Slow Travel with Babu: Exploring Asia Through Beautiful Memories

Slow Travel with Babu: Exploring Asia Through Beautiful Memories

Our journey began at Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. I must admit, I felt a bit bewildered. Our guide, Hariyanto, handed us traditional pandan leaf sandals for exploring the temple complex. My father, with his sensitive feet, couldn't stop complaining: "Do they expect everyone to climb up and down these uneven steps in these sandals? Why does it have to be so difficult?" I helped him with the sandals, but just a few minutes in, he took them off, declaring, "I'd rather go barefoot."

Indah, my 4-year-old niece, and Steve, who we affectionately call Babu, stood atop Borobudur with our guide, Hariyanto. In the past, my father was my adventure buddy until my husband came along seven years ago. Before this trip through Java and Borneo, it had just been the two of us on adventures before I got married and had kids, and even before Covid. This made our special outings between grandfather and granddaughter all the more precious.

Unforgettable Memories in Java

I had an idea to organize this trip for the entire family: a cultural journey through the ancient lands of Central Java and an exploration of orangutans at Tanjung Puting National Park in Borneo. The trip was specially designed for us, thanks to a luxury travel company. For someone who loves nature and adventure like my dad, it wasn't hard to convince him to join.

However, not long into our travels, I noticed that my father was struggling to move around. Even short walks required negotiation. He had to rely on a trekking pole. By the end of the first day, he was tired and napping in bed. I found myself wondering why his body seemed to age so quickly.

Exploring Yogyakarta

Our guide skillfully adjusted the itinerary to minimize walking, but I still felt a twinge of worry. Was this trip too ambitious? On our day exploring Yogyakarta, I saw my dad beaming with pride as we enjoyed tofu and tempeh, dishes he had previously disliked. Perhaps it was the friendly service from the restaurant owner that changed his mind, but he even ended up liking them.

During a batik-making class, Indah noticed her grandfather was frustrated with his design and surprised me by saying, "Babu, the goal is to explore what's in your mind." I realized that each activity posed a challenge, but he never gave up.

The Vibe at the National Park

On our way to Prambanan, a stunning Hindu temple from the 9th century, Indah raced up the tall steps, leaving me to face the challenges of my father's mobility. He carefully stuck to the ground, saying, "If I fall there, it would be a disaster." I could sense his frustration; this was a man who had conquered the Camino de Santiago three times.

At Borobudur, I decided to slow down. Our guide shared meaningful Buddhist stories as we gradually climbed the steps. When we reached the top, where 72 Buddha stupas stand, my father's heart opened up. He eagerly listened to the guide's story about the importance of courage and embracing new experiences. Indeed, my father's adventurous spirit was still as strong as ever.

Time in Borneo

The trip to Borneo brought me moments of reflection. We boarded the Spirit of Lamandau, gliding gently through Tanjung Puting National Park, home to millions of acres of preserved rainforest for orangutans. I felt incredibly at peace as I enjoyed the serene surroundings, explored nature, and witnessed the orangutans in their natural habitat.

Babu quickly immersed himself in the atmosphere, choosing a seat at the front of the boat and starting to learn about how the boat was made. The slow pace here felt quite foreign to my busy mind, yet I often complain about time flying by, and now everything had slowed down in a delightful and relaxing way.

Every time we reached a station, Indah would excitedly ask, "Babu, do you want to be an explorer with us?" and he would respond enthusiastically, "Yes!" With each encounter with the orangutans, we felt a closer connection to nature. Watching them eat and move around happily, I couldn't help but feel fulfilled seeing my father enjoying every moment with Indah.

This trip not only provided my father and me with wonderful experiences but also strengthened the bonds between generations in our family. Standing amidst nature, I realized that time didn't matter anymore; it was all about how we cherished each moment together.