So here goes my trip back to Medan yet again - this time for NEW YEARS with the family! Celebrating New Years in Medan (Lake Toba) is a thing with the locals here, so decided to see what its all about! AccomodationWeatherNotice that in all my pictures - some of us will be wearing something warm? Weather in Lake Toba and Berastagi will be in the range of sweater weather or 3 pieces of warm jacket weather (at night usually) So I recommend you bring your sweater or a hoodie and loads of warm socks to keep warm. My cousin and I wore warm clothes only at night cause it can get quite chilly after the warmth of the sun goes away. Day 1: Arrival in MedanMedan– Samosir island / 4 hrs drive + 1 hr ferry Arrive at Kuala Namu International airport early in the morning and went straight to Medan City for brunch before our journey straight to Lake Toba, Samosir Island. It took 4 hours of my life and another hour extra for the ferry to cross from Parapat over to the island. FACT: This small island is located in the middle of Lake Toba, the caldera lake of the Toba Volcano, which was formed over 75,000 years ago. Overnight stay in Toledo Inn on Samosir island Day 2: Samosir island TourToday you will spend a full day exploring Lake Toba and Samosir island by car. Visit Ambarita whose villagers are known for making chairs and tables out of stone and which was the infamous execution place of the Siallagan Kings. Stop at Simanindo where you’ll be treated to a performance of Batak Toba traditional dance called Tor-Torand visit the fascinating museum. Continue to Tomok to see the tombs of former Sidabutar Kings. Along on this trip you may have the time to stop ata local school to see the activities of young children and visit the village where the people make traditional hand weaving. The rest is your own program. Day 3: New Year's EveDay 4: Lake Toba - Brastagi4 hours drive & 1 hour ferry In the morning you cross the lake by ferry to Parapat from where you drive to Brastagi, a mountain resort with its refreshing weather and magnificent mountain scenery which has an abundance of flowers, vegetables and fruits (most famous of which is the “Marquise” passion fruit). Stop will be made Simarjarunjung, a highest point to views the fantastic of Lake Toba. Next stop will be made at the village of Pematang Purba. Here you still be able to observe the long house constructed on pile works about two centuries ago and was known as the dwelling of the ancient Batak Simalungun Kings. Other stop to see the 120 meter Sipiso-piso waterfall which is located in the Batak highlands, the beautiful fall is formed by a underground river that then plunges from a cave into Lake Toba caldera. Last stop before Brastagi is at Dokan, a traditional Batak’s Karo village. In the afternoon arrive in Brastagi, here you can visit the famous fruits market and views two active volcanoes, Sinabung and Sibayak. Overnight stay in hotel Sinabung Day 5: Brastagi - Medan1,5- 2 hrs drive In the morning is free program until you drive back to Medan (late afternoon) through winding route and mountain village of Brastagi. If time is available, today you can do a city tour of Medan visiting Maimoon palace, Grand Mosque, Chinese temple and remaining old architecture buildings. Overnight stay in hotel Aryaduta Day 6: Trip EndsThe trip from the hotel to the airport took us about an hour. Today you will be transferred to the airport for catch your flight to next destination. End of your trip through us. NOTESThis trip is a wee bit better as it was with the family. So it had to be plan properly to not waste time (or suffer being nagged by the parents). Financial wise, is much more expensive compared to the earlier one but so worth it!
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