Leaving JJ Hotel
On November 26th, I departed from JJ Hotel, where I had spent several comfortable days. Every morning, I take a side profile photo to see how much my beard has grown—a small habit with no real purpose, but one of those daily routines that makes the journey mine.
The stay at JJ Hotel reminded me of something important: comfort in a hotel is not just about the room itself, but also about the people who work there. The staff's warmth made me feel at home, and leaving was bittersweet. But today, I had more than 100 km ahead of me, so I set out with determination.
Bananas, Roads, and Discovery
Not far from the start, I came across bananas unlike any I had ever seen—huge, almost comical in size. I asked, "Can you even eat this?" and the vendor laughed, saying, "Of course!" They were too heavy to carry, so I passed, but moments like this remind me of how much unexpected variety the world holds.
I cycled steadily until noon, about four hours of nonstop riding. At last, I found a roadside restaurant with bright red chairs and yellow walls—a color combination I often see in Malaysia. There, I ordered chicken rice. By then, I had covered 80 km, and with about 50 km remaining, I needed fuel for the push ahead.
It was also then that I noticed something surprising: I could actually shift my gear two more levels higher. Until now, I hadn't realized this, yet I had managed all those distances regardless. With the higher gears, my speed picked up dramatically.
Pushing Through and Finding Balance
Later, I treated myself to my first CC Lemon since the journey began. I hadn't realized until that moment that CC Lemon was a Japanese drink. The discovery left me amused—something so familiar yet unknown to me until now.
Just as I prepared to ride again, heavy rain and thunder rolled in. I stopped and waited. On the road, it's easy to stay in "battle mode," pushing forward without pause. But moments like these remind me of the value of stopping, of switching the brain into "observation mode," allowing myself to breathe and see the world more clearly. Rain gave me that chance.
Arrival After 140 km
When the storm passed, I rode on and finally arrived after nearly 140 km—the longest and fastest ride since I began this journey. The weather had been kind, the roads mostly flat, and clouds shielded me from the sun. Even so, I felt proud, wanting to give myself credit for finishing strong.
Including breaks, the ride took about 10 hours. Part of the reason I pushed so far was that Kuala Lumpur was now just 50 km away. Another was curiosity: I wanted to try staying in a cheap, poorly rated guesthouse to see what the experience was like.
In reality, it was far better than expected. The Indian and Sri Lankan owners seemed a little cold at first, but after I enthusiastically greeted them with "HELLO!!!" several times, they warmed up and smiled. Sometimes showing a bit of foolish energy makes others laugh, and connections form. They even let me bring my bike inside, which helped a lot.
Exploring Kuala Selangor
I arrived around 6 p.m., with daylight left to explore Kuala Selangor. This port town, just 50 km from Kuala Lumpur, is visited by tour buses and has a few attractions. I climbed a nearby hill used by locals for walking and found gentle monkeys along the path. Unlike aggressive ones I've seen elsewhere, these monkeys were calm and easy to photograph.
From the top, I felt grateful again for my Global Wi-Fi. Something so ordinary as internet access is not ordinary at all, and I felt thankful as I looked out over the town.
Later, I bought water at a convenience store. Evian cost 7.8 ringgit (about 263 yen), far more than the usual 1 ringgit I pay for local brands. Still, knowing the reasons—production costs and labor overseas—helped me accept it.
For dinner, I tried Goreng Basah for just 8 ringgit (about 280 yen). It was rich, flavorful, and I thought to myself, "Every Japanese person would love this taste." I recommend it to anyone visiting.
As I walked back, Kuala Selangor revealed itself as a town full of beauty, especially at night. Before coming to Malaysia, I had no clear image of the country. But now, I felt deeply that I was right to come. Unlike Thailand or Vietnam, which are often at the top of travelers' lists, Malaysia holds scattered treasures waiting to be found.
Reflections at Day’s End
Back at the guesthouse, I noticed little quirks: four unnecessary electrical outlets, a broken clock left hanging on the wall. Imperfect, but charming in their way.
It had been a long day—140 km, my record so far. But more than distance, it was a day of discovery: the kindness of people, the surprise of food, the beauty of a town I hadn't known before.
