A trip to my roots - Pulau Samosir

This is the second part of my trip. Following my Bukit Lawang camping trip I left with a smile and sore in lots of parts of my body (legs, thighs, calves, and biceps). But, a wide smile :)

I decided to move on because I know it's going to be along trip going to Samosir. The people at the transport office said it's 8 hours because they had to make a stop in Medan first. The transport to Medan cost Rp.75,000, while to Parapat is Rp.150,000. The ride was good, tried to sleep since it was cloudy most of the way anyway. 

We finally arrived in Parapat harbor at 4.30. Had to wait for 1.5 hour for the next boat to Tuktuk. Spent my waiting time browsing the small harbor and took plenty of pictures. It's interesting as if I was already in a different country. It's just so much different from Bali. The boats were mostly like this, while waiting they have loud music blaring from the loudspeakers. It's traditional batak music, which was interesting. They transported people, animal, motorbikes, and of course groceries.

I was picked up by the guy from the lodging, Mas Cottage in Ambarita. When I got there it was almost 7. They took me down to my room, which is facing the lake. It was already dark, but I can tell the view would be glorious. It's just a luxury to have a room facing the lake like that. 

Around 2 am I was awaken. I couldn't swallow, so I know I'm down with health. I tried to put some warm ointment, but what I needed was warm water to drink. I knew I had to go to the doctor as soon as it's day break. 

I woke up again around 6.30, thank God the kitchen was already open so I got my hot tea. I asked the closest clinic, and push bike for rent. Around 8 I started to walk toward Tomok. And it was indeed quite a walk. It took me 1 hour to Tomok and I decided to just go to a pharmacy because I knew what I needed. I got my meds, got a rented bike and I was set for the day! Yipee..

I went back to the lodging to get stuff to go around, and I was set. I started toward central Ambarita. The place is just gorgeous, as if you step into a post card. Every corner is worth photographing. I went to Batu Kursi Siallagan, checked out some souvenir shops which led to Ambarita dock. I didn't feel like shopping, in fact I don't plan to shop at all. I'll do that when I'm done with browsing and taking pictures. 

I found a small warung on the main road. I was really craving for Batak food, but strange enough they only serve not so interesting dish like pork arsik, while I prefer fish arsik or sangsang. Didn't find what I was looking for, but at least they had tasty fish. I went back to rest a bit (it was quite hot and I didn't want to exhaust myself get really sick). I went out again around 5 to have dinner in Tomok. Drat, it started to rain. I decided to go into a restaurant for dinner. They had pork sate, it was OK, unfortunately they use peanut sauce, which I found a bit strange.

The following day I went up to Sigarantung with a friend of my dad's. He's kind enough to take me there. I was so curious, I heard there's a small lake up in the mountain. Toba Lake is the biggest crater lake, and in the middle there's Pulau Samosir, and up in the island there's a smaller lake. I just had to see it. It was quite a ride, an hour up from Tomok (on a motorbike). But when we finally get there, the view is just serene. I definitely could live there. Just give me internet connection, cable and good food I will survive :).

Tomok is so busy and quite interesting. It was the next day I decided to look around the area and shop some souvenirs. The shops were set up toward the King Sidabutar tomb. I didn't go in, it's part of paganism and I don't want to take part in it. Didn't shop much when I realized the limited cash that I had in my wallet. Some key chains, fridge magnet and shirts, and of course teri (salted anchovy). Can't wait to fry them and mix them with chilli sauce.

It was a fabulous trip for me. By doing it solo I can absorb a lot of things that's going on in the area, learn about the people, free to go wherever and whenever, including dippin in the lake all by myself. So pretty much all my plans were completed. It's all because God's mercy and a recommendation from my dad. Definitely will come back some day.. Fabulous!

A trip to my roots - BUKIT LAWANG

Long awaited has finally come. This year I chose a trip within the country, and that would be visiting my roots. North Sumatera.

It's a backpacking trip, since I plan to go on a hike/trek/camp/raft trip (more on that later as I write). I dithered for sometime, but I decided I have to go otherwise I won't be traveling this year. As soon as it's confirmed I look at dates and browse more info on the trip. At first dates were flexible since I need to coordinate it with my boss' travel plan. As for itinerary I decided to go to two main attractions in NS namely Bukit Lawang and Pulau Samosir (lake Toba). It was that or lake Toba first, but considering I'm doing the camping trip on BL, Toba would be the perfect place to recuperate and relaxing. Then I went booking the hotels where I was going to stay. for 9 days I split 4 days in BL, 4 days in PS and 1 day in Medan so I can catch the morning flight back.

