Search Results for: Singapore
Food in Singapore… so may vegetarian options!!
Singapore is proud to be the culinary capital of Asia, receiving influences of Chinese Malaysian, Indian and Indonesia cuisines, as also Sri Lanka and Thailand. Arise even traces of Portuguese and English presence in the region, were the “portuguese egg tart” which is no more than the famous pastel-de-nata.
Singapore like any big city offers a wide range of choice in terms of restaurants, not only in terms of cuisine, where Asian food dominates but also with many Western and World option, but also in terms of cost of a meal.
And through the city, we are faced with the simplest and informal restaurants, whose space is open to the street, to the most sophisticated places, passing through many restaurants “a la carte” that feature a wide range of prices. In between is a myriad of choices, showing that food plays an important role in the social live of Singaporeans, that given the high purchasing power fill up restaurants, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.
And here we are faced with the question what really is the typical Singaporean food… the answer is: that’s a bit of everything, not a mixture of influences from which resulted an own cuisine that reflects the geographical position, climate, fauna and flora of the region, but an offer of diversity in terms of gastronomy that reflects the ethnic and religious diversity is what best defines this country-city-state.
The areas of Little India, Kampong Glam and Chinatown are the most attractive in terms of food, with any of them with options for all pockets. The shopping centers also have many options in terms of restaurants apart from fast food and big international food chains.
In Singapore the food although more expensive than in neighboring Asian countries is affordable, as you stick to food-courts and markets, as there isn’t in Singapore “street food”. These sites provide meals from 4 S$, which corresponds to € 2.5.
A bit all over the city, with the exception of the most sophisticated and wealthy areas (Wafles Place, Marina Bay, etc…) there are food-courts that comprised several kiosks, stall or small restaurants grouped in the same space sharing a common area consisting of tables and chairs, were people have meals or drinks. Each of these places has it own type of food that usually is served in take-away system. These food-courts could be huge to the point where a person almost get lost in there or of more modest dimensions, but they are always the cheapest and quickest option and the one that attracts most of the local people.
Usually these places offer several options in terms of food, Chinese, Malay, India … but some are more targeted to Chinese food, where it is sometimes difficult to find vegetarian food. The fried-rice and fried-noodles are easy to find and are a good vegetarian options, as the food is made in the moment and is possible to ask to replace the meat or seafood, for vegetables and sometimes tofu. Also very popular is the so called fast food or simply rice or rice plate, where food is exposed on trays in buffet style with many vegetarian options, and each person make his own plate, based on rice, paying for the number of varieties that are served. This type of meal can cost around 4 to 5 S$ and have a lot of choices for vegetarians, with lots of legumes, tofu and soy product dishes.
With so much diversity is not difficult to find vegetarian or even vegan restaurants, but these usually in more sophisticated areas of the city, and not so affordable. But Singapore brings together different types of cuisines and almost everywhere have at least one vegetarian option, with the Chinese food the most difficult in this field, and the Indiana the easiest since in Singapore there are a big Hindu community. The Malaysian food also has some traditional dishes, that depending on the restaurant may have or not animal products, but you can try to ask to replaced meat, fish or shellfish by tofu, which due to Chinese influence is quite popular.
But attention because sometimes the pastes that seasoning the food are often made with fish-source or other animal condiments. For vegans is more difficult as the eggs are a constant presence in many of the dishes.
Kampong Glam, the so-called Arab Quarter featuring up around the mosque Masjid Sultan, one can find food from Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey and Iran, as also many more options being an ideal place to enjoy traditional Malaysian dishes: laksa, lontong, nasi lemak, nasi goreng … where “nasi” means rice, that could be steamed or stir-fry in various forms and flavors, with vegetables, egg, chicken, beef or seafood… pork is excluded from Malay gastronomy as this is Muslim country.
