5 Hal Yang Paling Berkesan Dari Trip Di Sumatera Utara

Hey hey heeeyyyy Kawan-kawan YouTube!

Gak biasanya gua nulis artikel di blog pake bahasa Indonesia. Hahahaha karena artikel ini spesial untuk orang-orang speasial dalam hidup gua. 

*ciiiieeeeee apa banget dah bahasanya

Gua mengakhiri 2016 dan mengawali 2017 dengan pulang kampung ke Sumatera Utara. Sebenernya itu kampung bokap gua sih, tapi disana sebagian besar keluarga besar gua dari bokap tinggal disana. Udah 4 tahun (terakhir 2012) gua gak ngunjungin Sumatera Utara dan bertemu dengan sodara-sodara gua disana jadi karena kangen dan pengen menjalin silaturahmi sekaligus menjelajahi Sumatera Utara jadinya gua kesana deh.

Berhubung saat ini gua adalah full time YouTuber-Blogger untuk Seni budaya Indonesia dan keunikan Indonesia, gua kepengen banget explore keunikan kampung gua ini. Soalnya, gua dulu-dulu kalo ke Medan itu pasti buat urusan mudik a.k.a pas lebaran, dan gua sibuk bersilaturahmi kesana-sini jadi gak pernah ada waktu buat menjelajahi Sumatera Utara. 

Nah, semua sesi "Jalan-jalan" yang ada di YouTube channel audi26tv dan artikel soal pariwisata Sumatera Utara di blog ini, semua perjalanan ditemenin sama sodara-sodara gua. Jadi gak ada gua pergi sendiri. Dan disitulah pengalaman baru, kesan-kesan indah, dan pelajaran baru gua dapatin.

Apa aja itu? Biar lebih terstruktur, gua ambil 5 hal yang paling berkesan selama 3 minggu trip di Medan.

1. Hubungan Dengan Keluarga Besar Jadi Lebih Dekat

Sodara dan Keponakan dari keluarga Medan

Sebenernya waktu kakak gua yang pertama nikahan bulan Agustus 2016, beberapa keluarga di Medan dateng ke Jakarta buat hadir di pesta nikahan. Dari situ gua sebenernya dah lumayan deket banget, apalagi dengan keponakan-keponakan gua. Dulu mereka masih kecil-kecil, ketemu gua juga setahun sekali dan gak pernah jalan bareng. Pas ke Jakarta, mereka udah agak gedean, dan yang jadi tour guide selama di Jakarta gua, jadi gua deket banget sama mereka.

Keponakan keluarga Medan berenang di Ancol

Dan kedekatan itu semakin kuat pas gua jalan-jalan di Sumatera Utara. Terutama waktu keliling kota Medan dan menulusuri Danau Toba sampai kota Tarutung selama 2 hari. Dari perjalanan itu, hubungan gua dengan keluarga besar semakin dekat. Terus di perjalanan lainnya, misalkan waktu ke tiga pantai eksotik, pulau Samosir, dan Air Terjun Siguragura, gua ditemenin juga sama sodara-sodara gua lainnya. 

Keluarga Besar di Medan nemenin keliling Danau Toba

Yang paling unik adalah keluarga besar gua ini NIAT BANGET bawa kompor kecil beserta TABUNG GASNYA yang warna hijau itu buat masak-masak makanan selama dua hari perjalanan ngelilingin Danau Toba pas tahun baru. Dua kali kita piknik, pertama di Tugu Silalahisabungan dan perjalanan pulang dari Tarutung ke Prapat. Beneran mereka masak! Asli niat banget! Pikiran gua, mereka masak dulu dirumah, terus dibungkus buat makan dijalan. Eh gak tahunya mereka beli bahan makanan buat dimasak pas piknik di jalan. Ampun dah gua gak habis pikir! Seru banget dan sangat berkesan. Piknik pun kerasa lebih berwarna. Pengen lagi kayak gitu, tapi gak pake bawa-bawa kompor gas. 

