Lake Toba (Tuk Tuk)

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Day 15:

Made a sharp exit out of Berastagi and grabbed the first of many buses into the main town.  Got a second bus (3 hours and very crammed) and then changed for a third time to a smaller bus (another hour) which took us to Parapet (Lake Toba).  We were in luck and a ferry was waiting to take us to the little village of Tuk Tuk.  The best way to describe Lake Toba (is in Steve's words) a tropical Lake District.  The landscape was made 80,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption, it is truly amazing and we felt like we were in heaven from the moment we arrived.  It was definitely a marked improvement from where we had just been.  We were able to get a room facing the Lake and it had hot water (pure luxury!!!!!).  Sorted lots of things out....boring stuff like laundry.....booking flights (you'll have to check back later to see where we go)....and the next bus out of here (not that we want to really think about that yet) and spent the night eating good food and drinking the local beer.

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Day 16:

After a good nights sleep (the beer probably helped) we set out to explore our little village of Tuk Tuk.  People here live quite simple and relaxed lives but do so in beautiful surroundings and their homes reflect that too....  We walked around for an hour or so before heading back to soak up a few rays and have a swim in the fresh water lake with the fishes.....could it get any better!!  Later on after the midday sun had subsided we went out again around the little village (a different way this time) and were amazed to come across so many like bars and restaurants.  It's such a lovely place and all of the local children shout to us...."hello mister"...as we pass....some of them got all shy when we said hello back (so cute). 

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The dutch girls that we had met previously were stopping at the same hotel and suggested we get together after tea for a game of cards.  Top idea I thought (Steve not so keen).  We did have a really good night though playing cards until about 11pm and then chatting for much longer until we finally realised it was nearly 2 in the morning (such gas bags!!!) and headed sleepily to bed.