Continuing from
Views from tomb of Sheikh Mahmud Papan Tinggi.
At 12.40 we're done visiting tombs in Barus. It was time to get out heading east then north towards the city of Medan.
Distance from Barus to Medan is about 277 km. According to Google Map it takes almost 8 hours non-stop by road as we have to take a twisting and turning route up into the Batak highlands.
Well. We have to stop for lunch. As we were entering the Batak tribe areas who are non-Muslims it was a relief to find a Muslim restaurant...
After lunch I checked out a river behind the restaurant.
Originating from the Batak highlands on the long mountain range known as Bukit Barisan the river twists and turns down to Barus where it enters the Indian Ocean.
We left the restaurant around 2pm.
At 3.26 we arrived at a main Batak town called Dolok Sanggul. Or is it Pakkat? It's either one or the other.
From Barus to that town the road practically goes east all the way while twisting and turning up towards the highlands.
Ah ok. Now I remember after looking at this picture. At this juncture we were still going eastwards...
At 3.56 we arrived at this Batak town. This could be Dolok Sanggul.
From there onwards we headed north on a mountain ridge at 5,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level.
At 4.58 we arrived at this gate.
Taking the right turn pass the gate soon we could see the huge lake called Danau Toba.
