Medan Things to Do

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In opposition to what I have heard and experienced, I think Indonesians are as friendly as the rest of the asians are. They just get easily intimidated when you speak to them in English knowing that it is not so welcomed and used in the place regularly.. so they have not exercised the potential ability.

They are very cultural (which I admire the most) but not so open in adapting the global perspectives. They easily judge "strangers" just like what they do to each other (when one makes a "noise").

Apparently, it is the mutual trust that works, not one way.

They take pride of being your friend and you will feel the same. Once you are friends (*in genuine context) with them, you will be like a family.

Their preparation of fruit shakes is very simple yet I wonder how it comes out great in my taste bud. They just use natural products, no powdered flavour etc. You get what you order, if it is avocado shake, then you see and taste pure avocado, comme ca!

Medan is a city surrounded with Batik shops for locals themselves. You can practically get them cheaper in the markets as they are not priced for tourists.

Indonesians say that original batik came from them ( and it is one of their national symbols) and the ones from Malaysia aren't as good the ones they produce..

Next to City Hall (Balai Kota) is another impressive Dutch Colonial building - housing the Bank Indonesia.

Both buildings next to each other opposite the Merdeka Square resembles the colonial City Hall and Town Hall opposite the Esplanade in George Town (Peanng). The difference is Medan was administered by the Dutch while Penang was administered by the English.

The Bank Indonesia was enacted in 1999 as an independent central bank.

There are many other different bank buildings located around the Merdeka Square.

motor bike rental is rp80,000. we stayed at Ambarita, so it was only a short ride to the stone chairs which is behind the post office. from there, we rode through Tuk Tuk town. Lots of places to eat and shop here. Tomok was a little further, very much further actually. Can't remember how long it took, felt like almost an hour. My legs ached from having to ride pillon, sitting straddle on the bike, for the entire ride, from Ambarita to the Batak Museum in Tomok. The show there starts at 10.30am. we arrived there late, at 11am. wanted to wait for the next show at 11.45am but were told that if they didn't have enough visitors, that show would be canceled. entrance fee is rp30,000. since we had only 15 minutes of the show left to watch, they charged us only rp30,000 for two.

To see the highlights of Dutch architecture in Medan we have made a heritage tour with Trijaya Tour& Travel. Mr. Dirk Buiskool, a dutch historian, and owner of the Hotel Deli River Hotel (an oasis in busy Medan) has written a a good guide with photos of all the places you have to visit.
Trijaya Tour&Travel runs also other trips in Sumatra (orang oetangs, Toba Lake etc.)
Me and my wife enjoyed the heritage tour very much in may 2010.

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This is a historical palace which had housed the local Sultanate till early this century. Generally, they do not charge an entrance fees but it is good to give a tip of at least RPH 10,000 . It is located right in the heart of the city.

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Sri Mariaman Temple is the biggest Hindu temple in Medan and obviously it is not considdered to be a tourist-sight, because you have to persuade the local guides to make a short stop there and see the lovely details of this great temple. Take some time, 10 minutes might be enough to see also the interior - see my next tip !