A Day Beginning at the Lighthouse
Morning in Portland began with the smell of freshly brewed coffee waiting in the kitchen.
One sip was enough to ease the chill from my body. I gave thanks and set off, passing through the still-sleepy town.
My first stop was the lighthouse standing tall on the cape, overlooking the sea. The white tower had finished its duty of guiding ships through the night and now stood quietly, bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun. The salt-worn walls carried the weight of history, their texture suggesting over a century of storms and calm.
Golden light shimmered on the waves, reflecting upward and painting the lighthouse in gentle colors.
[Portland｜ポートランド] Located in the southwest of Victoria, Portland is the state’s oldest European settlement. With a history rooted in whaling, it remains active in fishing and marine industries. The surrounding areas offer nature reserves and scenic lookouts, and in winter, migrating whales can often be seen along the coast.
An Afternoon of Storms
From the lighthouse, I followed a quiet coastal back road. Unlike the main tourist routes, this path carried a solitude and freedom that only travelers discover. It was said that dolphins and even whales sometimes appeared here.
But the weather changed suddenly. Dark, heavy clouds spread quickly, followed by a downpour. Cold raindrops struck my body without mercy. Stopping would only mean more soaking, so I kept pedaling. My vision blurred, and my fingers grew numb.
For over 10 kilometers I rode through the storm before finding a small shelter. I dried what I could, but even with rain covers, water had found its way inside my gear.
A Campsite in the Bush
I decided it was best not to push further and set up camp in a small clearing within the bush.
By now, pitching my tent was second nature, a skill honed through more than a hundred attempts on the road.
As night fell, the wind grew stronger, rattling the tent fabric with sharp bursts of sound. Each gust stole pieces of sleep, but it was still manageable. After months on the road, this kind of weather felt like “just another challenge.”
A Night Wrapped in Stars
Near midnight, I peeked outside. The storm had passed, and the clouds had vanished.
Above me stretched a breathtaking canopy of stars, so vivid it felt as though the universe itself had descended. The memory of cold rain and biting wind faded away beneath the brilliance of the night sky.
In moments like this, I remembered the words I often carried in my heart:
— All’s well that ends well.
