Waking Up at the Campsite
I woke up to the quiet surroundings of my tent. Camping in Australia finally made me feel like the journey here had truly begun. The fresh morning air and the vast silence reminded me I was far from the cities I had passed through in Asia.
But while riding yesterday, I made a decision that changed my route. Originally, I had planned to travel clockwise around Australia, cycling from Perth up toward Darwin. Yet the heat was unbearable, and my body sent me a warning—“this might be too much.” I decided to listen to my instincts and head south instead of north. Sometimes, the journey teaches you when to push forward and when to step back.
A Long, Empty Road
For the first hour, I cycled along an endless straight stretch of concrete. There was nothing but the road, the horizon, and me. Oddly enough, the emptiness felt comforting. The road surface was smooth, likely because it was closer to Perth, and riding felt effortless.
But after an hour, my water supply was almost gone. Just as worry began to grow, a kind man stopped and offered me not only water but also protein bars. His generosity came at the perfect time. In that moment, I truly felt the warmth of Australian hospitality.
Small Comforts on the Way
About 30 kilometers later, I reached a 7-Eleven. Seeing a familiar sign like that brought an unexpected sense of relief, as if a little piece of home had appeared here in Australia.
I bought a frozen drink for around 2 AUD. Compared to the prices of other items, it felt almost cheap. Small comforts like this make the ride easier.
From there, I continued toward the coast and soon arrived again at Perth’s beaches. I had heard many times about their beauty, but seeing the sparkling waves with my own eyes confirmed it. The water shimmered as if lit from within.
An Unexpected Act of Kindness
While resting by the beach, a man stepped out of his car and asked, “Where are you heading?” I told him I planned to cycle south from Perth. Without hesitation, he went into the nearby bakery and bought me bread worth about 8 AUD.
That simple gesture touched me deeply. On days when energy runs low, kindness like this feels like fuel for both the body and the spirit.
Racing Against the Sunset
I resumed my journey, heading 20 kilometers south of Perth. In total, I rode over 100 kilometers that day. The sunset over the ocean was breathtaking, painting the sky with gold and red.
But as beautiful as it was, I was also anxious. Night cycling is something I fear, and I wanted to reach my destination before darkness settled completely.
Unfortunately, construction signs marked “Road Work” forced me into long detours. The delays added almost two extra hours, testing both my patience and stamina.
A Warm Welcome at the End
At last, I reached my destination. Exhausted but relieved, I was greeted by a French traveler staying at the same place. To my surprise, he offered me dinner.
It was the first real meal I had eaten since the protein bar that morning. That dinner became not just food but a reward, a reminder of how shared kindness makes this journey meaningful.
