"hanspeter_W.'s new Indon ..." a Indonesia Travel Page by hanspeter_W.

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INDONESIA IS SUCH A BIG COUNTRY THAT IT COULD BE ALMOST AN OWN CONTINENT WITH ALL ITS VARIETY..ONCE I WAS ON THE TINY TOURIST ISLAND OF BINTAN...
BUT DURING MY ONE WEEK ORGANIZED TRIP THROUGH NORTH AND SOUTHSUMATRA I GOT TO LEARN MUCH MORE..
HERE SOME FACTS ABOUT SUMATRA:
Sumatra is as tropical as it gets. With its Amazon-like rivers moving sluggishly through canopies of natural rainforests, muddy mangrove estuaries, steamy interiors, brilliantly gaudy flora and weird and wonderful fauna (everything from two-horned rhinos to the fabled and endangered Sunatran tiger), Sumatra is a place and a half for a boat trip.
Despite its wealth of natural resources, Sumatra is struggling with a failing economy. The northern province of Aceh was at the epicentre of recent religious violence between Christians and Muslims and the area has been bit by devastating earthquakes. Despite the return of relative political calm, the situation remains uncertain and the economic situation dire. If you are considering travelling to to Sumatra in the near future, you are advised to contact your embassy and get the latest update on the security situation.
Country: Indonesia
Area: 473,607 sq km (184,706 sq mi)
Population: 40 million
Capital city: Medan
Language: Bahasa Melayu plus several local languages
Religion: Islam, Christianity

When to Go
May/June and September/October are the best months to visit, and though they're very busy periods you can usually find a place away from the crowds. The main tourist season is during the European summer in July and August, when prices rise and accommodation and transport can be tight. The main Indonesian holiday periods are the end of Ramadan, when some resorts are packed to overflowing and prices skyrocket. Another peak time is Christmas, when high school students take off by the busload to visit tourist attractions. Travel in the less developed areas can be difficult during the wet season, from about November to March.
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Medan (pop 2 million) is the capital of north Sumatra and the third largest city in Indonesia. It is a huge, sprawling city and a popular entry/exit point for travellers. The solid Dutch buildings of the affluent older suburbs inspire images of bloated bureaucrats and burghers from the colonial era, while jerry-built lean-tos house the bulk of its population.
The city's two finest buildings are the Istana Maimoon (Maimoun Palace) and the magnificent black-domed Mesjid Raya. There are some fine examples of European architecture along Jalan Sukarno-Hatta, such as Bank Indonesia and the High Court. There are a number of museums, including the Museum of North Sumatra, which has excellent coverage of the region's culture and history, and the weaponry-and-warfare-influenced Bukit Barisan Military Museum. You can see cultural performances at Taman Budaya.
Much of the budget accommodation is close to the city centre. Jalan Semarang, a small street between Jalan Pandu and Jalan Bandung, has great food stalls offering Indonesian and Chinese meals late into the night.

Berastagi
This picturesque hill town in the Karo Highlands, 70km from Medan, is dominated by two volcanoes: Gunung Sinabung and Gunung Sibayak. At 1300m (4260ft) above sea level, the climate is pleasantly cool and the atmosphere refreshingly relaxed. Travellers come to Berastagi to experience the culture of the Karo Batak people and to go trekking. There are guided treks into the Gunung Leuser National Park and to surrounding volcanoes and attractions.

Lake Toba
Lake Toba is another of the island's spectacular sights - a remarkable volcanic crater set in the middle of northern Sumatra, 176km from Medan. The lake is huge (the largest in South-East Asia), occupying the caldera of a giant volcano that collapsed on itself after a massive eruption 100,000 years ago. In comparison, Krakatau's 1883 effort was little more than a belch. The lake is surrounded by steep mountains, ridges and sandy, pine-sheltered beaches.
Samosir, the wedge-shaped island in the middle of the lake, is thought to have been created by subsequent upheavals between 30,000 and 75,000 years ago. Samosir has long been northern Sumatra's premier attraction for travellers and has an abundant supply of accommodation and eateries ringing the shoreline. The main town in the area is Parapat, on the eastern shore of Lake Toba.
Aceh's attractions range from the laid-back lifestyle of the island Pulau We, the deserted beaches of the rugged west coast and the jungle wilderness of Gunung Leuser National Park. The national park, which is one of the largest in the world, includes the Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre, an area containing orang-utans, gibbons, monkeys, elephants, tigers and the elusive Sumatran rhinoceros.

