SUMATRA SURPRISE! + Medan Budget & Luxury Hotels, Condos & City Tour, Sumatra Indonesia

Finally, made my way back to stunning Sumatra Indonesia after 20 years... what's changed? Let's see, starting with Medan...
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Medan Indonesia Hotels: www.agoda.com/medan-city-cent...
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Happy SideTrips All :)
STL

[@SideTripLife]

Buy me a coffee: bit.ly/3Le6Ex8 PART 1: Medan Surprise: kzbin.info/www/bejne/laPccmqwopWfe7M PART 2: Road To Toba: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5DTXoOChtRoea8 PART 3: Tuk Tuk Samosir: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5CrgGeIe9hmqdU PART 4: TOP Beach in Asia: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIaolnlrpq57adE PART 5: Kaldera Escape! kzbin.info/www/bejne/j52ai5qDoJlpgZo Flights: bit.ly/3STHLvf Hotels: www.agoda.com/hotels-near-lake-toba/attractions/pematangsiantar-id.html?cid=1898974 Happy SideTrips all Cheers, STL

[@grahamfraser5938]

Is it just me or have you noticed that we people from the west who think that we are so first world and advanced of countries like Sumatra. You hop off the plane and you're confronted by a great looking and modern airport. Then go to the train station and you realise that the trains are more modern and comfortable than what you have at home and with no graffiti. Then you arrive at the mall and realise that it hands down beats the malls back home. Then you go to the motel and discover that it is equal to the best of what you have back home but then realise that the room tariff is only about 10% or less than what you would be charged back at home. Suddenly you realise that the west has become stagnant while the countries that we considered third world have quietly surpassed us and left us in their wake. When we go over there thinking that we are so hollier than thou it must be one hell of a reality check. Thankyou STL for opening my eyes to the wonderful options and opportunities that awaits those who are willing to live outside the box.😁

[@SideTripLife]

On the last day before a new year, perhaps the finest observation and most spot-on comment of 2023. Cheers! STL

[@mauihowey]

I would rather take the train then a bus or taxi, definitely a better view and more space……the malls and shops look ultra modern, Hotel room looked very nice for $18 and even the Marriott was reasonably priced…..nice and informative video today STL

[@flighteye6642]

wow, hadn't heard of Medan. Been to 45 countries and even Bali/Jakarta 3 times. ....and has more modern transit and shopping than here in Canada.

[@jesusiscomingsoon625]

i must try..

[@sebastianhamilton5892]

You're right about public transit in Canada. Toronto's TTC was a real marvel up until about 50 years ago, but hasn't kept up since.

[@wahyupratama3339]

Welcome to medan city, indonesia🇮🇩

[@MrSkiggy]

Medan? One minute you’re in South Lombok, next you’re in North Sumatra. It’s interesting to see the good food prices (nasi goreng 16k) in a non touristy town like Medan compared to just about anywhere in touristy Bali. Doubt I’d ever put Medan on my bucket list but it sure looks like a nice, clean and modern city so far. Thanks for the insight.

[@ian7033-qj9wg]

I go through Medan all the time, it has improved over the years but you are definitely seeing the best part of it.

[@LGandM]

This was really interesting, and eye opening. I never had any idea this city existed (never really been interested in Indonesia). Thanks for broadening my horizons. aka JG in TX

[@justthefactsjack456]

Thanks STL!!! My first video look at Samatra ever. Great information as usual from you. Keep them coming please:)

[@antruok4950]

Nice work mate 👌🍻👍🙏🎅

[@jimhollands1285]

That was a rocking video. Wow so much information. Who would have thought in a place most people have never heard of. Thamks

[@davidburrows7508]

Thanks for your great videos, always looking forward to the latest production you are releasing. Have been a subscriber for several years now and have used many of your recommendations in Thailand for hotel bookings and out of the way destinations. Keep up the good work. I'm aware of your love of train travel, and hoping you will provide further information about trains through Indonesia. November next year I'm planning on going to KL, onto Jakarta and then Sorong. After your first 2 Sumatra videos, I'm considering flying to Medan from KL , catching the train down to Jakarta, so I'm hoping that there may be some further train travel in upcoming videos. Please keep up the good work, I ALWAYS recommend SideTripLife to my friends who are planning on travelling to SE Asia for good tips. David B

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks David. YES, I absolutely LOVE train travel. But unfortunately the train system in Sumatra isn't connected North thru South, rather separated mini stretches. They do have plans to connect a N to S line in the future though (have a Google 'Sumatra Railway Network'). Perhaps fly from KL to Medan and then Silangit/Toba to Jakarta if time is a factor. Enjoy your upcoming adventure! STL

