Farewell to Banyuwangi
On February 16, I finally set out from Banyuwangi toward Bali. For three days, Devin had taken care of me in every possible way.
In the rush of preparing to leave, I hadn’t even noticed that in the backyard his father kept several cows. There was also a goat pen with around thirty goats. It was surprising to realize how much life surrounded the house.
Devin drove me to the port himself. Until the very end, his kindness showed through. He truly was the embodiment of hospitality.
Unexpected Moments Before Departure
On the way, I remembered a few things I needed and stopped by a small local shop. To my surprise, a filming crew was there, and before I knew it, I ended up being part of the shoot. I laughed and promised, “Next time I come, I’ll buy much more.”
Then we reached the port for Bali.
To my astonishment, Devin had already bought my ferry ticket. Even at the very last moment, his thoughtfulness overwhelmed me. There were no words to express my gratitude. I promised myself that if he ever came to Japan, I would give him the greatest hospitality I could offer.
Crossing to Bali
The process of boarding the ferry with a bicycle from Banyuwangi was simple. I just followed the staff’s instructions while riding. Some ports require cyclists to dismantle their luggage, which is troublesome, but here it was smooth and easy.
The ferry ride took about an hour. I was so exhausted that I didn’t even take photos. Disembarking was just as simple—I rolled off with no complications. Soon, I was standing on Bali.
First Impressions of Bali
From the port, I pedaled along the main road toward Denpasar. Immediately, I noticed differences from Java.
The roadside trees were alive with monkeys, dozens of them. They didn’t attack, but I knew that teasing them could lead to trouble. Passing through the forested zone, dogs began to appear.
Because Bali is rooted in Hinduism, dogs are considered sacred, and they are everywhere. Unlike the stray dogs I encountered in Thailand, however, these dogs did not chase my bicycle. That difference made the road feel calmer.
Rest and Reflection
Along the way, I stopped for a simple meal. I ordered Soto Ayam and Es Teh. The price came to just over 20,000 rupiah. Not too expensive, but clearly higher than usual, likely because of the tourist influence.
Later, I found a hotel for the night and ended the day’s ride. My body felt heavy. After a short break from cycling, fatigue seemed to hit me harder. I thought to myself, maybe it’s time I add some strength training into my routine.
