Reasons a Family from Holland Choose North Sumatra over Bali, They Love These

NINNA.ID-It was a great honor for me trusted by Panorama to guide a family from Holland to explore North Sumatra for 8 days and 7 nights.

The family said it was their first time exploring North Sumatra. They knew about Bali and some of them already visited Bali. They said that Bali is over tourism.

They do not like crowded places. They want to visit quiet, beautiful and should be ecotourism.

These Dutch tourists move to Indonesia hoping to escape the heat of their country in the summer, but they got a surprise, Medan temperatures can hit as high as 30 degrees.

Although the temperature hot for them, we spent first-day Medan city tour visiting Tjong A Fie, and walked around Merdeka Walk, to Tip-Top Restaurant and other places.

See Orang Utan

On the second day, they visited Bukit Lawang to see Orang Utan, and Monkey and trekking in the Jungle.

Though the roads were a bit bumpy, the journey was well worth it.

 

We took photo together in Bukit Lawang[/caption]

Then when they arrived at Rindu Alam Cottage, they relaxed, spending time near the forest area.

The next morning at 7.30 they were ready for Jungle Trekking, to see Orang Utan and Monkey.

The most precious moments they see the Orang Utan, playing and feeding the monkey with the fruits served by the guide to us. But they prefer giving some of the fruits to the monkey.

I was so happy to see thed smiled and laughed at the time. They were satisfied with the tour although it was quite a warm day.

On the fourth day, we headed to Berastagi, to explore Berastagi Fruit Market, Gundaling, and Hot Spring.

At the time of the day, the market was crowded. Farmers from the hill went down to the city to sell their crops.

Luckily, they love spending time trekking in Sibayak. They also love the local guide.

They walked for hours but because we had the least time left, we had to rush to visit Dokan Village, Sipiso-piso Waterfall, and headed to Samosir Island crossing by Ferry Ship.
Sibayak Mountain

Sibayak is an active volcano in Karo Regency, North Sumatra. This mountain, nicknamed the "King Mountain", has a height of 2,094 meters above sea level which is friendly for beginners to climb because the distance to the peak that relatively short, only about 2 hours.

So, it is suitable for doing “Tektok” climbing or speed hiking on this mountain.

The key to the beauty of this mountain which is its attraction is the peak area. The highest peak of Mount Sibayak is called "Takal Kuda" which means "Horse Head".

Not without reason, the name is based on the shape of the peak which resembles a horse's head. When at this peak, climbers can see the view from a height and also the enchanting Mount Sinabung.

[caption id="attachment_32223" align="alignnone" width="1600"] We took photo together before heading to Sibayak Mountain[/caption]

2014 World Monuments Watch

Dokan is Karo village in the highlands northwest of Lake Toba. The Karo people are one of six ethnic groups in the central part of the North Sumatra province.

Dokan is among the many ethnics comprising the exceptionally diverse Indonesian nation.

For the villagers, the buildings serve as a material link to the traditions and principles of their ancestors, providing a continuity of values across generations.

Karo designs are expressive of cosmological beliefs, a way of living, and spiritual convictions. They were built with local materials and constructed using pile construction and disproportionately large, sloping roofs.

www.wmf.org said Dokan was included in the 2014 World Monuments Watch to protect the few Karo houses that remain standing in the villages.

As in the case of the neighbouring Karo community Desa Lingga, included on the 2012 Watch, Desa Dokan existed as small, traditional villages, predating the Dutch colonial era.

Until the nineteenth century, the Karo region was heavily forested. However, land clearing in the twentieth century has brought significant deforestation, threatening architectural forms that use large hardwood beams that are no longer available.

In addition, the craft skills needed to maintain the historic buildings are not passed on because many of the younger Karo people are migrating to the cities.

Those with means who remain in the village often replace traditional, multifamily dwellings with single-family homes of modern construction.

In cases of limited resources, families cannot afford to repair and maintain the traditional clan houses.

While the historic buildings are no longer the preferred choice of residence for the Karo people, the heritage they represent still inspires a strong sense of pride in the community and the villagers use the structures for ceremonies, gatherings, and rituals.

For my guests, visiting this village is worth it. They felt like getting into the story hundreds of years ago. The people were living the traditional way.

