By: Andri Permana
Most of people assume that except Toba Lake, North Sumatra has no other exoticism that is worth visiting. Most people think that the region of North Sumatra which have hot weather and they are isolated from other cultures, so that the sense of insecurity and discomfort will appear every heard about “Batak”. but you just have to believe one thing from each trip are you going to do, which is “endlessly exotic” whenever and wherever you set foot, particularly when visiting Indonesia.
But you should try to examine in depth, because North Sumatra is a small version of Indonesia. There are 6 sub-ethnic of Batak (Pakpak, karo, Mandailaing, Toba, Angkola and Simalungun). There are cultural differences and characteristics of each other. Often there is a miss-communication if one of the sub-ethnic meeting and talking with people from other sub-ethnic, because they have different languages as well.
Actually, North Sumatra has great tourism paradise and not less great with other destinations. Besides Toba Lake, North Sumatra also has some beautiful waterfalls and natural hot springs (tinggi radja), the rest of the Batak kingdom buildings, the ancestral customs and traditions are still adhered to. North Sumatra also has a cold temperate regions such as the tropical climate types. There is fruit and vegetable plantations in Sidamanik (Kabupaten Simalungun), Berastagi, Gunung Sinabung (Karo) and many more.
North Sumatra is an area that relatively cheap for tourist destination. You will find solid-match of regular, medium and luxury of local and public transportation. Ranging from modern trains in the area of the airport Kuala Namu, old motor tricycles (bentor), overloaded small bus, and taxi anywhere that will deliver you. But don’t worry about the price, the people there are familiar with the negotiation system.
Of course this story is not enough to open your imagination, it would be better if you started to walk away and be there. Email me if you need more information about the trip route. So, visit the North Sumatra now.
