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Hi from Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia. We left Penang 07:15 and got the buses to Penang International Airport - a 45 min drive. We sailed thru check-in/security after some 'kiosk' check-in annoyance..... grabbed a snack breakfast then waited for the Air Asia flight. It was 30 mins late but we boarded swiftly and in the shiny new Airbus we hit Medan in under 1 hour. Medan airport is very small - we were the only plane in. We paid our $25 US for our VOAs (Visa on arrival) and breezed through immigration and out where our bags awaited. We agreed a deal on a taxi and set off for the Grand Sakura Hotel. Traffic was insane (even for me!) motos all around, Becaks (motorised rickshaws) and cars - all weaving and winding. We got to the hotel in around 25mins and checked in. All was fine - nice spacious room bed/TV/AirCon/Western bathroom/Large power shower - wifi in foyer. Here for just one night. We relaxed, showered and arranged our Hotel for later in the week in Tuktuk (Lake Toba) via email. We then tried to arrange tomorrows hotel for Berstagi (site of Volcanoes Gunung Sibayak and Gunung Sinabung) but failed. We then popped out for dinner - OMG!!!! - we walked (dodged traffic of every sort for our lives even motos on pavements) to Merdeka Walk (local eatery area). We were the only westerners around in Medan. With bikes/cars/becaks everywhere no-one walking, you needed eyes everywhere. There was the constant sound of horns and fumes all around. It certainly resolved any issues we had about staying here... We decided to just grab a bus to Berstagi early tomorrow and try and get a room there... After dinner we took a Becak back and the friendly guy got us back in 1 piece! (see the photos!) May be some days before we blog as off to Berstagi then off to Lake Toba - wish us luck... speak soon
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