The nasi lemak can be considered one of the most popular dishes from Malaysia and is usually consumed at breakfast, simple and very easy to prepare is based on rice with fried anchovies, fried peanuts, cucumber slices and egg (boiled or fried) at the side. The nasi lemak can be served on the plate or wrapped in banana leaf to take-away. But what makes this special dish is the sambal, a red paste resulting from a mix of chilies, onions, garlic, ginger and a few more spices, resulting in a spicy mixture, but very tasty.
Laksa is another popular Malaysian dishes easily found in Singapore, comprising a curry based on coconut milk, sweet and spice with ginger and lemongrass, which involves rice noodles and some vegetables. It may also served with shellfish.
Lontong is a traditional Indonesian dish that was built in Malaysian cuisine, and also popular in Singapore. Made with pressed rice forming a roll which is then cut into pieces seasoning with a vegetable curry cooked on coconut milk, to which joins tofu, tempeh and boiled egg. Like the nasi lemak, it adds a fish-based sambal.
Kampong Glam is one of the best places to try the biryani, an Indian dish made of rice, traditional in Muslim areas, but with a Malay “twist” with a strong meat presence. Here you can also appreciate the roti prata, or simply roti, or paratta, which is traditional South Indian specialty but that was incorporated in Malaysian cuisine being also very popular in Singapore. It is a flat bread, unleavened, but whose dough is extended to be very thin, with the help of much oil and then worked and flattened, in order to create rough layers, which later sintered in metallic surface until becomes slightly crispy. It is served with a small dish of curry, were pieces of the roti are soaked. We can find many versions of this dish, with the roti stuffed with egg, banana, sweetened milk…
For those who like Indian food, Little India is the place that offers best variety, especially focus traditional food of South India, as most of the Indian community resident here has his origins the state of Tamil Nadu. In addition to all the most popular type of snacks are the thalis with many restaurants serving this meal, vegetarian or non-vegetarian, in a banana leaf. Here are also the popular rotis, the dosa, uttapam, vada, puri, etc … Little India is also the best place to buy Indian origin products such as spices and condiments, lying in grocery stores a large variety of vegetables .
In Chinatown, even more than in other parts of the city, buzzing with activity around the food, dominating the food-courts, where you can meet hundreds of food stalls and find a bit of everything in terms of Asian cuisine, attracting thousands of people and open from morning until the evening, with food being served throughout the day. One of the most popular is the Chinatown Complex, where the environment is noisy and busy but it provides an interesting insight into the way of life, culture and way of being of the population. A meal in these food-courts can cost between 4 to 5 S$, with the meat and seafood dishes higher-priced.
One of Chinese specialties is the popiah, a very thin dough roll involving a mix of lettuce, soy sprouts, peanuts, cooked carrots and a spicy sauce. They are delicious, and a great vegetarian option for a snack.
Also in Chinatown, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, there is a canteen in the basement where only vegetarian food is served, but according to Chinese recipes, where the meat is replaced by derivatives from vegetable origin that resemble meat in appearance and consistency. A ideal way to explore the rich Chinese cuisine for vegetarians. Each meal, which consists of a rice dish with two dishes cost 3 $S. Only open till 3 pm. The food is good, the atmosphere is calm and has charitable purposes.
In terms of drinks tea is very popular among the Chinese community, being seen for medicinal purposes; but it is the milk-tea that gained in popularity, which is tea with sweetened milk that can be served hot or with ice. A sweet and refreshing drink that goes well with the hot and humid climate of Singapore. Addictive.
The coffee is also very popular and can be found at sophisticated coffee shops, coping the western style with espresso, cappuccino, latte, etc… or alternatively you can taste the Singaporean coffee, kopi, a filtered coffee extremely dense and very strong in terms of caffeine, which is served in different ways:
- Kopi: coffee with condensed milk, served hot
- Kopi C: hot coffee served with milk and sugar
- Kopi: with sugar
- Kopi Kosong: without sugar and without milk
Where to eat in China Town:
- Tooth Relic Temple: canteen with Chinese Vegetarian Food: 3 S$.
Address: 288 S Bridge Rd, Singapore 058840
- Chinatown Complex: the fresh market in the basement, laundry on the ground floor and food on the first floor where the options are so many it’s hard to choose with different types of cuisines and specialty stalls in specific dishes; meals from 3 S$.