Masak Mie Rebus di pondok pinggir jalan. Gegara ini, orang lain ikutan berhenti piknik deketan sama kita

Ini trip paling unik yang pernah gua jalanin, bahkan lebih dari trip keluarga waktu ke Eropa dulu. Waktu ke Eropa cuma bawa rice cooker doang buat masak nasi sama bikin mie rebus. Lah yang ini, bawa kompor, tabung gas, panci, spatula, dan bahan-bahan masakan lainnya. Luar biasa memang keluarga besar gua di Medan ini 👍 

2. Lebih Mengenal Karakter Dari Provinsi Sumatera Utara

Seperti yang gua di awal artikel ini, gua itu setiap kali ke Medan pasti bareng keluarga buat mudik pas lebaran. Jadi, gak pernah bisa ngejelajahin Sumatera Utara sampe pelosok-pelosok. 

Makanya gua ke Medan sendiri, gak mau sama keluarga gua dan gak pas lebaran. Karena gua kepengen lebih mengenal kampung bokap gua ini. 

Selama 3 minggu ini, gua jadi tahu karakter Sumatera Utara kayak gimana. Penuh kesederhanaan, sangat menjunjung tinggi hubungan kekerabatan, ternyata banyak kota-kota yang cantik dan bersih, dan masyarakatnya toleran akan perbedaan. Itu adalah hal-hal positif yang gua dapetin. 

Tentu aja ada beberapa hal negatif yang kenal dan gua gak nyalahin masyarakat disana, tapi jadiin aja ini sebagai pelajaran untuk lebih baik. Misalnya, pengelolaan objek wisata masih kurang management dan perhatian karena jalan banyak yang rusak dan tempat kurang terawat, masih banyak orang-orang yang suka buang sampah dijalan apalagi selama trip keliling danau toba banyak orang buang sampah dari mobil ke jalanan, terus pengendara gak ada yang mau ngalah di jalan semuanya pengen cepet semuanya mau duluan.

Sampah berserakan di sekitar Air Terjun Siguragura

Ayolah, kita harus jadi masyarakat yang lebih beradab, lebih beretika, dan lebih perhatian dengan lingkungan sekitar! Rusaknya beberapa objek wisata di Sumatera Utara gak 100% salah pemerintah tapi tanggung jawab kita sebagai masyarakat baik sebagai pengunjung maupun sebagai masyarakat lokal yang tinggal disana.

Jangan jadikan kebiasaan buruk itu hal yang normal, misalnya buang sampah ke jalanan, kalo emang udah jadi kebiasaan orang sana, ya jangan dibiasain. Perbaiki lah! Dah tahu buang sampah ke jalan itu ngotorin lingkungan dan bukan perbuatan yang baik ya jangan dibiasain!

3. Trip Di Sumatera Utara Tantangannya Luar Biasa

Alhamdulillah gua ada mobil di rumah Medan. Jadilah gua jalan-jalan pake mobil itu. Kadang gua yang nyetir kadang kakak gua yang nyetir. Nyetir di Medan dan nemuin tempat wisatanya itu sangat sangat menantang.

Pertama, kelakuan orang Medan kalo nyetir yang pengennya ngebut terus bahkan malem-malem di jalan pegunungan. Itu menakutkan sekaligus menantang sih. Karena gua harus tetep fokus, baik pas gua nyetir ataupun jadi assisten buat supir di depan. Kalo gak, bahaya banget! Bisa-bisa kecelakaan. Jalanannya pun gak semulus kain sutra. Banyak banget lubang terutama jalan di kota Balige ke arah kota Tarutung. 

