So, we took a first class option and flew in 2 hours to M dan. Arriving here was like entering a sauna, but not different from Jakarta. Hot and steamy. The city is dusty and crowded with cars, but not too bad. All in one, it took us a day to get there.
Samosir island is really very scenic.
Tourism has come up in the past years though, and I was glad we stayed here during low season. There are different villages on the island, and the most famous and most visited for sure is Tuk Tuk. On the lake side, there are many many lovely hotels, some with the typical Batak roofs. All are very cheap and good value. We experienced that one should not visit Samosir with the expectation to come across a lot of cultural heritage.