Lake Toba in the eyes of Genting International College’s students

MHD DARWINSYAH PURBA & AMIR SYARIF SIREGAR
WASPADA ONLINE

Lake Toba is one of the most favourite destinations for many tourists, domestic or international. It is a volcanic lake with 100 km long and 30 km wide, and 505 m. (1,666 ft.) at its deepest point, in the middle of the northern part of the Indonesian island of Sumatra with a surface elevation of about 900 m. It is the largest volcanic lake in the world. In the middle of the lake, lays a little island named Samosir Island.

Lake Toba has long been one of the most favourite tourist destinations in North Sumatra, besides Bukit Lawang and Nias, for any kind of occasions. For example, a training tour, in which a group of students learning the process of teaching and studying in the schools of North Sumatra, especially around Lake Toba, like 18 of Genting International College’s students, did a few days ago.

They began the study from 27 to 28 November 2008. Those students were so interested to the beautiful view of Lake Toba, its culture and the hospitality of its people. The following is an interview of Waspada Online’s journalist, Darwinsyah Purba, with some of the students of Genting International College, Rose Dalina Hermiza (Malaysia), Apple (Malaysia) and Tsatsa (Mongolia).

What are the objectives of Genting International College’s students in visiting Lake Toba?

Actually, we’re in the middle of semester’s break. And this time, Genting International College decided to do a tour training to Lake Toba, in which the students watch the process of teaching and learning in the schools around here.

What do you think of Lake Toba?

Lake Toba has one of the most wonderful natural views, it’s so amazing. The air is so fresh and clean which makes me really comfortable and fun to stay here.

How’s the society around?

Most people around are nice, like those great traders, who were really kind when they’re offering their stuffs to us. The people are also so humble in greeting every tourist who came here. You can see it clearly through their smiles.

Besides Lake Toba, are there any places which you guys have been visited?

We visited Tuk-tuk by the motorboat with less than 45 minutes and tried “tuak”, it’s deliecious. But the people there told us that it can’t makes you stone, so we don’t really have the guts to drink it much.

What do you think of the society’s culture around here?

All I really know is that mot people here are Batak people. They’re the natives here. They’re nice and friendly. I can’t really explain it in details, but I know that Batak people famous with their ‘ulos’

Is there any special impressions of Lake Toba while you guys here?

Lajke Toba is so beautiful, and the people are so nice. But I notice that the road to come here is a little bit rough and rocky. I hope the Indonesian government, especially North Sumatra government, manages to fix the highway from Medan through here, so more and more people will come to Lake Toba and enjoying its great view.

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