Laundry, Meals, and an Unexpected Encounter
October 16. This morning began with a simple message: “Let’s meet today, since we’re both cycling the world!” I looked forward to it, but before that, I had things to take care of at home.
The first task was laundry. Days of travel had left me with a mountain of clothes, and finally, I decided to wash everything at once. One load cost 30 baht (about 136 yen), and while the machine rumbled away for an hour, I went out to eat breakfast.
Breakfast and a Small Surprise
Just a minute’s walk from the guesthouse, I found a local food stall. I ordered a plate of pork rice, cooked in a style similar to Thai basil stir-fry, for 45 baht (about 203 yen).
What amazed me most was the speed. From the moment I placed the order, the food was ready in less than a minute. It wasn’t just delicious—it was unbelievably fast. As I sat there eating, I smiled at how efficient and lively life in Thailand can be.
The Laundry Problem
After breakfast, I returned, ready to hang my clothes. But then I faced an unexpected problem: this guesthouse had no place to hang laundry. For a moment, I felt stuck. What could I do with a pile of wet clothes?
Then I thought, Why not just make something myself?
With a bit of trial and error, I set up a drying line on the balcony. It looked makeshift, but when I stepped back, I realized it worked perfectly. In that moment, I felt proud. Human beings, when cornered, always find ways to adapt. That’s what I love about traveling—learning that problems can be solved with creativity and persistence.
Planning the Next Journey
Once the clothes were hanging in the sun, I sat down with my map to plan the next part of my journey. On the 19th, I would begin cycling south from Bangkok, heading toward Malaysia and Singapore.
But the question remained: should I return and cross into Indonesia at Dumai, or should I go directly to Batam Island and then to Pontianak on Borneo?
The second route tempted me more. Few cyclists had taken it, and the unknown always excites me. Sometimes the less traveled path is where the greatest stories are born.
Lunch with Familiar Flavors
By midday, hunger returned, so I went back to the same stall for lunch. This time, I ordered stir-fried vegetables with eggs for 50 baht (about 226 yen). The taste reminded me of home in Japan, and a warm sense of comfort washed over me.
Traveling is often about the new, but sometimes, finding something familiar can feel just as precious.
The Ride to Khao San Road
In the afternoon, it was finally time to head out and meet my fellow traveler. I cycled toward the Khao San Road area, weaving through traffic and busy streets.
On the way, I saw a beautiful view and couldn’t resist stopping to take a photo. But as I glanced at my watch, I realized I was already five minutes late. That sense of urgency, of trying not to be late, reminded me how much of Japanese culture still lived inside me, even while abroad.
I took another picture, this time including my bicycle. After all, it had carried me this far—it deserved to be part of the memory.
Meeting a Fellow World Cyclist
And then, finally, it happened.
I met Yuya, another Japanese cyclist traveling the world. The moment we shook hands, a wave of relief and excitement washed over me. Meeting someone who truly understood the hardships and joys of long journeys—it felt like meeting family.
We talked about many things: his life in Kyushu, his plans to renovate an old Japanese house, the way cycling had shaped his view of the world. Every word carried weight because we had both lived through similar challenges.
When it came time to part, we exchanged the same phrase I’ve said to many others along this journey: “Let’s meet somewhere in the world again.”
But this time, there was something more concrete. The next time we see each other, it will likely be in Japan, at his renovated farmhouse. That thought filled me with joy.
Travel connects people in unexpected ways. And sometimes, those connections turn into lifelong friendships.
