OVERNIGHT CAMPING IN MANDALAWANGI SENTUL The Hassle of Setting Up a Tent, the Warmth of Eating Together, and the Joy of Laughing Until You Lose Track of Time
Some time ago, my friends and I finally executed a plan we'd been discussing for a long time: camping! We chose Mandalawangi, Sentul. Not far from Jakarta, it has a cool atmosphere, lots of green spots, and is perfect for a quick recovery without having to take a long vacation.
Initially ... Our intention was simple: just camp for one night. But it turned out that even though it was only one night, the trip left us with many funny and memorable stories, hahaa.
THE DRAMA OF SETTING UP A TENT
As soon as we arrived at the location, we immediately got busy looking for flat ground to build a temporary "home." It sounds easy, but it was actually quite complicated. Some chased the shade of trees for coolness, others said, "Just stay here near the food stall" (so it's easy if you run out of coffee), and still others insisted, "It has to be near the river for the camping vibe."
After a brief debate, we finally settled on a spot near the river, haha. So, the struggle to set up the tent began. From a distance, it looked easy, just stick the poles in. But in reality? Haha, there were lots of hilarious scenes, very funny. Someone put the poles in wrong, someone was busy reading the manual but didn't understand it, and someone was just holding a hammer for style. In the end, the tent was standing a bit crooked, but we considered that part of the art.
COOKING BY YOURSELF, IMPROMPT CHEF-STYLE
After setting up the tent, the next mission was to cook. Now, this was our favorite part! We all divided up the tasks: some were the vegetable choppers, some were the firemen, fanning the fire like satay sellers, and some were just commenting, "That's too much salt!" even though they hadn't even tried it yet. Haha, this was really complicated.
And ... Our menu was standard camping fare: instant noodles, grilled sausages, nuggets, and simple vegetable stir-fries. But we did prepare grilled chicken and grilled corn for dinner. But seriously, somehow food tastes twice as good when cooked together, especially when eaten together in the open air. It's truly amazing!
A WARM NIGHT UNDER THE STARS
After everyone was full ... We continued sitting in a circle. Facing each other. There's a small campfire with roasted corn and grilled chicken on it, haha, still eating even though we're full. The atmosphere was warm. We chatted about all sorts of things, shared random stories, and even shared moments we never usually discuss in our daily lives. And we ended up playing games until we lost track of time. It was truly fun!
The night sky was very clear, the stars were scattered, making us want to sit outside the tent for a long time. The laughter didn't stop, some even cried because they laughed too much. It feels like going back to childhood, free without thinking about deadlines or work. It's truly healing...
MORNING WITH COFFEE AND SUNRISE
Although our sleep was a bit fragmented (some snoring and some cold), the morning in Mandalawangi was extraordinary. The fresh air, the sound of birds, and the shy sun made us rush out of the tent.
The morning ritual began: make hot coffee, boil some more instant noodles (there's no end to it), then sit together while enjoying the view and some slices of fresh melon. Even though my eyes were still puffy from lack of sleep, my heart felt so full.
CONCLUSION: A MEMORABLE NIGHT
Wahh ... This overnight camping in Mandalawangi Sentul was one experience I'll never forget, truly! From the drama of the slanted tent, the hilarious cooking, the midnight laughter, to the peaceful moments in the morning.
Tired? Yes. Complicated? Absolutely. But that's where the fun lies. We realized that simplicity can bring happiness, especially when shared with like-minded people.
So ... If you ask me if I'd do it again, the answer is: 100% yes! Yuhuuuu.
And in fact ... If possible, it could be longer, so there would be more hilarious stories, hahhaa.
Image(s) in this post are my own
Cover made in Canva
Best Regards,
Discord: tina_agustiin