Dawn at the Beach
I woke up around 6 a.m. on November 20th. Even at that hour, the moonlight was still beautifully bright. The sun didnāt rise until around 7:30, leaving the morning wrapped in darkness.
By 5 a.m., however, fishermen were already heading out to sea. Since my tent was pitched beside a beach where a community of fishermen lived, I watched as dozens of boats set off together. The sight of so many vessels cutting through the dark water was powerful, almost ceremonial.
A Breakfast Gift
By 8 a.m., I was ready to depart. This beach had been the perfect campsite. Just before leaving, a man from a nearby food stall approached and handed me breakfast. That small gesture filled me with joy. The warm food lifted my spirits and made me look forward to the day ahead.
I also said goodbye to the cat that had meowed through much of the night. With sleepy eyes, it reminded me how nice it would be to have an animal companion someday. Perhaps in the later part of my journey I will travel with a pet, though I know the challenges of hotels and border crossings make it difficult.
Choosing the Road
As I set out, I felt grateful for the decision not to camp near the mountain the night before. Heavy rain had poured down there, and I would surely have caught a cold. Choosing the right campsite is more important than it seems.
For breakfast, I bought a bundle of bananasāabout 20 for just 10 ringgit (roughly 346 yen). Thatās only 17 yen per banana. An incredible deal. I ate them one by one as I cycled forward.
Rest and Renewal
Still, my body wasnāt at its best. After days of steady travel, fatigue from camping seemed to linger, so I decided to take an early rest.
At a small eatery, I met an owner who loved Japan. We chatted, and his kindness gave me new energy. The food he served was delicious and revitalizing. I felt grateful, as if his generosity helped carry me further down the road.
Later, running short on water, I stopped by a stall and asked if I could refill. āOf course, plenty of water hereādonāt worry,ā the man replied warmly. For just 1 ringgit, I received water, and he suggested adding lime for refreshment. He sliced one into my bottle, and the taste was wonderfully fresh. That simple tip made me smileāI recommend trying it.
Arrival in Butterworth
Eventually, I reached Butterworth. From here, I headed toward the ferry terminal. It had been three days since my last ferry, back in Langkawi. I hoped this one would be easierāno need to take my bike apart.
The day had been filled with farewells, small acts of kindness, and new strength found along the road. Each encounter reminded me that the journey is about more than distanceāit is about gratitude for every moment shared along the way.
