Hi everyone, happy weekend! Today, I want to share about my vacation trip to Samosir Island, which is located in the middle of Lake Toba, a volcanic lake in North Sumatra.
This time, the trip was quite long, starting with trains, then ships, and finally intercity buses, all the way from Medan to Pangururan. Despite the long journey, it was enjoyable and provided one beautiful memory that I wanted to share on @Worldmappin.
First, we took a night train from the Medan-Siantar station because the trip takes approximately three hours to reach Siantar City. After arriving in Siantar, we rested until morning and waited for the intercity bus that would take us to Ajibata Port.
The bus was right across from the train station, so we didn't need to wait anywhere else. The fare from Siantar to Ajibata Port is about 25 thousand rupiah (about $2), and the trip takes about an hour.
When we arrived at the port, we didn't have to wait long. We immediately booked tickets for the ferry departing for Ambarita Port on Samosir Island. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait for the next ferry, we arrived right when the ship was departing at around 9:00 a.m. The cost of the tickets was 16,000 rupiah ($1.20) per person, and the trip took an hour.
You will not be bored during the trip because the scenery is beautiful. The hills surrounding the lake are a feast for the eyes, and the bright sun showcases them beautifully. There is also a welcome dance performed by several dancers on the boat. Samosir Island is famous for its strong Batak culture, which has many arts that can be shared with the world.
When we arrived at Ambarita Port, the journey wasn't over yet. The distance from Ambarita to Pangururan is about 45 kilometers, or about an hour by intercity bus. The people here are very friendly and helpful. The one-hour journey is not boring because you are presented with beautiful, culturally rich views of villages, such as houses and storage places for agricultural products belonging to the surrounding community. These buildings have typical Batak ornaments and are stilt houses with towering wooden roofs.
After arriving in Pangururan, we stopped at an homestay to rest for a while. In the evening, my friend and I went for a walk to enjoy the sunset on the shores of Lake Toba. The sun was not visible because it was covered by hills, but the sky still radiated the extraordinary beauty of twilight, adorned with an orange color. Many people spend their afternoons here, either exercising or just sitting and enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Boat tours are also available around Lake Toba.
As night fell, we headed straight for the iconic dancing fountain show. The show is only held on Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 7 pm, and costs 20,000 rupiah ($1.50) per person. When we arrived, many people were already waiting for the show to begin.
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The surrounding community has transformed the water of lake into a tourist attraction by creating a dancing fountain show with colorful lights. It's so magical 🪄. This show has captivated hearts since its inception. It was a beautiful night to enjoy in this city, and one of my best trips of the year. Thank you all. See you on the other trip 🥰