Medan Journal (Day 2) : Sipiso-Piso Waterfall

Those Alluring Mountains

Another interesting fact about Indonesia: this country is a huge archipelago that sits between the most active seismic region in the world, aptly named the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.

The Pacific Ring of Fire

Credit: Wikipedia

This is further supported by the fact that Indonesia has approximately 130 active volcanoes. But as a result of that, the country has lots of beautiful and fantastic geographies and mountains, some of which we were able to witness ourselves on our way to Sipiso-Piso Waterfall.

Mount Sinabung, one of the many active volcanoes in Indonesia

Remembrance photograph in front of Mount Sinabung

Bonus mark for anyone who can tell me its name!

Anyway, we left Wisma Sibayak (our accomodation here in Berastagi) around 1.30PM I think and reached Sipiso-Piso Waterfall around 45-60 minutes afterwards (roughly). This is my tale of Sipiso-Piso Waterfall.

The Paradise of Eternal Drizzle

In the Malay language, Sipiso-Piso means pisau (knife)

The journey from the top to the bottom of this waterfall seemed very much possible, at least initially. I raced down the stairs; full of hope and determination. It's not easy coming here. I may never come here anymore. So, why not take this opportunity and see the waterfall from its base? Besides, my body could use a little work out, haha - obviously. But I was a bit concerned about our timing. Perhaps it's better not to go down.

But our tour guide (Ridu) was very supportive. He gave us the green light to go and explore the site. But he told us to bring nothing along but our cameras and water bottle. He'll keep an eye on our stuff. It took a while for me to realize its significance, but when I do, I reckon it's the best advice anyone can give if you wanted to jungle track this waterfall.

Me at the top of the waterfall

The journey down was not as hard as I'd thought. Alhamdulillah. Perhaps it's the adrenaline and the exhilaration; yeah, definitely!

I reckon it was about 45 minutes before I reached the first checkpoint (My sister was very fast, she was there first) - a stall, in which the view of the waterfall from there seemed much better than from above and it looked amazing!

The rest came shortly afterwards. I started taking photographs of that waterfall while waiting for them.

Daddy, joyful as ever, in front of the first checkpoint

When they all had arrived, and after several photographs, Ummi wanted to turn around and head back to where we came from. She was a bit concerned that we wouldn't be able to make it to Tongging.

But father was very insistive, saying that he'd walk just a little more further, then he'll turn around. Naim, Ummi and Opah wanted to stay (Opah's exhausted). They will wait for us until we return from our 'a little bit more' walk.

Then the journey further down began. I raced past all of them, down and below. At certain points, I would stop and take some photos, but other than that, it's basically a marathon for me.

It was a lot further than I thought.

 One Step Closer.

Halfway through, I stopped and waited for my father. Once he had arrived, I asked him, "Should we still pursue this path? It'll be a very long journey." But father was insistive.

"Turun je." Said he.

He said that, "Bila lagi nak sampai sini? Most probably sekali seumur hidup."

Okay, daddy!

Grinning, I ran further down. Like a baby racing to his parents when he first learned how to walk, I was really excited! I can't wait to see the waterfall up close!

I will never forget though a point where I had to climb down a very steep flight of stairs. I reckon it was angled at 30 degrees. That was just too steep man.

About 3/4 of the journey, my surrounding started to get a bit chilly. From stones and bricks upstairs, the surrounding slowly changed. Big fern leaves and tree leaves now became the master of this pathway. The place was a getting a bit darker. It was shaded against the mighty ball of explosive gases (i.e the Sun). It was serene.

"Just a little bit further," I told myself.

Remember 'The Last Battle' from the Chronicles of Narnia, when they had finally left Shadowland and were racing to a tree and they felt super excited? Yes, it was the exact feeling - but of course, I was getting tired each seconds instead of feeling more energetic like the Narnian Kings and Queens! Haha.

I walked through the thick forest. Down, right, passed half a dozen of other visitors going up, took a left turn and then it was there: the majestic Sipiso-piso waterfall. The first thing I noticed about the place was that it was drizzling. I looked upward. It was still shining brightly up there, so why was it drizzling down here? The answer strucked me immediately: It's the waterfall.

The Paradise of Eternal Drizzle. Pictures can never do justice on the wonder of this place.

Sipiso-Piso was amazing. Like a blade of a sword, the stream of water came crashing down, roaring as it streamed down the powerful waterfall, hitting the rocks and Mother Earth, sending splashes of water droplet, too much that it became a drizzle that never cease to amaze. This is truly the paradise of eternal drizzle.

This particular place is inaccessible to a lot of people (seeing as it is in a pristine condition and that it will take quite sometime and determination to get to the bottom of the waterfall), but those who dare to dream and strive for it will not be disappointed. I guess the same can be said about life. Success is difficult, but it's definitely worth fighting for.

There were small hills surrounding in front of the waterfall, more like big rocks surrounded by grasses really. Small pink flowers grew on top of it. The water streamed further down the waterfall, becoming smaller streams that was still roaring, albeit a bit softer. It was really like a Paradise on Earth, and I don't even know this place existed until today. What is more amazing, I don't even know how Paradise looked like. Subhanallah! O Allah, whatever it is that you have keep in store for the people of Paradise, let us all be its occupants, amin ya Rabb!

My sister, Naimah, in front of the Waterfall

Naimah came a little bit afterwards, followed by Naimah and lastly daddy.

We took some photos which will definitely became a memory that I will cherish for many years to come, insyaAllah.

Oh, thank you Allah, for giving me this opportunity.

We're finally here!

 My Father and I

Alhamdulillah!