Beautiful Landscapes of Lake Toba

Enjoying the beauty of Lake Toba is a wonderful experience. When the morning you can see the blue expanse of the lake. The clouds turned into a blue and sunny. You can also see how the fishermen working on the boat, catching fish. All of this sight can not be loose when you come to Lake Toba.

Some of this moment could I capture when I went there recently. I want to capture them with my simple camera, Kodak cameras Prosumer Eazy Share Z 612. However, I am quite satisfied with the results. Actually, I wanted to capture the objects with a more professional way with the type of DSLR cameras, Canon or Nikon, so the photographs I produce sharper and better.

However, I am lucky to get good weather when me and my friend was visiting there at the time. My friend uses the Nikon D series of 40 kid Good result and landscape photographs that she made good.

To get the objects landscape photograph good lake, there are several locations that you must go, for example, explored the area along the Peninsula Tuktuk Siadong in Samosir. If you want to Tuktuk, you must ship from Ajibata Port in Parapat, which has long trip with about 30 minutes.

Tuktuk Siadong available at many lodgings in the form of hotels, cottages, guest houses with prices still relatively affordable, from among 100 thousand rupiahs (10 US dollars) to 300 thousand rupiah (30 US dollars) per night. I suggest you take a few days to get a lot Tuktuk beautiful photos and interesting.

Apart from Tuktuk, you also can take photos along the shore of Lake Toba region in Parapat. Mingle with the locals and find objects in nature photos human interests, or the photos on the activities of visiting tourists to Lake Toba.



Like the photographs that I take this example, which I took in several places in Parapat and area Tuktuk Siadong, Samosir. Enjoy ...

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Gundaling, One of Favorite Place in Karo Highland

Gundaling is one of the major tourist sites in Karo Higland, North Sumatra. Unfortunately, Gundaling is seen quiet now. This condition is very much different in earlier times.

Gundaling is famous in the realm of our tourism, especially in North Sumatra and cited as the second alternative target tourists after Parapat, Toba Lake. It was appropriate if the predicate Gundaling now - if you look at his present condition. The reason, it is now not the same now.

Admittedly, Gundaling golden ages have enjoyed the 1970’s - 1990's. Gundaling is a favorite destination among tourist attraction in Karo District. Nor the location is always crowded visit. Unfortunately, now he has changed. Also makes sense if many of the stalls souvenirs and food vendors closed on weekdays. In fact, this has never happened before.

What is the main attraction was actually Gundaling not new anymore. People usually come here to enjoy the cool mountain nature, as well as mountain views and gardens verdant people, enjoying the coolness and the scene with sado climbing or riding a horse alone or a gang.

Gundaling itself is a highland area that has a height of 1500-1600 meters above sea level, between 200 - 300 meters above the surface Berastagi Town. Distance from City Berastagi location is only about 2.5 kilometers. The extent of approximately 1500 square meters. From here will also appear several mountains, such Sibayak, Sinabung, Barus, Sipiso-piso and Singgalang. Mountain breeze is soothing allure broadcaster location away from the noise.

However, the fact visitors Gundaling more time diminished. Electrical current decline, too, dragged the perpetrators of the surrounding attractions. Besides souvenir vendors, food and cactus flowers characteristic of this temperate plants, also includes sado pullers who pull tourists interest.

Alpen Manullang, one of the towing sado, said declined will admit it. "Previously, foreign tourists still hang around this Gundaling enjoying nature and scenery. It is now rare and almost never do anymore, "said the man who've been in the profession since the 1990’s.


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"Si Waluh Jabuh", Between Cultures and the Mystical [Part 1]

When we were entering the Karo Regency "simalem" several times ago, the rain kept flushed, the thick fog covering almost the entire horizon mountain chain stretching should be green. The wind was blowing and the weather was so cold. Even so, our goal to see first hand the historic old building "The Waluh Jabuh" in the village of Lingga not stop just because the weather is not so friendly at that time.

To explore the countryside of Karo regency, that also known as "Tanah Karo Simalem", was an interesting experience, especially for audiences who are familiar with the hurly-burly of modern urbanization today.