Kedua, nemuin tempat wisatanya itu luar biasa susah. Terutama Air Mandi Soda dan Air Terjun Siguragura. Padahal, dua tempat wisata itu punya fakta luar biasa loh. Air Mandi Soda itu satu-satunya pemandian Air Soda di DUNIA dan Air Terjun Siguragura itu adalah AIR TERJUN TERTINGGI DI INDONESIA. Buat nemuin dua tempat ini, gua dan sodara-sodara gua harus nanya sana-sini sama orang lokal dan percaya sama Google Maps. Soalnya gak ada papan penunjuk jalan ke dua tempat ini. Sayang banget padahal! Harusnya dua objek wisata itu jadi maskot dari pariwisata Sumatera Utara.

4. Sumatera Utara Itu Sangat Indah Dan Menakjubkan

Air Terjun Sipisopiso

Di Sumatera Utara, objek wisata yang punya fakta luar biasa:

1. AIR TERJUN TERTINGGI DI INDONESIA, Air Terjun Ponot Siguragura ada di Sumatera Utara

2. DANAU TERBESAR DI ASIA TENGGARA, Danau Toba

3. SATU-SATUNYA PEMANDIAN AIR SODA DI DUNIA ada di kota Tarutung 

Sebenernya masih banyak lagi yang lain tapi gak sempet didatengin. Dari gua kecil ke Medan, gua gak pernah tahu fakta-fakta ini. Setelah gua menjelajahi Sumatera Utara, gua bener-bener takjub. Luar biasa! Bersyukur gua jadi orang Indonesia dan punyak kampung di Sumatera Utara.

5. Kecintaan Kepada Indonesia dan Sumatera Utara Semakin Kuat

Kecintaan kepada Indonesia dan Sumatera Utara pun semakin besar. Mungkin gua bukan orang Medan Batak atau Medan Melayu, kakek gua itu emang transmigran dari Jawa, tapi tetep aja rasa cinta kepada Sumatera Utara itu semakin besar. 

Suatu hari nanti, kalo pemerintah gak mau mengelola tempat-tempat wisata yang tersembunyi disana, biar gua aja yang mengelola dan tunjukan ke dunia bahwa Sumatera Utara itu bisa jadi maskot pariwisata Indonesia.

Seni budaya dari Medan Batak dan Medan Melayu pun luar biasa. Sangat unik dan harus dilestarikan. Jadi saat nanti gua udah punya Sanggar Budaya dan Studio, gua kepengen banget melestarikan seni budaya Sumatera Utara.

Itulah hal-hal yang paling berkesan selama perjalanan di Sumatera Utara. Seru, indah, takjub, luar biasa, pokoknya keren lah! Seneng banget bisa dapet banyak hal selama jalan-jalan di Sumatera Utara. Deket sama keluarga besar, menikmati keindahan alam bareng mereka, belajar arti dari kesederhanaan, dan masih banyak lagi.

Target selanjutnya kalo pulang kampung ke Medan:

1. Pantai batu gajah Sibolga

2. Surga tersembunyi Tangkahan

3. Pulau Nias

4. Explore dan belajar seni tarian Batak

*P.S. buat keluarga besar: Catat ya hehehe, nanti temenin lagi pas kesana

Mulai sekarang, sebagai orang Indonesia yang berkampung di Bekasi dan Medan, gua harus bisa melestarikan semua hal unik di Indonesia seperti seni budaya, alam, keberagaman. Tapi masa gua sendiri? Sedih amat! Bareng-bareng lah sama kawan-kawan sekalian. Lu orang Indonesia kan ya? Masa gak mau melestarikan seni budaya Indonesia dan semua keunikan Indonesia. Ayolah, bareng-bareng kita lestarikan. Ya soalnya KALO BUKAN KITA, TERUS SIAPA LAGI? 

Nah di bawah ini adalah kumpulan vlog selama perjalanan gua di Sumatera Utara. Biar lebih kerasa serunya jalan-jalan di Sumatera Utara dan keindahan alamnya, nonton ya kawan-kawan 😄

Jangan lupa subscribed channel Audi26tv untuk mendapatkan banyak lagi video-video tentang seni budaya Indonesia dan keunikan Indonesia.

