The province of North Sumatra has a variety of exotic and even historical attractions that are worth a visit. One of them is Parapat. In this city lies the beauty of Lake Toba and Samosir Island in the middle of which are famous to foreign countries. You only need three to four hours drive from the capital city of North Sumatra, Medan.
Parapat offers incredible natural scenery, delicious food, and a shopping center for various souvenirs. In Parapat, there are star-studded auberges or bungalows that accommodate tourists who intend to cruise to Lake Toba.
From Parapat there is a ferry port that serves water transportation to Samosir Island, to be precise to the Ajibata port. If you want to reach Samosir Island by land, you have to go around the shores of Lake Toba to Pangururan.
A trip to Parapat, is incomplete if you don't visit Jalan Siburak-Burak. This area is a shopping center for original Parapat souvenirs. Various souvenirs were displayed, such as an ancient Batak calendar with original Batak writings, a wooden Batak guitar and various other unique gifts. The prices offered also vary, ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of rupiah.
Another tourist destination is Bakara Village, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, North Tapanuli which is still on the coast of Lake Toba. This village is the birthplace of King Sisingamangaraja XII who is also a national hero. Before reaching Bakara, you must go to Balige which is the burial place of Sisingmangaraja XII.
From Balige, the journey continues by ferry along Lake Toba for two hours. The costs required are quite expensive, reaching Rp. 800 thousand. Boat tickets must also be booked several hours in advance. To save money, you should not travel alone.