On the confirmed date I flew from Jakarta to Medan, arrived 11am. Since I don't know where to eat (and didn't have plan to do culinary trip) I decided to eat at a Padang food resto at the airport. I know it's going to be a long trip to BL, so better have my tummy settled. As I walked out the airport a guy approached me and offered transport service on his motorbike. I negotiated, and he agreed with Rp.30,000 to the bus station (Pinang Baris). I knew God was taking care of me, as I got there the transport minibus was there, not completely full, waiting for me and was ready to go. 

Suspension bridge

The road was good, already fixed and smooth (thank God, they have fixed it, because a lot of people online commented on how horrible it was). It was rather slow, since there were too many stops, even at one time stopped for 15 mins to load and unload some grocery shops of the super women of BL. They're fierce and really hard workers. So for Rp.20,000 I was quite happy to reach BL safe.

I got picked up at the bus station from the lodging, Bukit Lawang Indah. It's a nice simple place. Efficient, non-pretentious, and they actually have very good food. Yes, I'm surprised, it's beyond my expectation. During dinner I asked about the camping trip and right away book it. It's a two day trip consist of trekking, hiking, camping and at the end we're going rafting back. Sounds fun for Rp.500,000 per pax. Since I was traveling solo I'm happy to be mixed with any group.

Early morning I sorted some stuff I didn't need to carry. As I said, they're efficient, and they have a locker for each person who's going on camping trip. Such a relief, because I don't think I can make it if I were to bring the rest of my stuff. I had a quick breakfast and at 8.30 we were sent off started our journey. I joined three travelers from Swiss and we went with our guide, Dede.  

It was a fantastic trip. I would love to tell all about it but not to bore anyone I'll make it shorter yet still interesting and informative. We hiked for a couple of hours, and before we had lunch we already saw several orangutans. They're huge. A bit shy, some of them prefer to have their backs facing us, but luckily some are quite friendly and pose for us such as this big fellow. Yes, I took this pic myself.. Way cool!

We continued walking, saw plenty of wild animals, such as forest ants, birds (an owl and
a peacock), and more orangutans. Around 4.30 pm we finally reached the camping ground. It's quite a nice environment, where there's a stream along the way. Around us were so many macaques monkeys, lurking. Maybe they're curious with the many food we brought. 

I didn't feel comfortable to take a dip to clean up, besides I was starting to get a headache (luckily I got aspirin). We just hang out around what's so called kitchen, chatting, walking around and taking more pictures. At 6.30 we were called to have dinner. It was surprisingly lavish. They called it 5star camping (*****). And I can see why. Usually they would only feed us with noodles, but as you can see we're spoiled! My favorite was the teri. So delish...

The night was long, but the guides and his merry men (there were the cook, the porter and another guy). They didn't let us get bored, they didn't even let us go to sleep early. With my headache I just lied there and listening to their chatter, games, quiz, singing, etc. It was just fun. 

The following day I woke up early (as usual), did my business around the bush (LOL), and took more pics of macaques. There were so many, trying to steal left over food. At 9ish we were all set to continue our trek. The guide offered if I would prefer to take a shorter trip and go with the porter and cook, they would go along the river until the rafting point. It would only take 1 hour, while if I want to continue it would be another 3 hours. Well hello, I didn't come to be a princess.. I came to hike and camp, so let me hike and camp.

This time the guide kept on the hard track. Up and down, near vertical climb and descend. It sure wasn't easy, but I just had to keep going and push myself. After 2 hours we were on a climb I was starting to get annoyed because I thought he could've chosen a less hilly path. I was starting to think I was to old for the hike, but lo and behold, we're on top what's called orchid view and from there we were just going down. And yes, it didn't mean it was easier, because we had to be extra careful going down. The path was slightly slippery from rain the night before. But I love the tree roots. They're so old and solid, you can step in between them like it was meant to be stairs. 

Going down, down. We finally reached the side of Bohorok river. It sure is loooong. Don't know how long it is. But I love the view of those river rocks. The view was also nice. As we started our rafting I can't stop looking on both sides of the hills, wondering what other animals there watching us on the tubes. I wonder if there's somebody live in the jungle, a hermit or something, or even tarzan.

After an hour or rafting (yes, it's that far), we finally reached on the side where the lodging is. Good to be back, though exhausted. We took last pics and I went back to my room to clean up and wash some dirty clothes. 

That's it. I love Bukit Lawang/Bohorok. I know someday I'll come back, and do another camping trip. :)