Salam,

Baca juga:

The Journey To Samosir Island And Highest Waterfall In Indonesia

My Top 3 Beach Recommendations In North Sumatra Province

Let's Have A Look Inside Indonesia Biggest Lake, Lake Toba

Medan City Shows Bhineka Tunggal Ika "The Unity Diversity" Philosophy

The Journey To Samosir Island And Highest Waterfall In Indonesia

Ponot Sigura-gura Waterfall

In the last three articles, I share about the uniqueness of North Sumatra capital city Medan, Lake Toba, and exotic beaches. However, North Sumatra still have more beautiful nature site that never fail to amaze people.

Have you ever see an island on the lake? Or, do you know where is the tallest waterfall in Indonesia? 

Well, this article can answer those questions. This is my travel story when I had a trip to Samosir Island, the island on the lake which have a lot of mysterious story, and highest waterfall in Indonesia that not many Indonesian know about this waterfall, Ponot Sigura-gura waterfall.

The Volcanic Island On The Lake, Samosir Island

I am sure most of Indonesian know about Samosir Island. The island that exist in the middle of Lake Toba, which have almost same wide with Singapore (630 km2), and one of the five biggest Island on the lake in the world.

Previously, I mentioned in my travel story in Lake Toba that 75,000 years ago, Mt. Toba terribly erupted and create very large caldera and one Island in the middle. Since then, the caldera filled by rain and turned to be lake, and the island in the middle keep exist until now which we known as Samosir Island. There's a lot of story and mystery about Samosir Island, for example, some archaeologist said that Samosir Island is actually top of the Mt. Toba. The truth of this statement still in doubt but that's why Samosir Island is very interesting. 

In order to visit Samosir Island, I departed from my house at 10 pm one day before, so that I could take earliest ferry to Samosir Island. Morning in Lake Toba is very beautiful, fresh air, great atmosphere, the sky so blue, and the wind was very nice.

After one hour taking ferry, I arrived in Tomok port, Samosir Island. In the edge of street, there are a lot of souvenirs shop where I can buy original handmade souvenir of Samosir Island and traditional clothes. 

15 minutes walking, I arrived in Sigale-gale cultural herritage, where you can  see the traditional house of Samosir Batak Tribe, the mascot of Samosir Island Sigalegale statue, and Tungtung Monument. The architecture of Batak Samosir traditional house is very unique. Moreover, you can see Sigale-gale culture performance for 20 minutes by pay 80,000 IDR. Usually, if there's so many tourists, they will conduct Sigale-gale perfomance to entertain domestic and international tourists.

Sigale-gale statue

Tungtung Monument

Not so far from Sigale-gale cultural herritage, there's Cemetary Complex of King Sidabutar or known as the place of stone and life. What is "Stone and Life"? Here's the explanation that written in fron of Cemetary Complex:

"In the cemetary complex of King Sidabutar there's a relationship betweenn Rocks and Culture, such as dancing Tortor (the traditional dance of Batak tribe) which is express through natural stone statues, as well a legend of Anting Malella's love story."

Cemetary Complex of King Sidabutar

It's very interesting, that's why cemetary complex of King Sidabutar is sacred place for local Batak tribe. Before you enter the cemetary complex, the front door staff will give you Batak songket and you have to wear it when you enter. 

The Hidden Place, Ponot Sigura-gura Waterfall, The Highest Waterfall In Indonesia

After spending two hours in Samosir Island, I continued my journey to Ponot Sigura-gura, the highest waterfall in Indonesia.

Yes, highest! You know it? No? Hahaha, well, as I expected, not many Indonesian know where's the tallest waterfall in Indonesia. Even local community don't know about this place. 

Where is it? It's in Hidden Place! 

If you search in Google, they will tell you that the highest waterfall in Indonesia is Sigura-gura waterfall. You can find it in Google maps. But the reality is, it's totally hard to find.

The location is in Toba Samosir district via Porsea town. But I didn't expect that there's no banner or directions guide to Ponot Sigura-gura waterfall. I only find the banner written "PT Inalum" or "PLN complex". I trust Google Map that I go to the right direction but there's no direction guide in the street. Even if I asked local community, they only have less knowledge about the direction to Ponot Sigura-gura.

