A Morning of Farewell
I woke up to find breakfast already prepared in the living room. From the moment I arrived, this family had shown me endless hospitality, and this morning was no exception. Every gesture of kindness made me feel truly at home, even though I was thousands of kilometers away from Japan.
Before leaving, I wrote them a letter to express my gratitude. It felt like the least I could do after everything they had done for me.
In the garage, I began assembling my bicycle. There were three bikes visible at first, but in reality, there were around seven in total. To live surrounded by bicycles like that—it’s the kind of lifestyle I can’t help but admire.
After heartfelt goodbyes to my host family, I finally set off. My bicycle felt heavier than ever, weighed down by all the food I had bought for the journey ahead. The wheels rolled slowly, but with determination, I started moving north out of Perth.
Cycling Along Perth’s Coast
The first several dozen kilometers were surprisingly smooth. Perth has well-maintained cycling lanes, making it easy and safe to ride. It was a great reminder of how thoughtful urban planning can transform the experience of cyclists like me.
As I followed the coast, the scenery was breathtaking. The Indian Ocean stretched out endlessly, its waves glistening under the sun. For anyone who loves the sea, this stretch of coastline is a paradise. The ride was effortless, carried along by the salty breeze and the sight of the horizon.
Along the way, I noticed new construction projects—large shopping complexes combined with apartment towers rising near the beach. I imagined what it must be like to live in one of those apartments, with such an incredible ocean view every day.
An Unexpected Encounter
Not long after leaving the coast, a man called out to me. He asked, “Do you know Catman?”
I immediately recognized the name. Catman is a traveler who is walking around Australia—an extraordinary feat. I had heard of him before, so I responded with a smile, “I know him!”
The man laughed and, without hesitation, offered me water and food. I was touched. Even though I had never met Catman, his reputation had somehow brought kindness my way. One traveler’s story had connected us, and it reminded me of how small and generous the world can be.
The Challenge of the Sand Road
Later in the day, I headed toward the campsite marked on my map. But as I approached, I faced an unexpected obstacle: a vast stretch of soft sand.
The campsite was supposed to be just beyond it, and the sun was already sinking lower in the sky. I hesitated for a moment but then told myself, “I have no choice but to go forward.”
With my bike loaded down, every pedal sank deep into the sand. Progress was painfully slow, and my strength drained quickly. Dirt roads are hard enough, but deep sand with heavy gear is almost unbearable.
After struggling forward for a while, I realized with disappointment that the marked campsite was nowhere to be found. Ahead of me stretched only more emptiness. My heart sank. I knew then that I had to turn back.
Going back was even harder than going forward. The sand pulled at my tires, and the fading daylight made each step heavier. What had taken 30 minutes to ride earlier now took me almost an hour to retrace.
A Night Under the Stars
As the sky darkened, I decided to set up camp in a nearby spot I found. It wasn’t planned, but sometimes the best camping places are the ones discovered by accident.
That night, I set up my tent and looked up at the sky. I tried taking photos of the stars with my limited skills, but nothing could capture the sheer beauty I saw. The night sky was ablaze with countless stars, brighter and closer than I had ever experienced.
In that moment, all the exhaustion from the sand road disappeared. This was Australia’s nature at its finest—raw, overwhelming, and beautiful. Just seeing that sky made all the struggles of the day worth it.
