Morning Plans in Yogyakarta
January 22nd, Yogyakarta. I began the day with breakfast at my usual spot, enjoying a simple meal that has already become a routine. Today, I had a plan—to visit outdoor shops and see what camping and cycling items I could find.
Just two minutes from my hotel stood CONSINA, an outdoor specialty store. I went in to look at sleeping bags and survival knives. In Australia, I expect to do quite a lot of camping, so I want to prepare the right gear now.
After finishing up at the first shop, I headed for another outdoor store, but to my surprise, it was closed. Here, shop closures seem to happen often depending on the owner’s mood, so I wasn’t too disappointed. I decided to return to CONSINA later to buy what I needed.
A Stop at the Bicycle Shop
Next, I went to a bicycle shop. My plan was simple: buy a pedal wrench. But as I looked around, I found a front rack being sold at a very reasonable price. I bought it along with the wrench and had the rack installed for about 100 yen. It felt good to add another useful piece of gear to my bicycle.
Children and an Unexpected Encounter
On the way back, I noticed a small road that looked interesting and decided to explore it. Soon, a group of children came running toward me, singing a Japanese pop song I remembered from years ago. Their laughter and energy instantly pulled me in.
They led me to the center of their neighborhood, where I met a respected elder of the community. As we talked, he suddenly asked me, “Do you know Misaki?” Later I learned that this Misaki was someone he met 35 years ago. Of course, it wasn’t the same person I knew, but the coincidence made us laugh.
What mattered more was the warmth of the meeting. Before leaving, they gave me a slip of paper with their address and personal details, and I shared my phone number as well. Who knows—maybe one day another Japanese traveler will come through here and be asked, “Do you know Hiro?” And if so, it will probably be me.
Small Discoveries on the Road
As I continued onward, I spotted a bright yellow grasshopper by the roadside. Moments like this—seeing new animals or insects in unfamiliar places—always make me happy. Every new region seems to offer its own little surprises.
When I finally returned, I stopped by the juice stand I had become friendly with. A mixed juice cost just 10,000 rupiah (about 95 yen). It was refreshing, and the friendly smile of the vendor always made me feel welcome.
Dinner and Street Food Delights
For dinner, I visited a food stall nearby. The meal cost only 13,000 rupiah (about 124 yen). Indonesian street food is not only inexpensive but also full of flavor, making it a perfect companion for a traveler like me.
Later, I went into a convenience store and noticed something amusing—a detergent package with cartoon characters resembling Luffy and Usopp from One Piece. They looked weak and clumsy, almost like distant cousins of the originals. It was funny and oddly charming.
Still feeling hungry after dinner, I stopped at another food stall and ordered a dish called Capcay. It was a stir-fry made with vegetables and a local sauce, and it was absolutely delicious. At just 15,000 rupiah (around 143 yen), it was affordable too. Food here is both kind to the wallet and rich in taste, a real blessing for a long journey.