HERE COMES THE PROGRAM WE HAD WITH HORAS TOURS:
SUMATRA OVERLAND TOUR FOR

Nov 10 : Medan Arrival, transfer to Bohorok ( Southern part of Leuser National Park )
Drive westward to Bohorok, to see orang utan rehabilitation at Bukit Lawang in Bohorok village where orang utans are trained to return to their natural habitat. First, walk along the riverbank to the crossing point and cross the river by small canoe to the Orang Utan rehabilitation center. Hike up the hill through the rain forest until the feeding site of the Orang Utan to see the activities of those illegally captured and young Orang Utans who are trained to return to their natural habitat.Enter the station at 15.00 hours to see orang utans are being fed at 15.30. Check in Rindu Alam Hotel

Nov 11 : Bohorok – Medan – Berastagi
After breakfast in hotel, start on soft trekking and hiking in the tropical rainforest around the station, accompanied by local ranger, for wildlife viewing. If you are lucky you may encounter leaf monkey, macaque, gibbons, siamang and abundant birdlife. In the afternoon, transferred to Medan via rubber and oil-palm plantation road, and then depart for Brastagi - a highland resort with its refreshing weather and magnificent mountain scenery, through some part of the lush tropical rain forest of Sumatera. Arrive in Brastagi, check in Sinabung Hotel.

Nov 12 : Berastagi – Parapat – Samosir Island
After breakfast, start on Brastagi Tour. Visit Peceran – a village with a number of traditional houses that are still being used. Then visit the fruit market of Berastagi. Depart for Parapat – a famous lake resort lies on the east shore of Lake Toba. See the slender Sipiso-piso Waterfall drops into the northern tip shore of Lake Toba from hundred meter height. Visit the ancient King’s Palace of Simalungun at Pematang Purba. Proceed to Parapat through the fertile vegetable and fruit farms, pine tree forest and spectacular view of Lake Toba along most part of the journey.
Arrive in Parapat. After lunch, leave for Samosir - a huge island in the middle of Lake Toba. It takes 45 minutes to get to the island by boat. Arrive in Samosir, check in Silintong Hotel

Nov 13 : Samosir Tour by boat
Samosir Island tour by boat. Visit the Tomb of King Sidabutar and Batak Toba Village at Tomok. Then to Ambarita, a traditional village with ancient megalithic furniture in front of the traditional house and the Village of Simanindo to watch folkdance perfomance of Batak Toba people. Also visit the tiny lovely Tao Island. In the afternoon back to Silintong Hotel.

Nov 14 : Samosir island – Parapat – Sipirok
After breakfast, leave for Sipirok. Visit Lumban Garaga Village, the small town Balige with its richly ornamented market building, winding along the road from Tarutung to Sibolga. Continue journey to Sipirok for stopover night. Check in Torsibohi Hotel.

Nov 15 : Sipirok – Bukittinggi
The journey today is rather long but worthwhile. It exhibits the inner part of Sumatera. The scenery of mountains, rivers, valleys and traditional villages will relieve you from your weariness. The Equator Monument should nonetheless be remarkable in your personal record. Then proceed to the most charming town, the heart of Minangkabau Highland, and the center of matrilineal society of Sumatera, Bukittinggi. Arrive in Bukittinggi in the late afternoon. Transferred to Pusako hotel for overnight.

Nov 16 : Bukittinggi Tour
Fullday tour to explore the beauty and the cultural aspects of Minangkabau Highland. See the landmark of Bukittinggi – Jam Gadang (Clock Tower), the uniqueness of the local market, museum, Ngarai Sianok – a grand valley, Koto Gadang which is renown for its silver works and hand embroidery. Travel further to Pagaruyung – site of the ancient Minangkabau Kingdom where women ruled in matrilineal society. Before returning to hotel, visit the traditional village of Lima Kaum and Balimbing. Check in Pusako Hotel.

Nov 17 : Bukittinggi – Padang Airport / Departure
After breakfast, depart for Padang via the beautiful Anai Valley. Arrive in Padang, transferred to the airport for departure.