My thrilling journey through Indonesia commenced with a landing at Jakarta airport, where I briefly stopped before catching a connecting flight to Medan. In no time, I found myself in Medan, utilizing the Grab app to swiftly reach the hotel where a bus awaited me in a few days.
Integral to my adventure was the purchase of a local SIM card, an endeavor thwarted at Medan airport. A solution presented itself in the city, specifically at “Plaza Medan Fair.” Remember to carry your passport. The journey into the city was once again a pleasant experience thanks to Grab.
First impressions of Indonesia were marked by the warmth of the locals and the scarcity of tourists. As a towering European, I attracted attention, with nearly every passerby greeting me with a friendly “Hello Mister” and expressing eagerness for a photo. Engaging with the locals proved easy and enjoyable, becoming a key element of my journey.
The next leg of the adventure was the arrival in Bukit Lawang. Initially planning to take a bus, a 4-hour delay prompted me to take matters into my own hands. Options included a bus (budget-friendly but time-consuming) or Grab, costing me 420,000 Indonesian Rupiahs. Keep in mind that travel time depends on your departure point in Medan. My hotel, d’primahotel Kualanamu Medan, being near the airport, extended the journey by almost an hour.
Traveling by taxi also allowed for a pit stop at the market or enjoying scenic landscapes along the way.
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