INDONESIA 2008 | Backpacking in Medan

Day 1 (2nd February 2008) – KL-Medan-Parapat


Edan and I decided to travel backpackers' style for our four days trip. To make it convenient we packed all our things into our two deuter backpacks (45+10 and 55+10). I decided to be more adventurous this time and relied on public transport throughout our journey. It would be a surprised journey for my husband. But still I don't want to take so many risks so I booked all accommodations online two months earlier and get discount a lot.

Woke up at 4.30 am and from KL Sentral to LCCT by AirAsia bus. Had breakfast at the airport and departed to Medan at 8.00 am. Arrived at Polonio Airport, Medan at 8.15 am (Local time). At the airport, there's a lot of airport porter begging you to carry your bag. With little experience and little info, we just let the porter carried our bags using airport trolley to an air conditioned blue color taxi. We we shocked when the porter asked for IDR20.000 (MYR7.09) just for that. Then, we had to face another rude/gangster taxi driver. He took us to a travel agency instead of the public bus terminal (although we had mentioned many times). Finally, the mad driver along with his alliance the travel agent (looks like a gangster) agreed to drive us to the terminal at an increased taxi fares (IDR 100.000) and were in time to catch the bus to Parapat. It was relatively comfortable for backpackers (not suitable for tourist) and only cost us IDR18.000/person (MYR6.38) for the 4.5 hour journey (180km).

Towards the last two hours of the journey, passing Tebing Tinggi, Permatang Siantar, the bus became rather packed with children coming back from school. Along the way, we can see a lot of Church (almost every 1-2km) signing that the majority of people living near and in Parapat-Samosir-Toba Lake is either Catholic or Protestant Christian. We reached Patra Parapat Hotel at 3.00p.m (located a few km from Parapat town) that cost USD20 (MYR68.47) per night. Order room service for 2 (IDR68.000), rest, walk around and sleep early.

 

Day 2 (3rd February 2008) - Parapat to Samosir Island

Woke up and checked out early. After breakfast, hotel's driver sent us to the Public Jetty (Pelabuhan Umum) for free and took a public ferry to Samosir Island (IDR7.000/person). We were so mesmerized by the beauty of the lake and it's surrounding. We stayed at Silintong Hotel, Tuk Tuk (USD32/night).

Public Ferry to Samosir Island

After 1 hour, arrived at the hotel. The room we stayed had a great view of the lake.

 

We rented a motorbike for 1 hour (IDR20.000) to explore Tuk Tuk. We overshot a little and ended up at the Ambarita Stone Chair Village where criminals were executed back in the old days. 

 

 

The Bataks practised cannibalism in the past and criminals who were executed also ended up on the dining table. Along the way, we were really excited to found the one and only halal restaurant at Samosir Island (Rumah Makan Islam Murni, Tuk Tuk). Takeaway Lunch - 2 portion of rices, 2 fried fishes, prawn and mineral water (IDR20,000). Had our lunch by the lake. 

Lunch and swimming

At night, went to the same restaurant, had coffee and fried rice.

Azdan with the owner of the restaurant

Day 3 (4th February 2008) - Samosir Island to Berastagi

It's Edan’s 31^st birthday…happy birthday my baby!!!!!!!!!!!

As there were no direct bus from Parapat to Berastagi (plenty of private cars that cost IDR400.000 – IDR500.000), so we decided to check out early - 7am to be precise. Took a 8.30 am ferry, then continued our journey by big bus (at the Jetty) to Pematang Siantar (1 hour for IDR5.000/person)

Bus to Permatang Siantar

and from P.Siantar, we got into a van called SEPADAN to Kabanjahe (3.5 hours) for IDR12.000/person via Simpangraja, Bintang, Saribudolok and Merek.

And from Kabanjahe, we took a minivan called KARYA to Berastagi (20 mins) that cost us only IDR2.500/person and later transfer to another van called SIBAYAK (5 mins) for IDR2.000/person to our hotel, The Grand Mutiara Hotel.

Sibayak Van

Therefore total cost to Berastagi was only IDR21.500/person (MYR7.62).

We enjoyed our rides from Parapat to Berastagi even though the vans were really packed and most men and old women were smoking throughout the journey. It was really a great experience with the new culture and people.

The Grand Mutiara Hotel was excellent! We paid USD44/night (MYR148.34) for the 5-star hotel. Found out that the publish weekdays rate is IDR600,000 (MYR212.76) and the weekend rate is IDR700,000/night.

Grand Mutiara Hotel Berastagi
Jl. Peceren No.168 Berastagi Kab. Karo, North Sumatra Indonesia 22156
Telp: +62 628 91311, 91555 (Hunting)
Fax: +62 628 91385
E-mail: info@grandmutiarahotel.com

 

After check-in and rest a bit, we went back to Berastagi for lunch and Shopping!!!! We ate at Muslim restaurant again and cost us IDR41,000 (MYR14.54) (consider very cheap for 3 plate of rice, 2 pieces of chicken, 4 medium fishes and 2 bowl of vege). Then, done some shopping souvenir shop (salesgirl name Rina) and madly shopping for total IDR1 million (not so much if convert to Malaysia Ringgit).

 

Went to Gundaling Hill by van (IDR2,000). From here we can see the 2 famous volcanic mountains there, Mount Sibayak and Mount Sinabung.

  

Buy some local fruits and back to hotel. At night, have more proper dinner at the hotel.

Dinner menu: Medan’s style steak, club sandwich, crab-corn soup, cappuccino and ice-lemon tea for only IDR134,500 (MYR47.69)

Day 4 (5^th February 2008) - Berastagi to Medan

After breakfast, went to Berastagi town again for shopping. We cancelled our plan to climb Mt.Sibayak due to tiredness and very limited time.

After finish shopping, went back to hotel and ate instant mee and coffee and swimming in a cold water and weather (only can last for a few minutes).

 

Check-out at 12.30 pm and wait for a mini bus to Medan in front of the hotel.

Ready to go home sweet home

The fare from Grand Mutiara Hotel to Medan is only IDR12,000/person. Arrived 1.5 hour later and catch a non-aircond taxi to the Airport for IDR50,000/car. Have lunch at KFC (under same roof with Petronas petrol station).

Petronas station at Medan

Pray there and at about 5.30 pm, walk to the airport and check-in AirAsia. Return back to Kuala Lumpur at 8.20 pm and reached KL at 10.20 pm (Malaysia time).

Currency selling price as at
30th January 2008

MYR 1.00 = IDR2,820

Observation and Dictionary:

• They have 2 types of bus, big bus (normal bus) and small bus (van).
• There’s no non-smoking area, even you can smoke in the bus, KFC, hotel Lobby/coffee house (air-cond), Petrol station and in the airport. For this, you have to accept, that’s the way of their life. For asthmatic person, maybe you need to bring something to
  cover your nose.
• Marlboro/Dunhill 20’s = IDR9,000
• 1-liter of petrol = IDR7,950
• There a lot of types of public
• transportation from motor-trishaw to an aircond taxi/van, choose wisely, the range is quite big.
• Restaurant (Rumah Makan), See You again/ welcome (Horas), Public Jetty (Pelabuhan Umum), stop here please (Pinggir), Bus (Bas Besar), Public Van (Bas kecil), Motor-trishaw (Becak), Office (Kantor), Weekend (Hari Libur), Petang (Sore), Toilet (Kamar kecil)

For more photos click HERE