I despise minibuses.

The first one I took was from Khao San road to Koh Samet. I was spoiled by an empty van, except for Jayden and Andrew... more room to spread out, but still uncomfortable. The next one was from Krabi to Penang. This time the van was full, but we had enoughstops that I didn't cramp up too much.

The minibus from Medan to Lake Toba, however, redefined pain. We arrived late in Medan but luckily managed to find a minibus to our destination. To begin with we were crammed in, but not too badly. A little ways through the trip, though, we stopped and picked up some indonesian travellers. I wouldn't have believed it, and had I known beforehand I would have taken a different means of transportation, but somehow we crammed a few more people in an already full van. Four big guys (westerners) squeezed into a back seat meant for two (ok, well maybe three). A couple people sitting in the small aisleway. My knees were propped on my chest at a 45degree angle, putting so much pressure on my bony bum that the pain became unbearable. I had to stand up in a hunched over fashion for awhile. I would wholeheartedly recommend Lake Toba to EVERYONE, but beware of the minivans!!!!