THE LIFE

Indonesia is a country with tourist and cultural charm of the most diverse and captivating. Western tip of Sumatra island of Indonesia there is an elongated surrounded by the waters of Malacca Straits.

North Sumatra province is large with one of the biggest lakes in the world, Toba Lake, at its navel. The continuous mountain of Bukit Barisan. As you go down the western mountains towards the beaches of the east, mountain streams, strong rivers, and gorgeous waterfalls will accompany you.

Along the length of this province crosses Bukit Barisan Mountains with peaks of numerous volcanoes. The land has thick virgin forests, lush vegetation, mountain streams, rivers, waterfalls and sandy beaches. An abundance of birds, butterflies, buffaloes, deer, mouse deer, and orangutans make North Sumatra one of the richest provinces in Indonesia.

North Sumatra has very heterogeneous ethnic groups, and thus, cultures. The people of the eastern coasts, also known as the Malays (Melayu) have markedly different traditions and culture from Batak highlanders who live around Toba Lake and Samosir Island. Further south, the Mandailings and Angkolas, and Nias Island, have yet more flavors of traditions and culture. Each of the mentioned tribes as well as the ethnic groups has its own dialect, religion, beliefs, traditional customs. Arts and cultures make this region, a paradise for social scientists. Among the ancient Indonesian cultures, which can be seen at Samosir Island.

Both my parents came from North Sumatra, even though we live in Jakarta, but when re-visiting Samosir Island, a sense of ownership and a close mutual cooperation on the island of Samosir indeed it was different from life in the city of Jakarta which is too individual.

Samosir island seemed to be a turning point for me in looking at life, that man is the true social beings who need others in life and care about the environment is part of the way we worship God.