People there were friendly. Most of the kids there say hi to my guests.

I invited them to practice English with my guests. And without waiting for long, they just got along with my guests.

They played football for around 15 minutes. I bought some snacks for the kids to show my appreciation because they treated my guest very well.

Sipiso-piso Waterfall

After that, we headed to Sipiso-Piso waterfall. Just around an hour and a half from Dokan, we arrived at Sipiso-piso waterfall.

Set in the beautiful highlands of North Sumatra, the stunning Sipiso-piso Waterfall is located on the North side of Lake Toba, 24 km from Kabanjahe.

I told them that Lake Toba was listed as Geopark in June 2020. Sipisopiso Waterfall is one of many geosites.

It is a trace of a normal fault which is part of the caldera collapse (above), and a panoramic view of the landscape at the northern tip of Lake Toba.

Because of the cool climate, my guests felt so happy because that is what they sought during their visit. They took many photos and went down to see the waterfall closer.

Exploring Samosir Island

From Sipiso-piso we were heading to Samosir Island. We use a Ferry Ship to Samosir. It was afternoon when we arrived in Samosir.

The next morning, we visited Parbaba Dolok Village where we had a coffee tour package. The owner of Pardosir Farm picked us up using a pick-up truck.

There we enjoyed see scenic view of Lake Toba from Parbaba Hill, explore authentic Batak Village, and explore an organic Coffee Farm. We also got much explanation about coffee from seed to cup.

Our tour at that time was different! It was different from the other day. Especially we can see the beautiful landscape of Lake Toba from the hill.

We also visited Tea Plantation in Sidamanik, Simalungun Regency. Lake Toba has the second-largest tea plantation area in Indonesia.

It is named Sidamanik Tea Plantation because it is located in Sidamanik District, Simalungun Regency. Simalungun is one of seven regencies crossed by the waters of Lake Toba.

[caption id="attachment_32045" align="alignnone" width="1280"] 

Tea Gardan Cafe, one of the cafes serving various types of food and drinks around the Sidamanik Tea Garden (photo: Damayanti)[/caption]

The history states that this tea plantation was opened during the Dutch colonial period in Indonesia. Sidamanik Tea Plantation was founded by the Dutch East India Company (Dutch: Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie. Abbreviated as VOC)

VOC is a trading association from the Netherlands that monopolized trade activities in Asia.
The Tea Plantation was first established in 1917.

It was established in the territory of Partuanon Sidamanik or Oppung Nai Horsik Damanik. The tea factory was built in 1927. However, the factory began operating in 1931.

I shared the story about this tea plantation with my guests because they are from the Netherlands.

They were surprised when listened to the story. They were happy.

It also triggers them to taste the tea. So, I took them to a café named Tea Garden in Sidamanik. There they can taste the original tea from Sidamanik. And they bought a pouch which can they show to their relative.

They Love These

During their holiday 8 days 7 nights here, they love the most:

They fell in love with Lake Toba. Lake Toba area: Karo, Dairi, Simalungun and Samosir Regency. They visited 4 regencies during their vacation in North Sumatra.

They love visiting Dokan Village. They loved to see the old house and interact with the local people. Say hello, play football, and get involved with the community that made them feel special.

Boris, one of the guests said, “ It was special. There is no other factor more important than they were treated well and felt welcome by the local people”.

They also love visiting the plantation—coffee and tea. They said this activity especially visit to Pardosir Farm gave more information about the local people and how they earn money.

Boris and his family members hope that soon they will come back to visit Lake Toba.
“I must visit Lake Toba again! Because my vacation in Lake Toba is too short. I want to explore more.” Boris said.

I was so happy he said so. I suggested him if he wants to get cheaper price, he can do backpacking as what common tourist do in TukTuk Samosir Island.

Writer: Damayanti Sinaga

Pardosir Coffee Tour Package in Samosir Island

 

Do you want to learn how to process coffee from seed to your cup? You can learn that in Samosir Island or other parts of Lake Toba.

Lake Toba is well known as a source of the best coffee in the world. Some popular brands are Lintong Coffee, Mandhailing Cofee, Simalungun Coffee.

But, one farm and café that is available to teach you about Lake Toba Coffee is Pardosir Farm and Café. Pardosir Farm is in Parbaba Dolok Samosir. While Pardosir Café is in Parbaba Toruan Samosir.

