Turn Back Time In Medan

I was browsing around the internet, checking on airfares and found a cheap flight with MAS to Medan, Indonesia. Ticket were bought without thinking much.

On the 16th Apr 2010, my husband, my 2 kids and I reached Medan. It was hot and humid. We were told that the last rainy day was more than a month ago.

Our first sight of the country was filled with banners along the busy and narrow roads. It was almost a polling time, balloting for 'Walikota' (Mayor), in Malaysia, the position is called 'Datuk Bandar'.

The traffic was quite bad. There, where you could find the best driver in the world. Not even Shoemaker could beat their expertise.

To avoid stress, keep your eyesight straight ahead or within the car although there would be times when you fell as if the person on the other car was sitting next to you.

Along the uneven pavement you could not get rid from seeing 'Becha'(Tri-cycle), homeless people and food stalls. It was like turning back time. Its was a mixture of sympathy and anxiety for me.

That was the first trip out of the country for my kids. They were excited, having nothing but SHOPPING! in mind. Not too fast kids. Shops are still closed.

Our flight arrived at 9am, so the driver suggested us to make a stop at the 'Istana Maimoon' (Maimoon Palace), which is full of family history of the Sultan. We were told that the current Sultan is only 12 years old. How interesting.The close relative of the Sultan are still living in the palace, while the hall at the main entrance is open for public.

There is no entrance fee, however, you are expected to contribute some amount to the palace and also to the tour guide who would do the explanation about the Sultan and the predecessors. The amount of your contribution is totally up to your own conscience. I took a chance sitting on The Queen's 100 years old chair, imagining.....

Our next destination was 'Pasar Ikan', translated as fish market. Don't expect to find any fish there. The place is where you could find local clothing, handy crafts, and Muslim prayer accessories. Its was a fish market years ago. My kids didn't like the crowded and dusty place, but my hubby and I, did.

We found a tailor shop, Lata Lestari who could get our trousers ready within 24 hours, and sent directly to our hotel room on the very next day. Cheap and nicely fit. WOW..!!

Still it was too early to checkin to our hotel. At last!! we reach the shopping mall. Primitive sights transformed to civilization. The prices at the mall were not as cheap. The prices of goods in Sun Plaza are equivalent to Malaysian KLCC. It is a place for tourist and expatriates. But we could not find a free WiFi everywhere. Neither at Starbucks Cafe.

We hopped from one shopping mall to another. The kids were of course enjoying their shopping, causing quite a damage to our pocket.

We were turned into millionaires in Medan, where I witness the highest number appeared on my lunch bill. FYI, RM300 is approximately 1mil Rupiah. The bill total was equivalent to RM110 only. We didn't bother the bill amount, as we LOVE the 'Minang' food at Garuda Restaurant, which gained me 1.5 kilos within 3 days.

We checked in to the hotel, after an allday-shopping-spree. Phew...!
Had ample time for nap. We like the cosy room, overseeing the town right from the bathtub, having a swimming pool on top of the world. Its the highest hotel in town. J.W.Marriott.

"Lets get it over with".
We spent another 45 minutes on a bumpy journey. The kids were feeling restless.

We reached a nice comfortable home belongs to a relative. We spent about 1.5 hours with those welcoming relatives of my hubby. Its was worth going. We met Mak Chak, Cik Asan, Boy, Fitri, and the 2 boys, Ikhban and Tufail.

On the next day, we continued shopping, so did we,
on the last day. Sun Plaza, Medan Plaza and Tamrim Plaza we went. The kids ended getting their clothings from ROMP and SOGO which we could easily get from KL. Wierdos.

On the way to the airport, we made another stop at a bakery. We were looking for 'Kek Lapis', (a well-known layered cake), but they were sold out from Zulaikha Bakery. I couldnt believe it.

At the airport, I bought a few CDs of my used-to-be favorite singers Ebiet.G.Ade and Iwan Fals, apart from songs of Kris Dayanti. We ended our food festival with indo-mie (Indonesian instant noodle) at the Polonia Airport.

Home sweet home alas! Bringing all the sweet memories of Medan back to Malaysia.