Mr Moon’s Traveler’s Heaven – Lake Toba – Indonesia

How many days can you stay back for this view?

When we started this trip we intended to go to quiet places, find a comfortable place to stay with open spaces, preferably close to a water body where we could relax, read, talk, write, walk and introspect all day. And when we look back there is one place more than any other that could be the stress free abode that matched all the necessary criteria where we stayed on amazingly low budget with amazing hospitality and courtesy extended by the owner. Even at the end of seventeen nights we were not willing to leave and had to drag ourselves out because our visa was about to expire. That place was what we like to call is Mr. Moon’s traveler’s heaven – Liberta Homestay.

Mr Moon is a kind gentleman who was once a farmer before he moved to Samosir Island in Lake Toba in Sumatra to run this place that was set up by his brother and his wife. His brother and sister-in-law decided to go back to Germany while Mr Moon willingly took over Liberta homestay that he now happily manages with the help of dedicated staff and family members.

This the first and only place rooms in all of our travel that offered rooms at fixed prices only – no negotiations or testing the waters with each traveler. The prices are written on the reception and are so reasonable you wouldn’t want to bargain. And even during our stay there was never any overcharging or issues that were not readily dealt with. Mr Moon’s Batak houses are split level accommodations with bathroom and sitting space at the bottom and you climb a cute little staircase to sleep at the top.

They are neat, spacious, charming, well built and comfortable unlike a lot of other places where such accommodations are simply traditional and nothing else. The other rooms came with either balconies and some even offered views of the Lake Toba. But the room we had we believe was the best room. It was so huge with a tub in the bathroom and a small porch that we were not willing to swap it even for a batak house with a view.

Above and beyond the great service and accommodation at budget prices, Liberta homestay also has a great kitchen. It is by far one of the best places to eat on the island if you are on a budget or otherwise. The restaurant has charming seating area with hidden sides set up with batak stayle furniture. You can grab your pancakes, omlettes and gado-gado and hide on the porch surrounded by tall trees and sit all day drinking Mr Moon’s special tea and then order yet another one of their special Berastagi cakes. If you are looking to unwind and relax on a budget, we highly recommend Liberta Homestay for a holiday. You would never want to leave.

If you are interested in other budget destinations, check out Laos. It is amazingly, cheap, quiet and laid back.
Review Liberta Homestay, Budget destination, Indonesia, Lake Toba