Asia Mega Tour 2026 - Days Six and Seven - Medan With The Rhythm Method

When we do our international trips, visiting of our far flung family is always a significant part. And each family member has a different vibe when we visit. When visiting the #2's at one of their international postings, there is a specific vibe. And as #2 has moved up the seniority ladder at the State Department to positions of greater responsibility, our visits need, of necessity, to fit into her schedule. AND, it always seems that when we are visiting, SOMETHING, pops up that puts her and 2B into work related stress (while we were in Shanghai in 2024, there was the visit by the Ambassador that hand not been planned for when we made our plans to visit, and that required a lot of work from both of them). THEN, not only is their work stress, BUT, they get all guilty that they are not taking care of their dear old parents the way they should.

By now we are somewhat accustomed to this but it can leave us in a position where we are not in full control of our own schedule. This is particularly true if where they are stationed is not as visitor friendly as others. For example, in Hong Kong and Shanghai it was very easy for Wife and I to make our own way around. When the #2's were stationed in Manila, there was no way we were going off on our own. Medan, is sort of more like Manila. It's not a place where people walk. It does not get a lot of tourism, so there's not necessarily a lot of places to go visit. Compared to other places we've visited in SE Asia, there are almost no other Westerners here. While I'm used to that in Ghana, there I have a whole support system I work with. 

All this is a rather long way of saying we're kind of going with the flow here, rather than doing our usual being out and exploring. The current Iranian crisis which started while we were here, of course, added stress to anyone in the State Department. #2, who is now the number one person as Counsel General, has a lot more responsibilities. In addition, it is Ramadan in this predominantly Islamic county and the Consulate is holding an Iftar (breaking of the fast) dinner today as I write this post. 

However, neither international crisis, nor work responsibilities are going to keep 2B from making sure the de-I has an incredible culinary experience. 

Auto Window Photography 

As we are not able to get out and do our normal 'wander and shoot' photography, Wife and I have been relegated to just taking random shots from the cars as we are being driven around by either #2 or 2B.

Mosques

 

 

 

 Mall Entrance

 

 Little India Bazaar

 

Chinese New Year's Decorations (there is a very large ethnic Chinese population in Medan) 

 

 

 The Counsel General's Living Quarters

 

 #2 and I got pedicures. I opted for Indonesia/USA solidarity symbolism

 

Visiting the Sultan of Deli's Palace

The Sultanate of Deli dates to 1632 when it broke off from the Sultanate of Aceh. There is a long and complicated history associated with the Dutch East India Company. The current Palace was built by the 9th Sultan in the late 19th century and is noted for combining Malay, Indian, Islamic, Dutch, Spanish, and Italian influences. You can visit a small part of the Palace but most is still used by members of the Sultan's household (which we were told are around 45 people)

Unfortunately, I was kind of rushed in and out so didn't get a full on shot of the front. You can visit Wife's blog to see that. 

Exterior

 

 

 Interior

Coat of Arms

 

They are very proud of their tobacco and tobacco products

 

 Highly engaged staff

 Outside the Palace Compound

 

 Should de-I and Wife take on the role of Sultan at the Tower

 

 

 The Current Sultan (his father died young). This was done 10 years ago.

 

 GASTRONOMY!!!!!!

 But come, we know this is why we are with the #2's. 2B is the instigator but #2 always is the enabler by ordering so enough so we try everything (and have enough for about two meals with the leftovers).

 Just a snack at the Mall

Chicken Tenders anywhere here are great. Deep frying is powerful culinary strength. They are made with dark meet so are always more juicy than in the U.S.

 

 Wife with Strawberry Milk Cake

The taste is like strawberry shortcake but the texture is softer and the cake tastes like it is made with whip cream

 

 Eating at a 'Indonesia/Chinese' diner

Not really a diner, but not a fancy place. Just a place you go to get a meal. Everything we've had is so good, I am dispensing with the Yums metrics. Everything is at least two 

Duck Noodle Soup

 

 Some other kind of noodle soup

 

 Fried noodles (catching a trend here?)

 

Fried Fish...like everything else fried...Yum (I know I said I wasn't but I couldn't resist)

 

 A Variety of Veggies

 

 Steamed Daikon Cake 

I've had this many places including in the U.S. and love it always.

 

 Korean BBQ

I love Korean BBQ which is a grill at the table concept. There is just about every option for Asian cuisine in Medan.

 A rather different means for cooking ventilating than I've seen. Under that grill is a container of live coals (no gas burners here). And that ventilation duct looks like it came from Dr Who!

 

 Grilling a very small amount of the vast quantity of meat ordered

 

 Washed down with Shoju, a fortified spirit made from either rice, sweet potato, or buckwheat. Goes down like wine but with 50% more alcohol content!