Indonesian readings / Beginner 2 / Travel Experiences

Trip to Lake Toba

Perjalanan ke Danau Toba

Saya pergi ke Danau Toba pada liburan akhir pekan. Saya berangkat dari Medan dengan bus pagi. Perjalanan memakan waktu sekitar lima jam, tetapi pemandangan sangat indah. Jalan berkelok di antara bukit hijau, dan udara segar membuat saya merasa tenang. Saya tiba di Parapat dan naik kapal kecil menuju Pulau Samosir. Air danau tampak biru dan tenang. Di kejauhan saya melihat gunung dan rumah tradisional Batak. Orang di kapal ramah dan bercerita tentang sejarah danau yang berasal dari gunung api besar. Di Samosir, saya menginap di penginapan sederhana di tepi danau. Kamar bersih, ada balkon, dan pemandangan langsung ke air. Sore hari saya menyewa sepeda, lalu berkeliling desa. Saya melihat kebun, pasar kecil, dan anak anak bermain di pantai danau. Saya membeli kain ulos sebagai oleh oleh. Malamnya saya makan ikan bakar dengan nasi hangat dan sambal. Rasanya segar dan pedas, cocok dengan udara dingin. Keesokan pagi, matahari terbit perlahan di atas air, memberi warna emas. Saya merasa bersyukur bisa mengunjungi tempat ini, dan saya ingin kembali lagi suatu hari. Saya mengambil banyak foto untuk keluarga di rumah. Mereka ingin melihat foto itu.

English Translation

I went to Lake Toba during a weekend holiday. I left from Medan by a morning bus. The trip took about five hours, but the views were very beautiful. The road was winding between green hills, and the fresh air made me feel calm. I arrived in Parapat and took a small boat to Samosir Island. The lake water looked blue and calm. In the distance I saw mountains and traditional Batak houses. People on the boat were friendly and told stories about the history of the lake that comes from a big volcano. On Samosir, I stayed in a simple guesthouse on the edge of the lake. The room was clean, there was a balcony, and the view went directly to the water. In the afternoon I rented a bicycle, then went around the village. I saw gardens, a small market, and children playing on the lake beach. I bought an ulos cloth as a souvenir. At night I ate grilled fish with warm rice and chili sauce. It tasted fresh and spicy, good with the cold air. The next morning, the sun rose slowly above the water, giving a golden color. I felt grateful to visit this place, and I want to come back again someday. I took many photos for my family at home. They want to see those photos.