A taxi ride at Lake Toba is not using an ordinary taxi just like in the cities. It uses a special taxi – a double decker taxi, and the lane is on water … And it looks like this photo below:
The boat taxi at Lake Toba … Well, okay … The boat taxi is the one the left not the right -___-
Every time you want to cross the lake to Samosir Island from Parapat in Nort Sumatra, Indonesia; you either can use this boat taxi, or my friend, Dewi, said  you can use car, but you need to go quite far to a part on the mainland that connected with the Samosir Island.
This boat taxi can stop at just in front of any hotels that located beside the Lake Toba, and the fare is very cheap. The last boat from Parapat will depart at 7PM, so manage your trip wisely.
Indonesian flag on a boat taxi of Lake Toba (North Sumatra, Indonesia)
If you want to go back to Parapat from your hotel in Samosir Island, you can just wait beside the lake and wave to the boat if you see the boat taxi is coming.
During the ride of this boat taxi, I managed to snap some photos along the ride, from interesting resort places, and the beautiful view of the surrounding – the view that rarely can be seen on a ride of regular taxi ;-). Hopefully these photos will help you on deciding the place that you are going to stay on Samosir Island. As always, you could check my Flickr page for more photos 🙂
The accommodation
Samosir Villas on Samosir Island (North Sumatra, Indonesia)
Tabo Cottages on Samosir Island (North Sumatra, Indonesia)
Hotel Dumasari on Samosir Island (North Sumatra, Indonesia)
Hotel Silintong on Samosir Island (North Sumatra, Indonesia)
The scenery
The view of the hill at Samosir Island, and the statue of Sigale-gale from a distance
Approaching Parapat in North Sumatra, Indonesia
such a unique public transportation. double decker in the water + wonderful scenery… yeah this is our lovely country!
Yes indeed bro … A beautiful scenery that rarely we can get using the regular taxi 😉
I’ve been to Pulau Samosir only once, when I was seven, and I got a lifelong souvenir of a scar on my left knee as a result of a minor incident there. My only memory of the island was that scar, but some bits and pieces started popping in when I read your post. Thank you, Tim, – dan salam kenal! 🙂
Oh no … what happened?
I think you should re-visit North Sumatra and create a wonderful experience to replace the ‘little accident’ memory 🙂
Nice to know you as well, Mae! 🙂