However, I keep trusting Google Maps and keep going. Until I find complex gate of electricity company "PT Inalum", I was a little bit doubt that I go to the right direction and I'm afraid I couldn't enter. However, the security told me I go to the right direction and if I go straight away, I will find it. Okay, I trust this guy and keep going. 

There's nothing in the street. No shops, no restaurant, even no guideline banner. Really, nothing! My cousins who're going with me started to doubt that whether the waterfall is exist or not, but we try to keep going. Then, we see large cliff and hear waterfall sound. Yes, finally, we see a waterfall coming out from the cliff and we go straight away to there.

Be careful, because the street isn't friendly. Yup, Indonesia tourism classic problem, the access was really bad. The street is very broken until the gate of Ponot Sigura-gura waterfall. 

Then, I finally arrived in the bottom of Ponot Sigura-gura waterfall.

I was speechless. The waterfall is very high. I never see this kind a waterfall before. The height of Ponot Sigura-gura waterfall is 250 m! The highest in Indonesia! And the waterfall is coming out from escarpment, flowing to two cliffs below. It's hard to find Ponot Sigura-gura waterfall, but it's really worth to visit.

I couldn't play with the waterfall because the water is very heavy, it's too danger. So, I took a picture in the tree trunks that appear in the bottom of Ponot Sigura-gura waterfall. The way around waterfall is full of rocks, so be careful because I was falling down once in there. Use proper shoes or sandals so that you can walk easily

It's really worth to visit. If there's direction guideline in the street and good access, I'm sure Ponot Sigura-gura waterfall will be more developed because this is the highest waterfall in Indonesia. The government should put more attention to this kind a tourist site. Hopefully, by this article and video on my YouTube channel, the government realize how important to developed tourist site like Ponot Sigura-gura Waterfall.

Alright, that's all from North Sumatra journey. Samosir Island and Ponot Sigura-gura is the last destination that I visited during my time in North Sumatra. But North Sumatra still have more. Let me give you clue:

1. Elephant Rock Beach Sibolga

2. The Hidden Paradise Tangkahan

3. Nias Island

Those places are my next target when I go back to North Sumatra. Of course, it will be nice if I can go with my family.

If you are planning to travelling in Indonesia, don't just visiting tourist site in Java Island or Bali, visit North Sumatra Province! The nature is beauty, the food is delicious, the people are nice. The highest waterfall, the biggest lake, and the hidden paradise, everything is in North Sumatra! Only in North Sumatra! So, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to Indonesia, and visit North Sumatra.     

Also visit:

My Top 3 Beach Recommendations In North Sumatra Province

Let's Have A Look Inside Indonesia Biggest Lake, Lake Toba

Medan City Shows Bhineka Tunggal Ika "The Unity Diversity" Philosophy

My Top 3 Beach Recommendations In North Sumatra Province

When you hear about North Sumatra Province, most of you will refer to Batak tribe or Lake Toba. Indeed, Batak tribe and Lake Toba are trademark for North Sumatra tourism. However, North Sumatra is bigger and more beautiful than you think. Especially, natural tourism.

After exploring Lake Toba, I'd like to explore where is beautiful beach in North Sumatra. Eventually, there are two beach location, first one in Serdang Bedagai district and second one in Sibolga district. Since Sibolga district is so far from Medan city, so I went to the nearest beach location which is Serdang Bedagai, 45 km from Medan city.

I found there are at least 3 beautiful beaches in Serdang Bedagai district which I'd like to recommend to you. This three beaches are in the same regency which very accessible and comfortable for tourists. 

Here they are, 3 beautiful beaches in Serdang Bedagai district, North Sumatra:

1. Pantai Cermin

In English, the word "cermin" means "mirror" and "pantai" is "beach". So, it means Mirror Beach. Why Mirror? Because the sand's color is very white like a real mirror and it's very soft.