Where to eat in Little India:
- Komala Villas: Typical South Indian food at affordable prices; thali served in a banana leaf.
Address: 76 Serangoon Road, Singapore 217981
- Famous Indian Curry Food Restaurant: serving delicious thali in banana leaf, in a informal and quiet restaurant in with vegetarian options. 6 S$
Address: 30/32 Upper Dickson Road, Singapore 207489
Where to eat in Kampong Glam (Arab Quarter):
- Kampong Glam Cafe: good food with a wide variety of Malaysian dishes (lontong, laksa, nasi lemak, nasi goreng and many more), rotis and also with the self-service option where based on rice can compose the dish with various side dishes to choose from a big range of option, and where you can also find vegetarian Optimal location for a meal or just for a drink (no alcohol) and watching the local way of life. Meals from 3.5 S$.
Address: 17 Bussorah St, Singapore 199438
- Singapore Zam Zam Restaurant: very popular for byriani (only meat) and the rotis
Address: 697-699 N Bridge Rd, Singapore 198675
Where to eat in Geyland:
- Rice House (Wang Da Zhou): This casual restaurant confeciona the recipes of Chinese cuisine but using derived from vegetable products, mainly soybeans, which are similar in texture to the meat, and we can thus enjoy “hainanese chicken rice” without sacrificing animals ☺
Address: Blk 129 # 01-102 Geylang East Avenue 2, Singapore380129, Singapore
- Rochor Beancurd House: here are produced and serve to soy-based products, for example soy-milk and beancurd (also called soybean pudding) a pudding made of very soft and smooth tofu that is served as a dessert or snack, washed down with sugarcane syrup, a typical product of Chinese cuisine. In addition, there is the “portuguese egg tart”!
Address: 745 Geyland Road (Lor 39), Singapore 389653
How to go from Singapore to Malaysia by bus
Between Kampong Glam and Little India, at the end of Arab Street, at the intersection with Queen Street, before Rochor Canal, there is a small Queen Street Bus Terminal (or Ban San Bus Terminal).
From here daily buses depart bound for Johor Bahru (most southern city of Malaysia) where they also run buses to Kuala Lumpur and Melaka.
The bus journey to Melaka (Malacca) takes 3.30h but may take longer depending on the time it takes to pass the immigration services. From the Malaysian side the process takes less than 1 minute to obtain the stamp of 30 or 90 days without costs. From the Singapore side the process took close to one hour with long lines, probably because it was a Sunday, and many people come to Singapore in a week-end trip.
Terminal located in Queen Street Bus Terminal (or Ban San Bus Terminal) to “707-inc” company has buses bound for Melaka Sentral (Melaka interstate Bus terminal) at the following times: 08:30, 09:00, 11:00, 13:30, 15:30 and 19.00h .
Ticket: 23 S$
Singapore, is not just about shopping!
What stands out in a first walk through the wide, wide avenues of Singapore is a succession of shops and shopping centers, located in buildings of modern and audacious architecture that in common have the huge height, which are the symbol of this an island-country-state-city.
But a longer route shows the most attractive side of this place: the ethnic and cultural diversity, which brings together in harmonious coexistence Chinese, Malays and Indians to which are added many immigrants from neighboring Asian countries, which account almost 20% of the 5.4 millions of citizens. Singapore also attracts many Westerners who work in multinational companies that have here headquarters or delegations, as the “Lion City” (singa means lion in Sanskrit) is recognized as one of the sites that offer the best conditions for deployment, growth and success of a company.
The success story of this territory began with the British presence you saw here, in the eighteenth century ,a strategic location on the trade route between East and West, offering natural conditions for the location of a port, making this island passed from one village dedicated to fishing for an important trading post. After the Japanese invasion that ended with the end of World War II, Singapore became independent after a short time under the “flag” of “Federation of Malaysia” which included the Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak and Sabah, on Borneo. The independence of Singapore, which in 2015 celebrates 50 years, was not on its own initiative, but resulted from intense ethnic conflicts, which have led the Federation to decide to “kick out” Singapore, preventing the spread of these conflicts to the remaining territory. In a small territory without many natural resources, where even the water is supplied by Malaysia, the government option was to create economic policies to attract foreign investment.