[@tettorn]

Thanks I plan to travel to Medan 😊

[@ForRiel]

Really enjoyed this! The room looked to be very comfortable and well-priced. 🍺✈️🏝

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks! Also congrats on 10k! Really enjoyed your recent Siem Reap apartments vid too, excellent! Any looking in, for Cambodia info & more pls have a look at 'For Riel' channel :) STL

[@lkm5462]

What a nice easy arrival and walkabout

[@ambarwulan5655]

Thanks for coming. Back again

[@lizcarlyle2477]

Hello from CA & wow Medan rocks! Thanks 4 great video!Love the food! I traveled in Sumatra & met great people! Hope 2do it again. Now we have the incredible train🚆

[@billblunden1549]

Rock solid Sidetrip, another masterpiece.

[@MYWRoso]

MEDAN changes very fast and looks very attractive through your camera ❤

[@trendiestiktok8722]

happy enjoy in our city!

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks, LOVE your city!

[@SheilaS-pn5bt]

Wow, checking into this for next winter now!

[@sktoh4469]

Wow. So modern.

[@EdyHarahap-qx4wi]

i've lived there almost all my life. To fair every city has its best part and you're seing it. These are the best part of it, not all but quite representing. This city also has middle lower class and you cant expext fancy and luxurious things but you can always hope for a nice things to find in another meaning. So enjoy your travel, stay safe and dont go out alone at night.

[@SideTripLife]

For sure I only walked around the downtown core areas which are not representative of the whole city and outskirts (of course;). But I was really amazed at the changes since my last visit, wow! Regarding safety, I did walk around at night (but again only in the central area) and did not feel any sense of danger. I did keep my bag on opposite side of traffic when walking (as usual) and also kept an eye out for 'suspicious' behaviour but encountered no issues. However, I have read that 'Begals' are increasing along with drug users (scourge of the West and my home of Vancouver as well). Thus it makes sense to be extra careful particularly late at night and alone (again, in my city too, sadly). I still absolutely LOVE Medan and it's 99.9% lovely people too and will return! STL

[@EdyHarahap-qx4wi]

@ Actually i'm amazed too, the city developing very fast since the airport got moved. Some ppl said that it was the major prob at that time. Since the airport is right in the middle of the city they cannot get permission to build tall buildings from the government. So it really hinders the development of the city. However for those who want to travel to Medan its a big city, you can find a lot of nice things. Everything in these video are just as good as it is. I believe everyone will enjoy visiting the city, but again as a good friend i'll ask everyone to keep safe and not wandering alone at late night because not everyone is good and begal is true. We dont want anyone to be a victim esp if they are foreigner. Thank you for replying and also for this amazing video of city. Gbu brother.

[@debbiemartin4111]

Hope you are having a lovely Christmas

[@lakeyfirmansyahraux4041]

bajaj is usually known in jakarta areas, becak is more common all across in cities in indonesia

[@wijayasalim8244]

medan is modern city like Singapore and KL.

[@rickyp6815]

It most certainly is not!

[@alpertungaarslan2869]

Awesome video. Thank you for sharing your experiences. We will visit there next week from Turkiye 🇹🇷

[@senjahari8941]

This is north Sumatera province.. More destintions.. Nias island ( new bali), lake Toba etc

[@nontontvmedan]

This is a good video, thank you for stopping by the city of Medan.👍

[@SideTripLife]

LOVED Medan & I'll be back (in Indonesia now, see latest vids;) Btw, any looking in, for a MUCH better view of Kota Medan, pls click @serbamedan channel :)

[@lorraine725]

medan mall looks way better than the mall here in albuquerque haha

[@andrewt1204]

Just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and happy new year buddy. Keep safe and stay healthy, CHEERS. P.S., YES, Snowcouver will be Raincouver by Christmas day, so another typical green wet Christmas here at home. Can't tell you how much I wish I was on that side of the world right now, LOL

[@cintadamai8545]

I hope you go to other Southeast Asian countries after Indonesia

[@shirleyboy8859]

I used to have a Fantastic job working in F1.... But it pails into Insignificants against what you do for a living... Keep up the good work STL.... :-)))

[@ExploringSumatra]

Welcome back to Sumatra! Look forward to seeing more of your travels. Will you head to Lake Toba?

