First Day in INDONESIA | MEDAN aka GOTHAM CITY 🇮🇩

In today's episode, we embark on our journey in Indonesia! This massive archipelago has been on top of my list for a very long time. From pristine beaches and islands, to prehistorical volcanoes that are just waiting to be climbed and explored.

The first stop on this journey is MEDAN CITY in North Sumatra (Sumatera Utara). A place many told me to skip because it was supposed to be dangerous, and full of crooks. One person even described it as Gotham City with no Batman and three Jokers. CRAZY to hear, but I was intrigued and wanted to see if this place lived up to the bad name it had been given.

After watching this vlog maybe you can see what this city is like for yourself and make a decision? We're visiting the Medan Palace, exploring the local neighborhoods, swimming with the youth in the river, heading to Little India, and enjoying our first REAL INDONESIAN MEAL!

I'm very excited to be here, and can't wait to see more of this amazing place!!

Have a great day and never stop exploring!

0:00 preview
0:16 intro
1:21 the palace
5:21 roaming the streets of Medan
6:30 first time at "Indomaret"
8:40 testing out the snacks
10:24 exploring the back allies
12:44 swimming with locals
16:17 leaving the favela
18:26 patriot statue park
22:19 beautiful mosque
22:33 first Indonesian meal!
26:34 outro

[kenkoneko]

man i just found ur video and i like it, u're such a smiley and friendly traveler. u deserves more recognition.
btw i'm sorry for the kids who saying badwords, you know sometimes they're learn it from random internet without the control of their parents.
anyway, hope u enjoy ur time in Indonesia!

[HerryRoNa]

Hello from Medan, Indonesia. I smiled when I read Gotham city.

[emagultom]

Hati hati di jalan keramaian banyak maling, awas di hipnotis, jaga barang berharga, selamat menikmati perjalanan mu, sukses

[AnnaSummercape]

Very enjoyable video! Thank you for visiting my city, Medan "Gothatm" City!!

We are good people here. Easily provoked, but we never have bad intentions.The "Gotham" nickname comes from the rampant meth problem here. Since the death of the Mafia boss Olo Panggabean, Medan's crime management has deteriorated. We've seen the rise of territorial wars, petty thieves, violent robbers, and motorcycle gangs fighting each other.

There are parts of Medan where regular folks can't go or even know about. In places like Jalan Pancasila Rel Tembung, you’ll see people openly selling meth, mini-casinos, and other illicit activities. If you visit, hide your camera and assess the area first. It’s safe during the day as long as you're not involved in shady business like drugs, gambling, hiring a hooker (you'll get scammed), or a criminal yourself (then you are an open game). The people there are good, just stuck in tough situations.

By the way, your Indonesian language is impressive!

[nathanaelsitumorang]

“Gotham city but no Batman and 3 jokers” What a funny line 😂. Anyways thanks for visiting my country! ❤

[dhnitatau]

In Medan people's neck veins are made of steel, hard and loud. They produce many top singers😅

[Kuliboszqu]

I'm proudly with this city cause of the historical values and the heritage and now u're review of this city i rhink it's our honor as local citizen thx for the positif energy broo😊😊

[intansafira]

Dude indonesia is rich in truly beautiful nature, you have to go around a lot, thank you for coming, and don't forget to come here again next time



[alfad]

Bro, I think you are a friendlier tourist than the local Medan 😂

[makmursiregar]

I like to see content like this, not just walking around in the mall

[helwo_kewo]

Hi mark, i have a little advice if you go to a tourism object like the palace, you can ask if there is a guide so you don't get confused by the place.

[nadianet]

Throughout watching your vlog, I can only smile and be happy 😁😁😃😃😃

[NorwegianLarsen]

Great video my Friend 😊😊

Greetings from Oslo 🇧🇻🌍😃

[rizasyahfahleby]

Thats good city man, you can explore more at Medan city man 😊👍👍

[nuguren]

That kopitiam you were having lunch at is the place I always go to fulfill my stomach before doing my "walking exercise" at Sun Plaza nearby that kopitiam. If you walked less 100m more to the front you'd find "Warung Nasi Cadar" that serves Indonesia Food 'Nasi Campur'.
The area you were going to have lunch is called 'Kampung Madras (Madras Village)' where many kind of races liver there.
Hope you enjoyed your trip in this "Gotham City" :)

[saddamdalimunthe]

U'r so kind. U even learn a bit bout the language. I don't learn anything when visiting thailand except sawadikha and kapunkha 😂

[sahabatassyabil]

21:52 Mutia Garden Resto is my work place . Welcome to Medan Sir :)

[rahmapoerba]

Just watched your video, thank you for visiting Medan. Next time you want to explore medan again, you can stay in my house for a couple days, free breakfast...😅😅

[Burongki]

great vlogg, i just got recommended on the sibayak mt hike video and now im here currently marathon watch on all ur videos lol

[Eluncia-bz]

Welcome to Medan!! 😄 I don't know if you're still in Medan and I'm probably very late 🥲 But next time, if you're looking for food specialties from Medan, I recommend you to try BPK, it's an abbreviation for babi panggang karo, only available in North and South Sumatra!! It's basically a traditional food made from pork, I'd say it's one of the food you must try before leaving Medan, don't miss it! (If you're not a muslim) Nasi padang are also recommended, restaurants like "Miramar" or "Garuda" has the best nasi padang in my opinion :D


(PS: Be careful with your belongings wherever you go next time 😆😆)