My Experience in Fef: A Quiet Town in the Middle of the Forest

I still remember the first time I heard the name Fef.
At that time, it was just another place on a work list – a small town in the mountains of Southwest Papua where I had to help with school finances.

I didn’t expect that this trip would stay in my mind for so long. Fef is far from Sorong, hidden in the forest, cold, quiet, and somehow peaceful. It’s not a famous destination, but that’s exactly why I want to tell this story.

Why I Went to Fef

I work as a treasurer helping schools manage their BOS funds.
In remote areas like Fef, this money is important. It’s used for basic things: books, repairs, and learning tools that students need every day.

One day, I was assigned to go to Fef with my principal. Our purpose was simple: bring the documents, do the reporting, and make sure the school’s finances were in order. It sounded like a normal work trip, but the distance and the road made it feel like a small adventure.

The Long Road from Sorong

We started the journey from Sorong early in the morning.
The air was still cool, and the city was just waking up. Once we left the busy roads behind, the view slowly changed. Buildings and shops disappeared, replaced by hills, trees, and long stretches of quiet road.

The trip was not short. The car had to pass broken asphalt, sharp turns, and steep climbs. Sometimes we had to slow down because of holes in the road or small landslides. There were long moments when we didn’t see any other vehicle at all.

On one side, there were deep valleys. On the other side, green mountains covered with forest. The further we went, the more I felt that we were leaving the “normal world” behind. It was as if Sorong was getting smaller in the mirror, and Fef was another world waiting somewhere in the fog.

A Day of Work in a Remote School

The main reason I went to Fef was to help with the school’s BOS funds.
As a treasurer, I have a responsibility to make sure the money is used properly and the reports are correct. In places like Fef, the funds are not just numbers on paper. They directly affect whether the school can repair a room, buy learning materials, or provide basic needs for the students.

We spent time checking documents, discussing with the principal, and completing the required signatures. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it felt meaningful. The school stands there in the middle of the mountains, serving children who live far from the city. Knowing that our work helps keep it running gave me a quiet sense of purpose.

Riding Around Fef

Once everything was done, I borrowed a motorbike and rode around Fef.
I didn’t go very far. I just followed the small roads around the offices and school area.

On one side, I saw children playing on a field, running and laughing in the cold air. On the other side, there were simple houses with clothes hanging outside and dogs resting on the ground. A few people were sitting on their verandas, talking slowly, not in a hurry to go anywhere.

There were some kiosks selling snacks and instant noodles, but no big shops. The roads were quiet. Life moved slowly there, and I liked that. It made me feel calm, as if time had stretched a little longer than usual.

‎A Black Dog and Old Memories

During my ride, I saw a black dog standing by the side of the road.
It wasn’t doing anything special—just watching people pass by, tail moving slightly, eyes calm.

But when I saw that dog, it suddenly reminded me of Blacky and Molly.

Blacky and Molly are two dogs that used to accompany me in my daily life at my workplace. They filled my days with their silly acts and simple joy. When I saw them, played with them, or just watched them sleep, the day felt easier to pass. Sometimes they would follow me around: to the beach, into the forest when we went to find fruit, or just walking without a clear destination.

Seeing that black dog in Fef made all those memories come back.
For a moment, it felt like Blacky and Molly were there with me again, in this faraway mountain town. It’s funny how a simple animal can connect different times and places in our lives.

The full story of Blacky and Molly is long, and maybe that’s something I will write about another day. But Fef is now part of that memory chain too.

Quiet Happiness and the Wish to Return

I didn’t stay long in Fef.
Like most work trips, there was a schedule to follow. Documents done, tasks finished, then it was time to go back down the same long road to Sorong.

But even though my time there was short, Fef left a strong impression on me.
It showed me that not every important place is busy or crowded. Sometimes a small town in the forest, with cold air and quiet roads, can stay in your heart more than a big city.

When I feel tired from work or life in Sorong, I sometimes remember Fef: the fog on the mountains, the sound of children playing, the black dog by the road, and the feeling of riding a motorbike in the cold air. Those memories make me feel a little lighter.

One day, I hope I can go back.
Not just for work, but to stay a bit longer, breathe the cold morning air, and enjoy that quiet happiness again.

If you’re curious about another quiet corner of Southwest Papua, you can also read my earlier story about Saukorem, a small coastal village known for its turtle beach and slow village life.