In a country so new and multicultural, where 74% of the population is ethnic Chinese, 13% Malaysian and 9% of Indian origin, is there a Singaporean identity?! Yes, there is, precisely from this ethnic and religious diversity, where tolerance is based on accelerated economic growth, where hundred of commercial surfaces bustling with consumers reflect the bet of this political system that governs Singapore, where economic success hides the restriction of certain freedoms, in a country where there is the death penalty and corporal punishment. However this repressive policy results in low crime and high safety, with citizens to give up some of their privacy and accepting the permanent surveillance of CCTV cameras that are a constant in the city, whether shops, coffee-hops, restaurants, markets, malls, hotels, metro, hostels, at the entrance of buildings, in streets, etc…
Although very modern, according to Western standards, where everything is planned and thought of forming a “perfect”, safe and predictable environment, it is impossible to hide that we are in Asia… the markets, the food, the smells, the bustling of urban life.
But the most attractive in this city-state is the cultural diversity, which is visible all over the place, but that becomes important in certain areas where greater concentration of a particular ethnic group; in the case of Chinatown, Little India and Arab Quarter, where you will feel immediately the differences, as if three or more generations have not been enough to erase the traditions, religions and customs, keeping each group bustling of a very strong identity, where the language is the best example. English is lingua-franca, but Mandarin, Malay and Tamil are also official languages, is common each individual speak two languages: English and corresponding to their own ethnic group.
Obviously these neighborhoods attract the population of these ethnic groups, both Singaporeans and immigrants, who find here their culture, temples, language, food, clothing, etc… And remarkably, arriving to Little India, after a quick subway ride where the vehicles move without driver, and we find the same rhythm, the same smells, the same tastes, the same products in grocery markets, the food served in the same metal plates, the same sahrees, the same lungis, the same ringing bells in temples… where everything takes us immediately to India.
The so-called Arab Quarter (Kampong Glam), which in Arabic has essentially the carpet traders but where you also can find some restaurants of Turkish and Iranian food, is ideal place to enjoy traditional Malaysian dishes, which dominates the meat, but which is not served pork according to Muslim tradition, an area where shines the Golden rood of Majid Sultan mosque. Curiously nearby this area, in the sophisticated and hipster Bugis are located a popular bar zone, along Haji Lane.
In Chinatown, buzzing activity around the food, either in restaurants or in food-courts, which are the most economical option and the one that attracts most of the local population, creating a buzz that is not only limited to dining hours, a concept that Asia is quite extensive. The streets of Chinatown arise organized and perfectly clean teashops, pharmacies of Traditional Chinese Medicine products and shops selling bird-nest (nests with saliva swallows or other bird) that are one of the specialties of Chinese cuisine, also with medicinal effects, constituting one of the most expensive foods in the world.
In Chinatown, along South Bridge Road, in just over 500 meters is the Jamae Majid mosque, Hindu temple Sri Mariamman and the Buddhist temple Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. This last one appears more grandiose than the others, with a stately temple with hundreds of Buddha images, which dominates the ground floor of the building, which also houses a museum, a canteen, the room where the relic is kept and a garden located on the terrace, which is a small paradise. Daily at different times of the day, the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, monks chant hypnotic songs that fill the space of a mystical atmosphere that gives an even brighter glow to the rich decoration of the temple.
But the place that makes us forget for a moment that we’re in Singapore, is located next to Chinatown Visitor Center, behind the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, where daily gather men that spend here most of the day playing cards and chess, chatting, reading the newspaper or simply sleeping. On Sundays the plaza nearby becomes a dance floor, with music provided by loudspeakers that attracts several generations of men and women who gather here to perform elaborate choreographies.
