Star Date: May 2018
Seven Wonders of the World & Lake Toba
Hello Dear Family & Friends!
Hello! Halo!
(Universal greeting – works everywhere)
Stunning Lake Toba.
“Nature has created countless number of wonders, we’ve got a long way to go as man has created only seven wonders.”
(Amit Kalantri – Indian Author)
In 400 BC historian Herodotus and several scholars, while in Alexandria, made the first list of the Seven Wonders of the World. Their known world was limited at the time, for venturing too far meant falling off the edge of the flat earth. Their list included:
- Colossus of Rhodes
- Great Pyramid of Giza
- Hanging Gardens of Babylon
- Lighthouse of Alexandria
- Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
- Statue of Zeus at Olympia
- Temple of Artemis at Ephesus
The only ancient world wonder that still exists is the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Medieval Age lists also included
- Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
- Colosseum
- Great Wall of China
- Hagia Sophia
- Leaning Tower of Pisa
- Porcelain Tower of Nanjing
- Stonehenge
Cairo Citadel
Ely Cathedral
Taj Mahal
Exhilarating! It’s hard to describe the thrill of climbing into the King’s Chamber of the Great Pyramid or trekking up to Everest Base Camp and gazing on Mt. Everest looming above, or spotting the Treasury Al Khazneh after hiking into Petra through the Siq canyon. I grew up reading about such epic adventures in National Geographic. Soon I am transformed into a Tomb Raider or Indiana Jones or Mt. Everest climber, Beck, from Into Thin Air. Pinch me. I am here! This elation recharges even the most weary traveler.
I once talked with a tourist who self righteously didn’t go see the Pyramids at Giza “because everyone was going there”. No matter how many people are visiting when you are there, these are must sees. They made the Wonders of the World lists for a reason. Everyone gazes in amazement because these special sites on our planet are not only magnificent but evoke excitement, show the ingenuity, resourcefulness and perseverance of mankind. They arouse questions as to the civilization, this world or ‘other world’ that constructed them. Try as we have, modern mankind is not able to replicate the Great Pyramids and thus many questions remain in the mysterious, ancient wonders of this planet.
The New Seven Wonders of the World poll was done by a private group in 2007. The campaign was begun in 1999 by Swiss adventurer Bernard Weber, with almost 200 nominations from around the world. The list of candidates was narrowed down to 21 by the start of 2006. The pyramids were assured of keeping their status in addition to the New Seven Wonders after indignant Egyptian officials said it was a disgrace they had to compete for a spot.
The final round of the competition narrowed the field to 20 candidates, and 100 million people from every country in the world voted by internet or phone.
A beautiful Batak girl.
Friendly Batak Grandmother.
Working the rice fields.
The traditional pitched roofs of Batak houses along the shore of the lake.
Ferry boats take you from Parapat to your hotel on Tuk Tuk.
The many moods of Lake Toba. Beautiful any season, any weather.
“It’s so exciting,” said Tia B. Viering, spokeswoman for the “New 7 Wonders of the World” campaign. “There are not many things that could bring the world together like global culture … this is really something that every single person in the world can be interested in.” This is all about bringing people together, to appreciate each other … to celebrate diversity,” Viering said.
Excitement turned to amazement as human nature prevailed once again. Nationalism reigned. Reports trickled in about the Brazilian Cell company that launched a campaign to “Vote for Christ. Vote for free” Vote for Christ the Redeemer Statue”. The Jordanian royal family appealed to citizens to vote for Petra. Had people voted multiple times? In India radio and T.V. shows pushed people to vote for the Taj. Herodotus never had it so tough!
When the dust had settled three lists were presented.
Top Natural Wonders:
- Aurora Borealis.
- Harbor of Rio de Janeiro.
- Grand Canyon.
- Great Barrier Reef, Australia.
- Mount Everest.
- Paricutin.
- Victoria Falls.
7 Wonders of the World
The other 13 finalists, listed alphabetically, were:
Wonder | Location | Image | Year |
Acropolis of Athens | Athens, Greece | 447 BCE | |
Alhambra | Granada, Spain | 1333 | |
Angkor Wat | Angkor, Cambodia | 1113 | |
Eiffel Tower | Paris, France | 1887 | |
Hagia Sophia | İstanbul, Turkey | 537 | |
Kiyomizu-dera | Kyoto, Japan | 1633 | |
Moai | Easter Island, Chile | 1250 | |
Neuschwanstein | Füssen, Germany | 1869 | |
Red Square | Moscow, Russia | 1561 | |
Statue of Liberty | New York City, United States | 1886 | |
Stonehenge | Amesbury, United Kingdom | 2400 BCE | |
Sydney Opera House | Sydney, Australia | 1959 | |
Timbuktu | Timbuktu, Mali | 1327 |
And (drum roll…………………) the winners were:
Great Pyramid of Giza | Giza Necropolis, Egypt | 2560 BCE | |
Great Wall of China | China | 700 BCE | |
Petra | Jordan | 312 BCE | |
The Colosseum | Rome, Italy | 80 CE | |
Chichen Itza | Yucatán, Mexico | 600 CE | |
Machu Picchu | Cuzco Region, Peru | 1450 CE | |
Taj Mahal | Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India | 1643 CE | |
Christ the Redeemer | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | 1931 CE |
(Compliments of Wikipedia)
A happy group from Medan enjoying a short vacation on Samosir Island
Ferries are a fun place to meet people!
