Morning at the Campsite
I woke up around 7 a.m. at the campsite and began packing my belongings. My goal for the day was Campbelltown, about 30 kilometers away. But what made this day special was that I had arranged to meet someone I had met nine months earlier in Georgetown, Malaysia. His name was Tony, and we had stayed at the same guesthouse back then. At first, I wasn’t sure if he remembered me—or even if I had the right contact details.
For a while, I panicked because I couldn’t find his number. I thought I had lost my chance to reconnect. Then, almost like a small miracle, I discovered his information in a folder where I had been saving the names of people I’d met along the road. Thanks to that, I was able to reach out, and to my relief, he replied.
The Road to Campbelltown
Cycling toward Campbelltown was not too difficult in terms of distance, but the closer I came to Sydney, the more crowded the roads became. Cars rushed past, lanes narrowed, and sometimes the cycle lane suddenly disappeared. Each moment required concentration. It was manageable, but it kept me alert the entire time.
Finally, I reached the house where Tony and his younger brother Daniel were waiting. The warm welcome from the family touched me deeply. They even offered to help store my bicycle safely. It reminded me once again that the road is not just about landscapes, but about people who make the journey lighter.
The First Train Ride in Australia
As we caught up, Tony suggested, “Why don’t we go into Sydney together?” I had not yet entered the city center, so I agreed. That meant one thing I had never done before in Australia: taking the train.
Buying a ticket, finding the right platform—everything felt new. The train itself surprised me, with its double-deck structure and comfortable seating, almost like Japan’s Shinkansen. The short 30-minute ride was filled with excitement. First times only come once, and I felt grateful to experience this small but memorable “first” in my journey.
Exploring Sydney
Arriving in Sydney, we walked around famous spots such as the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. We even took a boat ride, and for lunch Tony treated me to ramen. It was the first bowl of ramen I’d had since Melbourne, and the taste carried a special comfort.
In the evening, Tony dropped me off at a hostel where I would stay the night. At first, I had worried that Sydney’s hostels would cost over 100 AUD per night, but after checking, I found places for around 30 AUD. That discovery eased my anxiety—I could stay longer if I wanted.
Later, I went out again to see the Opera House at night. The atmosphere was completely different from the daytime. The lights reflected on the harbor, the air was cooler, and everything felt calm and powerful at the same time. It was a moment worth remembering.
Preparing for the Next Step
Back at the hostel, I prepared for the next day. My plan was clear: I would take the White Card course, a mandatory safety certification for working in construction in Australia.
My original idea had been to work in farming, but I realized that few Japanese travelers try construction jobs. I thought it could be valuable to learn about this side of Australia. To do that, I needed the White Card. The course could be completed in one day, so I made plans to attend school the following morning.
The day ended with a sense of gratitude—reconnecting with an old friend, experiencing my first Australian train, exploring Sydney, and preparing for the next step of this journey.