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks for commenting (I just subbed to your channel). Any looking in and interested in Lake Toba, pls have a look at Agung & Carly's wonderful channel and let's help them get to 1000 subs!. My Toba vids are coming, mind you a bit delayed due to a faulty HD (thankfully footage recovered). So forgive me for that plus my 'tourist' perspective (lol). You're so fortunate to live at Lake Toba, easily my fav destination in all SE Asia. Cheers, STL

[@ExploringSumatra]

@@SideTripLife Hey - thanks so much for the sub and the shoutout! Much appreciated. Glad to hear there's some Toba content on the way - always love to see this place from every angle. So glad you managed to recover the footage eventually! Totally forgiven for the delay - and of course the 'tourist' perspective; that's what we love to see - visitors experiencing this special place from their own point of view. We are really lucky to live here - something that was a decade in the making and still feels too good to be true. Happy travels :)

[@WWEHighlights603]

Bajaj is the Name of Manufacturer of Affordable and High Mileage Bikes based in India. Hence They also call Bajaj to Tuk Tuk 👍🏻

[@vyacheslavdubrovin3337]

Wonderful!

[@DW_82ight]

I am planning to visit my hometown this summer ….after 4 decade since

[@SideTripLife]

Wow! 4 decades! I can't imagine the feelings you will experience. For my part, I was stunned at the changes in 2 decades since my first visit. I visited the most changed area. However, much of outer-Medan is still the same but changing (and macet/traffic jams etc lol;)

[@somanet5322]

Every evening you take me places my friend - you are a good travel companion. Wishing you safe travel. 😊

[@shintadwianggraeny4889]

Mostly i love your videos, very informative and give clear review, Thankss 😊

[@SideTripLife]

Terima kasih will be back in Indonesia soon too!

[@premanando127]

' hope you go to Nias (was there about 40 years ago)🙂

[@memekinal]

visit jakarta bandung surabaya medan etc too 😂

[@irfanpj341]

Thanks for explore medan city❤

[@SideTripLife]

My pleasure, nice people, nice city 😊

[@MustRiseAgain]

Going here soon!

[@andy-travels2345]

hi,, Medan looks like a kool place,, enjoy😀👍🙏

[@michael140169]

Love your videos, we will be in Medan and dana Toba in less than 2 weeks. If you are still in Sumatra, try to go to Bukit Lawang to see the Orang Utang in the wild. We did it in 2019 and it was great and not very expensive.

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks Michael. Bukit Lawang coming up. Meanwhile, have a wonderful time in stunning Danau Toba

[@zaenalarifin5817]

Kamu harus mencoba pergi ke BATAM bro,,,

[@andriardian5386]

MEDAN PEOPLE SO VERY FRIENDLY....

[@changkachoy]

nice video ... can see how humBle you are and im guesing you'll get success in Indonesia.

[@SideTripLife]

Thanks Rudy :) Btw, I am back in Indonesia now, love it! New vids coming soon (Sept 2023)

[@ermdehteshamsheikh8487]

Happy new year kafie sarahnia hai Dhero subhkamna wa badhai hai

[@SideTripLife]

Lovely message, same to you and your family:)

[@Kaimaru06]

i am planning to go !! this may

[@chichikarstedt6159]

Medan, my Home City !

[@SideTripLife]

Loved your home city, will be back!

[@chichikarstedt6159]

@@SideTripLife I’m Medanese currently living in Germany 🇩🇪 😉, but I’m sure that Medan will always welcoming you anytime mate!!

[@NickyDunn]

Hiya. STL. So informative. Roll on 50K. Lovely, she brought you lunch. You earned that beer with all your walking. Great video. Have a lovely weekend.

[@SideTripLife]

Thank you Nicky. May Buddy take you on many beautiful walks this year :)

[@NickyDunn]

@@SideTripLife Thank you. Looking forward to your travels

[@op_jos]

WELCOME TO INDONESIA KAK 🇮🇩 😊

[@SideTripLife]

Thank you! (I'm back now btw :):)

[@user-pf9wn3wq2n]

Medan. Kota kelahiranku ❤

[@everythingexplored5233]

Will you be at koh phangan New Year’s Eve full moon party ?

[@JadedJoe-tk3vm]

7:15 love that😂

[@mackiesa3385]

💗💗💗💗

[@wijayasalim8244]

modern city of medan .

[@mackiesa3385]

😻😻😻

[@kebundigital4131]

Luar biasa

[@tenminutetravelbreak]

Lotte is a big Korean retail chain.

