Morning Reflections and Gratitude
I woke up in a small town about 20 kilometers from Perth and prepared breakfast. Having a kettle available felt like such a blessing. With bushfire season still ongoing, I felt uneasy about using gas canisters to boil water. Simple tools like this kettle reminded me how much I appreciate small conveniences on the road.
Before leaving, I wrote a letter. One of the values I hold dearly on this journey is to be remembered as “a traveler people truly want to see again.” Many say “come back anytime” as a polite phrase, but I want to live in a way that makes people genuinely mean it. Writing letters of gratitude has become one way I try to honor the kindness I receive.
With that thought, I finished preparing my bike. Every day I worry whether my rear rack will hold together, but I continue anyway.
On the Road Toward Baldivis
My next destination was Baldivis, a place I was invited to through social media just the day before. Along the way, I saw many trees scorched black.
When I asked locals, they told me these were scars left by bushfires. At first glance, the damage seemed limited to small patches, but the reality is devastating. During the 2019–2020 bushfires, more than 10.7 million hectares were burned—an area far beyond what the eye can easily imagine. Traveling teaches me that understanding the real struggles of the land is as important as enjoying its beauty.
A Short Break and Arrival
Closer to Baldivis, I stopped at a McDonald’s to rest. I can’t recall the exact price, but even a medium set felt expensive compared to what I was used to.
Finally, I arrived at my host’s house in Baldivis. The warm welcome began immediately with a chilled Kirin Hyouketsu and a bottle of Asahi beer. After a long day on the bike, the taste of that beer felt like pure reward.
I also got to meet their cat. In Australia, I have noticed that dogs seem to be the more common household pet, so it was nice to meet a cat companion here.
Shared Meals and Renewed Purpose
That evening, I was served a healthy, juicy dinner. The kindness and generosity of my hosts made me deeply grateful.
As I sat there, enjoying the meal and conversation, I thought back on my decision to change my route—from cycling north toward Darwin to heading south from Perth. It was the right choice. The roads, the people, and the lessons along the way confirmed that sometimes intuition guides us better than plans.
