Situated in the huge crater lake of Toba in North Sumatra, the island
of Samosir together with its surrounding areas is the heart of the Toba
Batak culture.
For a breath of fresh lakeside air, Samosir Island delivers one healthy laid-back dose. Let’s get started with some of the best things this island has to offer.
For a breath of fresh lakeside air, Samosir Island delivers one healthy laid-back dose. Let’s get started with some of the best things this island has to offer.
1. Shop ‘till you drop at Tomok Market
Start
at the market and learn something new about this exotic island.
Experience the sights, the taste and the smell in their everyday life
and you will feel just like a local. Tomok itself is a traditional
village, best known as the gateway and introduction to Samosir. Many
shops in the main street and stalls bordering the alleyways sell many of
the same things that can be found in the traditional market – a variety
of tropical fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, various dry fish, meat
and spices. Tomok market is also considered a good spot for spectacular
photo opportunities.
2. Satisfy Your Hunger with Mie Gomak
Mie
Gomak is a traditional curry noodle dish of the Batak Toba. Mie
literally means noodle and Gomak is native for ' digomak’, which means
preparation by hand. There are two ways to prepare this dish – in broth
or fried. The noodle is pale orange, quite thick and square-cut. The
curry is red, flavorful, smooth but not too spicy. The dish is served
alongside condiments such as kerisik (grated dry-fried coconut) and
sambal andaliman (a chili sauce made from a local Batak pepper) and a
boiled egg can sometimes be requested as a topping. The best time to
consume Mie Gomak is in cold weather as the tasty spices will warm the
body
3. Set new trend : wear an Ulos
Ulos is a typical traditional woven fabric that symbolizes the bond of affection between parents and children or, between a person and others. Ulos has a symbolic function for a variety of aspects in Batak life and different kinds in color and motifs of ulos have different ceremonial significance. Ulos is usually worn in traditional rituals from birth to marriage to funerals. Batak people wear it on their heads, shoulders, lower torso and around their body. Depending on the fabric, a piece of Ulos ranges in price from IDR 25,000.00 – IDR 5,000,000.00.
Nowadays, traditional fabrics like Ulos in trendy designs have become the latest upmarket fashion in Indonesia.
4. Learn how to Dance the Tor Tor
Tor
Tor is a traditional dance of the Batak ethnic group. The name 'Tor
Tor’ is derived from the sound of communal pounding of feet made when
groups of people engage in this dance. Normally Tor Tor is accompanied
by ceremonial music using instruments such as the gondang. At festive
events, the rhythm of music is more upbeat and cheerful compared to the
more solemn ceremonies such as funerals.
Each
movement of the Tor Tor dance is associated with a profound meaning and
incites emotion and interaction among participants of the ceremony. In
every wedding ceremony of the Batak ethnic group, the bride and groom
are required to perform a Tor - Tor dance as is customary. The dance
movement is mostly in the fingers and an Ulos is worn over the shoulder
of every dancer.
5. Biking Around Samosir
Biking across the Samosir countryside is a good way to explore the beauty of the island. The path along the mountain from Ambarita to Tomok is
a sight for sore eyes although the parts of the roads can be quite
bumpy. The further up the hill the more stunning and amazing the
landscape becomes as rice fields and lakeside views will surely take
your breath away. Renting a bike is quite easy as there are many places
that offer bike rentals. The price to rent a bike may vary, starting
from IDR 30,000.00/day. (Indonesia.travel)
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