Sumatera
The Sumateran folklore mentions “Pulau Ameh” and “Tanoh Mas” as the original names of Sumatera. It literally means “ The Golden Island”. L’tsing, a Chinese traveler setteled in Sriwijaya in the 7th century addressed Sumatera as Chin-Chou, which also means “ Golden Land”. Excavated epigraphs from the island also bear the words “Swarnadwipa” and “Swarnabhoomi” in Sanskrit. A Greek manuscript from the year 70 has a reference of Sumatera as Chryse Nesos or Island of Gold. Sumatera has truly been a land of Gold and it still continues to be an attraction to visitors until today. Some of its main attractions are Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world.
Some other attractions include the Padang and Bukit Tinggih area. This has some of the most picturesque scenery in the island.
Places of Interest
Medan
Medan is best known as the gateway to North Sumatera with many travellers flying into the city and setting off from here for adventures in the cool highlands of Lake Toba or the wild Sumatran jungle.
The area which is now Medan was home to a community of traders and seafarers, under the rule of Islamic Malay leaders. This was until the Acehnese finally conquered the area after years of battling in the early 17th century. During the period of conflict, the plains were used as a battlefield between the two kingdoms which is why Medan translates literally as field or battlefield from Indian Hindi Language “Maidan”
After independence, the population of Medan exploded and it is now the third largest city in the country. Today the influence of Medan’s colonial plantation past is reflected in the European architecture of many of the cities biggest buildings. Medan has become a blend of the modern and the ancient.
Medan is best known as the gateway to North Sumatera with many travellers flying into the city and setting off from here for adventures in the cool highlands of Lake Toba or the wild Sumatran jungle.
The area which is now Medan was home to a community of traders and seafarers, under the rule of Islamic Malay leaders. This was until the Acehnese finally conquered the area after years of battling in the early 17th century. During the period of conflict, the plains were used as a battlefield between the two kingdoms which is why Medan translates literally as field or battlefield from Indian Hindi Language “Maidan”
After independence, the population of Medan exploded and it is now the third largest city in the country. Today the influence of Medan’s colonial plantation past is reflected in the European architecture of many of the cities biggest buildings. Medan has become a blend of the modern and the ancient.
Lake Toba
Lake Toba is the largest lake in Indonesia and the largest volcanic lake in the world. Approximately five hours drive from Medan. Toba Lake is the largest lake in South East Asia and also one of the most spectacular, surrounded by tall mountains and with the large island of Samosir in the middle. If we descend from the mountain we see the lake glittering in all its beauty. The Dutch writer Rudy Kousbroek even called Toba Lake, 'the most beautiful place on earth'. Most visitors stay on the peninsula of Tuk Tuk on Samosir, named after the linguist Herman Neubronner van der Tuuk. In general people stay several days on Samosir to discover the island, to visit traditional Batak villages, to swim in the lake and go to the hot springs in Pangururan.
Lake Toba is the largest lake in Indonesia and the largest volcanic lake in the world. Approximately five hours drive from Medan. Toba Lake is the largest lake in South East Asia and also one of the most spectacular, surrounded by tall mountains and with the large island of Samosir in the middle. If we descend from the mountain we see the lake glittering in all its beauty. The Dutch writer Rudy Kousbroek even called Toba Lake, 'the most beautiful place on earth'. Most visitors stay on the peninsula of Tuk Tuk on Samosir, named after the linguist Herman Neubronner van der Tuuk. In general people stay several days on Samosir to discover the island, to visit traditional Batak villages, to swim in the lake and go to the hot springs in Pangururan.
Bukit Tinggi
Nestled in the highlands north of Padang in the Agam valley, is the town of Bukit Tinggi or ‘high hill’. Although it is less than a degree south of the equator, Bukit Tinggi has a refreshingly cool climate due to its elevation – over 900 meters above sea level. While it rains here often, this is not enough to deter travelers who come to enjoy what many claim is the most hospitable city in Sumatra.
The city was known as Fort de Kock during colonial times in reference to the Dutch outpost established here in 1825 during the Padri War. The fort was founded by Captain Bauer at the top of Jirek hill and later named after the then Lieutenant Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, Hendrik Merkus de Kock.
Nestled in the highlands north of Padang in the Agam valley, is the town of Bukit Tinggi or ‘high hill’. Although it is less than a degree south of the equator, Bukit Tinggi has a refreshingly cool climate due to its elevation – over 900 meters above sea level. While it rains here often, this is not enough to deter travelers who come to enjoy what many claim is the most hospitable city in Sumatra.
The city was known as Fort de Kock during colonial times in reference to the Dutch outpost established here in 1825 during the Padri War. The fort was founded by Captain Bauer at the top of Jirek hill and later named after the then Lieutenant Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, Hendrik Merkus de Kock.
