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Published: September 2nd 2009
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Time flows fast having fun
We get a two month visa in Penang - Malaysia, take a boat to Medan - Indonesia and a local bus to Parapat, lake Toba. On this bus we have life karaoke on volume ten! My knee's are forced in between the seats but the theatre of people getting on and of the bus with all there goods makes the five hour trip worth while. We arrive in the middle of the Saturday market, the air filled with herbs, wood, fire, fish and food. First we have lunch in a local restaurant. When I ask for the menu the answer is: ''menu? Sit down please, we have fried noodle and fresh fruit juice, welcome to Lake Toba''. We feel good, smile, sit down and enjoy the meal.
The boats go regularly loaded with people and there needs. We hop on and slowly go to Tuk-Tuk on Samosir island. Almost there we suddenly see Tieme & Cris, smiles and waving visa versa. We meet on shore and have a beer in the nearly finished still nameless café. We talk about the happenings of setting up a café, building a boat, news from home and much more.
Most needs are up and running but there are loads of little things that still need to be done. Many hands make the work light and soon the place looks nicer and is ready to open. A name still needs to be found, two day's are spend thinking today we'll get it. until the right one comes by; Today's Café. We are busy getting the last essentials done. The opening is in the café today. Everybody is welcome and it's full till late. Cris and friends have been cooking traditional Batak food, always a tasty success. After the first drinks and with our belly's full the live Batak music hits off, we wished you there to! The following days are busy, Today's Café works!
That gives time for some other enjoyment.
A quick look at the boat and weather shows a bright sailing future, Tawar is her name and she is beautiful. Almost every day at noon the wind picks up to a wind force four. On the first trip we set sail to a waterfall quite far away, a beautiful tour along the coast, passing fishing farms and surprised looks. We sailed comfortably with the wind and
waves. Getting back into and through the waves was not as comfortable. The engine broke and without wind we had to paddle back in the dark. On the next sailing trip we start to head into the wind first. Sailing slowly along the coast when a little island catches our interest, we enjoy a beer on a pebble beach and have a swim. The wind picks up again and we enjoy the beautiful wind force four ride back. We learn much, finding ways to sail in strong and soft winds. Bashing through massive waves, being soaked, cold burned and thirsty but how great she sails. Every trip was/is an adventure on its own.
Entering the information of James Wharram once again we found two designs. Possible both financial as time wise are the Tike 30 foot and the Pahi 31 foot, both beautifully capable of cruising the oceans with crew and some passengers. But better suitable to cruise to and from or around islands and white beach coast lines. Making holiday dive, charter, cruises possible to make enough busyness to keep it going with hopefully some extra for maintenance.
Driving towards Barus on the west coast with some
friends on motors. A bumpy ride with an occasional brand new winding mountain road. First we drive alongside Lake Toba, then through the fields and villages. When we plunge into a city we refuel the motors and ourselves. Cruising easy and stopping for a photo here and there. Meeting up with the rest in front of a naturally created tunnel. The road is a worn out solid stone riverbed overgrown with jungle bush and it's very slippery, narrow and steep. Driving carefully. This road improves a bit and continues right through the jungle. We see giant trees, snakes, ivy's, quite some traffic, rivers, dynamite blasted tunnels, villages, people waving and impressive views. It is warm, humid and exciting.
We arrived in Barus, a fishing village right on the Indian ocean. The beach is fantastic, about 15 km long and a good 100m wide with some small and larger islands close enough to get to by small boat, walking around we find, except an occasional lost flipflop, no garbage! A bit land inwards under the rows of coconut trees are new and old boats being build, some look similar to Tieme's Tahiti wayfarer 'Tawar' and we consider building the boat
here. We relax with a cold drink and a fish barbecue is easily started on a coconut husk fire. We sleep in a local house at a friends friend place.
On the way back we have to stop at a natural hot spring that is exploited by hotels and tourism. Although the site remains amazing and after a day driving the warm swim is welcomed. The natural formation where the sulphur builds up in bright white terraces is intact and some are covered with coloured lines of algae, it looks almost unreal, it's wonderful.
Back in Toba we book a ticket to India and take it super easy, a bit of swimming, walking, reading and witnessing the wedding ceremony of Rika & Rob. Tieme happens to be the best man and driver. With every social Batak event everybody is invited to come. Dancing together to live Batak music and enjoying the abundancy of food. A moment and place to pay respect and see everybody again.
Now we go to India with a quick stop in Bangkok. An opportunity for Malin to brush up her experience about traditional medicinal Thai massage, meaning Vincent will be test subject for
two days of non stop Thai massage.
All very much worth it. 😊 Next Calcutta in India!
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Jon
non-member comment
wow
it looks like you're having the time of your life over there :) im looking forward to updates from India as well! xoxo