My Indonesia

We (my new husband M and I) went to Sumatra, Indonesia at the end of 1976. We were lucky that on our flight to Medan, we were upgraded to business class (because we were honeymooners!). But the flight from Pulau Pinang was a very short one and we touched down in Medan in no time at all. So the pampering in business class was over too soon.

Before this holiday, we were warned about Indonesia being a 'dangerous' place, and to be careful at all times when dealing with the locals. But we found everyone to be very friendly (may be a bit rough on the edges) and thoroughly enjoyed our time here. We did not even have to grease any palms as we were warned we might have to do at the airport. I think the people who 'warned' us had themselves never been anywhere in Indonesia but had 'heard' things from others, who 'heard' from yet others...

Anyway we walked around Medan and visited the mosque (Masjid Raya) and palace (Istana Maimon) there. The food we had in Medan was usually my favourite Padang cuisine. M also liked the spicy food.

M with the local folks at Masjid Raya (CNB 1976)

In front of Istana Maimon (MB 1976)

At the throne room of the Maimon Palace (1976)

From Medan we went on a day trip to Brastagi (two hours of winding road), to enjoy the cool mountain air there and browse the market. The lady vendors in their distinctive headgear were quite a persuasive lot, but we enjoyed bargaining for the already cheap fruits there. We also took a ride to Gundaling on a horse drawn carriage from the Brastagi Monument.

Lady vegetable sellers at Brastagi market (CNB 1976)

A view of Brastagi market (MB 1976)

Another view of Brastagi market (CNB 1976)

The Brastagi Monument (CNB 1976)

On a horse drawn carriage up Gundaling (MB 1976)

M and the friendly Batak Karo (CNB 1976)

We went to Parapat (about 7 hours by van from Medan) for an overnight stay there before going on to Samosir Island in Danau Toba (Lake Toba) the next morning. 

'Mini buses of Medan (CNB 1976)

Yes, please, we're going to Prapat (CNB 1976)

On Samosir, we stayed in a Batak abode where I found that going to the 'small house' proved to be a challenge because of the squealing piglets running around. The crater lake of Toba provided a tranquil setting and paddling on the waters was quite exhilarating. That is, until M decided to jump into the lake! He certainly gave me a scare because I cannot swim and the depth of the water was unknown to us. We only knew that this is the biggest freshwater lake in the world. What if he got into difficulties in the water? I could only close my eyes and pray that all would be well (a new husband drowned at Lake Toba would be horrendous!)

Here we are on the steps/ladder of our Batak abode (1976)

Surveying our simple beds in the Batak abode (MB 1976)

By Lake Toba (MB 1976)

M on Lake Toba before we went into the middle
and he jumped in! (CNB 1976)

We found the Toba Bataks very friendly, and on morning walks near our accomodation, the children going to school would smile and greet us. The rice farmers too, did the same. We noticed their rice fields to be very fertile, all due to the volvanic soil. For some political history, we visited the stone graves of the Kings including Sidabutar at Ambarita. All too soon we had to go back to Medan for our return journey to Malaysia.

Early morning wash at the Lake Toba (CNB 1976)

 

M and the friendly Toba Batak (CNB 1976)

M at the graves of the Batak kings (CNB 1976)

A fairly recent grave as comparison (CNB 1976)

Only after more than 30 years did I go to Indonesia again. In 2009, with family and friends, we went to three islands - Java, Bidadari and Bali. We loved Bali so much that we returned to Bali in 2011.  I will write about our travels then, in other My Indonesia blog entries.