Pantai Cermin also known as "Water Theme Park Beach" because there's water theme park inside Pantai Cermin that becomes favorite destination for local tourists especially for family trip. So, the collaboration between natural beach and modern recreation makes Pantai Cermin unique.

The water theme park attraction include:

- Slide and Pool

- Watersport

- Water Castle

- Horse Riding

- Mini Zoo

- Bird Park

- Splash Pool

- Lazy Pool

The enter cost is super cheap, it only takes Rp 5000,- / person = $0.37! Wow, you can enjoy the beauty of "mirror" sand in Pantai Cermin with very cheap price! Include Pantai Cermin in your holiday's destination, especially, if you plan to visit North Sumatra province.

2. Pantai Pondok Permai

In Indonesia vocabulary, "pondok" means "cottage" and "permai" means "pleasant". So from the name, you can have an image about what kind of place Pantai Pondok Permai is.

Yup, it's a beach where there are so many cottages in the edge of the beach which so pleasant to have picnic with your family or loved one. Moreover, there are also cottage for event venue, that's why Pantai Pondok Permai is often being univesity or high school reunion or family gathering venue.

Talking about family gathering, Pantai Pondok Permai is the best place for family trip, especially who really like picnic, Pantai Pondok Permai can provide the memorable family trip. Like I mentioned before, there are a lot of cottages that prepared for family who'd like to bring their own food and have picnic in the beach. It's really good feeling to have a lunch together with our lovely family with beach as a view.

In addition, you can ride banana boat, speadboat, and small boat for going around the sea in Pantai Pondok Permai. You can rent the boat and life jacket in the store.

If you are looking for where is the best place for picnic with beach view or unique gathering place, Pantai Pondok Permai is my recommendation.

3. Pantai Bali Lestari

Last but not least, North Sumatra's popular beach, which is Pantai Bali Lestari. Why it's so popular among North Sumatra society? From the name, you can guess right? 

Well, you can feel like you are in Bali's beach in Pantai Bali Lestari. The beach atmosphere, Bali decoration, hanging umbrella, and Hindu temple gate makes tourists feel like they are in Bali. So, North Sumatra society don't need to spend a lot of money to go to Bali. Just visit Pantai Bali Lestari and they can feel the atmosphere of Bali's beach. 

"Why there's "Bali" in North Sumatra?" that's my first reaction when I hear Pantai Bali Lestari. I never hear there's place called Pantai Bali Lestari. Of course I never hear, Pantai Bali Lestari is new tourist object. In 2011, the regent of Serdang Bedagai district inaugurated Pantai Bali Lestari as new tourist site in Serdang Bedagai district.

Pantai Bali Lestari provide fun attractions such as:

- Banan Boat

- Jet Ski

- Small Ferry for going around the sea

Moreover, you can enjoy sea food meal in sea food restaurant with outdoor style. 

Most of tourists like to take a picture in front of Hindu temple gate and in front of "Pantai Bali Lestari" banner in the wall.

It's so unique right? North Sumatra have their own Bali. So, if you are looking for exotic beach in North Sumatra, Pantai Bali Lestari is the right place.

Actually, there's another beach area in Sibolga district. However, since Sibolga district is so far from Medan city, so I recommend you to visit Serdang Bedagai's beach area which is Pantai Cermin. Those 3 beaches that I shared, are my top recommendation.

The beauty of North Sumatra's natural tourism is REAL. So, let's explore it!

Also visit:

Let's Have A Look Inside Indonesia Biggest Lake, Lake Toba

Medan City Shows Bhineka Tunggal Ika "The Unity Diversity" Philosophy

Jalan Jalan Medan 2: Danau Toba // Lake Toba (Eng and Japanese Sub) 

Jalan - Jalan Medan 1 Edisi: 'Explore The City Of Unity In Diversity' 

       

Let's Have A Look Inside Indonesia Biggest Lake, Lake Toba

Lake Toba

Indonesia tourism never fail to impress travel lovers around the world. Not only the beauty of the nature and colorful society with tribes diversity, but the history behind it is really amazing.

