Morning in Lumbir
On January 13, I woke up at my host father’s home in Lumbir. At 7 a.m., I felt a tap on my foot. It was my host father, telling me he had prepared breakfast. That simple gesture filled me with joy. Sleepiness vanished instantly.
While I ate, he even set up a fan to keep me comfortable. I was moved by his thoughtfulness and wondered why people here showed such boundless hospitality. It was more than kindness—it was care that reached the heart.
As the morning went on, neighbors came to wish me well on my journey. I imagine my host father had spread the word, sharing my story. His father, too, handed me a bottle of water, insisting I take it. Every member of the family radiated generosity.
Before leaving, I wrote a letter of thanks and handed it to them. With gratitude, I set off for the next town.
“Thank you, everyone. Until we meet again in good health.”
Riding Through Nature and Encouragement
The road from Lumbir was surrounded by mountains, yet surprisingly gentle. It allowed me to ride comfortably, surrounded by greenery.
Along the way, schoolchildren waved and called out greetings as they returned home. It reminded me once again that without encouragement from strangers, I might have given up this journey long ago.
Needing a break, I stopped at a café called Jumbo. The day was hot, and I ordered Es Tea. I finally learned that “Es” means “ice.” It made sense now why café owners always asked, “Es Tea?”
Later, on the road, I passed poultry workers balancing their cargo with astonishing skill. No matter how precarious it looked, nothing seemed to fall. I shook my head in amazement.
Two hours later, exhausted, I stopped at another café. To my surprise, one staff member spoke Japanese. He told me he was studying the language, hoping to visit Japan one day. That brief exchange reminded me how travel builds bridges.
Shared Meals and Shared Dreams
By midday, I found a small restaurant serving noodles. There, I met another cyclist, a traveler like me. Seeing a fellow rider immediately lifted my spirits.
As usual, I ordered Bakso. Its balance of price, taste, and nourishment has made it my go-to meal in Indonesia.
The restaurant owner asked me where I was headed. I explained that I was cycling around the world. His eyes lit up, and he said, “That’s awesome, brother!” His encouragement felt like fuel for my journey.
Evening in Kebumen
By evening, I reached Kebumen and stayed with a Warmshowers host. He was an English teacher, and he invited me to join his students for dinner so they could practice speaking.
To my surprise, the students spoke English fluently, perhaps better than me. I felt like the one learning that evening, not teaching. Sharing food and conversation with them was a reminder of how travel opens unexpected doors.
That night, I reflected on the day. From a breakfast prepared with care, to strangers’ cheers, to conversations with students—each moment had left me with gratitude. Cycling may be hard, but days like this give me the strength to keep moving forward.
