Archive for May, 2011

Berastagi is located in the mountains of North Sumatra Province. Wedged between Mt Sibayak (2,049 m) and Monte Sinabung (2,451 m), has a cold climate, beautiful scenery and the many tourist attractions. With well-developed infrastructure, the city is ideal for weekend getaways or longer vacations.

Berastagi is always a favorite destination for weekend city of Medan as the journey of 1.5 hours from Medan (capital of North Sumatra Province) is relatively shot. The city, however, can also be a worthwhile destination for Jakartans. It only takes a total of 3.5 hours to 2 hours by car Medan Berastagi.

There are large forest along the road from Medan and, occasionally, you can see buildings with a single Karo (Batak from an ethnic tribe) ornaments, a sign that you have entered in their domain. Women who wear distinctive headgear Batak can also be seen from time to time.

Mejuah-juah, welcome to the land of Karo! On the road between Medan and Berastagi is located Sibolangit Botanical Garden, which has several types of local vegetation. Then, it is winding and sloping upwards, passing Penatapen. If you wish, you can stop briefly to enjoy the fresh air or a clear vision of the valley below.

Near Berastagi, there is an intersection that goes to Semangat Gunung, a starting point for those who want to climb Mount Sibayak. After this intersection, you’ll see hotels in a row on the road, up the hill. You can also see wooded hill on the right side of the winding road before it finally enters the main road.

Berastagi is a small town with only the central area consists of a main street with shops and restaurants on the right and left. For accommodation, you should choose the hotel on the hilly areas, such as Gundaling Hill where it is quiet and offers a better view.

The view from the Hills Gundaling is particularly beautiful in this afternoon. You can see the whole city and its surrounding orchards, and the crater of Mount Sibayak, a volcano that has been dormant for centuries. To the west is Mount Sinabung (another extinct volcano), while the plains Karo lie to the south.

Martabak Telor and Bandrek.

Evening is the best time to enjoy various dishes of North Sumatra in Pasar Kaget, a market that opens at night along the main street Berastagi. Among the interesting dishes are martabak and roti Canai, both bore heavy Indian influence. Indians are the dominant ethnic group in the province, but they have certainly left their mark in North Sumatra culinary scene. Among the stalls selling food, as Aboy restaurants, named after its owner. Offers telor martabak, roti Canai, and Indian-style fried rice.

For drinks, you can enjoy a glass of tea with milk or try Berastagi’s favorite beverage: bandrek. It is similar to bandrek common in java, a mix of milk and ginger to warm the body, the perfect remedy for a typical cold Standing 1,400 meters above sea level. Through Berastagi, bandrek is an everyday beverage and the pride of local people.

It can be a bit ‘disconcerting because a popular drink in Java, especially West Java, ends up charming the same popularity in Berastagi. local histories that have bandrek which was introduced some decades ago by a Javanese who opened the first Warung (similar to coffee, but with a simpler configuration) used bandrek. Back l ‘, the drink is virtually unknown in Berastagi, but because it suits bandrek cold climate, its popularity took off at a time. Currently, almost all to visit the city will feel obliged to try the drink. In fact, it has become synonymous with bandrek Berastagi.

Fruit Market

The morning is the best time to buy fruit or enjoy the atmosphere of the fruit market in Berastagi on the main road. You can find all kinds of fruits and vegetables, from the ubiquitous orange and tomato, beetroot special Berastagi, cauliflower red, and passion fruit. You can also buy flowers in this market.

Many of these fruits have been planted under the direction of the Dutch colonial government to supply their need to Medan. Since Karo Plains are surrounded by volcanoes, the land is very fertile and can produce the best fruit and vegetables. In the past, most of them are exported to Singapore and Malaysia. Now, the tourists who come here to enjoy the harvest.

Another activity you can do is to visit the traditional village Lingga, 16 km south-west of Berastagi. You can see traditional Karo village go about their lives and see their unique tribal homes that are nearly extinct, or their traditional dresses that are almost extinct, or that many of their traditional dress still worn, especially during certain occasions.

You can also go to the Waterfall Sipisopiso, about 1.5 hours from Lingga, and then to Lake Toba, through Simarjarunjung, Prapat and Samosir Island.

On the way to the airport in Medan, you might want to visit the famous palace and the mosque Maimoon, or go for a box of Majapahit Road Bika Ambon, a sweet lovely single room with a spongy texture, sold by various vendors here.

An important point to remember is that you book your accommodation in advance for weekend or long weekend, as will be competing with tourists from Medan, Singapore and Malaysia and also for housing.

“Tourist Destination for nearly a century”

The development of tourist destination in Berastagi is closely linked to the colonial planning. When the area around Medan was converted to plantations (one of the most successful plantations in the Dutch colonies), their need for fruit and vegetables were supplied from the fertile lands of Karo. This connection increased in 1908 when the Dutch built a road that will connect directly to Medan and Karo high plains.

The Dutch recognized the potential Berastagi as a resort. So they built bungalows, villas, tourist villages. Clinics, schools and even a nine hole golf course. In fact, many of them fell in love with Berastagi who have chosen to spend their retirement here.

Berastagi reputation as a tourist destination began to spread in 1920. Almost a century later, the city is still attracting local and foreign tourists. Berastagi has become even more popular Kabanjahe, the capital of Karo.

Incoming search terms:

• sumatra
• суматра