Returning home after 20 years
Returning home after 20 years
February 8, 2024
8 minute read
Family 💖
Family 💖
Travel ✈️
Travel ✈️
Foodie 🍛
Foodie 🍛
It's been 20 years since I travelled back to Surabaya. This was an opportunity to visit my cousins and family members who I haven't seen or spoke to in 20 years! I could only remember flashes of my childhood memories in Indonesia. It's really hard to put into words how I feel, it feels surreal. Nonetheless, I'm excited to share my 1 month experiences, food I ate, all the great times I had in this blog post!
It's been 20 years since I travelled back to Surabaya. This was an opportunity to visit my cousins and family members who I haven't seen or spoke to in 20 years! I could only remember flashes of my childhood memories in Indonesia. It's really hard to put into words how I feel, it feels surreal. Nonetheless, I'm excited to share my 1 month experiences, food I ate, all the great times I had in this blog post!
The trip from Vancouver to Surabaya was way too long. It was a 30 hour flight, with a 10 hour layover in Malaysia. I went with my mom, and it was also her first time returning home after 20 years. Thankfully, I downloaded a ton of Youtube videos and Netflix movies before we took our flights. The Malaysian airport was decent. We both stayed at a lounge to board our flight to Juanda International Airport. The lounge had wifi, a nice rest area, and best of all, complimentary lunch and dinner for guests.
The trip from Vancouver to Surabaya was way too long. It was a 30 hour flight, with a 10 hour layover in Malaysia. I went with my mom, and it was also her first time returning home after 20 years. Thankfully, I downloaded a ton of Youtube videos and Netflix movies before we took our flights. The Malaysian airport was decent. We both stayed at a lounge to board our flight to Juanda International Airport. The lounge had wifi, a nice rest area, and best of all, complimentary lunch and dinner for guests.
We finally arrived in Surabaya! And it's 30 degrees with 100% humidity! We met with my auntie and we drove from the airport back to our home. While we were driving home, I looked out the window taking all the view in. Part of me felt nostalgic and also emotional.
Finally arriving to my family's Surabaya home felt surreal. I will be saying that word a lot in this blog post. My mom and I decided to visit our family in Indonesia in time for Chinese New Year. Since my family is Chinese-Indonesians, celebrating the Chinese New Year is especially important during our visit home. So by the time we arrived, the house was filled with many of my extended family members exchanging red pockets (红包, hóngbāo)! I literally have not met most of them in almost a decades, but here we are catching and re-connecting again.
We spent most of our days visiting the amazing giant supermalls in Surabaya. I had the chance to reconnect with my cousins again and talk about life, college, relationships, I really felt like an older brother. I had the chance to visit one of my cousin's university and adventure around the campus.
We spent most of our days visiting the amazing giant supermalls in Surabaya. I had the chance to reconnect with my cousins again and talk about life, college, relationships, I really felt like an older brother. I had the chance to visit one of my cousin's university and adventure around the campus.
I can't exaggerate how amazing and huge these malls are. I really wish we had these in Vancouver. It would bring a fresh sense of liveliness that is sorely needed in Vancouver. One mall had over 10 floors, and another mall had a little Japan. These malls were filled with families, friends, various events, every single day. I couldn't help but compare it to the malls back in Vancouver and Richmond where most times the malls aren't as busy.
I can't exaggerate how amazing and huge these malls are. I really wish we had these in Vancouver. It would bring a fresh sense of liveliness that is sorely needed in Vancouver. One mall had over 10 floors, and another mall had a little Japan. These malls were filled with families, friends, various events, every single day. I couldn't help but compare it to the malls back in Vancouver and Richmond where most times the malls aren't as busy.
Time for the food! Here are some of the food I highly recommend for first time visitors in Surabaya:
1. Pecel / Gado-gado
2. Nasi goreng
3. Es Campur
4. Bakso
5. Satay goreng
Time for the food! Here are some of the food I highly recommend for first time visitors in Surabaya:
1. Pecel / Gado-gado
2. Nasi goreng
3. Es Campur
4. Bakso
5. Satay goreng
At the final week of my one month trip, the family and I visited the famous Batu Zoo! I genuinely have never seen so many unique animals and I had such an amazing time taking photos and videos of them all. It was fun to hangout with my family looking at all the cute zoo animals.
At the final week of my one month trip, the family and I visited the famous Batu Zoo! I genuinely have never seen so many unique animals and I had such an amazing time taking photos and videos of them all. It was fun to hangout with my family looking at all the cute zoo animals.
1 month went by so fast. Reconnecting with my home, my family, and my memories is something I will cherish deeply in my heart. I gained a new sense of purpose after going back home. I found deep understanding of my Indonesian and Chinese heritage and culture. I can't wait to be able to visit my family again soon, I already miss them!
1 month went by so fast. Reconnecting with my home, my family, and my memories is something I will cherish deeply in my heart. I gained a new sense of purpose after going back home. I found deep understanding of my Indonesian and Chinese heritage and culture. I can't wait to be able to visit my family again soon, I already miss them!
