...........................	North Sumatra - Medan ....................................................................................................................................... Medan capital to North Sumatra, is the fourth largest city in Indonesia, a frantic , noisy industrial giant with few obvious charms. It has a population of 2.5 million. Modern Medan has retained many architectural gems from colonial days, of which rocco, art-deco and art nouveau styles were especially popular. Mejid Raya, located at the southern end of Medan is built in rococo style in 1906. Constructed by an Italian architect in 1888, it is the largest mosqur in the city. Inside are memorabilia such as Dutch furniture, lamps, portraits and old weaponary.   A cool hill town, Brastagi is a good base from which to explore Karo Batak villages, climb volcanoes or sample jungle trekking in Gunung Leuser National Park. The park is one of the largest national park in Asia. It cover more than 7750 sq km and protect more than 100 different animals, including rhinoceros, elephant, tiger & orangutan and at least 300 spieces of birds.   Bohorok Orangutan Rehabilitation Station offers a virtually guaranteed sighting of young and mature orangutans. These orangutans are taught how to survive before they are release into the remote areas of the Gunung Leuser National Park. The eastern fringes of the park can be visited from Brastagi, but for naturalists and trekker, the best entry point is the town of Kutacane.   River rafting down the Alas River through virgin rainforest offers best chance to see local wildlife. Banda Aceh, capital of Aceh province is built on two rivers, Krong Aceh and Krong Daroy. Banda Aceh’s Grand Mosque, was built of wood was constructed without a single nail. At night, the huge white structure and its black domes are illuminated. The interior is marble and maybe visited by non-muslims, except during prayers time. The centre of Banda Aceh’s night life is Penayung, a small square on the other side of Krong Aceh. This is the place to sit, talks with friends, order drinks or meal from hawkers. Lake Toba is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest in the world. It was formed by a monumental volcanic eruption. Its one of the highest (900m) and deepest (450m) lake on earth. Enclosed by pine-covered mountains slopes & cliffs, the climate is cool but not baring and sometimes rainy but rarely saturated.    The best place to experience Toba’s spell is Samosir Island, a 1,000 sq km island that floats near the centre of the lake. Boats depart daily to Samosir taking dozens of visitors to Batak’s traditional villages. Ambarita is one of the traditional village where there are three megalithic complexes with stone seats and tables, including the flat stone slab upon which prisoners were killed.
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