Wafles Place, is the financial center of Singapore, which accounts for the largest buildings in the city, creating the famous sky-line dominate by skyscraper that is the image of Singapore and successful economic policy, in a country that the World Bank considers the “Easiest place to do business.” The dark streets of Wafles Place whose buildings hide the sun’s rays, circulate men in white shirt and gray business suits, a sober bustle.
Despite dominating buildings, boulevards and highways the city has plenty of green areas, where trees are quite common along the streets, adding some areas reserved for natural parks, furthest from the center, which retain some wildlife. The Botanic Gardens, millimeter organized with the thoroughly identified plant specimens are worth a visit and serve as a nice walk. The tropical climate of Singapore creates optimal conditions for vegetation with temperatures close to 30°C and humidity above 80%, with constant climate throughout the year, and frequent storms that bring rain and further increase the humidity.
Next to the Marina Bay, behind the iconic set of buildings Marina Bay Hotel, is another great green spot but a more artificial and entertainment approach, with the SuperTree Grove, a set of metal structures shaped trees, covered by vegetation that are lit in the evening earning fantastic colors.
Apart from the skyscraper, there are many niches where the old town, dominated by shophouses (buildings with ground floor for trade and housing above) typical Chinese influence, remain impeccably preserved, housing various commercial activities, highlighting shops and restaurants, which with its 5 foot inn (sidewalks under the arches formed by the first floor of shophouses) are the most attractive areas for walking around the city, but that invariably culminate in wide and rectilinear avenues where organized traffic flows quietly .
Singapore a city-state, technologically modern, planned and organized, where coexist harmoniously different cultures, ethnicities and religions, where everything is controlled by CCTV, where the wi-fi is available for free in almost all locations, where for eating in the subway you can get a fine, which the ever present air-conditioning almost makes one forget the tropical climate, where succeeded economy relies on migrant labor and where the wealthy population keeps entertained shopping.
Free activities in Singapore:
In an expensive city and where almost all the entertainment and tourist sites is charged entrance, you can find in Singapore free activities:
- SuperTree Grove, and part of the Garden By the Bay
- Botanical Gardens
- Concert at the Esplanade Theaters
- Lion Dance Performace (Pagoda St)
- Buddha Tooth Relic Temple
Accommodation:
The accommodation in Singapore, a city struggling for lack of space, represents the largest share of the budget, so the hostels, offering dorms with 4 or more beds are the most popular and economical option.
And it’s not hard to find hostels in Kampong Glam, Little India or Chinatown, but where the price per night is never less than 20S$.
5 foot way inn … a concept made of small rooms, almost all with bunk beds, air-conditioning, en-suite shared, breakfast included (bread, cereal, milk, margarine, sweet and fruit); a machine serving coffee, tea, cappuccino, chocolate milk, etc… is available all day.
These hostels share the same concept, minimum dimensions of rooms, most without windows, lined up in narrow corridors forming a labyrinth, occupying old shophouses; intended primarily for short term stays, for who spends most of his time touring in the city, but also being used for those who come here on business.
5 foot way inn is located in various parts of the city with different standards in terms of quality and comfort, and with different prices. Prices vary from day to day, with higher values at the weekend or when occupancy is higher. Reservations can not be made at reception and to use the web-site or send an email to the reservation center.
The choice went to Chinatown 2 and the Bugis situated next to Kampong Glam. Prices per night range between 20 S$ and 30 S$ for a 4 bed dorm.
5footway.inn Project Bugis
Address: 10 Aliwal Street, Bugis, Singapore 199903
5footway.inn Project Chinatown 2
Address: 227 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058776
Transportation:
The best way to move around in Singapore is the MRT, the underground, covering efficiently the city, with regular services. Comfortable, quick and easy orientation.
In tickets can be brought in machines of stations halls and with the first trip you get a card by additional charge of 0.10 S$, that can be reused a maximum up to 6 travel and the amount paid for the card is refunded at the end of the third recharge. One can purchase round-trip ticket, that if not totally used you can ask for refund at ticket counters.
