A Day to Pause
On December 23rd, I gave myself a complete rest day in Kulai. After many days of cycling, my body and mind both needed time to catch up.
This hostel turned out to be the perfect place for it. During the day, almost everyone was gone, leaving the shared space completely free. I could spread out my things, use the fast Wi-Fi, and focus on catching up with tasks that had piled up along the way. For someone on a long journey, a day like this feels almost luxurious.
Food Around the Corner
The best part was how easy everything felt here. I didn't have to go far to find food. Just around the corner, stalls were lined up with simple but delicious meals. For lunch, I stopped at a Chinese-style stall and ordered a noodle dish.
In Malaysia, I rarely find a bad meal. Even when the flavors are strong or spicy, they can usually be adjusted, which makes it even better for a traveler like me. Being able to eat well is one of the most comforting conditions for traveling. Not only the taste, but also the simplicity, cleanliness, and the low "bar" for satisfaction make this country a very easy place to move through.
An Unexpected Detail
After eating, I wandered into a nearby shopping mall. I often do this not so much to shop, but to observe—what products are sold here, at what prices, and how they differ from the culture I grew up in.
One surprising discovery came in the restroom. At the foot of the toilet, there was a small square section that opened like a hatch. Inside, it was filled with cigarette butts. I wasn't sure if it had been designed for this purpose, but it certainly seemed so.
I later learned Malaysia's smoking rate is about 19%. Maybe it explained why spaces like this existed—to give people a chance to smoke almost anywhere. Seeing these little details of daily life always fascinates me.
Meeting Someone New
On my way back to the hostel, I had another unexpected encounter. A man who spoke fluent Japanese introduced himself and kindly invited me to dinner.
We went to a nearby restaurant together. He ordered a few dishes: a spicy specialty, a Chinese-style meal with rice inside, and—surprisingly for me—alcohol.
It was the first time I had alcohol in Malaysia. Because of the country's 10% tax on alcoholic drinks, I had avoided it until now. But sharing it here, in Johor Bahru's neighboring town, felt like a small reward. After weeks of effort on the road, it was a quiet celebration before moving toward my final Malaysian destination.