Pardosir offers you a Lake Toba Coffee tour package. Learn how to grow coffee from the seed, see the coffee trees, pick the cherry fruit coffee, and process the cherry until it becomes a cup of coffee.

These are steps on how to process coffee from cherry to your cup. The cherry fruit must be picked at the right time. If they are not fully ripe, they will lack flavors. If overripe, they fall to the ground and spoil.

Then the cherry fruit is sacked and taken to the machine to peel it is to peel fruit from the skin or spread by hand on level areas to be dried in the sun.

The cherry fruit can be broken open by hand, the time is right for them to be put through a machine that takes off the husks.

If the weather is suitable, three to ten days is sufficient time to complete the drying.

Quote from some resources on the internet, depending on location and local resources, coffee is processed in one of two ways:

The Dry Method. The Dry Method is the age-old method of processing coffee and is still used in many countries where water resources are limited. The freshly picked cherries are simply spread out on huge surfaces to dry in the sun.

In order to prevent the cherries from spoiling, they are raked and turned throughout the day, then covered at night or during rain to prevent them from getting wet.

Depending on the weather, this process might continue for several weeks for each batch of coffee until the moisture content of the cherries drops to 11%.

Pardosir Coffee

 The owner of Pardosir Coffee showed to the visitor about Dry Method Processing.

The Wet Method. The Wet Method removes the pulp from the coffee cherry after harvesting so the bean is dried with only the parchment skin left on.

First, the freshly harvested cherries are passed through a pulping machine to separate the skin and pulp from the bean.

Then the beans are separated by weight as they pass through water channels. The lighter beans float to the top, while the heavier ripe beans sink to the bottom.

They are passed through a series of rotating drums which separate them by size. After separation, the beans are transported to large, water-filled fermentation tanks.

Depending on a combination of factors — such as the condition of the beans, the climate and the altitude — they will remain in these tanks for anywhere from 12 to 48 hours to remove the slick layer of mucilage (called the parenchyma) that is still attached to the parchment.

While resting in the tanks, naturally occurring enzymes will cause this layer to dissolve.

When fermentation is complete, the beans feel rough to the touch.

The beans are rinsed by going through additional water channels and are ready for drying.

Drying the Beans

Coffee cherries on the tree If the beans have been processed by the wet method, the pulped and fermented beans must now be dried to approximately 11% moisture to properly prepare them for storage.

These beans, still inside the parchment envelope (the endocarp), can be sun-dried by spreading them on drying tables or floors, where they are turned regularly, or they can be machine-dried in large tumblers.

Milling the Beans

Hulling machinery removes the parchment layer (endocarp) from wet processed coffee. Hulling dry processed coffee refers to removing the entire dried husk — the exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp — of the dried cherries.

Grading and sorting is done by size and weight, and beans are also reviewed for color flaws or other imperfections.

Finally, defective beans are removed either by hand or by machinery. Beans that are unsatisfactory due to deficiencies (unacceptable size or color, over-fermented beans, insect-damaged, unhulled) are removed.

In many countries, this process is done both by machine and by hand, ensuring that only the finest quality coffee beans are exported.

Roasting the Coffee

Roasting transforms green coffee into the aromatic brown beans that we purchase in our favorite stores or cafés.

Most roasting machines maintain a temperature of about 550 degrees Fahrenheit. The beans are kept moving throughout the entire process to keep them from burning.

When they reach an internal temperature of about 400 degrees Fahrenheit, they begin to turn brown and the caffeol, a fragrant oil locked inside the beans, begins to emerge.

This process called pyrolysis is at the heart of roasting — it produces the flavor and aroma of the coffee we drink.

Grinding Coffee

The objective of a proper grind is to get the most flavor in a cup of coffee. How coarse or fine the coffee is ground depends on the brewing method.

The length of time the grounds will be in contact with water determines the ideal grade of grind generally, the finer the grind, the more quickly the coffee should be prepared.

 That’s why coffee ground for an espresso machine is much finer than coffee brewed in a drip system.

 To Your Cup

 When ground coffee is available, you may choose how to serve your coffee. Whether you want to brew your coffee using V60 instruments or serve it traditionally, depends on you. As usual in Pardosir Café, people order traditional coffee served.

