A Restless Night
On the night of February 17, in the outskirts of Bali, I tried to sleep but noticed something strange. Tiny white insects appeared all over the bed. In most cases, I would simply ignore such things, but with the end of my Southeast Asia journey approaching, my instincts warned me: “Don’t sleep here.”
Trusting that feeling, I decided to lay down my camping mat and sleep on the ground instead. These instincts are not always right, but often enough they save me from trouble.
First Roads of the Day
Morning came, and I set out on what seemed like the perfect start—straight, flat roads stretching endlessly ahead.
The scenery began to show signs of Hindu culture. Even though Bali is part of Indonesia, it looks and feels entirely different from Java. The straight road slowly tilted upward. The climb was hard, but when the ocean appeared in the distance and I heard the waves, my tired body felt refreshed. Any small change in the landscape keeps a traveler from boredom and lifts the spirit.
The Reality of Bali’s Roads
I had assumed that cycling in Bali would be easy. But I was wrong. For every downhill, there was an uphill waiting.
The slopes here are deceptive—gentle in appearance but brutally steep in reality. At one point, I descended into an area surrounded by water, a moment so beautiful it washed away the fatigue. Yet that joy was short-lived. Soon, the next steep ascent began.
Climbing slowly, I was eventually rewarded with peaceful countryside views. Surrounded by calm and quiet, I pushed forward, soaking in the landscape. But again, Bali’s roads demanded more. A left turn revealed another hidden climb. This island is full of surprises—both breathtaking and exhausting.
An Unexpected Lift in Spirit
At one point, as I struggled uphill, I came across a mural. It was clearly drawn by a fan of the character, but the name was spelled wrong. I couldn’t help but laugh. Somehow, that little mistake lightened my mood. My body felt lighter too, as if humor itself had given me the strength to continue.
The Final Challenge of the Day
Later, I hit a wave of traffic jams. This was a different kind of challenge—dodging cars and weaving through congestion—but eventually, I reached the place where I would stay for the night.
After meeting my host, I learned that they had already ordered Schwalbe tires for me. Knowing that I would have these before heading to Australia felt like an enormous relief. For a long-distance cyclist, the right equipment means security, and this simple act of kindness carried great weight.
