medan, sumatra

[sunsetter]

Hello indo expats.

Im off to medan for a visa run, fancied achange, got some cheap flights.

whats to do there for a few days?

any hotel recomendations?

[Gabriel]

It's a shithole. Leave asap.

[blue]

I visited Sumatra with the plan to visit lake Toba ,
but never made it that far north, as I was the only whitey for a thousand miles and after the millionth consecutive ''hello mister'' I finally cracked and headed south towards Bali,
still it looks like an interesting place , a huge lake set in a volcano
Also it's Christian so no been lulled out of bed at 5am , by a 4 x 20 inch 50000 watts speaker set up , inviting you to the local mosque '' as praying is better than sleeping '' ....

not sure how far from Medan it is though

[Mid]

medan

It's a shithole. Leave asap.

yep

plan to visit lake Toba

the only reason for suffering Medan .

[Rural Surin]

Nice cheap whores in Medan.

[kingwilly]

I've not been, but I've never met anyone who has anything good to say about Medan. Lake Toba is certainly good for a few days relaxing visit. (I'd have to check my Lonely Planet, but I think Lake Toba is a few hours drive north, you could arrange a car from the airport for about $20 or $30)

[taxexile]

it is a shithole. the whole country is a shithole. lake toba is nothing special.

went there a few years ago with my thai wife, walking down the street we got chased and pelted with stones by local lads. rushed back to the hotel and left the next morning.

[Rural Surin]

Kind of like Sumatra - on a whole.
It's been a while, but probably hasn't dramatically change.

Away from the civilising maddening crowd.
Different from the rest of the country.

[VocalNeal]

Medan is a grubby overpopulated city with rattly taxis. Only good for whoring and golf. Sorry I don't know where the golf courses are! But compared to Thailand? I suppose it is like going to Korat or Khon Kaen but bigger and more people. Girls of easy virtue hang out at "discos" but any "concierge" worth his salt will find you something!

The bar at the Pardede Hotel is or used to be legendary if you want easy, rather than stunning. Think Hemingway not Prince Albert! It is near the Airport. Casablanca disco is probably long gone? but...one never knows. Danau Toba Hotel not far from airport is a bit grubby but has a garden around the pool, which has a large waterfall. OK for swimming, lunch and reading a book.

Lake Toba and Samosir Island are worth a weekend but useless for philandering unless the disco at the Danau Toba hotel (different) is still there. There is a short time knocking shop going out of Parapat, going south. But as there are almost no taxis. The large hotel on the hill in Parapat is characterless but has a weekend disco. Parapat Hotel in the "downtown" square has character but is not fancy. OK for lunch al fresco looking out over the lake.

Toba is very scenic, at least I think so but I spent a year there so... flowers by the roadside sort of pretty. It is veery relaxed on Samosir Island . Think knit your own shoes type relaxed. Worth the ferry trip. I've spend many a Sunday relaxing at the Carolina Hotel but there are others more modern with less character. Buggis Bay resort if you are pothead. When on Samosir rent an Indo Honda Wave and ride around the small roads, well only one road really!

[beerlaodrinker]

Nice cheap whores in Medan.

And that is its only redeeming feature

[sunsetter]

thats that then, shouldve went to phnom phen then, oh well.....

[beerlaodrinker]

All is not lost , you can do a picture thread on the whores of Medan?
Thanks in advance

[VocalNeal]

thats that then, shouldve went to phnom phen then, oh well.....

It's not that bad! Just that you cannot compare it to here. Beer is cheap and the sun still shines.

[The Fresh Prince]

I think you need $25 in cash for the visa on arrival.

[CNF55]

Went there on business 5 or 6 times - Silk Air morning flight in, appointment in the afternoon - out the next morning.

Honest to god I cannot understand how anybody would want to go there on a sightseeing trip. No decent hotel and the food is shite too.

[kingwilly]

Medan is the gateway to North Sumatra, Lake Toba, Orangutang Centres, Aceh.

[Bogon]

Went to Medan about 9 years back.
Spent 1 night and vowed never to visit the shithole again.
Lake Toba was O.K for a couple of days chill out.

Enjoy the mosques mate!

[Smug Farang Bore]

thats that then, shouldve went to phnom phen then, oh well.....

Nice one dumbo! Could have had a sherry on the river front...


Well I'm flying back on Xmas eve anyways.. See you in bkk.

[sunsetter]

good stuff mate,give me a bell when you land, will be out x mas day for a few afternoon beers

[Chang yai]

I was there for a few days but it was a long time ago. 1989. Couldn't find a whorehouse though. Thought it was because it was Muslim. Stayed at the sumatara hotel in Medan. Ended up at some sort of nightclub with exotic dancers, beer was really pricey. Stayed a few days in lake toba, which I really enjoyed, caused I liked a smoke back then. Spent about 45 days surfing on Nias Island. Lake toba is only a few hours from Medan and much more pleasant. I didn't think much of Medan at all but it's probably improved.

[Gabriel]

Probably not.

[kingwilly]

If you bring money to change, be aware that Indonesian money changers are really strict about the condition (no folds or tears accepted) and age (including the latest series only, ie G and H numbers, they won't take series A,B or C at all I think) - 100's preferred, 50's and 20's ok, doubt they'll even accept 10's, 5's or 1's.
Most atm's will accept foreign cards, check for your symbol, visa, plus etc. Atm's usually spit out 50's (50,000 Rp or 150 baht) or 100's (100,000 Rp or 300 baht) - the most you can get out in one go is 20 or 30 bills, but you can usually keep reinserting the card and get out 10 Million or so.

Don't forget your card, as the machines stick out money first.

[sunsetter]

nice one willy

[VocalNeal]

Bump.

How did the trip go?

[sunsetter]

going next wednesday, ill probably do a pic thread