2023.7.6 
Asia, Indonesia 
Indonesia, Samosir Island, Lake Toba, Bali, Ethnic Groups 
1,658 view Indonesia is a nation made up of thousands of volcanoes and hundreds of ethnic groups.
As the world's largest archipelagic country, Indonesia is home to many attractions that captivate travelers from around the globe, including the beach resort of Bali, the ancient city of Yogyakarta with the UNESCO World Heritage Borobudur Temple, and Sumatra Island, where jungles still shelter rare wildlife.
Among all that Indonesia has to offer, Lake Toba—the world's largest caldera—is especially recommended!
In the world's largest caldera Samosir Island
A caldera is a sunken landform created by a volcanic eruption.Hundreds of thousands of years ago, 4 A massive volcanic eruption triggered tectonic shifts, resulting in the formation of the world's largest caldera.
It is now registered as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Within this caldera lies Samosir Island, formed as a volcanic island, and Lake Toba, created by accumulated rainwater and other sources.
Samosir Island is a hidden gem with unique culture and breathtaking nature, but visitors can easily reach it by taking a boat across Lake Toba.
The Batak people, native to Lake Toba
On this island, which is about the same size as Tokyo's 23 wards, you’ll find refreshingly beautiful scenery rarely seen elsewhere in Southeast Asia.The island is filled with nostalgic sights—terraced rice fields and fishermen casting lines into the calm lake—that evoke memories of childhood summer vacations.
The Batak people live on this beautiful island.
The Batak people, whose homeland is Lake Toba and who are now a minority in Indonesia, live mainly through agriculture and fishing.
You can experience the Batak people's traditional and unique way of life and culture throughout the island, with some aspects preserved as museums and tourist attractions.
The traditional stilt houses with their distinctive large roofs are intricately built and reminded me of Japan's gassho-zukuri houses.
There are also preserved sites such as graves made of stone or rock, kitchens, relaxation spaces, and areas that resemble meeting halls.
On the island, you can also watch traditional dances passed down through generations of the Batak people.
This dance, called tor-tor (also known as toto or tortor), features lively music, chants, and clapping, and just watching it filled me with joy.
At the end, I even got to join in and dance together!
Feel the wind of Indonesia as you ride a motorbike
Getting around the island by motorbike is highly recommended! (Cycling is also an option.)It was amazing to feel the breeze of Lake Toba and the scent of the countryside as I rode through the Indonesian air!
The climate is so refreshing that it's hard to believe you're in Southeast Asia, which is usually hot and humid.
Enjoy the picturesque scenery, and when you get tired, sit by the lakeside and relax at your own pace.
Spending time surrounded by the magnificent nature that the Earth created long ago was truly a luxurious experience.
Writer
Mamo
Information site: 'Zoo-tto Tabi Shiyou!' / Instagram / Twitter
A traveler who journeys around the world to meet animals. As a child, they dreamed of seeing African elephants on the savannah, and as a university student, joined their first safari in Tanzania. Since then, they've become passionate about animal-watching trips, visiting over 100 national parks, zoos, and animal-related facilities. They have traveled around the world and have also visited all 47 prefectures of Japan.