Recovery After the Nullarbor
The day after completing the 1,200 km ride across the Nullarbor Plain, I chose to stay in Ceduna. My body and mind had been stretched to their limits, and I knew I needed rest.
I found a place of refuge in a 24-hour convenience store called OTR. It may not sound like much, but when someone says, “You can stay here,” after such a long and exhausting journey, those words alone can feel like a lifeline.
The person who welcomed me was a staff member from New Caledonia. To meet such a warm-hearted individual in a small Australian town was an unexpected gift.
A Small Comfort in Simple Food
I didn’t want to overstay my welcome inside the store, so I bought a banana, bread, and a frankfurter. After eating, I settled into a quiet corner of the bench and drifted off to sleep.
It was only three hours of rest, but the effect was astonishing. My strength returned, my spirit lifted. Sometimes, the smallest breaks carry the greatest healing.
Morning Encounters and Quiet Farewells
As the morning light spread across Ceduna, I ran into a Belgian traveler I had met earlier on the road. He was preparing to leave again, moving on toward his next destination.
We exchanged a simple handshake and a few words—“See you somewhere, someday.” That was enough. For travelers, reunions are built on chance, not promises.
A Shake and a Kind Soul
Then came another quiet miracle.
The same staff member from New Caledonia who had welcomed me so kindly offered me a shake with a smile.
The night before, he had spoken to me several times, always with genuine care but never overbearing. His kindness was the kind that shines brightly yet softly—the kind of kindness I’ve sometimes described as a jewel of humanity that you come across only once in a while on the road.
That shake, and the spirit behind it, stayed with me long after I left the store.
Evening Plans Beyond Ceduna
After a day of recovery, I decided to camp just outside of Ceduna. My bicycle was still damaged, the rack broken and tied together, but I had found someone who might help with repairs soon.
So I would wait quietly, trusting that tomorrow might bring a solution. For now, it was enough simply to breathe, to rest, and to welcome the night on the edge of town.