[@umarzabidin]

Ehh? Thought you're still in lombok? Suddenly Sumatra

[@park-ev8vr]

💞💞💞

[@beachlifeincome]

My wife and I would like to travel like you do. Do you have just a backpack or do you also travel with luggage?

[@SideTripLife]

I see people trudging along, laden like mules with pack on back and also sometimes on front and often an extra bag too... I pack all that in a carry on 4 wheel case and a day pack . When moving, I slide the day pack strap over the handle of the carry on case and with one hand, wheel past those poor sweating backpackers with ease. You only ever need a backpack if climbing a mountain etc and even then I just leave my carry-on suitcase in the room or at the front desk and bring my day pack. Watch Kara and Nate, they said after travelling the world they'll never bring a backpack again, just carry-on case n day pack, sorted.

[@loveiseverything5367]

Going there in August haven't been there in 8 years.

[@SideTripLife]

August should be perfect!

[@camzo2]

What did you do with the bird? Is he okay? Bring him back!

[@Sambo111]

Hello STL. We are today in the same hotel in medan but can't find the Telcomcel in the centre point mall. It's in the most upper floor?

[@SideTripLife]

Yes, I can't recall the exact floor, maybe 4, 5? Please type 'Telkomsel' into your phone and show someone

[@SideTripLife]

Oh nooo! I just googled and it says 'permanently closed'! BUT there's a GRAPARI shop 11 mins walk away. Pls search GRAPARI Authorised Telkomsel dealer it looks near Deli Park Mall (the 'nicer' mall)

[@Sambo111]

@@SideTripLife yes thanks we bought the "Sumatra only" SIM which is less expensive then the initial offer

[@Sambo111]

It also called Telkomsel Lite

[@Sambo111]

And the view from the train is amazing the rice fields in the first 15 min. But we will take a Grab back becouse it's very slow. Gojack is even cheaper

[@Sambo111]

Hello did they accept 35USD for the visa on arrival or only 500K rupia? Thanks

[@SideTripLife]

Either

[@wijayasalim8244]

tuk tuk is there in medan?

[@SideTripLife]

My mistake. Bajaj

[@lizcarlyle2477]

Hello from CA. Forgot. Please check out Agung & Carly if your going to Samosir Island in "Exploring Sumatra" youtube. Looking forward to more Sumatran videos!😎

[@alllinegatot]

16:30 betor = becak motor

[@abdulrahmannst]

Becak..in medan

[@SideTripLife]

Terima kasih :))

[@nany76ideris]

Yes, it's called bentor in Medan, stands for becak motor 😊

[@joylight9167]

INTRESTING...NO MONEY CHANGERS AT THE AIRPORT! YOUR VIDEOS ARE SO HELPFUL. EVERY COUNTRY OPERATES A LITTLE DIFFERENT...UNDERSTANDABLY...

[@Kodanz456]

pretty real estate babe

[@astroari]

What about enjoying life in Medan. You missed it

[@SideTripLife]

My destination was Lake Toba so only spent a night in Medan. Huge changes from my first visit 20 years before.

[@antoniomorais1503]

Hello, Great video ! Are there nice beaches near Medan ? Thank you so much

[@SideTripLife]

Sure, here's the TOP beach near Medan: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIaolnlrpq57adE And here's some top W Sumatra beaches: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5y4pniGiMd6oLc

[@DW_82ight]

There are many nicer beaches in Sumatra (South, West, North East, D.I. Aceh) compared with Bali 😊.

[@fjdkfdfjdf33]

Going to see the Orangutans?

[@erf1971]

Unbelievable how we are ripped off in North America (US, Canada) for phone plans!!!

[@bens007]

I want to visit to see the realtor lady so she can take me out for lunch. That would never happen in the west.

[@leslyannefernandez8458]

Pengaturan

[@mawardiwalker2687]

Sya heram mall 2 di indonesia tpi org2 dlm nya tak paham dn tk bisa bhasa inggris org indinesia yg bisa bhsa inggris 5% sja

[@nouvalariski6545]

Ya kan bisa guna translate

[@adegunawan7285]

Klo kau ke indonesia guna bhs indonesia, kok kami pulak yg repot guna bhs asing!

[@jesusiscomingsoon625]

medan better than other cities for english, even the sim card seller can english,not like in jkt,im very stress in jakarta,no body can english.

[@leslyannefernandez8458]

Elevator

[@bimbimbimbimnello6940]

I THINK PEDICAB SHOULDN'T BE IN THE CITY