There is always a word back home. Return home. After settling in Jakarta for more than twenty years, and with increasing age and busyness, going home so that rituals can be counted on the fingers.
Missing is always there, and a sudden plan that then makes me and my mother, and my brother, desperate to return to the birthplace in North Sumatra. After an overnight stay in Medan, we headed straight for the Amplas Terminal. We chose Elf type public transport to return to Parapat. Towards Lake Toba and Samosir Island pet.
We also set foot back in Parapat just as the sun set, greeted the view of Lake Toba on the side of the road. Really charming! We got off right at the Parapat Mosque and not far from there, there was a small hotel we had ever been inapi. The rates are cheap, even without air conditioning and television. Yes, who needs air conditioning when the temperature in Parapat is enough to make the chills. That night we immediately rested, preparing for the exploration of tomorrow.
In the morning we eat Mi Gomak, a typical Batak noodle dish served with curry pumpkin curry, at a side street shop. When the angkot passes by, we go up to Ajibata Harbor. We want to ride a motor boat to Samosir Island because it is more practical and fast. Approximately thirty minutes later arrived at Tomok Port. Yes, today we intend to surround Samosir Island which is the island in the middle of the largest volcanic lake in the world!
Anchored in Tomok, Do not Forget to Batak Museum and King Sidabutar's Old Tomb!
In Tomok, besides the berth, it also became an impromptu market every morning. Some sell fish, vegetables, cassava tapai (it's my favorite! It tastes wonderful and more juicy, different from tapai in Java), spices, and-which immediately grabbed our attention-DURIAN! My family is a heavy lover of thorns. Immediately we approached the merchant. The price ranges from five thousand to ten thousand per piece. Durian Samosir average small size but it feels very delicious and distinctive. Durian Monthong is far away!
After eating some durian fruit in an instant, we were approached by a man who offered a motorcycle rental for seventy thousand for the whole day. Our intention to explore Samosir like greeting. It is better to rent a motorcycle to be satisfied to go around rather than ride a limited angkot goal. As a result, we are the three motorbikes because only my brother can ride a motorcycle. This really can not be imitated because it is quite dangerous, the streets on the island of Samosir uneven, tortuous, and up and down. While in Tomok, we had stopped by the Batak Museum Tomok built in 2005 and shaped traditional Batak house.
In the courtyard there are statues and small stone tables, estimated to be a relic of Megalithic. Inside the museum there are various types of ulos cloth, Batak custom clothes, wooden sculptures, swords, and various agricultural and household appliances. Not to forget also the ancient manuscripts and musical instruments gondang. The museum can be accessed for free.
From there we proceed to the Old Tomb of King Sidabutar which is still unidirectional. Here are the tombs of the three kings of Sidabutar and their relatives. Uniquely, this stone grave carved human head and somewhat red, believed to be a symbol of the blood of the enemy who defeated the kings. Here there are also Batak carvings, such as lizards and four breasts, which means Batak people must be able to adapt wherever they are and Batak people must have many children.
Stunning Panorama from Onan Runggu
It was eleven o'clock and the road was pretty quiet. From Tomok we chose to turn left, towards Onan Runggu. The gravel road we passed. Satisfied it was to see the beauty of Toba along the side of the road. In the middle of the journey, we stop at the coffee plantations of the citizens who have been famous Samosir. His name is Ateng Coffee because the tree is short like Ateng, he said.
This type of Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) is famous for high quality and more delicious than Robusta. In fact, Ateng Coffee from Siborongborong area to be exported to America for Starbucks. Ateng coffee is a quick harvest is called Coffee Sigarar Debt by local residents. That is, coffee to pay the debt. Because, by planting this coffee they can meet the daily needs without the need to owe to the cooperative or loan shark. I also asked permission to pick a coffee that was red. Split and two wet coffee beans look, it tastes sweet.
After that, we go to the point of view of Onan Runggu (the easternmost district in Samosir). From this cottage, emblazoned the beauty of Lake Toba from end to end. What an unforgettable sight. The rows of pine trees and blue sky blend like paintings. We sat around enjoying the surrounding beauty and the coolness of Samosir air. Do not forget to photograph here and there! Residents in this area raise average pigs and grow rice. The swollen rice fields create a landscape that is not less beautiful. It's heavy to move, but we have to continue exploring.
There are quite a lot of stalls selling gasoline in Samosir, no need to worry about running out of fuel. The price is the same market. We had intended to go to Nainggolan and Palipi, around the island to Pangururan. But the tire patchman (yes, finally our motorcycle tires broke) advised us to back off because the road to it was damaged and dangerous. We decided to retreat back to Simanindo and Pangururan. Although repeating the previous route, the beauty of Toba will erase fatigue.
Warming Yourself in Aek Wangat Pangururan
After 40 km drive along Batak traditional house and rice field yellow, we arrived at Simanindo and stopped by the tavern for lunch (which is very late because it is half past three). When visiting Simanindo, do not forget to stop by the Museum Huta Bolon Simanindo to watch the Tor-Tor Dance and Sigale-gale Statues. Most visitors to this museum are foreign tourists. Fun, the audience can participate dance Tor Tor with dancers. It's a must!
Prior to Simanindo, we can also pass Tuk-tuk Tourism Village which is located on a small cape in Samosir. Here there are many resorts and cafes, a favorite of foreign tourists. We did not go there because we have. When we saw foreign tourists milling about on motorcycles, our spirit was burning again. Continue to Pangururan!
The excitement of this trip is that we can stop whenever we want. Take a look around the elementary school children on foot while occasionally waving for a ride when there is a passing car (not all areas on Samosir Island are bypassed by Elf transport cars). Look around the mothers who pounded rice or pigs mengahon. Enjoy the beauty of the cornfields along the lake side and the unique houses and tombs typical of the Batak tribe.
Approximately an hour later, we arrived at the attraction of Aek Rangat Pangururan. The source of this sulfur springs has public bath facilities and is free of charge. Unfortunately, there is only one pool and less managed. In addition to the bathhouse, there is a coffee shop to taste coffee. Black coffee typical of Samosir Island will remove fatigue.
The source of the springs located at Pusuk Buhit is very beautiful, I tried to climb the rocks and reached the peak. Pusuk Buhit (center of the hill) is a mountain of eruption of Mount Toba in the past and has a height of approximately 1,900 mdpl. This mountain is considered sacred by the locals. In fact, at its peak there is a place called Sawan Stone offerings. From here it is believed that the Creator of the Universe lowered the Batak people. The name is Nabolon.
Another Story: Greet New Face of Mount Kelud
Unfortunately, we did not have time to continue the exploration to Lake Sidihoni (lake on the lake) and Adat Huta Siallagan Village in Ambarita because it was already late afternoon. We had to catch the last ship to Ajibata at seven o'clock. An eight-hour exploration a hundred and fifty kilometers between Tomok-Onan-Runggu-Simanindo-Pangururan-Tomok had to end. But, I will definitely go back to explore the abundant beauty of Samosir Island. Samosir Island always keeps the village