Midnight Packing and Farewell to Indonesia
The long-awaited day had finally come: I was leaving Indonesia and heading to Australia. In the middle of the night, I began disassembling my bicycle, removing each part one by one. Taking it apart was simple, but I couldn’t help worrying about whether I would be able to reassemble it correctly.
Thankfully, the hotel staff kindly offered to help me with the packing, even though it was late at night. Their support made me realize how fortunate I was to have met such warm-hearted people on my very last day in Indonesia.
The Journey from Bali to Perth
At the airport, my neatly packed bicycle box and bags made my luggage appear surprisingly light. My ticket was for the Bali–Perth flight, a route that many travelers don’t realize can be incredibly affordable—sometimes as low as ¥10,000 if you travel without checked baggage.
During the flight, I tried to relax. But at one point, my GoPro suddenly turned on and made noise, startling me and a few nearby passengers. It was my fault for fiddling with it out of boredom—a small but unnecessary panic.
After a few hours, the plane touched down in Perth. My bicycle box arrived safely, and I began the process of reassembling it. As I worked, I thought about how little English I had spoken lately and wondered how best to ask for help if I needed it. About 30 minutes later, the bicycle started to take shape, and within an hour, it was fully ready to ride again.
First Impressions of Perth
The first thing I noticed was the air. It was hot, but the lack of humidity made it feel fresh and pleasant. It felt like a completely different atmosphere compared to Southeast Asia.
As I set off on my bike, I was immediately impressed by the well-designed cycling lanes. Unlike the chaotic roads I had become used to, here I could ride with ease and confidence. Parks appeared everywhere, with open green spaces that made the city feel calm and balanced. Watching the relaxed pace of the people around me, I felt that this peaceful atmosphere was deeply connected to the environment they lived in.
While resting in one of the parks, I spotted a small bird that at first looked like a crow, but something about it seemed different. Soon after, a duck waddled close by. With its lakes and waterways, Perth seemed like a city where nature and humans coexisted in harmony.
A Warm Welcome from My Host
By the afternoon, I reached the home of my host in Perth. The comfort of the soft bed was something I hadn’t felt in a long time. While resting, my host invited me to the beach, and I eagerly agreed.
The ocean was breathtakingly beautiful, with colors that seemed almost unreal. A gentle breeze blew across the sand, and dogs ran freely along the shore. It truly felt like paradise.
That evening, we shared dinner together, and I enjoyed a glass of wine for the first time in many weeks. It was the perfect ending to my first day in Australia—a day filled with relief, discovery, and gratitude.
