Samosir Island Stories

        Medan – Bukit Lawang – Berastagi – Mount Sibayak – Lake Toba – Samosir 2–11 August 2026 When I welcomed a family from the Netherlands at Kualanamu International Airport, I knew I had a ten-day journey ahead of me. There were four of them: Edwin, Marloes, their daughter Milou, and their son Sep. My job was simple: take care of them, guide them, and show them the best of North Sumatra. But as the days went by, something more meaningful happened. I stopped feeling like just their tour guide. I felt like part of their family. Starting the Journey in Medan Our journey began in Medan. After picking them up at the airport, we explored the city before continuing towards Bukit Lawang. As a Sumatra tour guide, I enjoy introducing visitors not only to famous attractions but also to the small experiences along the way — local food, traditional transportation, villages, markets and everyday life. For me, travelling is not simply about taking guests from one destination to...

       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...