April 6, 2024

I often say that it is not the places you visit but the people you meet that makes travel meaningful.

Hendrich is one such person.

Chongae and I choose not to go to the breakfast buffet. The crispy bacon and “sticky buns” (cinnamon buns) seem to call me by name. Instead after watching (or trying to) watch the sunset and having our daily devotionals we order breakfast from room service. A vegetable frittata, fruit plate and cup of tea hit the spot.

For the last two months the first voice we would hear each morning would be Hendrich’s “Good morning, Dr. Walsh, Madam Chongae. I hope you have a nice day” said with a smile as bright as the morning sunrise.

On a ship the kitchen is at the aft (back) of the ship on the lowest deck to be close to load supplies at port. Our cabin on the bow (front) of the ship on Deck 5 is a long walk, yet Hendrich was chipper each morning. It wasn’t until later that I found out that Hendrich began his 10-hour shift at 10:00 pm cleaning the kitchen and preparing food for the next day. We were one of the last passengers that he served yet he was always kind and courteous.

One day Hendrick innocently shared that he had gone ashore and found some toys to buy for his son Aliando. He said he was so excited that he forgot to go to sleep. Now I remember pulling some “all nighters” in college when I had procrastinated on finishing a report that was due the next day, but I do not remember ever forgetting to go to sleep. I found his enthusiasm contagious.

Hendrich signed a six-month contract and found out his wife was pregnant with their second child before embarking. Every day he face timed his wife to follow the progress of her pregnancy. He hoped to be home in time to see his new daughter before he left the ship in Singapore.

Although there is a forty-five-year difference in our ages we spoke about things that all fathers talk about. Working hard for our family and hoping that our children are “healthy, wealthy and wise.” And hoping that we live a legacy that our children and, in my case, grandchildren will be proud of. I looked forward to seeing Hendrich as much as I did the next new port. Before his departure we exchanged emails.

On April 4, Hendrich sent me a picture of him and his son Aliando.

He also introduced me to his new daughter, Prily.

I am honored that Hendrich asked me for some fatherly advice. Our friendship is an added bonus to my travels, and I believe our friendship will grow.

The night before he was to depart the ship, we heard a knock on our cabin door, and it was Hendrich bringing us a goodbye gift. We had talked about some particular fruits that were native to Indonesia and he wanted us to experience one.

Sometimes the simplest of gifts are the most meaningful.

Thanks for traveling with us.