LOVE BLOSSOMED AT THE PORT OF SURABAYA

LOVE BLOSSOMED AT THE PORT.

Tanjung Perak, Surabaya - 1989-1991

By a sailor of K.D. LEKIR, Royal Malaysian Navy

In the late 80s, my ship, K.D. LEKIR, was a frequent visitor to the port of Tanjung Perak in Surabaya, Indonesia. We docked there three times—in 1989, 1990, and 1991.

Just outside the port gate, there was a small stall run by a mother and her daughter. The daughter helped her mother every evening.

I first met her in 1989. She was still a shy, young girl, soft-spoken, always hiding behind her mother when customers came. I was a young sailor then, far from home.

In 1990, I saw her again. She remembered me.

By 1991, on my third and final visit, she had grown. She was no longer the shy little girl from 1989—she had become a mature, beautiful young woman. We took a photo together that night under the string lights near the blue fence of the port park.

It says "Surabaya Indonesia 1991" on the photo.

That was our last meeting.

After returning to Malaysia, I was reassigned. My duties changed, and I never sailed to Surabaya again. I never saw her again.

But the memory of Tanjung Perak, the lights at the port, and the girl at the small stall remains—a quiet chapter of a sailor's youth, when love blossomed briefly at the port.

Tanjung Perak still echoes in my heart, a reminder of fleeting moments and cherished memories. The vibrant colours of the port, the sounds of bustling vendors, and the scent of the sea all blend together in a nostalgic symphony.

Each visit was a new chapter, yet the essence remained the same—a connection to a place that felt both foreign and familiar. The laughter shared with the locals, the warmth of their smiles, and the stories exchanged over cups of sweet tea created bonds that transcended language and culture.

As I reflect on those days, I realise that Tanjung Perak was more than just a port; it was a backdrop for a young sailor's journey of discovery and love. The girl at the stall, with her gentle demeanour and bright eyes, became a symbol of innocence and hope.

Though time has passed, the memories linger like the gentle waves lapping against the shore, reminding me that love, even if brief, leaves an indelible mark on our souls.

In Memory: Surabaya, 1989-1991

23 August 2026: 10.55 a.m.