Wongtee: From Medan to Brastagi

It was an interesting journey on a bus from Medan to Brastagi which went through some scenic countryside and hilly Batak country. It gave me a chance to look at the simple life of the people in that area. There are quite a number of large, high rise, modern buildings in Medan but it was the simple, rustic and unchanged lifestyle of the people there that caught my attention. While much of Medan city itself has undergone changes, there are still a lot by the wayside that has remained the same since the last half century or so.

The Polonia airport at Medan is the main entry point to North Sumatera

Medan, like most Southeas Asian cities, is riddled with traffic jams. Public vehicles like this van-taxi is one of the most popular means of transportation around town. However, we have been told that it is best for foreign visitors to try getting only on the yellow ones or the blue ones because their charges are more reasonable.

Another mode of public transport is this motorised trishaw. They are seen almost everywhere in town. Some are modified to look more attractive while others make do with just a cover from a discarded advertisement poster.

Foreign visitors again has been advised not to use this popular local mode of transport because they can charge totally unexpected rates. Always bargain - if you can speak their language - before getting on one. In Medan, a 70 -100cc Japanese motorcycle is attached to the carriage but in the nearby town of Siantar, the ancient Triumph, Harley Davidson and Norton motorbikes are used.

Right in the middle of Medan is this monument of Justice. It is located within the compound of the Rahmat International Wildlife Museum.

The signboard of Rahmat International Wildlife Museum where visitors can view stuffed animals.

Also located within the compound of the Rahmat Museum, is the office of the Indonesian Red Cross Society.

A closer look at the motorised trishaw.

Amidst the busy traffic, a bread vendor is plying his trade.

At another part of town, artists too make a living by selling giant custom-made wedding cards which are very popular. These are displayed at weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and even funerals.

At junctions where there are traffic lights, there will be young boys and girls selling all sorts of things from newspapers, flowers and even providing entertainment - like this boy and his friends, they will sing songs for a few rupiahs.

They are performing when the traffic lights turned red and motorists are entertained by them, then a few kind souls will toss a few rupiahs to these young singers.

In smaller towns outside Medan, the trishaws rules the roads. Here in this town, there are special parking bays for such trishaws.

Along with the trishaws are mobile stalls selling food. food is one of the popular ways to earn a living here.

Somewhere in the countryside, is this interesting stall selling tuak or local palm wine. The fresh one is quite nice to drink - sweet and does not have the strong smell like our local toddy.

A few blocks away is this place selling BPK or babi panggang karo - Karo roast pigs. No, I did not try any of this, following the advice of my guide.

As we traveled across Batak country, we noticed there are so many churches built across the countryside. Every village has its huge church of the HKBP or Huria Kristen Batak Protesten.