A Difficult Morning at the Hostel
I woke up at John’s Best House hostel, though I couldn’t say I slept very well. Strangely, I sometimes rest better when I sleep outdoors. Inside, the atmosphere left me tossing and turning.
The challenge of the morning was the check-out system. Guests must check out by 10 a.m., but the reception only opens at 9. That gives everyone a single crowded hour to confirm their deposits and departures. I found it chaotic and unnecessarily stressful.
I went down at 9 sharp, but no one was there. Waiting in the empty lobby, I caught myself growing restless—an unmistakably Japanese part of me showing. Even after a year of traveling the world, I realized how deeply such habits remain. Eventually, someone arrived around 9:10, and I was able to complete the process.
Reuniting With My Bicycle
Afterwards, I headed to Tony’s house to collect my bicycle, which I had left there. It took about an hour and a half, and finally, after a full week away, I was back on the saddle. I had worried that my body might have lost its rhythm, but once I started pedaling, I realized I could still move forward steadily. The road was mostly flat that day, which helped me ease back into the journey.
The Mistake of No Food
The biggest mistake of the day was not buying any food before setting off. From experience, I know that once I’m on cycle lanes, shops and supermarkets are rare. I should have prepared better. As a result, I had almost nothing to eat until 4 p.m., except for a few mandarins Tony had given me.
It became a lesson in understanding my own limits. Traveling by bicycle teaches me exactly how much energy I need to keep going—and how difficult it becomes when that energy runs out. Though tough, it was a useful reminder.
Camping in the Bush
By the end of the day, I had covered about 40 kilometers and found a quiet bush area to set up camp. It felt good to be back in the rhythm of camping after days away.
Looking ahead, my goal for tomorrow is to reach Barowra, or if possible, Cowan. Either would be an excellent achievement. The journey continues, with each day adding its own challenges and lessons.