The cost of travel is proportional to the distance with a minimum of 1.4 S$ (Singaporean Dollar).
Buses are also modern and comfortable and allow you to see the city while moving.
Borneo. Singapore. Malaysia: itinerary & costs
Borneo: Kota Kinabalu and Kuching
Plane trip: 1.5 h
15 days
Singapore and Malaysia
1427 km (until Hay Yai, in Thailand) made by bus
15 days
Southeast Asia
How to apply for Indonesian visa in Bangkok
The rules changed in 2016, so maybe the Indonesian visa system looks a bit confuse when you search information on the Internet. Basically, there are three types of Visa to enter in Indonesia for tourists:
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- Free visit visa:
- This visa is valid for 30 days, only
- You CANNOT extend this visa
- Check if your passport country is on the list of the 90 countries elected for free visa
- Passport must be valid for 6 months and must have at least one page free
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- Visa on arrival:
- Valid for 30 days
- You can extend this visa for more 30 days at the Immigration services in Indonesia; the processes can take three days to a week depending on the city where you apply, and you need to go 3 times to the Immigration office (apply and pay, give the passport, and collect the passport); is better to choose a Immigration office in a more touristic area as they are more prepared for foreigners that the small cities where the process get more bureaucratic; you don’t need a sponsor anymore
- You can arrange this visa at the immigrations services at the Indonesian international airports and seaports
- It costs: 35 USD (and must be paid in USD cash)
- Passport must be valid for 6 months and must have at least one page free
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- 60 days visa:
- to get the 60 days visa, you must apply for this visa before entering Indonesia, in one of the Immigration offices
- It costs: 50 USD (and must be paid in USD cash)
- Passport must be valid for 6 months and must have at least one page free
(see details of the application process below)
NOTE: If you have already been in Indonesia with a working visa, I got informations that the Indonesia Immigration services in Bangkok issues 60 day tourist immediately after business visa expires, without any problem!
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Overstaying in Indonesia
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If you really want to stay until the end of your visa in Indonesia, take into consideration that the day that you arrive counts as day 1, and the day that you leave the country must also be included.
If you overstay your visa you’ll need to pay a fee of 300.000 INR for each day.
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60 days visa application process at Indonesia immigration office in Bangkok:
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day 1: submit the application, give the passport and pay
- at the immigration office, you’ll find the application form (you don’t need to use the ones that are on the website)
- fill the form and proceed to the next room
- you must give at the counter:
- your passport, valid for 6 months and must have at least one page free
- 1 recent passport-sized photograph
- Copy of the flight ticket (they ask me for a return ticket but I told them that didn’t have any idea in which island I will be after two months)
- On the next counter, you must pay the visa fee: 50 USD that and must be paid in USD cash. The banks nearby the Indonesia embassy don’t exchange baht to foreigner currencies. The only one that I found was nearby the Platinum Fashion Mall. Is better to bring the USD with you to avoid stress and long walks.
- On the payment recipe, is written the day and hour (always in the afternoon) when you can pick your passport.
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day 2: pick your passport
After two working days (minimum) you must pick your passport with the visa stamp. For that just show the payment receipt.
note 1:
the Indonesian Immigration office in Bangkok don’t give a new 60 days visa if you already have been in Indonesia for a 90 days period. You must wait 90 days outside Indonesia before apply again for a 60 days visa... but the Immigration office in Singapore don’t apply this “rule” that in fact isn’t written on the official website.
note 2:
the Indonesian Immigration office at Kuching (Borneo) the 60 days visa can be arranged on the same day.
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Indonesia Immigration office in Bangkok
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Visa Application Submission:
Monday – Friday: 09:00-12:00
Visa Collection:
Monday – Friday: 14:00-16:00
Watch out for the holiday calendar, as the immigration services in Bangkok will be closed on Indonesia holidays as also in Thailand holidays.