Indeed, modernization is not only capable of forming a pattern of human life that is too instant and fast, but also was able to affect the imagination. Imagination will be a village. Well, the village that was close millions of values even though the value was now contaminated. Starting from traditionalism or culture that values may no longer familiar in the ears of the city, that is mystical. Perhaps we caught that when visiting the village of Lingga last time.

Lingga village is a small village in Simpang Empat District, about 14 km from Berastagi. This village, actually no longer traditionally as we imagine. Most of the population now inhabit urban type house. Lingga village still keeps the value of cultural history from the past that tells the origin of Karo culture. The origin was can be seen from the old buildings still standing there. The age of the building estimated to reach 300 years now. That is "Si Waluh Jabuh", a unique architectural design, philosophical and even mystical.

”Si Waluh Jabuh”; “waluh” meant by eight, “jabuh” means home. Thus, the meaning of “waluh jabuh” occupied houses eight families who live in harmony and tolerance. That's exactly what the philosophical meaning that despite the naming of the house originally known as “rabung lima” ("ridge-five").

What is unique is the process of development, said that before the development is, first notified to the smart people who will decide today whether to conduct a search of wood to the forest. After that, the smart people will determine whether the wood is used or not feasible in a dream. "If a good dream, then the wood would be used but if a bad dream, it was a bad sign. This is very important to do for the next occupant survival," said Lik Tarigan an occupant.

Next is the determination of a good day to start construction. No wonder if the development process takes a long (2-3 years). Sometimes, the development followed by problem, for example is the scheduling of searching woods, which are not carelessly used. There are three types of wood that represent the meaning and the hope of the future residents. This is the philosophical meaning.

Wood of "ndarasi" used intertwined in harmony, or harmony between the families. Still, wood called “ambar tuah” which means hope to have many descendants. Then there were the wooden "sebernaik", for cheap sustenance. "Actually, the wood species are meranti, only through the search process had wood, so the shaman named it," explained Tarigan then.

Development begins with the establishment of the foundation. "Maybe people had been aware of the earthquake and the danger," he said Tarigan and explained the process of building the foundation construction. Initial foundation stone and iron is outdated or "iron Mersing" and "bulung simalem" mounted on the ground and the pole, called "Palas". Further, between pole and Palas installed fibers to avoid a wobble in the event of an earthquake.

In addition to that function, there is another meaning there. "Harmony between the pole and Palas also showed expectations for the harmony of the occupants. This is called “larubat” which means do not collapse. If the house gets “larubat”, the family will be too," said Tarigan.

(will be continued to part 2: "Si Waluh Jabuh", If Eight to One"). Don't miss it... enjoy your trip!
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Stunned at the Kingdom of Pematang Purba, Simalungun

Until the development of civilization in which a community can probably be traced through it’s culture. At least this is what can be portrayed as exploring the house in the village of Rumah Bolon Pematang Purba, in Simalungun District. At once, it became a proof of the existence of the Kingdom of the Pematang Purba Simalungun, had stood since the 15th century.

Exploring the area of Simalungun was a nice experience. Each of the spots around on it can give the impression of him, moreover, entering the Pematang Purba Village, a small village in the district of Pematang Purba Simalungun.

The last king who led the Kingdom was King Mogang. People of Simalungun believes that said his body has yet to be found. He was allegedly killed when a social revolution took place in Simalungun in 1947.

The statue of the Kingdom of Pematang Purba Simalungun, occupies approximately around 140 kilometers from Medan city, after the Karo Regency (Berastagi - Kabanjahe - Brand). Then through the intersection toward Haranggaol and you came in the majority of villages inhabited by ethnic Simalungun it. However, you can also choose other access, by the Siantar City that only about 54 miles away.

It is said, once the Pematang Purba Village is known as one of the oldest royal government center in Simalungun, namely the Pematang Purba Kingdom, which until the end of their authority, as of 14 kings who have ever held the reins of power. So it is clear that this kingdom is not the only kingdom that ever existed in the region Simalungun.

History records, there are five major kingdoms, each controlled its own territory which of them scattered in several areas: Siantar, Panambean, Tanah Jawa, Pematang Raya and Purba. This area then inhabited by certain clans too, such as Saragih, Manik, and Purba.

