Medan Day 3

15 Nov - Started the day late before we head out to sample more of the local dishes. We had some steam chili fish for lunch, banana leaf BBQ rice and curry fish head which was not the usual curry you will find in Singapore. After lunch, we head down for more massage session as the price is simply irresistible. By the time we are done, it was time to bid goodbyes as we need to make our way down to the airport for our night flight home.

Building model on display at the airport

Empty airport for our Silk Air flight

Initially, we wanted to have our dinner at the airport. Finding no appetizing meal at the public area, we decided to go in to the transit area to have a look around. We are cheated by our assumption as we faced an empty airport once we checked in. The Medan government should really build some restaurant in the transit area for the tourist to chill and rest while they are waiting for their flight. Overall, we find it was really a good trip well spent.

Medan Day 2

14 Nov - For this trip, we had the luxury to wake up a bit later than usual before we start the day. We went down to level 1 of the hotel to have our buffet breakfast. I must say that the spread was wonderful. The hotel served local dishes, western, Chinese, pastry and fruits. Once you entered the cafe, the staff will ask if you like a coffee or tea. The dishes are cleared promptly and the services rendered are top notch. It is no wonder I took a liking to this hotel.

Good morning Medan City!

After breakfast, we took to the mountains to enjoy some fresh air, bath in sulfuric hot spring and enjoy the cool mountain weather.

Beautiful scenery

For our first stop, we stopped by the local famous golden temple to take some pictures before we continue on our journey. This is our typical "Been here, take picture, move on" style.

The local famous golden temple

Interior of the temple

The mini garden in the temple

A chance to ride in a wagon pulled by a horse in a nearby village

Weather was not on our side as torrential rain came falling down during our horse ride

After standing in the shelter for a short while to let the rain subside a little, we proceed in our rented car to our main highlight of the day - Hot Spring Bathing! Sensing a few tourist buses around,  our driver decided to re-route us from the main hot spring resort (which will likely be crowded with tourist) and brought us to a off beaten hot spring bath just a short distance away. The facility was not great (broken doors with no locks, and physically looking a little run down), but given the price of the entrance fee, we have no complains.

Hot spring time!

A great view of the mountain with clouds rolling by

We are literally right next to an active volcano

After our hot spring bath, we slowly made our 3 hours car journey back to Medan City. Along the way, we stopped by a small town to have some steamed and BBQ corns. The Medan corns are really delicious. This is the first time that I had eaten such a sweet and juicy corn! For dinner, we had grilled seafood, the traditional way cooked over a tray of charcoal. The seafood are indeed very fresh and the meat are so tender that one bite into it will set you loving it.

Medan Day 1

13 Nov - Having chose an unfriendly flight time in return for cheaper tickets, we have to make do with waking up in the wee hours of the morning (4am) and dragged our tired body to Changi Airport T2 for our Silk Air flight to Medan. This trip was planned at the invitation of *mds* friend's wife, who happened to be a native of Medan City. This is my first time taking Silk Air, which is the regional wing of Singapore Airline. The service was not too bad, but don't expect a full meal for the short 1.5 hours flight time.

 Star-wars Stormtrooper figurines welcoming you at T2

Once we cleared the customs, we met up with our friend and were quickly brought away to eat some of the local Medan dishes. Overall, the food in Medan is more flavorful and more spicy than Singapore. Most of the dishes are cooked with chili. If you cannot stand spiciness, then it is better for you to stay away from Medan.

Pork seller along the road

Medan local soya milk

Local satay with their unique sauce which taste delicious

In general, Medan looks like the old Singapore back in the 1970s and 1980s. They have the shop houses lining up the roadside with street hawkers peddling their awesome street food. After lunch, you get school children running around living their carefree life. Occasionally, you do see luxurious shops such as spa, facial and massage springing up in between the old houses, reflecting the rising wealth of the people of Medan. The traffic in Medan simply left a lasting impression in me. Besides the occasional vehicle jams and lack of workable traffic lights, most of the driver looks like professional F1 and they amazingly somehow manage to wriggle their way out of accident and get to the destination in record time. If you can survive Medan driving, you can survive anywhere.

After lunch, it is time for a massage to relax my tired body. =)

After dinner activity was spent walking around the night market

And trying out unique food - Frog leg which comes fried with the whole frog. The meat taste like chicken though....

And we completed checking into our hotel room late at night.