Address:
The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
600-602 Petchburi Road, Ratchatewi, Bangkok 10400
Phone: (66-2) 2523135-40
e-mail : [email protected]
The closest metro/subway line is the Ratchathewi BTS Station, about 800 meters, but there are a few buses passing just in front of the Indonesian embassy.
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Note:
Dress properly every time you visit the Immigration office, in Thailand or in Indonesia: no shorts, no short skirts, no bare shoulders… “dress modestly”!
Lake Toba… am I still in Sumatra?
There is a lake result from a volcano crater, the Lake Toba, locally called Danau Toba. There’s an island inside the lake, a big island more than the size of Singapore, which was the cone of the volcano, the Samosir Island, Pulau Samosir.
There’s a beautiful landscape where the blue of the lake waters contrasts with the gold grains of the rice fields. There’s an impressive cedar forest covering the steep slopes of the volcano. There’s a temperate climate with sunny warm days and fresh evenings. There are amazing traditional wooden houses from the Batak ethnic group… and there’s a small village called Tuktuk that is mostly a tourism orientated place, with empty shops, empty restaurants, empty guesthouses… where are the tourists!? What happen here?!?!?
It looks like Lake Toba was put aside on the tourist route of Sumatra… or maybe Sumatra is out of the Indonesian tourist route!
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But letting behind all this consideration, Lake Toba is definitely a beautiful place where the Batak cultural identity is still visible in the characteristic architecture of the wooden houses with pointy and steep roofs, and proudly decorated with woodcarving motifs, painted in white, black and red. The Batak is a group of different ethnic groups of North Sumatra that share similar language and culture, but where some traditions were seriously affected by the arriving of the Christian missionaries in the IX century.
The landscape that surrounds the Lake Toba as well of the Samorir Island with green hills covered by cedar forest, the Christian churches the flowers that grow in front of the houses, the quietness of the place, the mild temperatures… all this make me wonder… I’m I still in Sumatra?!
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Where to sleep in Samosir Island/Lake Toba:
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In general the accommodation prices at Tuktuk are cheaper that usual in Sumatra, and is possible to get a room for 50.000 Rp.
The Liberta Homestay is one of the many options available at Lake Toba and there, despite the abandoned look of the village, there’s a certain atmosphere as this place attracts travellers that choose this place to stay for long periods.
The location is perfect: nearby the lake and a few meters from the boat pier. There are trees and plant all around, making a quite and relaxing place to stay.
There is a wide range of room, with different characteristics and different prices, starting on 44.000 Rp (strange number this one, but apparently is to cover the government taxes, despite there isn’t a guest registration!!!)
I stay at the traditional Batak house, an old wooden house that has a big room with small doors, and a low ceiling in some areas, which make you very aware of your movements to avoid bumping your head. The toilet is attached but without hot shower. This room costs 66.000 Rp/night.
The breakfast isn’t included but there’s a restaurant at the place, serving a big choice of Indonesian and western food… I try cap cay (xap xai) a Chinese-Indonesia dish that was good but cooked according to the western taste, soft and without much species.
There’s wi-fi in the common/restaurant area but doesn’t reach all rooms.
The Liberta Homestay is a cool place with a certain character but the rooms as also the common area lack a little of maintenance and cleanliness.
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Where to eat in Samosir Island/Lake Toba:
There are many restaurants with a big choice of western and Indonesia food, with a strong presence of fish. But the pizza is the very popular in Tuktuk.
There are a few local eateries serving padang style food but run out of food around the middle of the morning. I try a few but didn’t find anything that stands up. For breakfast is possible to find at this eateries “gorengan”, deep fry banana, tempeh or chicken.
Tomok has a bigger concentration of local restaurants as also a small street market with fruits, nearby the ferry pier.
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How to move around in Samosir Island:
If you like to walk is possible to move around Tuktuk, as it is located in a kind of small peninsula with about 4 km perimeter.
But to go way from this area, even to Tomok, you gonna need a vehicle.
There are small buses along the road from Tomok to Pangururan.
