Surabaya & Bromo

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Surabaya is the second larger city in Indonesia. The town where I was born and spent a quarter of my life has changed enormously since I was last there. Everything changed so fast that I needed time to adjust. I didn't recognise my home and my neighbourhood.

The home I grew up in was in a massive area surrounded by only a few neighbours with loads of greens. Sadly, that turned into a packed neighbourhood where houses are attached (just like houses built in The Netherlands), and tiny alleyways have separated some in between. Dad designed and built our house himself (with the help of a few constructors), which was cool, but it no longer looked the same. Everything had changed.

Despite the massive changes in town, I am pleased that Surabaya city has become more advanced. Especially the children's education system, which I support 100%. I don't visit much because I find it hard to leave every time I do.

I love being around my family. I love to pamper myself at a beauty salon all day, eat until my jeans button popped, love to take a trip to a small village somewhere.

This year's trip was too short. I haven't seen my mum and my bros for a while, and it was nice to catch up with them again. I also visited dad's grave for a wee bit but forgot to bring his fave beverage, Guinness. Next time dad!

We often gathered to eat with loads of giggles of nonsense and then go fishing at dusk till midnight at the canal outside our home. Mum loves being in the kitchen, making some things while the bros are busy stocking up the fridge with alcohol and keeping snack jars full.

After a couple of days in SBY, almost my whole family and I went on a road trip to Bromo to repeat the good memory when dad was still around. On our previous stayed, he and I used to get up at 3 am in the early, chilly morning to find a spot where the sun rose. We left Surabaya at 1 am, and on our way there, we frequently stopped for restaurant breaks regardless of how much food we already had in the cars. We're Indos. Food is in our blood and stays in our tummies. 🙂

When we finally arrived, we walked up to the sunrise point in the dark. Unfortunately, mama couldn't make it to the top because the temperature was too cold for her, so she stayed comfortably inside a warm restaurant with a fireplace and a cuppa of good Javanese coffee. At the same time, we all waited for the sun to come out in the cold.

The winter jacket, gloves, and beanie didn't keep mama warm. I warned her well in advance to wear something thick. Instead, she rocked up with a fancy handbag wearing office pants, ballerina and a tee covered in a denim jacket. Oh, mama, where are you off to... parents are just as stubborn...

After sunrise, we drove to the famously erupted volcanos and hiked to watch it from above. We spent a couple of hours there before visiting a few other nearby places. We didn't finish the weekend there this time and only stayed from morning till afternoon.

Again, just like SBY, Bromo has changed rapidly. The new Bromo is full of local and international tourists, which is good. However, those unnecessary horses carrying around lazy people must go (how lazy can some people be?!). There were also many little shops and street food vendors everywhere. This is great, and I support local businesses.

Somehow, I felt that Bromo had slightly lost its originality, I missed the old Bromo, or maybe it was because dad was the biggest part of it. Nevertheless, my family and I had loads of fun there. We had an unforgettable experience and shall revisit Bromo.

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[Seth Heartly]

I really like your stories ?
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[Nelly]

Indonesia
I go to Indonesia many times and it is one of my favourite countries.