Medan-Lake Toba Trip - Part I | Bubbles Goes Travel

[Imported from my personal blog - bubbles182.com]

It was kinda a sudden decision to go on a trip to Medan. Mytarget for travelling this year was actually achieved with the Kota Kinabalu trip with Mum (day 1 and day 2) and the second Singapore visit with the family (which I realise I haven’t post anything on it, yet! USS babyyy!! Will do soon!!). Penang trips don’t count as travel, ok. :P

I was thinking about Bandung, Jakarta and Medan. Though people keep telling me how nice shopping in Bandung would be, I remembered how I used to love looking at Lake Toba’s picture and how I wished I would see the scenery with my own eyes. So I decided to ask mum on a trip to Medan and Lake Toba. I extended the invitation to my aunt, uncle & cousins too. And there we were last week – on our trip to Medan.

Web and mobile checked in made easy

We took an early flight to Medan. The journey took more or less one hour and we arrived at about 0845 local time (one hour late than Malaysia). The tour guide was already there waiting for us. There were also one family of four and a honeymoon couple that join us in the tour.

We were told that we’re waiting for another group of four that would arrive at 1100 so we were brought to have breakfast first, then to batik and sarongs shop. We did a little shopping while waiting for the other group. I didn’t really shop since we were just arrived and I gotta be careful not to spend much on the first day.

Later when the group of four Penangite guys arrived, we went to have our lunch at a Minang restaurant before precede our journey to Parapat to witness the beautiful Lake Toba. The Rumah Makan ACC or Restoran ACC at Jalan Sisingamangaraja, Medan serves Minang food. The food was nice. Spicy but really nice. Even the place was nice - air-conditioned, clean restrooms and musholla was available too.

The journey to Parapat is like going to Kuala Pilah using the old road Bukit Putus or the very crooked road of Balik Pulau. If would understand me if you’ve used either one of these roads.

Hence, NOTE: The Parapat-Berastagi-Medan tour is not suitable for kids especially for kids aged 10 and below. They’ll get bored and tired.

On our way, we made a stop at a shop which sells local food products mostly nut based. The names of the food are unique i.e Ting Ting, Tang Tang, Teng Teng, Pang Pang, Pong Pong. Yes, I’m not kidding. Unique, isn’t it? Haha.

The bottled teh-O ais.

We then continued our journey to Parapat. After more or less 4 hours, we finally reached the hotel at late evening and checked in to the hotel. Got off the bus and the Lake Toba was right before my eyes. I was awing the scenery, like every second till I got into the hotel and the lake was not in my view anymore.

NOTE 2: If you’re not fussy about hotel rooms, don’t go for the expensive 5 stars hotel. Tour for Medan-Lake Toba from most agencies’itineraries is almost the same – check in late evening, check out early next morning. It’ll be such a waste, unless if you spend more than a night in everyplace i.e Parapat, Berastagi, Medan.

I kept on thinking how I really wanted to see the Lake Toba and the day finally came. And my hotel room faced the lake itself. I can’t getaway from the window. It was just… breathtaking!