Samosir Island Stories

       NINNA.ID -When Miranda, a solo female traveller from France, came to explore Samosir Island with me, I wanted her to experience more than just the beautiful scenery of Lake Toba. For me, travelling is not only about visiting places, taking pictures, and moving to the next destination. It is also about understanding the people, their history, their traditions, and the stories behind the places we visit. I wanted Miranda to know Batak, not only as the name of an ethnic group, but as a people with a long history, strong family ties, rich traditions, and a culture that is still part of everyday life. Our first day started with a visit to Kampung Ulos Hutaraja. In this traditional Batak village, local women continue to weave ulos, the traditional cloth that holds an important place in Batak culture. Miranda from France visited my great-grandmother's traditional Batak house in Samosir — one of the most meaningful moments of our journey together.[/caption] For the Ba...

      Some journeys are memorable because of the places we visit. Others become special because of the people we meet, the stories we hear, and the little moments we never expected. Today, I accompanied Claire on a one-day scooter adventure around Samosir Island, in the heart of Lake Toba, North Sumatra. My goal was to help her experience more than just the beautiful scenery. I wanted her to discover something about the people, culture, and everyday life that make this part of Indonesia so special. After several hazy days, we were lucky to finally enjoy a bright, clear sky. Blue skies stretched above the lake, green hills welcomed us along the road, and the fresh air made it a perfect day to explore. For me, this is what Lake Toba Local Encounters is all about: discovering a destination through its landscapes, its people, and the stories that connect them. Discovering Batak heritage, one stop at a time Our journey began with a visit to the Batak clan monument at Simanabu...

            NINNA.ID - On the evening of May 4, 2026, Kualanamu Airport was still busy as I waited for three very special guests from Slovakia and the Czech Republic. As a tour guide who has spent years guiding travelers around Lake Toba and Sumatra, I know every journey begins with a first impression. Their flight arrived around 8:40 PM, and the warm Medan air welcomed them that night. I still clearly remember seeing Maria, Pavla, and Hana walking out of the arrival gate with large suitcases and tired faces after their long journey. We immediately took a photo together. It became the first photo of our eleven-day journey full of stories and unforgettable moments. [caption id="attachment_37297" align="alignnone" width="1280"]  Picking up Maria, Pavla, and Hana at Kualanamu Airport was not only the beginning of a journey, but also the start of eleven days filled with stories, laughter, and new friendships growing in Sumatra. (Photo © Damayanti)[/caption...

               Hutaraja Learning House is a learning center located in Ulos Hutaraja Village. It was founded by Damayanti Sinaga as a medium to channel her hobby and passion for teaching English to children. Besides her hobby and passion, Damayanti aims to help accelerate the development of local human resources in Lake Toba, especially in Samosir. She hopes the community can converse with tourists, particularly as Samosir, especially Ulos Village, is a popular tourist destination often visited by international travelers. Therefore, residents need to speak English to serve foreign guests well. Students The majority of students at Hutaraja Learning House are elementary school children from Ulos Hutaraja Village. Some also come from outside the village, such as SDN 10 Lumban Suhi-Suhi and SD 22 Lumban Suhi-Suhi. For more than six months, children have been learning English for free, from August 2023 to January 2024. Starting in February 2024, a tui...