Falling fast asleep after the snacks at Simarjarunjung to Tongging, Sipisopiso Waterfall. The waterfall is a 110m drop from a cave opening. Didn't have much time to explore much, instead we went straight to the public toilet with a fee of RP1000 for toilet entry.

After filling up the tummy with Pisang Goreng and Teh Halia. We have a few quick snap shots before we were chased up into the bus to get moving. The nice panoramic view of the surrounding when were in the 'restaurant' having our snacks.

Toledo Inn - Next morning : The walkabout before we depart from the island to our next destination.

It was indeed a beautiful landscape of land, sea and sky. With the soothing breeze in the morning and the fresh air from the lush greenery (apart from the mosquitoes) it was indeed a nice place to be in from the hectic of the busy life back home.

Located at the banks of the volcanic lake, Toledo Inn was surrounded by lush trees. They had a small place cordon off from the lake as their pool.

At the jetty of the Samosir Island. It was a short walk distance to the court of King Sialiagan. Passing through row of shops selling local handicraft such as wallets, bags, clothes, belts, wooden arts and many more.

Tomok, where the the Tomb of King Sidabutar is located a short walk away from the lake, at a little uphill from the main road passing through a small alley with souvenir stalls. Before entering the grave, one is required to put on the Ulos of the Batak to show respect, this is available at the gate.

Since we are already talking about the lake, here are the beautiful views in the morning of the lake the following day after our stay at Toledo Inn. It was more cooling in the morning comparing to the noon ride we had yesterday.

Lake Toba or Danau Toba with the Samosir Island, forms the heart of the beautiful a beautiful caldera high in the treeless mountains of northern Sumatra. The lake was formed about 100,000 years ago after a giant eruption. It is the largest lake of southeastern Asia measuring 31 kilometer and covers an area of 1146km sq. It is also the deepest lake in the world, its exact depth is still unknown, but it is for sure deeper than 450meters. Lake Toba is the homeland of the Toba Batak, of which Danau Toba forms the centre, consists of five regions. Everywhere there is enough water, there are ricefields broken up by Toba villages with their characteristic houses, churches and graves. The volcanic soils are remarkably fertile and the Toba highlands have been inhabited for centuries.

We stopped by at St Fidelis Church, a small bricked white church on our way downhill from the Niagara Hotel. There is a small compound for Mother Mary. It seems all churches had one. Sort of like a thinking pool my school has.

The walkabout at Niagara Hotel and Resort.
Do bear with me on the whole load of pictures! I could not resist on sharing them . . . (^▽^)

Waking up a as early as at 5am to proceed to our next destination after our breakfast – Lake Toba. We seize the time available before and after breakfast to capture the beautiful surroundings of the hotel before checking out to Samosir Island.

Niagara Hotel and Resort is situated high on a hill overlooking the Lake Toba at Parapat. It does indeed the most beautiful scenery of Lake Toba as they claimed in their website. We could not get a better looking picture of the accomodation

Other than the father and some sisters in the area, we did not meet other Capuchins friar in the area. Anyway, after lunch father show us around the compound and the facilities available there.

It was almost an hour plus of drive from the Paten to the retreat house. Driving through palm estate and narrow road which only allows two small cars to pass is an old Franciscan Retreat House. Driving through the estate, it can be observed that the Indonesians are courteous to take their turn and would move to sidelines to let larger passing vehicle pass quite unlike the Malaysians back home, where each wants to go ahead of each other.

According to the tour leader, the retreat house is undergoing renovation and upgrading works. The current retreat house is so unlike the old time when he was there last; previously the place was quite run down. A part from the renovation debris, the place was quite unexpected pretty and peaceful. There was so much greenery and the fresh air (though the haze problem is alarming back in Malaysia where the haze was from Indonesia itself - even my colleague warn me not to get burned from the forest fire. Cis!) . . .  at the retreat house after going through the long long way of estate road. (Sounded a little like the Snow White where she traveled way way into the dark forest.)

Upon arrival at the Polonia Airport, Medan Indonesia we were greeted by our local tour guide and was shown to our bus. The Polonia Airport is quite small and it is just a few meters walks from the plane to the immigration counter. After the immigration office, our hand luggage was scanned again before we collect our checked-in luggage. It was a long queue to the counter itself . . . this reminded me of the entrance to Macau last year.

After we boarded the bus, which was relatively small compare to our tour buses. The bus just manage to fit all 37 of us without any extra seats and the space for baggage is way too small as there are at least 6 luggage are place behind our seats and on the pathway.

27th June 2013 - 30th June 2013
4 Days 3 Nights,  Medan Itinerary

After our meal at Watami, Citygate Outlets, we headed to Central to look for the famous gas lamp which we so often sees in Hong Kong movie. We were so lost looking around for it in the hot weather.

But instead of the gas lamp, we found some interesting stuff along the way. Some eye candy!

Waking with excitement for the new day... we had breakfast from the left overs at the restaurant.

Setting out to our first destination - Ngo Ping 360. We took the MRT to Hong Kong Station to transit to Tung Chung station to get to the cable car station.

Upon arrival, the first thing we got is our Hong Kong Octopus card which is very vital for everything and everywhere you go. We took the local bus to our accommodation at Kimberly Hotel, Tsim Sha Tsui. It was short 5 to 10 minutes walked from the bus stop to the hotel. We are early for the check-in, we went for our lunch nearby the hotel. We did our homework prior coming.. time to explore for some good food!

After our lunch it is time we checked in to our deluxe room at the hotel with a convertible sofa-bed and a small pantry. The hotel is centrally located near shopping and the Tsim Sha Tsui therefore it explains the pricey rate.