Rumah Bolon Pematang Purba itself is the residence of the Pematang Purba Kings who first occupied King Pangultop-ultop (1624-1648), which is then passed from generation to generation with a tradition of local culture.

"It is known who did it and what is the motive," said Wanson. guards and tourist guides, the location of the old buildings that stood on the land area is 1 hectare.

Transfer of authority of tradition, Wanson explains there is a the tradition of compulsory transfer of power to do. When the king was about to inherit his power, people obliged to slaughter a buffalo, the horns and then stored for later become evidence for the king who will rules later. At least that historical evidence can still be seen where there are 14 buffalo horns hanging on the walls of the room Rumah Bolon.

So, what's the basic transfer of the power? As usual in the continuing tradition of royal power is the eldest child, then the principle is not absolute in the tradition of the Kingdom of Pematang Purba. "It must be the oldest, but who is the king's descendants have talent to be a leader, then was appointed as the successor to the kingdom," said Wanson.

Political power

In fact, the king who ruled early in the Kingdom of Pematang Purba was not the King Pangultop-ultop, but King Dasuha. Mr. Pangultop-ultop itself at first only migrants who come from areas supposedly Dolok Sanggul, who was allegedly having contact with area, now called Pakpak Bharat.

So, why did he later became king? This was based on the Wanson narrative, which is also the tourism department officials who assigned by Simalungun District to oversee the old building. He explained, King Pangultop-arrival to the area early ultop initially due to his penchant for catching birds and then delivered to the early region.

Actually, if reviewed, Pangultop-ultop thus have practiced power politics.

It is said that one time in the wilderness area early, he managed to catch a bird which then Nanggordaha from bird gizzards (there are seeds of rice and corn), he got his own food. When he saw that the Pematang Purba as a fertile land, so he appealed to the King of Ancient Dasuha plot of land to be given. Land that he later planted with rice and corn seeds that he can from the bird's craw.

Pangultop-ultop also likely to deliver the people to glory. An abundant harvest from the plot of land for the good king, he kept in a large barn.

A time came the lean years which resulted in overwhelming population in search of food. Knowing Pangultop-ultop has many stores of rice and corn in the barn, they were then asked to provide rice and maize during which he collected.

Only, he did not want to give if they just called himself as "oppung" (grandfather or a respected person), but called as the king. "Do not call me ‘oppung’ if you want to get rice and corn from me, but call me king," he said, as Wanson explained.

So, they called him “King” so, which then was known by the Dasuha. Recognition of his feeling threatened not recognized anymore, so any Dasuha early meeting with Pangultop-ultop. "If you are a king, then prove," he said, as he imitated Wanson.

This was then followed by Pangultop-ultop comply with the regulations set Dasuha Purba. "Marbijah" (vowed) is the procession which was proof step. Handful of soil, water and "appang-appang" (buffalo skin) is the medium. So, Pangultop-ultop return to his native land to get all the three.

Handful of land and sown, covered appang-appang and placed beside the water contained in “tatabu” (a type of water jug made of leather pumpkin). Witnessed by the people, then Pangultop-ultop sweared before the Dasuha and “ulubalang”, he said, "if the land and water that I occupy is not mine, so now I die." Pangultop-ultop even then drank water.

Time then replied that oath. Though already past days, weeks, months and years, but Pangultop-ultop not dead-as typically containing an oath of death was a lie then return. And time, too, who determines the transition of power. "I admit, now you're the king who deserves to lead the Kingdom of Pematang Purba, because oaths not works," said the Dasuha later.

Since then Pangultop-ultop became king, precisely in 1624, which then lead up to 1648. The previous king-Ancient-Dasuha was still regarded as the king, only he was no longer govern.

Then, after turning back to the story, is it true there is a political element in there? Once again this is a disclosure of the facts of Wanson Purba, which is also a descendant of Kuraha (commander of the king), Pangultop-ultop, during his leadership. He alone knows the story from his father, during the early who has kept the 43-years Rumah Bolon.

Wanson did not dismiss it. "Actually, if reviewed, Pangultop-ultop thus have practiced power politics," he said. "The reason, soil and water and appang-appang used as a medium itself oath taken by him from his native land, making it possible he survived the death."

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