Lake Toba is one of the awesome natural wonders of the world. This is a crater lake so enormous it has an island almost the size of Singapore in its centre. At over 1,145 square kilometers, Lake Toba is actually more like an ocean than a lake. This is the largest in Southeast Asia and the deepest lake in the world with a depth of about 450 meters.

Lake Toba is a place to come and sit back, relax and absorb some beautiful pristine scenery. As you sit and take in the view of the picturesque mountains set against the cool clear lake, you will feel the worries of the world melt away. As the lake sits 900 meters above sea level there is a cooler climate here making a refreshing break from the heat, humidity and pollution of the city.

It’s hard to imagine a more scenic place to come and enjoy hiking, swimming and sailing although once you arrive it might be difficult to resist the anesthetizing effects of the lake. The cool clear water coupled with the relaxed atmosphere and friendly people is what draws visitors from all over the world to Toba.

Venture onto the island of Samosir in the middle of the lake and you will discover mountains steeped in cool mist, clear waterfalls to swim under and locals taking their water buffalo out in the fields.

This is a place to come and enjoy the legendary Batak hospitality.Say cheers and enjoy some traditional palm wine with the locals. Sit and have coffee and chat with islanders keen to practice their English. Where-ever you go, it won’t take long to make a new friend.

On the main land, there is accommodation available in town of Parapat. Parapat occupies a small, rocky peninsula jutting out into the lake. On the way down to Parapat you will get some spectacular views as the lake first comes into sight as the road winds its way down the mountain closer to the shoreline. In Parapat live the Batak Toba and Batak Simalungun people who are known as a happy and easygoing people, famous for their lively and sentimental love songs.

Many visitors prefer to take the more scenic option and stay on the massive island of Samosir in the middle of the lake. The original home of the Batak Toba people, the island has many traces of ancient days including stone tombs and traditional villages. This is where you’ll be able to discover unique and ancient Toba culture. The natural beauty of the island means that it’s also an ideal place to come and get away from it all. Samosir is accessible by regular ferries from Parapat.

Despite being a tourist spot for many years, Samosir still remains a natural and undisturbed natural beauty. Venture away from the small villages of Tuk Tuk or Tomok and you will find yourself in the country surrounded by farmland, churches and strange tombs peppering the landscape.

Lining up of busy losmen and hotels with the depleted shady sea makes Lovina one of the most stirring beaches in Bali. Tranquility, incredible under water world and popular attraction is the dolphin watching. A small traditional boat called, jukung, may be hired form the villagers in the morning to bring us off shore to meet these smart and cute creatures. According to the news, theres about 500 - 1000 dolphins here in Lovina Beach.

Kelimutu Lake on Mount Kelimutu, Ende, Flores consists of three crater lakes. . The colors of the lakes change over time due to volcanic activity which started millions of years ago. Presently, these three lakes are black-green in the far east lake, green in the center lake, and black in the west lake. Previously, the east lake was red and the middle lake was blue. The local community considers these lakes a sacred place being the abode of the souls of the dead. The name Kelimutu itself is derived from the word ‘keli’, meaning ‘mountain’, and ‘mutu’, meaning ‘boiling’. The east lake is also called “tiwu ata polo” or the lake for evil spirits, while the center lake is known as “tiwu nua muri koo fai” or the lake for young souls, while the west lake is called “tiwu ata mbupu” or the lake for the souls of the elderly and wise people. Lake Kelimutu and its spectacular panorama are now a very popular tourist attraction.

If you’re looking for peace and quiet, then Ubud is the place to be during your holiday. Steeped in culture and enhanced by magnificentvistas, Ubud offers a respite from the humdrum of your busy life. In the past, Ubud was just a small village, but now it has grown into a thriving yet laid back cosmopolitan community. Ubud pampers visitors in body and soul. Fine dining restaurants and spas here will delight and relax the senses. A walk through the lush paddy fields, watching colourful processions of women gracefully balancing piles of fruit offerings on their way to the temple, are lasting impressions and simply breathtaking. The best way to observe Bali’s traditions and culture is through mingling with the locals and watching their daily routine. In this relatively small town, you can visit the temples and villages that have remained relatively unchanged through the years. Art galleries are also abundant. Masterful paintings and sculptures are waiting to be admired and appreciated, for who knows you may find the perfect painting or statue to grace your own living room?