Farewell and a New Beginning
On December 22nd, it was time to say goodbye to the man who had kindly offered me a place to stay in Batu Pahat. Normally, he worked in Kuala Lumpur and was only here temporarily. His hospitality had been more than I could have hoped for, and I felt a deep sense of gratitude as I packed my things. My destination for the day was Kulai, a town just before Johor Bahru.
A Chance Encounter on the Road
Barely ten minutes after setting off, while riding along a small road, a scooter pulled up beside me. The man riding it asked, "Where are you from?" It was a simple, casual question, but it opened the door to something special.
As we reached a point where our paths were about to split, I thanked him. Then, unexpectedly, he invited me, "Would you like to join me for breakfast?" Without hesitation, I said yes and followed him.
We arrived at a bustling restaurant filled with locals enjoying their morning meals. He treated me to fried noodles and roti. I learned he was a school teacher who enjoyed meeting people from different walks of life. His kindness—speaking to me, inviting me, and even buying me breakfast—filled me with gratitude.
The Teacher’s Home
After we said our goodbyes, I continued riding for about ten minutes before hearing someone call out, "Hey!" from inside a house's yard. Curious, I approached, and to my surprise, it was the same man again. His home was right along my route.
He invited me inside and introduced me to his extended family, who shared a large house together. They offered me coffee and fruit, and I spent an hour resting in their home. When it was time to leave, his son saw me off with a smile and a wave. "Come back again," the man told me. That simple invitation warmed my heart.
Heat and an Unexpected Lunch
Back on the road, the sun grew harsh. The heat drained my energy, and I had to take an hour's nap before continuing. But as I set off again, I noticed that only construction vehicles were using the road. Concerned, I stopped to ask a driver for advice.
He warned me, "If you go further, you might get into trouble. Better take another route." I reluctantly agreed. Then came another surprise—this man spoke fluent Japanese. He had studied and worked in Japan 35 years ago, learning agricultural techniques before returning to Malaysia.
We ended up having lunch together. He introduced me to a local fish dish from a roadside stall—the first time I dared to try it here. I had avoided such food, thinking it might upset my stomach, but it was delicious. Sharing that meal with him became another memorable part of the day.
Arrival in Kulai
With his directions, I found a straight, cyclist-friendly road that carried me smoothly to Kulai. After two more hours of pedaling, I finally reached my lodging for the night.
The place had a unique, space-themed design. The lockers looked like something straight out of Star Wars, and the dormitory rooms were spacious, with lighting that guests could change to different colors. Despite the futuristic design, the price was only about 1,500 yen—a bargain for what it offered.
In the shared space, I met many migrant workers from India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. Even the shoe racks at the entrance told the story of people coming from all over, each with their own dreams and reasons for being here.
