Saying Goodbye and Setting Off
March 26. I said farewell to the British couple who had kindly cooked spaghetti for me the night before. They were such wonderful people, and I truly hope our paths cross again someday.
My destination for today was Munglinup.
The temperature quickly rose to around 26–27 degrees, and the constant ups and downs of the road drained my energy faster than I expected. Each push on the pedals felt heavier under the growing heat.
Still, after about five hours, I finally arrived.
The Small Joy of a Cold Drink
The first place I headed was the local store.
Inside the refrigerator, I spotted an old friend: Solo.
This lemon-flavored soda is a common drink in Australia, and it has become my little reward whenever I find it on the road. Taking the first sip, I felt the cool sweetness soak into my body. It was like telling myself, “I’ve made it this far.”
A Quiet Camp Among Travelers
Munglinup has a few free camping spots, and I pitched my tent in one of them.
Around me were several people traveling in caravans. There was a calm and gentle atmosphere, a quiet sense of connection between fellow travelers—even without many words exchanged.
There wasn’t a dramatic view of the ocean or the sky, but the soft breeze and peaceful silence made the place feel comfortable. Sometimes, that’s all you really need.
Dinner, Simple but Enough
As evening came, I wondered what to eat. Then I remembered something I had learned from another traveler: how to open a tuna can without a pull-tab.
Many of the cheaper cans don’t come with a handle, and normally you’d need a can opener. I don’t carry one, but I was taught a trick: hold a knife upside down and carefully press it in bit by bit.
It worked.
That was my dinner for the night—just one can of tuna.
There are days when exhaustion leaves no energy for cooking, and on those days, something simple is enough.
Looking Toward Esperance
Esperance is now less than 100 kilometers away. The goal is close, but I remind myself not to rush.
Every part of the journey, even the small and quiet days, is worth savoring.
I’ll continue forward slowly, enjoying each step along the way.
