Medan
is the capital of North Sumatra Province, a trading center and
important harbor. Once part of the Deli Sultanate, the Mesjid
Besar (Grand Mosque) and the Palace of the Sultan of Deli have
been restored there past grandeur. Medan’s harbor, Belawan,
is the sea link to Penang, Malaysia. Regular flights to Singapore,
Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Amsterdam, Vienna, and Jakarta arc available,
as well as destinations in Sumatra.
The Capital of North Sumatera Province and the largest city
in Sumatera with a population around 2 million. Many travellers
stay around the Grand Mosque, or Mesjid Raya where there are
a number of budget hotels as well as star rated ones. The Mosque,
one of Indonesia's largest, was built in 1906 in the Moorish
style. Remember if you want to look inside to dress respectfully,
no shorts or bare shoulders, take your shoes off before you
enter (and make sure your feet are clean!) Medan does not get
very good write ups in some guide books, but it can be a fun
place, it has bars with live music, disco's, cinema etc, and
about 300 Ex Pats have chosen to live here. If you are here
for a few days it can be worth visiting:
Maimoon
Palace: Built in 1886. Open to the pthlic. The Palace, Grand
Mosque, and Taman Sri Deli (currently closed) are historically
all part of the same complex.
Military
Museum: Lots of old canons and guns, including weapons used
in the War of independence. Also paintings depicting struggles
against the Dutch. Zainil Arafin St. Much more interesting
than it sounds.
The
Library: An excellent collection of reference books and novels,
including many classics in English. Touists can join, taking
two books for a deposit of Rp 25.000. Definitely worth a visit
if you are in Medan for a few days.
The
Museum of North Sumatera. 51 Jl. H. M. Jon, established 18
years ago to present and preserve the natural and cultural
history of North Sumatera's ethnic groupss. It has exhibits
that date from the stone age to the merely antique.
The
Crocodile Farm is the largest in Indonesia, With about 2,000
crocs of various species. Asam Kubang Village. Open 9.00 am
to 5.00 pm, 10 km from city centre.
The
Zoo. Three hectares full of animals. Traditional shows on
Sundays. but both the zoo and the crocodile farm are not likely
to appeal to most westerners.
Should
you need one, there is a good, reasonably priced hospital
(Rumah sakit) in Medan, The Saint Elisabeth Hospital, 7 JI
Haji Misbah Tel. ( 061) 545158 or 544164, and there is a 'Special
Clinic" - the Matena klinik, Jalan Teuku Umar, Kampung
Keling, Medan. 24 Hour testing and treatment for men
and women. One Hour Analysis.
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