Thank you Carl. For a bit more around Tuk Tuk pls see: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/e8V4gpeDq9mXo6c.html And for more on the beauty of Lake Toba: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/kLt1mKlm1q-sY6M.html Cheers, STL

Wow, thank you!

Lake Toba is simply spectacular and the Batak people are so lovely, kind and gracious, I'll be back again! STL

Thank you Karl! Hope it's great '23 all round! STL

@@SideTripLife Thanks !

@@SideTripLife Same to you STL !

Cool! Kuta LOMBOK next. Plus gotta try nasi Padang (in Padang, of course;) and don't miss the Mentawais and Belitung and... Indonesia has endless amazing places, enjoy!

Thx eh;)

@@SideTripLife YW 😑

Thanks! Many more 'just pinch me wow' scenes upcoming as we explore around Toba

Same to you & yours!

Thanks SB, Toba really is spectacular. btw I'm getting older but never felt younger lol

Thanks Joe. Next vid will be showing much more of wonderful Lake Toba

Thanks for coming along!

Glad you enjoyed it, Happy NEW Year!

hehe love a comfy bed & yes, the satay and peanut sauce was off the hook!

Really?

Cheers! (also for the coffee :) STL

One of my fav places on earth (lovely people too:)

Cheers Simo and all the best to you and yours too

Thank you William. Always wanted to see Lake Atitlan, the topography does seem similar

Thanks for watching :)

It really is!

Terima kasih Danang. I'm fortunate to have been to a few of those beautiful places recently, pls see my recent vids (but still have soooooo much more to see in wonder-FULL Indonesia :)

Wow '88!

Horas!

Cheers Leo/Mike. Really is like a tropical Switzerland

Same, it is similar in size and views to Harrison Lake here in BC. I just wish we had the tropical heat and palm trees 🌴😊

Bus was great! For sure will show Toba by motorbike upcoming + a trip to the white sand 'beach' & so much more. Stay tuned

don't forget to say eh and always be polite lol

Hi Tracy. The main language is Bahasa Indonesia. That's what most speak but use local dialects too of course. So would look online to study basic phrases of Bahasa Indonesia (easy as no tones and in English alphabet). As for flights, I'm from Vancouver which is 4300km/4 time zones closer than Ottawa so a heckuva lot cheaper. But you can still find ways to save. For example, play with the following flights link and swap Kuala Lumpur for Jakarta and see how much cheaper it may be to land in KL. Then it's a cheap local flight to Medan (nearest point to Toba). Flights: bit.ly/3STHLvf + KL would make for a nice 2 day stop to climatise and get over jet lag, see: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/paueaceb2r7MhKc.html and: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/a5-JqK2ZzJjUqps.html I'm so glad you feel inspired to visit, I really really love Lake Toba and I hope you may too. Happy travels eh;) STL

Toba=magic

Terima Kasih. Yes, would take years to properly see all of wonderful Indonesia (& I will be back to see more soon:)

YES! Wish I'd done it actually. Take the train from Medan to Pematangsiantar (locals just say Siantar). Can google map it to see. It arrives in the afternoon but I wanted to get to Lake Toba same day so took the bus. Search KAI app indonesia (train booking site) download and change to English to see sched etc. Horas! STL

Hi, sorry I can't recall the exact name but contact them on FB and they will know: PT.SEJAHTERA TRANSINDO

bali is the best

Lake Toba is an absolute gem Andy, I'm certain they'd love it (perhaps for a honeymoon too;)

Hi, good points thanks. I usually show how to get sim cards, transport, visa etc in my initial series video, for example pls see vid 1 of this series: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ldipdJqr0pbQdYU.html For more visa info, I'll copy n paste my response to another commenter below, hope this helps: ---------- Indonesia Visas? Most just use the 30 days on arrival visa ($35) and renew for another 30 days and then via visa runs to re-start (flight to Singapore etc). There's also a B211 Visa (meant for offshore workers) cost approx $300 for 180 days (valid for 60 days but can be extended twice). Indonesia is also rolling out a 5 year 'second home' visa for those with 130k in the bank. Beyond visa on arrival, most use local visa agents for longer term stays. Best ask local Expats via FB Groups etc which agencies to use (and use caution). Visa options and restrictions are always changing so best google latest updates. ----------- How do I afford to travel? I sold my modestly successful small biz in Thailand and now also have some income from YT. Usually the video revenue doesn't even cover costs but I enjoy doing it and I'm very grateful for the support I get from viewers via watching my vids. ----------- How long do I stay in each spot? It really depends. For example just before 'rona I went away for a weekend and ended up staying here for several months: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qbSmfaqTvrC7eGw.html So one never knows, I just roll with it. Happy sidetrips, STL

Several intnl ATM machines in Lake Toba and Parapat, no worries.

@@SideTripLife LOL, I would not even know how to use an ATM. I pay everything with CC, because I usually fly on miles. To word it differently, do they accept CC's, or not at all? Thanks, love your channel.

Great point. The Batak people of Lake Toba are kind hearted, friendly and respectful. In my now 2 trips to Sumatra I've felt completely safe (well, apart from the odd wild angot/mini-van ride;) This is from my male perspective of course but have also met solo female travellers who felt same. Just take regular precautions as you would anywhere.

I believe it was a deluxe lake view but the other rooms looked fine too: www.agoda.com/samosir-villa-resort/hotel/samosir-id.html?finalPriceView=1&isShowMobileAppPrice=false&cid=1898974

I really do! (and will!;)

Oh yeah you should add Raja Ampat to your agenda