Indonesia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 225

DANAU TOBA AND PULAU
SAMOSIR
Lying right in the middle of the
province at 525m, jewel-like DANAU
TOBA is Southeast Asia's largest
freshwater lake. It was formed about
80,000 years ago in the wake of a
colossal volcanic eruption, the resulting
caldera eventually buckling under
massive pressure and collapsing in on
itself to create the steep-walled basin
now occupied by the lake. A second,
smaller volcanic eruption, 50,000 years
after the first, created the Singapore-
sized island in the middle of the lake,
Pulau Samosir . Connected by ferry
from Parapat on the lake's eastern shore,
this island is the cultural and spiritual
heartland of the Toba Batak people and
one of the most pleasant and fascinating
destinations in Indonesia.

Chinese menu, offering everything from sweet-and-sour
pork to fried pig liver (both Rp47,000). Free wi-fi. Daily
8am-10pm.
Soloh Jaya Jl Haranggaol 51 T 0625 41617. Among the
best-value digs in town, with well-kept rooms, pleasant
courtyards and a spacious terrace offering good views of
the town. The bright, airy rooms at the top have big
windows and bathrooms with c old shower s, and are worth
the extra rupiahs (Rp100,000). Rp80,000

DIRECTORY
Banks There's a BRI ATM on Jl Sisingamangaraja, a Bank
Sumut on Jl Haranggaol next to Marina , and a Mandiri
by the bus station.
Internet Several warnets are spread along Jl Haranggaol,
including Harry Net (daily 10am-midnight; Rp3000/hr),
about 50m up from the market.
Pharmacy Robika on Jl Haranggaol 83 (daily 7am-10pm)
supplies basic medicines.
Post o ce Jl Sisingamangaraja, opposite the BRI ATM
(Mon-Fri 7.30am-4pm, Sat 7.30am-2pm).

Berastagi Medan

Merek

4

Seribu Dolok

Pematangsiantar

Tongging

Haranggaol

Sipisopiso
Waterfall

Pulau
Ta o

Sidikalang

Harangmalau

Simanindo

Simarmata

Ambarita

Partukongan

Hot
Spring

Buhit Tuk Tuk

Parapat

Danau
Sidihoni

Ajibata

Tomok

Tele

Panguruan Ronggurnihuta

Pulau Samosir

Gultom

Nainggolan

N

Balige

0 10

Siborongborong

DANAU TOBA kilometres

Sibolga & Bukittinggi