A Warm Farewell
February 4th, Malang. I left Adi’s house after five nights of stay. I usually set myself a rule of no more than three nights in one place, but here, I forgot about that completely. The days had been so comfortable, so full of kindness, that leaving felt heavy on my heart.
Adi had gone out early in the morning to make pancakes, so I woke up early as well to say goodbye. Malang had not been in my original plan, but coming here on instinct turned out to be one of the best choices.
When I shook hands with Anan for the last time, it carried a deep meaning. Every day, he had made me breakfast and poured me sweet coffee. Both Adi and Anan felt like people born from kindness itself.
An Unexpected Stop
As I was leaving, Anan invited me to stop by his own home just a hundred meters away. Inside, I was surprised to find a collection of treasures that spoke of another era.
There were traditional sandals that reminded me of Japanese geta, and musical instruments that created playful sounds. Looking at them stirred my imagination. I pictured a future room of my own, decorated with such items—a space filled with history and character.
After that visit, I finally set off toward my next destination.
Preparing for the Road Ahead
I headed to an outdoor shop called Oasa. Since I’ll soon be going to Australia, I wanted to prepare some camping gear. The shop was even better than I expected.
I bought four items: a lamp, a survival knife, some clips, and a waterproof sheet. All together, it cost only around 2,000 yen. Affordable and practical.
But once I left, the day turned brutally hot. The sun drained my energy as I cycled through the winding roads. I stopped at a fruit juice shop and ordered fresh pineapple juice for just 5,000 rupiah. Cold, sweet, and exactly what I needed.
With water bottles refilled, I pushed forward.
A Tough Ride
The road through the mountains was steep with constant ups and downs. It was one of the toughest rides so far. Near the end, I stopped at a small store for a bottle of Oronamin C and an orange-flavored jelly drink—quick energy for the last push.
The shop owners, a kind couple, cheered me on with such strength in their voices that I felt revived. Their encouragement carried me forward.
Then, as I pedaled, Mount Semeru came into view. Its shape reminded me of Mount Fuji in Japan, and the sight lifted my spirits despite the fatigue.
A Special Welcome
Just one kilometer from the goal, I suddenly heard someone calling, “Hiro-san!” To my surprise, my host for the night had come out on his bicycle to welcome me. That gesture alone filled me with gratitude.
Upon arrival, they offered me a fruit called plakan, which looked a little like a chestnut. Sweet and addictive, though the small spines on the skin could easily cut your fingers if not careful.
For dinner, I was served eggs and tempeh. It struck me once again that tempeh is truly a part of every Indonesian household meal.
After dinner, the father suggested we go out for coffee. We walked to a nearby café, and even though it was around 8 p.m., I ordered a black coffee. Sitting there after a long day, the bitterness felt just right.
That night, as I reflected, I realized: in these hilly regions, seventy kilometers in a day is probably my limit.
