A Morning That Began with Ramen
At 7 a.m., I woke to the chill of the air. To warm myself, I boiled water and made a packet of instant ramen. I don’t usually eat ramen in the morning, but that steaming hot broth on such a cold day tasted better than I could have imagined. I even let out a small sigh of satisfaction. It’s strange how simple, ordinary moments can turn into something special when you’re on the road.
Afterward, I brewed a cup of coffee. I packed slowly, still struggling to get my body moving, and eventually left at 10 a.m.
A Conversation with Benjamin
On the way toward town, I looked for a flower shop but couldn’t find one. Just before reaching Foster, a man stopped me. His name was Benjamin. A cycling enthusiast himself, he stared in surprise at the little garden riding in my trailer.
“Do you need anything?” he asked with genuine concern. His kindness warmed me instantly. As we parted, he said, “If anything happens, contact me,” and waved goodbye. Encouraged, I pedaled on.
Cycling with Plants Along the Trail
Today’s road was a dedicated cycling trail, smooth and pleasant. Almost every passerby shouted, “Nice one!” or smiled, clearly intrigued by the sight of plants being pulled along in a trailer.
Still, problems began to appear. The vibrations caused the soil to rise and some plants started shifting out of their pots. One pot became so unstable that I had to transplant the plant into the Australian soil along the roadside.
It felt sad to let go of a plant I had carried for several days, but I believed it had a better chance to survive and thrive here, rooted in this land.
An Unexpected Connection in Fish Creek
Eventually, I reached Fish Creek, a small village where people naturally seemed closer to one another. While chatting with a florist, I mentioned that I didn’t yet have a place to stay that night. The shopkeeper kindly offered to call a friend on my behalf, and within minutes, a place to sleep was arranged.
Moments like this remind me of the mysterious power of travel—how chance encounters can connect you to kindness.
A Friendly Goat and Sleeping in a Garage
After another hour of cycling, I reached Foster. At the house I had been introduced to, I found a goat in the yard that acted almost like a dog, trotting up to me and demanding attention. I couldn’t help but laugh as I stroked its head.
That night, I was given space in the garage to sleep. Protected once again by unexpected encounters and generosity, I ended the day deeply grateful. Travel is truly made richer through human connections.
