Lake Toba, as seen from Samosir Island (N. Sumatra, Indonesia), is today’s travel photo. The lake, which is nearly the same size as Singapore (100 kilometres long and 30 kilometres wide), is the result of the eruptions of a ‘super volcano’ that occurred about 70,000 years ago.
Lake Toba/Samosir Island
It is the largest lake in Indonesia and the largest volcanic lake in the world. What makes it interesting is that Samosir, the island I was on while shooting the photo, is in the middle of the lake, which is on an island–Sumatra itself. An ‘island in an island.’
It’s also fascinating because of the people–the Bataks–who live there. More on them coming soon…
Photographic Details
Camera: Olympus XZ-1
F-stop: F 7
Shutter: 1/800
ISO: 100
Experiences/Reactions
Are you a fan of lakes? If so, which one/s and where?
Have you been to Lake Toba? If so, what did you think? Were you active there? Or did you, like many people, really take it easy? I didn’t do much at all. Read a few books and relaxed…and it was great!
Can’t Get Enough?
Click here to see more ‘photos of the day‘. Enjoy!
PS: I may be doing several photo essays on Lake Toba–weddings, the Batak people and all the wonderful nature found there. Stay tuned…
Ah, I miss it so! Seriously. Being settled here in Southeast Asia, I do believe that I may well make Lake Toba an annual pilgrimage. It’s the perfect place to utterly drop-out and relax. So glad you made it there, Lisa.
(and I can only hope that soon we’ll see some pics of those furry little fellows that match your hair…)
Meanwhile, I dunno about you – but I’m off tonight to wave a sparkler or two – to celebrate the 4th of July here in Saigon!
Dyanne@TravelnLass recently posted..My Stash for the Wilds of Outer Mongolia
Hi, Dyanne! Special place, no? And I did exactly that–dropped out and relaxed. Read a couple books, too. Something I never have time for at home…
Re: the orangs…sadly, I was not up for it due to my health issues and then, I’d already bought my ticket to Bandung and my friend had taken time off to hang with me. Couldn’t change any of those plans.
But you know what? I’m totally OK with it. The reason? I’m sure I’m going to return in a few years. When that happens, I’ll go to BL or maybe even Borneo. I will see my furry, red-headed relatives at some point!
The name Samosir just makes me think of samosa. Mmm, samosas…
On a more serious note, this photo is beautiful. I’ve never heard of the lake or the island before. As for my favourite lake, I’m not sure I have one, unless you count man-made ones, in which case it’s one in Gwangju, South Korea.
Waegook Tom recently posted..Party Like A Geordie: Newcastle’s Best Bars
Hi, Tom. I think that Samosir would be the perfect place for samosas…! Glad you liked the photo! Re: SK….sounds interesting. I wonder if many of their lakes are man-made or naturally occurring…
This picture is so wonderful. How I wish I could go to a place that is so amazing. Thanks for sharing.
glad you got to Toba. besides chilling out I learnt to ride a motorbike while I was there. rode over the isthmus (it’s not an island BTW) to the hot springs on the mainland and back.
my food connection to Toba is avocado shakes: yummo!
Naomi recently posted..Counting down
Thanks, Naomi. Was a nice time. Shame I couldn’t see the organs at B Lawang, but my health had to come first.
Yup re: the isthmus (still, many call it an island) and wow to the avocado shakes…I was into them, too! A great spot called Jenny’s serves them. Yum!!
Wow! This is a very cool place to relax! I love to visit lake Toba.. I hope I could have time before the year ends to fly to Toba.