Firstly, we left Pekalongan on Saturday around 11:30 AM. The original plan was to hit the road at 6 in the morning, to avoid the heat and hopefully arrive home earlier. But well, plans are often just that plan. Reality? Everyone was still lounging around and hadn’t even got out of bed. And to be honest, I was one of them too—haha. I mean, how could I not be? I’d only gone to bed at around 3 AM the night before because I was watching movies with my aunt and brother. We were staying at my aunt’s place on Panjang Street, and the atmosphere there was just too perfect for a late-night hangout. It had been so long since we all gathered like that, so it felt too precious to pass up. The movie we watched was exciting too, which made it even harder to walk away from the screen. So, as you might guess, the next morning everyone woke up late and our departure got delayed until well past 11 AM. Before leaving, of course, we said our goodbyes to the extended family in Pekalongan. The mood turned quite emotional because even though our stay wasn’t that long, celebrating Eid together just brings this deep sense of warmth and connection that makes it hard to part ways. Especially when saying goodbye to Grandma she shed tears when hugging her grandchildren. I wish we could have stayed longer, but time waits for no one, and eventually, we had to return to our usual routines.
After final hugs and farewells, we loaded up the car and began the trip home. But before fully leaving Pekalongan, we made a quick stop to buy souvenirs, mainly for the family back home who didn’t get the chance to travel with us. We went to the famous Setono Batik Wholesale Market, a legendary spot for finding Pekalongan’s finest batik. The place was bustling, like a night market, except everything was batik. There were so many patterns and colors, I didn’t even know where to begin. I ended up buying a mukeenah for my grandma in Malang which is a request by her and another for my younger sibling. Oh, and my brother bought himself a pair of batik pants that he would always want one but somehow never got around to it. So, there he was, grabbing the chance to buy it straight from the source. With our shopping bags packed, we continued the journey. The original route was supposed to be via toll road to save time, but it turned out that the tollway from Pekalongan to Semarang was closed. Only the Pekalongan–Jakarta direction was open. Well, that was a bummer. So, we had to turn back and take the regular roads instead.
Not long after we set off, I fell asleep in the car. I was still running on barely any sleep from the night before, so I knocked out as soon as I sat down. When I woke up, we were already on the Pantura highway near the Semarang–Demak border, and the road was flooded with tidal water. Vehicles were crawling along, not due to traffic, but because drivers were being extra careful not to splash others or damage their cars. It was an interesting sight, cars and motorbikes moving slowly like they were part of a parade. I even pulled out my phone to record a quick video, it is not every day you get to experience a flooded road like that. Despite the fishy smell of the seawater and the muddy surroundings, there was something oddly fascinating about the whole scene.
After getting past the flooded area, the roads cleared up again. We drove on until we reached Lamongan, where we stopped for a late lunch or maybe it was more like an early dinner. We chose to eat fried duck, a comfort food classic during long trips. I got excited the moment the plate of crispy duck arrived, complete with sambal, warm rice, and fresh cucumbers. It was delicious. With full bellies, we regained some energy, but the journey was still far from over. We continued and I slept a lot throughout the ride. And the funniest thing, my brother’s seat was not exactly the comfiest. He was sitting in the very back, surrounded by souvenir bags and suitcases. So, every time we hit a bump or a speed bump, he would get jostled, and the bags would tumble onto him like he was in some kind of rodeo contest. He kept drifting in and out of sleep, but he could never sleep deeply because the cramped space and all the bags made it impossible to get comfortable. Still, that’s part of the charm of holiday travel, those little inconveniences that end up becoming the most memorable parts of the journey. A poor brother.
When we reached Tuban, we stopped by my aunt’s house, she had traveled with us, so we dropped her off. My dad was clearly exhausted from all the driving, so it was a good opportunity for him to rest a bit. At my aunt’s house, we were welcomed with warm tea and some snacks. Honestly, that tea was heavenly after hours of sitting in the car. After a short break, my dad asked me to sit in the front with him and keep him company for the final stretch—not to drive, but just to talk so he wouldn’t get sleepy. Being a responsible (and understanding) daughter, I agreed and sat up front, and we had a relaxed chat. We talked about childhood memories, funny moments from Pekalongan, and even random things like our favorite foods and songs. But well, we’re only human, and eventually, sleep caught up with me too. In the middle of our conversation, I had to admit defeat and asked if I could take a quick nap. I felt bad about leaving him alone, but my eyes were just too heavy. Luckily, I only slept for a little while, and once I woke up, I kept him company all the way until we arrived.
Then around 3:30 in the morning, we finally reached Malang, our cool, breezy hometown that always makes me feel at peace. As soon as I got out of the car, the first thing I wanted to do was shower and sleep, haha. But before that, I splashed my face with cold water to freshen up. My body was sticky, my hair was a mess, but my heart was full and happy. We had made it home safely, with so many stories to tell. After cleaning up, I crashed into bed and slept like a log. It was probably the best sleep I would have in a month. The exhaustion from the trip faded away, replaced by a sense of contentment and gratitude. It was a tiring journey, but also deeply fulfilling. We got to spend time with loved ones, laugh together, share meals, and create memories that will last a lifetime. And that, essentially, was our Eid trip this year, full of chaos, laughter, surprises, and unforgettable moments. Sure, it was uncomfortable at times—sitting for hours, being crammed in with suitcases, detouring because of road closures but all those bits made the experience richer. Sometimes, what makes a trip special isn’t just the destination, it’s all the little things that happen along the way. Like seeing kids play in floodwater or enjoying a simple meal that tastes incredible just because you’re surrounded by family.
A few days after returning to my daily routine, I often find myself reminiscing about that trip. The smiles during our family gatherings, the laughter during the journey, those are the things that stay with me and make me feel incredibly lucky to have such a family. I am already thinking about visiting them again soon, maybe during the next school holiday or when the chance arises. I want to create even more memories, filled with warmth, joy, and togetherness. Because in the end, these shared experiences are what truly matter in life. Each laugh and story add another thread to the bond we share, a bond that won’t fade even as time moves on. So, I’m genuinely grateful to have had the chance to travel home this Eid and spend precious time with the people I love. A simple yet meaningful experience that I’ll carry in my heart forever.
And that's the whole story of my trip outside the city where all my childhood memories came flooding back. The happiness, warmth, and that distinct village vibe were strong. Every journey has its own tale to tell, filled with both highs and lows, but each part shapes who we are. Hopefully next year, we will be able to gather again with the whole extended family to celebrate Eid together, adding more wonderful memories to the collection I will treasure for the rest of my life.
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