Taste Pardosir Coffee

Taste freshly roasted coffee and get high-quality local coffee as souvenirs. A professional guide will take you to the coffee processing center, and you can see how green beans are processed into roasted beans we all know.

After learning about the history of coffee and its processing, you can also taste freshly roasted coffee on the spot.

Do not miss the chance to bring home some locally-made coffee as souvenirs.

Also, do not miss the chance to bring home some locally-made coffee Pardosir Coffee as souvenirs. 

It is the best way to spend your day in Samosir to learn about coffee and taste Pardosir Coffee, especially if you are a coffee lover.

If you want to book the Coffee Tour Package, you can contact this tour guide by Whatsapp +6285297732855.

 

Writer: Damayanti Sinaga

Writer and also a Tour Guide

Wonderful Day Joined Lake Toba Trip with 14 People Guests from Holland and Belgium

NINNA.ID-Since July 2023, many Europeans visit Lake Toba. Until now August 2023, many tour guides especially local guides in Samosir Island, has booked by some tour travel operators.

A tour guide named Daniel Manik told to Ninna,” I got booked by some of the tour travel operators. I was so busy since July bringing European guests. It will continue until September.”

One of the writers in Ninna was invited by Nurdin Nasution to join Lake Toba Trip with 14 guests from Holland and Belgium. Friday 11th, 2023 became a wonderful day.

The trip starts at 09.00 am. We used the boat from Toledo Inn. We visited Sigapiton Village. There we trekked starting from the harbor to a school SD NO 173671 Sigapiton.

During trekking, all that joined the group listened to the explanation about this village. Here is the explanation about this village.

Sigapiton is flanked by two mountains. In Batak or Bahasa Indonesia, we called “digapit or diapit”. That is the reason it was named Sigapiton. This village was in a bay of Lake Toba.

Although it is close to Lake Toba, the people there do not use water from the lake for household.

There are some fountains that flow from the mountain and to be flowed to each house.

14 guests from Holland and Belgium (photo: Damayanti)

We can see the water from the fountains come from an irrigation ditch.

Worthy to be Called a Geopark

“Do you think Lake Toba worthy to be called a Geopark?” asked the guide. Some of the guests who really focusing on listening to the explanation answered,” Yes! Lake Toba is worthy to be called a national Park or Geopark!”

The guide asked the guests,” As we know water usually comes from higher to lower level. Why does water from above never stop flowing? And where does the water come from?

The guest seeing the scenery of Sigapiton Village (photo: Damayanti)

 

No one can answer the guide. She (the guide) explains, “The water always flows because there is much water. The mountains are the place to store water.

Mountains save water especially when there is much rain.

Mountains in Sigapiton have forested slopes that absorb the rain like a sponge, allowing it to run downhill gently to the rivers or irrigation ditch, rather than cause devastating floods,”

After the explanation, we passed some of the trees. There are candle nuts, avocados, coffee, corn, peanuts, and other plant. The guide shows and called the name of each of them.

As Lake Toba is situated 3,000 feet or at least 900 m above sea level, there are many trees that can grow here. Palm trees, pine trees, and other unique trees flourish side by side in this temperate paradise.

Visit School

After a long explanation, we arrived at a government school, there we were welcomed by the teacher and kids in the yard. They greet us using English.

It made the 14 guests feel welcome there. Later the kids do the Tor-Tor dance. They also invited all guests to dance.

It was a wonderful day. The kids were very happy especially when they met Tibo and his brother. Tibo, a guest from Holland has a big muscle.

Most of the kids noticed it. They show their muscle to Tibo. Many funny things they did with Tibo. They were having fun together.

Kids and the guests dancing together (photo: Damayanti)

 

To Situmurun Waterfall

After spending a few hours in the school, we moved to our boat and we went to Situmurun Waterfall. It took around more than one hour. When we arrived in Situmurun, we have lunch. Then all the guest swam onto the Lake Toba and get close to the waterfall.

Situmurun Waterfall is around 70 meters high. Flanked between Jonggi Ni Huta and Hutanamora village. It is in Lumban Julu district, Toba Samosir.

