Nestled in the palms of a supervolcano lies the immaculate volcanic Lake Toba (Danau Toba). Once an explosive volcanic catastrophe zone, it's now a picturesque scene so peaceful and gorgeous that any initial impression is that of laziness and relaxation.
Everything from the Indigenous Batak people to the glassy top of the lake induces a slow-paced attitude and a license to clear the mind by doing as little as possible.
Getting There
From the northern Sumatran capital city of Medan, the journey to Lake Toba takes five to six hours. Our driver attempted to maximize the velocity of our van, overtaking freight trucks at frightening speeds and gaining air on the potholes.
Driving through the forest, we eventually reached the outskirts of the main volcano and wound our way around the lake edge before arriving in the town of Parapat. The nerve-rattling ride contrasted with the peaceful tranquility we would experience on Samosir Island, located within Lake Toba.
From Parapat, we took the local ferry, which dropped us off at our chosen guest house on Samosir Island. The ferry was so lenient that it allowed anybody to get dropped off anywhere around the lake they requested.
We dropped several people off at hotels, some locals off at their homes, a few got out at a small water village, and finally, the ferry stopped at our guest house. It was like handing me a plate with a slice of heaven.
Where To Stay
Guest houses on the banks of Lake Toba are cheap and comfortable. Some offer traditional Batak-style accommodation in huts that overlook the water. Our room at the Reggae Guest House had at least four beds and was located so close to the lake that we could jump right off our balcony into the calm, warm water.
I was delighted when the reception informed us that the grand total for our noiseless Shangri-La pad was a mere $3 per night, split by two (and there were four beds in the room!).
I couldn't help but daydream about spending the rest of my life in that very spot on the side of Lake Toba, relaxing my life away.
It'd be worth seeing my bank account deplete, but here, it's a micro drop in the bucket each month. My dreams shattered when I remembered my Indonesian visa that was about to expire, depleting my stay to only a few days.
Related: Relaxing Destinations in Southeast Asia
Hanging Out
I truly appreciated the area's relaxed and tranquil nature in the few days I spent on Lake Toba. I would awaken at dawn to observe the sunrise that ever so slowly rose above the volcano ledges and ricocheted off the mirror lake.
A few lone fishermen would cast their nets without making even the slightest sound, paddling their boats with silent strokes. The faint, pleasing sound of birds chirping could be heard, but it was almost impossible to pinpoint as the sounds carried across the landscape.
For exercise, we followed the trail to the mountaintop of Samosir Island, whacking our way through thick brush and being rewarded with jaw-dropping views of the lake. Along the trail, we met a few Batak farmers, excited to see us and happy we had made the ascent.
Submerged by the peaceful atmosphere (just like on Mount Taal), it's sobering to think that Lake Toba is the product of a violent blast from a supervolcano. Today, it remains the world's largest volcanic lake, over 62 miles (100 kilometers) long.
Getting to central Sumatra and finally arriving at Lake Toba can be challenging to arrange, but the relaxing reward is unparalleled. Lake Toba remains one of my all-time favorite destinations in the world!
