So, I just got back from Medan, and wow, talking about it feels like I'm trying to catch smoke with my hands. There's so much to unpack, and honestly, I'm not sure where to start. I went in with a vague idea of the best things to do in Medan, but it turns out that the best moments were the ones I didn't plan at all.
This spot? Total surprise.
First off, I wasn't expecting much from Medan. I mean, in my mind, it was just another city—probably crowded, noisy, and not at all picturesque. But boy, was I in for a surprise.
After landing, I decided to just wander around without a strict plan. I stumbled upon this quaint little coffee shop called Coffee State. It was tucked away on a side street, far from the hustle and bustle of the main road. I don't know why I ended up there, but something about the smell pulled me in. The interior was all wood and vintage vibes—definitely an Instagram moment, but I was too busy being absorbed by the atmosphere.
The barista, this young guy with an undeniable passion for coffee, ended up giving me a little tour of their in-house roasting process. I sat there, sipping this rich, creamy cup of coffee that he'd just whipped up for me, marveling at how local the whole experience felt. I don't know if it was the caffeine or just the moment, but I felt a surge of pure joy. Here I was, in what I thought was just another city, and I was encountering something truly special.
The afternoon that changed my whole mood
Now let's talk about Maimun Palace. Can I just say? The history and vibe of this place… it's apparently one of the oldest palaces in Medan. I almost didn't go—it seemed a bit touristy, and I'm usually not into that. But my instincts were like, “Just check it out.”
Walking in was like stepping into a time machine. The vibrant yellows and greens in the architecture took my breath away. I might have overhyped my expectations, but the air felt different in there. It's like you could almost hear whispers of the past, echoing around the ornate halls, and I found myself lost in the old tales of the sultans who once roamed these very spaces.
As I wandered around, something surprising happened: I ended up chatting with a local guide who was incredibly passionate about the palace. He had these stories that made the dullest corners come alive. One minute, we're talking about royal ceremonies; the next, it's a detour into his favorite local food stalls.
Honestly, I wasn't expecting much from this place, but it transformed my whole mood. I got lost in the narratives, and suddenly, I was thinking about history, culture, and the real heartbeat of Medan.
I almost missed this, no thanks to my bad sense of direction
Here's where things got a bit messy. I'll admit, I have a horrendous sense of direction. Like, I probably can't find my left foot without assistance. I decided to wander to a local market afterward, assuming it'd be a straightforward trek. Spoiler: It wasn't. I ended up taking a wrong turn and found myself in this random alley where I stumbled across a hidden food stall.
And you know how some places just have a magical aura? The smells were intoxicating. Satay, grilled fish, and these yummy dumplings sizzling on hot plates—it felt like a secret culinary hotspot. I thought I'd ‘accidentally' found a tourist trap, but nope! The food was heavenly. I sat down at a tiny, rickety table and ordered a mix of everything.
An older woman running the stall, with a smile that could brighten the darkest day, kept throwing me free samples. Her warmth felt like home, and each bite of the spicy satay made my tastebuds dance like they'd struck a lottery. I was just grinning like an idiot, fully embracing the moment. What started as a wrong turn transformed into one of the best meals I had there.
Expectation vs. Reality: A bitter-sweet taste
One more thing deserves a mention—the infamous Bika Ambon. I had heard about this cake long before I left, and I was convinced it would be a slice of heaven. When I finally tracked it down, my expectations were sky-high. But then I took a bite, and my joy plummeted.
I don't know, maybe I built it up too much in my head? The texture was strange to me. Too spongy yet dense. I couldn't help but cringe a little. Something about the coconut flavor just clashed with what I was expecting. It didn't ruin my trip or anything, but hey, not every culinary adventure has a fairy-tale ending.
Actually, it reminded me of those times when you build something up in your mind—the result can be bittersweet, like ending a really good book that you don't want to close. Yeah, this might not have hit the mark, but it was still part of the experience, right?
Nights filled with laughter and karaoke
I'm still laughing about the karaoke night with some local friends I made. They were a bunch of strangers I first met at that little coffee shop. We hit it off over our shared love for dreamy renditions of 90s pop. I'll let you in on a small secret—I totally butchered “My Heart Will Go On.” But the laughter and silliness made it all worthwhile.
There's something so human about singing off-key in a room full of friendly faces. It's an instant connector. Every cracked note and off-pitch belting is just another reminder that we're all here to share moments, even if they're a little imperfect.
So when I think about the best things to do in Medan, it's not just about ticking boxes on a list or finding the “best” food. It's about those little detours, those unexpected conversations that linger long after you leave. They're what stay with you, weaving themselves into your memory like an old tune you can't shake.
I still can't believe I came back with so many memories packed tightly in my heart compared to my suitcase. As I sit here sipping this final cup of coffee, I can't help but smile. Medan was an unexpected joy, a road map of messy, beautiful moments that just filled me up in ways I never anticipated.
And who knows? Maybe I'll return someday, lost again and ready for more happy detours.
