This has had to be one of...
This has had to be one of the most delightful places we have ever stayed, Dirk Buiskool and his wife Diana have built a dream retreat that looks out over the river. The name of the Hotel comes from Dirk's student fraternity group in Holland. Diana is Indonesian and both of them are committed to the preservation of the old Dutch buildings that are under threat from the modernization process.
Booking through Asia rooms we obtained three nights accommodation for $185 US including transfers from the airport, The rooms were well furnished , with good bathroom
facilities and with air conditioning. The food at the restaurant was delicious and we were served by very friendly staff.
They run a tour company and for just $170 US we had the the use of a extremely helpful driver for three days. We had a historical tour looking at the Dutch architecture the first day. Dirk has written a very interesting guide (a 60 page booklet) to the city buildings which has been translated into English which you can take with you. During the tour we visited the mansion of Tjong A Fie - he was one of the original builders and benefactors of Medan. His uncle built the famous blue mansion in Penang that this house was a copy of.
On the Saturday the driver took us south to Berastagi. Parapat and Pematang Siantar. The final destination was to see the waterfall and to see the Northern End of lake Toba. The presence of a large lake and active reminded these New Zealanders of Lake Taupo/ National park area of NZ. We wish we could have stayed in Medan longer and arranged
through Dirk and Diana to have stayed at lake Toba but this would have meant another long drive . We passed through coffee plantations, and abundant market gardening areas and walked though local markets and had lunch at a local non western restaurant that had great views over the valley.
Helen and I strongly recommend this hotel and its associated tour company partly because of the geese, the fish and giant lizards but also because Dirk and Diana believe in what they are doing and Medan will be a better place for it.
Charles and Helen Nicholls- New Zealanders living temporarily in Singapore
