It was a typical Friday when my energy was almost low due to a whole hectic week at work. I was stopping at the convenient store to grab a quick breakfast before continued rode my motorbike to work when my phone ring. My BFF that I known from Junior High School suddenly told me that he would visit a forestry cafe near my working place. And so that began a frantic last minutes arrangement to make the impromptu meeting happened.
Gretings Hivers! I am Iris from East Java, Indonesia and today let's step away and visit this beautiful park deep in the wood of Prigen, East Java. It was a healing moment that I don't know I need so bad which full of great memories and laughters.
So the place is called 'The Enchanting Forest' a new foresty amusement managed by the Safari Park of Indonesia. This place offers mini petting zoo, a fine dining bistro, a zen cafe, deep in the middle of the natural forest of Mount Princi, Prigen. Actually, since some times ago I really want to visit this place with my son, but so many things to think about and we have to take about 2 hours drive to hike up and reach the place made me discouraged.
But yeah, something unplanned usually bounds to happen nowadays when schedules and routines seemed like swallowed us whole. So when the invitation came, the first thing I did was to arrange how I could get my son to come along. After persuaded my mom several times, the she agreed to pick me up at work and the we drive together there.
I was so excited to meet my friend and her family. Since my bos came to Indonesia during school holiday, I missed our playdate plans completely. That's why I really made effort to meet her here, although sadly when we arrived, it was almost sunset time and only about 3 hours until the park closed.
We met up at the Pinewood bistro, a fine dining with a lovely playground in the heart of the wood. The place was nice and cozy although the menu are pricey, but what you can expect at the places like this. Our kids happily playing together while we force out our multitasking skills at its best, catching up, gossiping, while answering endless question from the kids.
She actually lived in different city that was around 127KM from the city where I stayed. So this place was like a middle meeting point, a real short escape because she also need to go back on the same day as well. We were like sister and seeing her in person really made happy. I didn't realize that I missed her so bad until we met.
And suddenly it was already dinner time. She already ordered the food for her family since they arrived about an hour earlier than me. My son had a late lunch so we only order some snacks and still wait for them to be served. So when they enjoyed their meal, I am off with my boy to explore the place while my mom prefered to relax and took care of our seat. That was I promised to her anyway, so she can also enjoy some me-time at this beautiful place.
We visited the mini zoo, but since it was almost sunset, we couldn't pet the animal and most of them already settled in their resting area. We met a bunch of friendly sheeps, the chilling capybaras and also one unbothered llama that perhaps already bored with visitors. Well, although my boy couldn't pet them, he was pretty excited to see them pretty close.
However, our favorite was the giant tree house that built on several big trees. They were connected by hanging bridge and my son was really excited running along from top to top. It was light up with lovely dim lamps and combined with the fading sunset created some whimsical moments to us.
I was really happy that I decided to come here. I didn't realize that I was so burn out and being in the middle of old pine trees and breathing its unique scent was really soothing. The smell of damp soil and the cooling shades of trees always calm my mind and make me feel at home. If money was not an issue, surely I prefer this kind of slow live close to the nature.
Soon after, the sky was getting dark and we continued our adventure to explore the place. Actually the concept was great, there was a mini stream with tidy stone banks, a little zen cafe pop up out of nowhere and also a curious path and also beautiful plants and trees. I wish we had more time to explore the place since the entrance tickets was not cheap as well, lol!
When we arrived back to the cafe, it was lit up with colorful lights that danced surround the area. That's right, this was the whole ideas about the enchanting forest. The main reason why my friend drove about 2 hours trip from her hometown was because her son want to see this light show haha. It was not really special actually, but you have to had a mind of a child that could find joy in everything to survive this hard world.
We really stayed until almost closing time and we are the only guest left. It was a pity that we only met for a very short time but I was so grateful for the short escape and another beautiful moment with my beloved persons. Perhaps we will visit again leisurely if my schedule allows.
Thank you for stopping by and reading my story. I hope you enjoy my lil adventure. Here's the woldmappin link anyway, because I feel that that day was special for me. See you around, Hivers!
