As I was too busy with my family and friends, I rarely took photos.

My place of stay in Medan: Amelia Guesthouse. Very recommended. Cheap and easy to access, just hop an express bus from the airport to Ring Road (Gagak Hitam), and you can alight exactly accross the guesthouse.





One of must-try foods in Medan: Babi Panggang Karo (Karonese roasted pork) served with sauce made from pig's blood.





Taking intercity bus to Siantar, North Sumatra's 2nd-largest city, located about 150 km from Medan.





Going through Medan-Tebing Tinggi tollroad, one of newest tollroad in Indonesia, connecting Medan, the airport, and Tebing Tinggi city. Palm trees were dominating the sights.







Siantar, a memorable city for our family, where my mother was born, my father spent his high school times, and my late grandpa's grave is located.



Pasar Horas (Horas Market), Siantar's central market. "Horas" is actually Bataknese greetings, but it also can be meant as "safe" or "good condition".



Kok Tong, a legendary "kopi tiam" (Chinese coffee shop) in Siantar.







Fried kway teow as my lunch, with its "sambal".



From Siantar, I continued my journey to Balige by this economy-class van.



Passing through Lake Toba, the largest lake in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.





Mutiara Balige Hotel, one of newest hotel in Balige available for visitors. Unexpensive price but good service. Also located at the main road of Balige. Recommended.



St. Joseph Catholic Church, Balige, located close to the hotel. A beautiful church. Just behind this church is my ancestors' tomb.





Pantai Bulbul (Bulbul Beach), a beautiful beach on Lake Toba, located at northern side of Balige.



Parapat, a tourist center facing Lake Toba, located between Siantar and Balige. This small town is also the gateway to Samosir Island on the heart of Lake Toba.