All the guests felt wonderful seeing the natural spectacular wealth. They really admired the scenery in Situmurun. Finally, we finished our trip. We came back to Toledo Inn. It was a wonderful day joined the Lake Toba trip with 14 guests from Holland and Belgium.

Writer: Damayanti Sinaga who also work as Lake Toba Tour Guide

Travel Guide, The Cheapest Way to Get from Kualanamu Airport to Samosir Island

 NINNA.ID-There are several ways to get from Kualanamu Airport to Samosir Island. But the cheapest one Ninna recommended using a taxi to Kualanamu Airport. There are several taxis served or available at Kualanamu Airport.

The cost to get into a taxi is IDR 150.000 per person. The taxi can load 6 people including the driver. It means for 5 people IDR 750.000.

But just say there are only 1-2 people that are ready to go to Samosir Island. You will need another passenger until it loads 5 passengers from Kualanamu Airport to Samosir Island.

Otherwise, you can book one taxi that cost IDR 750.000. If only 2 people that ready to go and you agree to share IDR 750.000 for both of you. Each of you costs IDR 375.000.

[caption id="attachment_25974" align="alignnone" width="696"] Kualanamu Arrivals Area
Photo: Damayanti[/caption]

The distance between Kualanamu to Samosir Island is 120-130 km.

It takes approximately 4 hour and half to 5 hours to get from Kualanamu Airport (KNO) to Samosir Island, including transfers from Ajibata or Tigaraja Harbour crossing the lake to Samosir Island.

[caption id="attachment_26780" align="alignnone" width="696"] Small Boat in Simanindo that bring passangers (photo: Damayanti)[/caption]

There is also another way, from Kualanamu Airport to Samosir Island from Tigaras Harbour. It will be faster or short way rather than from Ajibata or Tigaraja. You will arrive in Simanindo Harbour using Ferry or boat from Tigaras.

For transferring from Ajibata/Tigaraja or Tigaras Harbour crossing the lake to Samosir Island as usual the passengers using small boats for faster. It takes 30 minutes to cross the Lake Toba to the island. The cost of IDR 25.000 per person.

Take Break

As usual, on the way to Tigaraja/Ajibata, the taxi driver will stop in one shuttle stop because they need to take a break for a while in Siantar, depending on the situation.

It is just normal for a long journey the driver and passangers must take a break. But we do not have any obligation to give meals or pay for the driver meal’s because as usual, the driver is responsible for his meal.

As usual, foreigners concentrate located in TukTuk. But, so many homestays, and hotels around Simanindo.

You can ask the tourist information centre which homestay or hotels has staff that speak English so you can do all things you want easily.

[caption id="attachment_26781" align="alignnone" width="696"] Tourist in Kampung Ulos Hutaraja, Lumban Suhi-Suhi, Samosir (photo: Damayanti)[/caption]

But if you have difficulty on how to communicate with the hotel staff or the owner of the homestay, feel free to call the Tourist Information Centre telephone number.

[caption id="attachment_10588" align="alignnone" width="696"] One of great spot Samosir, Lake Toba (photo: Damayanti)[/caption]

Car Rental to Samosir

If you want to have more space and privacy, you can rent a car to Samosir. But you need to do research first to find the best company for you. Or you can order the car when you arrive in Kualanamu Airport.

[caption id="attachment_26782" align="alignnone" width="696"] One of famous fruits originality from Samosir is this manggo (photo : Damayanti)[/caption]

The comparison. It must be cheaper using a taxi rather than rent a car. If we rent a car, it will cost more expensive. A day for rent is around IDR 350.000+ the wage of the driver is IDR 300.000+ fuel maybe cost IDR 200.000 + the driver might be asking us for cigarettes and food/meals every day if he follows us to Lake Toba.

[caption id="attachment_6604" align="alignnone" width="535"] Buffalo is one of biggest livestock in Lake Toba. (photo:damayanti)[/caption]

It will cost more than IDR 1.000.000/day. We also must give a down payment to the owner of the company by transferring before the driver picks you up. So, which do you prefer? Using using taxi or rent a car?

If you need assitance, feel free to contact me for more information +62 852 9773 2855

[caption id="attachment_29346" align="alignnone" width="1280"] People from Belgium visited Samosir Island[/caption]

Writer: Damayanti Sinaga that also work as Lake Toba Tour Guide