Mirror like surface.
Full moon over the lake.
Sunset from our balcony.
The Ambarita Thursday Market.
Cute little market shopper.
Fighting cocks.
Dried fish.
Pyramids at Giza, Egypt
Great Wall of China
Petra Jordan
Coliseum, Rome Italy
Chichen Itza, Mexico
Machu Pichu, Peru
Taj Mahal, India
Christ the Redeemer, Rio, Brazil
Hopefully in a couple of hundred years there will be a new poll, probably highlighting many of these ancient wonders, with a few new ones thrown in. Organizations like UNESCO work to preserve these world treasures; while wars blast a 3000 year old site with the blink of an eye. (This happened with the Hanging Gardens of Babylon ‘by mistake’ in the Gulf War!!) May all these magnificent sites be preserved.
And so we return to Lake Toba every year to one of our favorite Natural Wonders. To Samosir Island, in the middle of the caldera of one of the largest super volcanic eruptions in the existence of our planet, on the large island of Sumatra, in the Indonesian chain. This near extinction event reminds us that time marches on, man muddles along, and out of chaos comes a peaceful dawn. Definitely one of the natural wonders of the world.
Love, Light & Laughter,
xoxoox Nancy & Joseph
Travel notes:
One US dollar =
14,550.20 Indonesian Rupiah
Sumatra:
Gunung Leuser Nat Park – Northern Sumatra
Ketambe Tengahan – elephants
Bukit Luang – Garden Inn or Jungle Inn
Bus to Berestaggi – Then to Parapat
Bande Ache – Great remote islands on the north coast
West Coast – Niaz Island, surfing
Airports:
Fly into Medan via Air Asia. Go outside to the left and ask for NICE transport shared taxi (van). About 80,000 to 100,000rp per person. Arrive by noon as the trip takes 4-5 hours and the last boat crosses the lake to the resorts at 6:30.
OR
Silangit Airport (DTB)
Indonesia
Airlines flying to Silangit Airport
Sriwijaya Air
Wings Air
Air Asia through KL to Silangit as of Nov 2018
Currently 400 to 500,000rp for transport, 1.5 hours, to Parapat, where you catch the boat over. Transport prices will get more reasonable as the market develops.
Laundry day.
Flowers everywhere on this slightly cooler semi-tropical island.
Bougainvilla.
On the way to Medan, there are many cheeky monkeys.
Last view of the lake from the mainland side shows a growing number of fish farms.
The twisty road from the quiet of Lake Toba to the hectic city of Medan.
Bicycle rickshaw.
The impressive Maimun Palace.
The Palace displays the opulant life
of the Sultanate of Deli.
This lovely little family were visitors at the Palace.
Lake Toba:
Tuk Tuk Timbal:
Wonderful place. Very quiet, well run quality resort right on the lake. They don’t allow the loud music that other resorts tolerate on the weekend on Tuk Tuk Peninsula. Great, reasonable food. The staff are friendly and helpful and Nanda will solve any problem and help make your stay great. Great reasonable food. Boat right to the resort from Parapat or the resort will drop you off at the Tomok car ferry.
www.agoda.com starts at 225,000rp. Other lower prices for basic cottages and Batak houses.
Address: Jalan Lingkar Tuk-Tuk, Pulau Samosir, Kabupaten Samosir, Sumatera Utara 22395
Phone: 0812-6401-1194
Buddha’s Cafe
Tolping Phone# 0821 6073 0877
Just 3km past Ambarita
Great local potato rendeng, chicken sesame (soy), juices, Best vegan ice cream, coconut based mango, strawberry, dark chocolate. Daisy is a pleasure and makes you feel welcome. Ayu is the owner and creator of this little hidden gem.
Bechuck:
Bop Son -Bechuck Driver New Bagus Rig
Responsible, honest prices, good, slow driver 75,000 to 100,000 round trip to Budha Cafe – wait 1.5 hours
082361481118
Bechuck – fancy covered for 3 pax
Lagan 100,000 rd trip – wait 2 hours
082367764667
Panjaitan – Driver – old suburban
Medan airport to Parapat 100pp 300 total
081264563314
Cargo bechuck – 50,000 rd trip from Timbal:
Rudy 08 2167 410851
We had fun with this group of girls.
Dressing up in authentic costumes was a fun part of visiting the Istana.
Mesjid Raya Al Mashun..
Simple but striking interior of the mosque.
Clear sign of potty etiquette in the bathrooms.