Is possible to rent a scooter at Tuktuk but it will cost you 100.000 Rp a day (almost the double that you can find at others places in Indonesia) but with the tank full of petrol. Isn’t a good deal for you as you hardly empty the deposit in one day, only if you make a road trip around all Samosri Island… even so… and in the end of the day, if you still have half of the deposit with petrol, they don’t make any discount. So try to rent a scooter without the petrol included, as you can get a litter of 8.600 Rp just in front of Liberta Homestay.
Parts of the road are in good conditions others in bad and others are in works… all this make the 40 km from Tuktuk to Pangururan in a hard journey, but you can always take some rest in one of the many beaches along the way.
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ATMs and Money exchange in Tuktuk:
Couldn’t see any ATM at Tuktuk but there are a few moneychangers.
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How to reach Lake Toba/Tuktuk:
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No matter if you came from Medan or from Padang/Bukitting you’ll need to stop at Parapat, the closest village from the lake that has boats to Samosir Island.
If you travel by bus, they will probably drop you along the main road, nearby the street that leads you to the pier. Probably there will be an angkot (local small buses) that take you to the boats.
At Parapat you have two options:
- there are boats that departure from Ajibata to Tomok, that transport vehicles… but there’s no accommodation at Tomok but you can get an angkot that pass by Tuktuk
- and there are boats just for passengers from Tigaraja to Tuktuk… and you can even ask them to drop you directly at your accommodation if it’s located away from the main pier. The boat ticket is 15.000 Rp, per person, each way.
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How to go from Lake Toba to Bukit Lawang or to Medan:
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There is no way to go to Bukit Lawang without passing by Medan.
The best definitely is hire one of the tourist services available at all places and guesthouses at Tuktuk, that drop you directly at Bukit Lawang for 220.000 Rp per person. The car will wait for you at Parapat pier. This travel service is also available to the airport (Kualanamu International Airport) as also to Medan for 90.000 Rp per person.
But if you prefer, you can do the entire trip by local transport for 80.000 Rp…. but it takes you all day and a lot of energy. Here is the step by step to reach Bukit Lawang from Tuktuk:
- You need to take the first boat at 7:00 a.m. It’s better to arrive 10 minutes before as the boat sometimes arrive earlier. Boat from Tuk Tuk to Parapat take between 30 to 45 minutes and cost 15.000 Rp.
- At the pier, there will be angkot (local public mini-buses) that drop you at the main road, where the local bus to Medan passes every hour. The ticket cost 4.000 Rp.
- Just wait at Parapat for the bus at the main road. The bus arrived at 8 a.m. at Parapat and took 5 hours to reach Medan. It will drop you at Amplas Terminal. The ticket costs 40.000 Rp. It’s an old bus, not very clean or comfortable and people smoke inside… fortunately was a trip without music.
- At Amplas Terminal, after you get ride of the ojek drivers, you’ll see a yellow angkot (mini bus). It has a sign saying “Baris” that is the name of the bus terminal nearby. But tell the driver that you want to go to Bukit Lawang and he will drop you directly at the place where the buses stop, at cross road Jalan Gatot Subroto/Pinang Baris Road. The angkot cost 10.000 Rp and the trip takes 1.45 minutes, as it needs to cross Medan from East to West, and traffic jams are common in Medan.
- The public buses to Bukit Lawang departure every 15 minutes. They are orange colour and they stop just in front of the Mawar Bakery. That is an important reference point.
- The trip takes more than 5 hours through a dusty and very bumpy road, along an endless palm oil trees landscape, in an old and crowded bus. The ticket cost 25.000 Rp. Pay only at the end of the trip to the driver’s helper. There are lots of people hanging around the place from the Bukit Lawang buses departure… stay way from everyone, as there’s a scam with the tickets involving people that are not working on the bus. Watch out your luggage.
- It will drop you at Gotong Royong. From here you need an ojek to reach Bukit Lawang that is 2.5 km further. The best option is to ask a transportation from your guesthouse… believe me, after all this trip you’ll need this treat… and probably you’ll arrive close to the sunset, that makes more difficult to find your accommodation.
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