I crashed a wedding in Indonesia (and they loved it)

I couldn’t tell you why, but at first, I thought there wasn’t much to do or see in Medan. I changed my mind quickly, though — I ended up loving travelling around and exploring the area. There’s actually plenty to experience in Medan. It might not have been my favourite stop in Sumatra, but if I had a few more days here, I’d happily stay and already know how I’d fill that time.

Since there’s always more to see than time allows, I had to narrow things down to two main sights I didn’t want to miss. I only had part of the day before catching the afternoon train to the airport. Tonight marks the end of my journey through Java, Bali, and Sumatra — as I’m flying back to Malaysia before heading to Melbourne from Kuala Lumpur in less than two weeks.

Things to do and see in Medan

First on my list was the Tjong A Fie Mansion, one of Medan’s top attractions. The house offers a fascinating glimpse into how wealthy families lived in the city during the early 1900s. It’s filled with interesting historical details — for example, Tjong A Fie was the leader of the Chinese community in Medan. It’s no surprise the mansion and its decorations are so lavish. The gardens, too, were among the prettiest I’ve seen anywhere in Sumatra.

My final stop in Medan was Istana Maimun. Continuing the theme of grand residences, this royal palace once belonged to the Sultanate of Deli and now serves as a museum open to the public.

To my surprise, there was a big wedding celebration happening when I arrived. Maybe there was a sign, but it certainly wasn’t written in English! So there I was, camera in hand, unintentionally walking straight into a wedding. As a “white man” in Indonesia, there was no chance of blending in. Thankfully, the newlyweds were incredibly welcoming — they invited me to join the party, eat, and drink as much as I liked. If only I didn’t have to fly out later that evening!

Day 168 -Medan – Indonesia

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