Medan Travel Forum

i hope to travel to medan and lake toba end may. there will be two 50 year old women and a teen girl. what safety measures need i take? is garuda plaza allright? much appreciate response especially from local medan members.

Hi,
I stayed in Medan year by myself in October and November off and on last year as a backpacker as I travelled from Lake Toba to Medan and back and forwards from Bukit Lawang and when I flew back from Banda Aceh.
I had no safety problems at all and even walked round at night around the main part near the big mosque. I usually carried a small day pack on my back. I suggest if you wish to carry a hand bag that you carry it with the strap across your body.
I have heard so many stories about how bad Medan is but I personally did not find it that way and never ever have in all my visits since 2000.
Where are you going to be staying-Danau Toba is a nice hotel. Where I stayed would not be suitable for you three.
There are so many places to stay in Lake Toba- one of my favourite places after my last visit Sept 2006 would have to be Romlan- very beautiful place.
Check out my photos of Lake Toba at http://www.webshots.com/user/ppamela2006
Have a wonderful time- I feel so envious of you all. This year I have to stay home here in Sydney working and saving money and not travelling through Indonesia like I did in 2006 for 5.5 months.
Pamela.

thanks pamela. i've seen yr pix. nice! im sure ur very familiar with lake toba and surroundings. is romlan on samosir island or parapat? as elderly companion has mobility issues, would like something modern and convenient to stay. anything rustic, while interesting, would cause pains to knees.

looking forward to hearing from you

Hello, I am Medan's citizen
Garuda Plaza Hotel is 3 star hotel, the roomrate is about $20-40, quite cheap.
Very clean hotel and near the big mosque, Mesjid Raya. If you want to live 5 stars hotel, Angkasa Hotel, the roomrate is about $60-100,the most expensive hotel in Medan, but the room is superA. Medan has a various destination to travel, most wanted like Toba Lake, about 2.5 hours from Medan, the other Brastagi, about 1.5 hour from Medan, highlands place,last one is Bukit lawang, about 2 hours from Medan,but not really recomended cause the road to there is very broke, overthere we can see Simpanse or monkey. Don't take too much travel when in city, if you need information please free to ask me

Hi Alex,

Bukit Lawang is a great place to visit and although the road is really quite terrible it is worth the trek to get there.
A car and driver makes the trip a very pleasant one and the women can organise that through Narasindo Tours in Medan with Ajad a very reliable and helpful person.
His information is here
http://forum.indahnesia.com/topic/4514/0/recommended_travel_agent_in_medan.php
My photos from Jan/Feb 2005 trip to Bukit Lawang
http://travel.webshots.com/album/354912564dvtkJh
And my photos from my 5.5 month trip through Indonesia last year.
http://www.webshots.com/user/ppamela2006
Pamela