A Morning Start from Paper House
October 30th. Greetings from the Paper House Guesthouse.
Today’s goal was 82 kilometers, so I set off early at 7 a.m. But cycling that far without proper energy would be impossible, so I walked just a minute from the guesthouse to a food stall for breakfast.
It was still early, and I had the place to myself. The air was cool, the streets quiet, and the simple meal gave me the energy I needed to begin. After finishing, I packed up and started pedaling into the open road.
Not long after, a truck passed by, and the driver leaned out to wave with a powerful shout: “Keep going! You can do it!” His encouragement was strong, full of life, and it lifted me immediately. These moments—small gestures of support from strangers—make the road feel meaningful.
Bananas on the Road
Further along, I spotted a small resting spot where bananas hung from the rafters. Curious, I stopped and called out to the man who seemed to be the caretaker. “Can I have some bananas?” I asked.
He carefully picked them down, one by one, handing them to me with quiet care. When I reached for my wallet, he smiled and shook his head.
“No money,” he said in English. “Just keep going with your journey.”
I was touched. It was still morning, but already I had been wrapped in the kindness of Thai people—from the stall owner who served me breakfast to the man who gave me bananas freely. With this unexpected gift, I suddenly had enough food for the entire day.
Refreshed, I pushed on beneath the clear blue sky, my pedals turning stronger with each kilometer.
The Long Straight Road
The day’s ride required careful pacing. Eighty-two kilometers is not a casual distance, so I took breaks when needed. During one stop, I finished the plain white rice I had bought earlier in the morning. Carrying small amounts of extra food may seem simple, but it often makes all the difference in long stretches without restaurants.
When I left Highway 4 and entered Road 360, something changed—the rolling hills disappeared. The road became flat, smooth, and endlessly straight. It was the kind of road I had been waiting for.
Cycling became easier, almost effortless, and I felt the joy of speed carrying me toward Chumphon.
Conversations and Noodles
With less than 10 kilometers to go before reaching the city, I stopped for one last rest. I ordered a bowl of noodles, savoring both the warmth of the food and the chance to sit down.
An older man, perhaps curious about me, began talking. His questions kept coming, and though our languages were different, his friendliness filled the time with laughter. It turned what could have been a quiet, tired break into something lighthearted and enjoyable.
Fueled again, I pushed forward, covering the final distance to today’s guesthouse.
Arriving in Chumphon
Finally, I reached my destination. My body was exhausted from the long ride—the first real long-distance push in some time—but my heart felt accomplished. I had done it.
Chumphon is a bigger city, and after a short rest, I couldn’t resist going out to explore.
The first thing I found was a sushi stall. Of course, the selection was very different from what you’d ever find in Japan. Strange toppings filled the trays, each one unfamiliar but tempting. I tried a piece of salmon. It was tasty, but it lacked the fresh, delicate flavor of sushi in Japan. That reminded me: eating truly fresh sushi is something very special, not to be taken for granted.
As evening fell, the street stalls came alive. I had seen many market streets across Southeast Asia, but Chumphon’s night stalls had their own charm. Fish, meat, noodle dishes, drinks—all freshly prepared and full of flavor. But beyond the food itself, what made it special was the people. The vendors spoke to customers with just the right balance of friendliness and respect, making the entire market easy and enjoyable to walk through.
For a first night in Chumphon, it was the perfect ending. I felt relaxed, satisfied, and grateful.
Most of all, I felt proud. After completing 82 kilometers, I could say to myself: Hiro, you did it. Well done.
