interesting destination though, whatever.
Thanks for your comments Phil. It’s a shame that most of the houses are not like this anymore just ramshackle places. Yes the driver has to have been one of the worst we’ve had!
Such a wonderful site in Bali. These houses are so amazing 👏. You loved your visit there. Anita
Thanks Anita, they are very ornate
Great post. I love the stacked stones (or whatever they are).
Thanks Neal, yes me too I thought they looked very artistic
Those traditional houses look amazing! The scenery too and overall it seems you had a good day out despite some reservations about Mr Driver 😏
Thanks Sarah, it’s always a bit hit and miss with drivers if you haven’t met them before. We took a chance on arranging before but at least we got to see so much of the island
It all looks so unspoilt and beautiful Alison aside from the usual gift shops and trinket stalls. I’m so pleased your driver turned up as planned and despite not stopping at your preferred lunch place, you still had a good day out.
Thanks for your comments Marion, it was a beautiful day and Anthony said he would like to go back, maybe one day
First of all – Miss B.A – the scenery is gorgeous, and secondly, the driver sounds like a bit of a control freak. I loved the post and seeing the Batak Houses, which I’d never heard of before. You’ve been on a really great adventure, and I appreciate that you shared it.
haha, took me a while there Kellye, Miss B.A.
thanks for your comments. I’m glad you enjoyed it and managed to read to the end 😀
I always enjoy your posts and photos, and I always read to the end.
Thanks 😀
Wow beautiful, vibrant photos here Alison. You’ve traveled far from the capital (I Googled :)). Gorgeous place that I never knew existed in Indonesia. We’ve just came back from Bali and you’re right, there are many cab drivers who spoke good English but we also came across one who does not at all.
Thanks so much for your comments Amor, it seems many people had to google Lake Toba, its still very unspoilt. We love Bali and go once a year as it’s so close to Perth, hope you had a good time 🙂
We did! Now I understand why people kept coming back to the island.
I enjoyed this post, Ali. We’re now in the crowded old UK, but plenty of lovely re-wilded countryside too.
Thanks, is that you Rose?
Wow, your pictures of the land and water are really beautiful. I love the artwork on the beach. I must say though that my knees hurt just looking at the picture of the woman working in the cave.
Thanks Meg, Anthony is very flexible for a man his age!
Beautiful places and images. You have covered a lot on a single day and yes I have had similar experience with drivers even though we talk the same language 😂🤦♀️. It seems like they don’t realize that we hire them for their services 😁
Haha, Some do seem to enjoy their job, while others, it’s a means to an end.
The traditional houses are beautiful, the execution area a little less so. I guess it had its place at one time.I like the stacked stones- a bit like Stonehenge here in Wiltshire, minus the sheep and the rain!
Yes the execution area was a bit gruesome, thanks for your comments 😊