Lake Toba, the biggest lake in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, has unique and mysterious story behind its beauty. Moreover, around Lake Toba, there are so many unique and awesome places that makes you really love to travelling in North Sumatra province.

In previous article, I showed you 5 great places in Medan city, the capital city of North Sumatra province which makes Medan city is "Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity In Diversity)" represent city. However, Medan city is only small part of the greatest of North Sumatra province. Lake Toba is trademark and icon of North Sumatra and Indonesia tourism.

Why Lake Toba is always be favorite place for people to enjoy their holiday? What kind of story and mystery behind Lake Toba? And are there any great places around Lake Toba that you must visit?

Let me share my travel story in Lake Toba in the beginning of 2017. 

I'd like to guide you by this article, to have a look inside Lake Toba and the great places around Lake Toba.

Lake Toba, Or I Have To Say 'Mt. Toba'

Lake Toba is the largest and biggest lake in Indonesia as well as Southeast Asia with over 1145 square km with depth around 450 m. Even Lake Toba is one of the deepest lake in the world 

You must be amazed when you see Lake Toba by seeing photos above or photos in Indonesia travel website. You'll be more impressed when you see by your own eyes because even me as Indonesian, I don't know that Lake Toba is very beautiful, the lake and "Bukit Barisan" hills around the lake. 

However, behind Lake Toba's beauty, there's long story and mystery how this Lake was made.

I made research about Lake Toba history from several website. The story behind Lake Toba makes me scary but at the same time, it makes me proud to be Indonesian.

Lake Toba, or I'd like to say 'Mt. Toba'. Yes, it's 'Mt. Toba' not 'Lake Toba'. Before being a lake, Lake Toba was very high mountain. Until now, there are many speculations about the height of Mt. Toba. Around 75,000 years ago, Mt. Toba extremely exploded. It was considered as the most terrible explosion in earth history, that kill almost all humans in the earth and 6 years without sun. The effect of this explosion was Mt. Toba totally destroyed and create very big caldera with one island stayed in the middle. That big caldera for 75,000 years filled by rain and it turns to be a lake. The island in the middle we known as "Samosir Island". Yesss, that's the story behind Lake Toba.

Actually, if we discuss about Lake Toba, it won't be end because there's still so many mysteries in Lake Toba, at least that's what heard from local community who're living around Lake Toba. 

Sipiso-piso Waterfall

Sipiso-piso waterfall located in Tongging village, Karo town. Sipiso-piso waterfall one of the nature sites around Lake Toba that very famous because the beauty of this waterfall.

The name "Sipiso-piso" is from Indonesian words "Pisau or Indonesian usually said, Piso" means knife. Furthermore, the waterfall that have height 120 m / 800 mdpl, is flowing like a knife. Some people said that, if you touch the water from waterfall directly it can hurt your body like you stabbed by knife. 

Sipiso-piso waterfall is one of the tallest waterfall in Indonesia. It's only "one of the". Because the tallest waterfall in Indonesia is located in North Sumatra as well. I'll write about it later.

If you want to feel the sensation of Sipiso-piso waterfall, there's a way to go down until bottom of the waterfall. However, let me share my experience. When you arrive in Sipiso-piso waterfall, you will see the waterfall from top of the hill. So when you challenge yourself to go down into waterfall's bottom, it's same as you climb down the hill. It's okay when you go down, but when you go up, makes sure you have enough power and water because it same as you climb the hill.

However, your hard work will be paid off once you arrive in the bottom of Sipiso-piso waterfall. You can feel the sensation, joy, and good feeling from torrent of waterfall. If you lucky, you can see a rainbow from Sipiso-piso waterfall that gives you the best travel experience in Sipiso-piso waterfall. 

