Lake times
Samosir,
Sumatra,
Indonesia
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Just noticed that the blog has passed a 1000 reads (thanks mum and dad)
So little reminder of what i have been up whilst you lot have been having a wonderful time doing whatever it is you are up to. Spent a few nights on Samosir island in the middle of Lake Toba, the lake was formed when a volcano went boom about 80,000 yrs back, then the island popped up when it went boom 50,000 yrs ago. Apparently it is the largest freshwater lake in SE Asia, and one of the worlds deepest. So a pretty good lake. The landscape there was stunning, we got the boat over from the main land and went by a load of hotels before we stopped at ours. The hotel had its own diving board and slide that went into the lake. So was a pretty good first impression. Room had wicked views and all of that for only 2 and a bit pound a night. First night we were there a local music show was put on. Was pretty good, and of course at some point in these things it involves people being plucked from the audience to take part in the festivities. This case it was a dance and guess you was picked!
Next day we spent lounging by the lake and swimming in the lake. It was mega cold, but you kind of got used to it. After we had went swimming we got surrounded by a load of Indonesian kids. Then there teacher came along -turned out that they were english students- and explained that they let the kids loose on the unsuspecting tourists to help them with there english. Then he asked if would mind being in a photo with them for a brochure they were putting together. Once we were all standing round they unfolded a big banner! Once the group photo was taken they wanted little group photos with us was pretty bizarre. And to add to all of that they wanted our signatures/autographs. We were basically treated like celebrities for a few mins.
Next few days we hired bicycles and biked round the island. It was bloody hilly. Went to see a few touristy things like some stone chairs that are apparently hundreds of years old and were used by the old elders of the island to pass laws. I reckon it was a load of old tosh, they looked more recent than the spiel they were giving us. But an interesting thing to see non the less.
So in a nutshell that was our Lake Toba experiance, we had a 5 hour cramped taxi ride back to medan, then caught a flight to Jakarta this morning. And that is where we are at the moment. 2 weeks left, coming to an end so i guess i will see you all soon!
