Sunrise and the Beginning of Goodbye
Just past 5 a.m., the sunrise slowly rose over the quiet coastline of Ceduna.
I woke in my tent as the soft light filled the sky. There is something about a sunrise over the ocean that feels more than beautiful—it feels like a promise that the day ahead will be special.
At breakfast, warm toast and Vegemite were waiting, bought especially for me by the kind couple I had camped with. It was a simple Australian flavor, yet that morning it tasted warmer than ever.
Then came the moment of farewell.
“We’ll surely meet again somewhere.”
The words were hopeful, but in my chest there was a quiet sadness. Three encounters, two nights of camping, and almost a week of kindness shared with this couple.
I thought I had grown used to partings on this journey. But this time, tears wouldn’t stop.
Gratitude in Ceduna
After saying goodbye, I returned to Ceduna town.
At the OTR convenience store, I met once more the New Caledonian staff member who had been so welcoming every day. This time, I was able to properly thank him before leaving.
Ceduna had given me so many moments of kindness, so many chances to say “thank you.” I didn’t want to leave without saying it once more.
Setting Out Toward Adelaide
At last, the journey began again. My destination: Adelaide.
Hundreds of kilometers still lay ahead, but my heart carried the energy of a fresh departure.
I left in the afternoon, later than planned, and managed only about 10 kilometers before setting up camp.
For dinner, I opened a packet of instant soy-sauce ramen I had brought from Japan.
Eating it here, in a foreign land, the taste was not exactly the same as back home—perhaps 60 to 70 percent of the flavor. But that small reminder of Japan gave me comfort.
A little bit of Japan. A little sense of belonging. That was enough to make the night feel gentle.