Silalahisinabungan Monument, Jakarta's Monas Looks Like Monument

Yeah, it looks like Jakarta's Monumen Nasional (Monas) because the gold on the top of the monument looks similar with Monas, but it's different monument and have no relation with Monas.

Silalahi Sinabungan Monument was built in 1967 and officiated in 1981. Silalahisinabungan Monument is located in Silalahi Nabolak, in the edge of the Lake Toba.

Beside the monument, there's Batak tribe traditional house, Ruma Balon Silalahisabungan King. So, if you love photography, you can get two objects in the same place and time.

In monument, you can see the paints that described life in Silalahisabungan Kingdom and how Silalahisabungan King's government work. There's also description about Silalahisabungan King in the monument. All of these are written by Batak language, the language of Batak tribe, you I can't translate it for you.

Moreover, you can getting close with Lake Toba and enjoy the air and peaceful atmosphere. I suggest you to come Silalahisabungan Monument in afternoon time, because the scenery is really beautiful. Unfortunately, when I went there, it's rainy day so I couldn't enjoy sunset here. But still, it's worth to visit.

Tarutung Town, The Cleanest City  Only One Soda Bathing Place In The World

Let's go to the city that takes 2 hours from Lake Toba, the cleanest city in North Sumatra that I ever see, Tarutung town, North Tapanuli.

No offense, but everytime I pass market district in every town in North Sumatra, there's always trashes on the street. It doesn't look nice and it's quite dirty! However, in Tarutung town, I didn't see any trashes on the street even when I passed the market district. The river is also clean, although the color is brown, but there's no trashes passing on the river's flow. That's really really shocking me and the rest of my big family who have trip with me. I never see such a clean town in Indonesia like Tarutung town. The other city especially bigger city must follow Tarutung town cleanliness because clean city is better place to live.

Moreover, Tarutung town has more than its cleanliness. Tarutung town has soda water resource that use for public bath and it's the only one place in Indonesia. Even in the world, there are only two soda water resource, one in Venezuela and one in Tarutung town. However, soda water in Venezuela, I heard rumor that it won't use for public bath, which means Tarutung town's soda water resouorce is the only one soda water bathing place IN THE WORLD!

Woooowwww, that's why I'm so proud to be Indonesian 😁😁😁

Tarutung town's Soda water was found by Minar Sihite in 1973. At first, local community feel the place where soda water belong was scary place because the paddy that was planted near soda water were died. Furthermore, the red color around soda water give 'mystical' impression for local Batak community. That's why they call soda water as Aek Rara, "Aek" means water and "Rara" means red.

Even though there's mystical impression from this soda water, Minar Sihite build bathing place in this soda water and in 1990 Tarutung town Soda Water Public Bath was officially opened.

So, North Sumatra has nature resources that never fail to impress tourist and make Indonesian proud to be Indonesian. The only one soda water public bath in the world is exist in Tarutung town, North Tapanuli. Don't miss the opportunity to clean your body with natural soda water. Visit Tarutung town Soda Water Public Bath 😁😁








Actually, there are more nature sites around Lake Toba that makes you falling in love with Lake Toba, unfortunately I wasn't able to explore all of them because I had trip with my big family who bring many little kids, the fathers must work in the next day and the traffic is too crowded because I went here when 2017 new year holiday period.

There are more places that I should visit such as exotic beach in Sibolga, coffee garden in Sidikalang and Siantar, Lake Lau Kawar in Mt. Sinabung, and many more. Next trip, definitely will visit more places and of course I'll share to you.

North Sumatra tourism is more than amazing. You will surprise that you can find this kind of beautiful natural tourist site in Indonesia. We should explore more North Sumatra tourist sites and share to people around the world so that North Sumatra's tourism can developed in the future.

Don't just read and see the pictures of North Sumatra tourism, save your money and book a ticket to North Sumatra 👍👍

Also read:

Medan City Shows Bhineka Tunggal Ika "The Unity Diversity" Philosophy

Travelling In Toba Lake With Big Family

5 Great Tourist Cite In Solo City That Must Include In Your Trip List