Trip Highlights
📅 September 2022
📍 Batu, Malang, & Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family of 4
🎂 Ethan’s 2nd Birthday Celebration
👦 Ethan: 2 years old | 👶 Zia: 4 months old
⭐ Highlights: Traditional nasi kuning birthday celebration • Family reunion • Batu Secret Zoo • Taman Safari • Hotel Tugu Malang • Mid-Autumn Festival • Hotel Majapahit Surabaya • Jewel Changi Airport

One of the most special moments of our Indonesia trip was celebrating Ethan’s 2nd birthday in Batu with Sianita’s family. We celebrated with a traditional nasi kuning (yellow rice) ceremony surrounded by family—a meaningful way to mark this milestone and share Indonesian traditions with Ethan and Zia.

The trip was filled with family time and new experiences. The kids loved seeing animals at Batu Secret Zoo and Taman Safari, and we enjoyed slowing down and exploring together. We spent evenings having dinner and exploring the beautiful Hotel Tugu Malang, which gave us a glimpse into the history and culture of the area.

We also visited a local temple in Malang to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, another special cultural experience that made this trip feel even more meaningful.

Before heading home, we spent a couple nights at the historic Hotel Majapahit in Surabaya, taking in one last part of Indonesia before our journey back to Seattle. Our return trip included another stopover at Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore, bringing our first international adventure as a family of four full circle.

Looking back, this trip was about so much more than the places we visited. It was about family, traditions, and giving Ethan and Zia their first connection to the people, culture, and memories that are part of their story.