Author: Emery Taufik Gobel
Translation: Fadlie
Translation: Fadlie
Incomplete feel if you visited the North Sumatra did not stop for a moment to Lake Toba, volcanic lake which is the largest lake in Indonesia, and even Southeast Asia. Exotic charm vast expanse of the lake like a sea with shady trees and hills, charming. The lake, measuring 1700 square meters with a depth of approximately 450 meters and lies 906 meters above sea level, in the middle of the lake there is Samosir Island became the object of not less interesting excursions.
Photo credits - Arie Basuki/Tempo
During his visit in 1996, Prince Bernard of the Netherlands even expressed his admiration for the beautiful panorama of the lake. "Sell me name to this lake. I can not describe how beautiful Lake Toba, "he says enthusiastically.
There are seven districts around the lake, namely Simalungun, Toba Samosir, North Tapanuli, Humbang Hasundutan, Dairi, Karo, and Naidoo who has a wonderful natural panorama and a tourist destination location. Generally, tourists enjoy the beauty of Lake Toba Parapat in Simalungun and Tuktuk Siadong on Samosir Island.
It is estimated that Lake Toba explosion occurred at about 73 thousand-75 thousand years ago and is a super volcano eruption (super volcano) the most recent. Bill Rose and Craig Chesner from Michigan Technological University estimate that volcanic materials spewed out of the mountain as much as 2800 km ³, with 800 km ³ of rock Ignimbrite and 2,000 km ³ of volcanic ash which is expected in the wind to west for two weeks.
Photo credits - Agung Chandra/Tempo
Dust volcanic wind had spread to half the earth, from China to South Africa. Explosion occurred during the week and throw the dust up to 10 km above sea level.
This incident caused mass death and, in some species, also followed by extinction. According to some DNA evidence, this eruption also reduced the number of people to about 60% of the total human population of the earth at that time, which is about 60 million people. The eruption was also contributed to the occurrence of ice ages, although the experts still debate.
After the eruption, the caldera formed which is then filled with water and became what is now known as Lake Toba. Pressure upward by magma that has not come out cause the emergence of Samosir Island. While enjoying the beauty of this lake, you might not imagine that the charm of the place comes from the catastrophic volcanic eruptions that brought fear and horror at the time.
Travel overland to Lake Toba, precisely to Parapat, takes four to five hours from Medan. Available bus or travel directly to Parapat. The route through the Lubuk Pakam, Cliff High, and turn toward Siantar. Along the way, we were treated to a panorama of palm oil and rubber plantations.
When using the train, from Medan select a route to Siantar. From here the journey continues by bus to Parapat. Left sails through one hour.
Photo credits - Agung Chandra/Tempo
For a place to stay and stay longer to enjoy the beauty of Lake Toba, there are many hotels and inns. In Parapat, there are at least 900 hotel rooms of all types, ranging from four star to homestay, in Tuktuk also not different. Both in Parapat and Tuktuk, tourists can instantly enjoy the lake from the rim. Rates for hotels in Parapat Tuktuk and varied, according to typical tourists who come. Starting from $2 - $54 per night depending on the type of hotel.
A travel companies even offer to enjoy the beauty of Lake Toba from the air, ie use paragliding. Each traveler was given the opportunity to fly using the paragliding from the mountains Tongging, Karo District, North Sumatra. For tourists who want to try paragliding will be accompanied by an experienced instructor, but of course determination can fly or not depends on weather conditions and wind.
Not only that, enjoy the beautiful sunrise and sunset you can enjoy from the coastal lakes. From the Karo highlands on the north, the lake looks elongated beauty viewed from Sikodonkodon. However, there is only one resort here. On the west side, views of the lake and the island of Samosir can be perfectly seen from the Tele. There is a viewing post at an altitude of about 1,000 meters from sea level to enjoy the sunset on Lake Toba.
