Medan, is the capital of North Sumatra, and is the city\'s largest commercial as well as economic center in Sumatra. More than just a business destination, it is also known as a gateway to North Sumatra, where adventure seekers come to experience the beauty of the highlands of Lake Toba or enter the wild jungles of Sumatra. Its once glorious history as a bountiful plantation for the Dutch during their colonization has left the city with European inspired architecture that still stand to this day. As a result, the city is a blend of modern lifestyle with a colonial heritage.
Balikpapan is a city located in southeast Borneo on an inlet of the Makassar Strait. Once an isolated Bugis fishing village, it has now developed into a major port city, recognized for its abundance of natural and mineral resources. The regional base to many multinational corporations operating in East Borneo, its not rare to find many foreigners in this small city. Balikpapan may be small, but it boasts one of the largest and busiest airports in Borneo.