Medan, Indonesia’s third largest city, is not only a rich melting pot of cultures but also an entry point to the wild nature of North Sumatra. Lake Toba also presents a cultural side on Samosir Island, which sits in the middle of the lake. It takes about half an hour to get to the island by ferry from the main pier, in the town of Parapat. Once on the island, visitors can check out the Tomb of King Sidabutar and watch a Sigale-gale funeral dance, which involves a life-size wooden puppet as one of the characters. Inspired by the story of a king’s son who died on the battlefield, the performance is accompanied by traditional music of the Batak (a North Sumatran ethnic group).