111 km

This morning we were serenaded by what we called the Car Alarm Bird and the Twilight Zone Bird. We had slept well and were both in great moods because the morning was so pleasantly cool. Dave was singing little songs and whistling, as he often does. It was a beautiful morning.

After a few rolling hills we started mostly heading downhill. The cool, high mountain air was wonderful and we enjoyed every moment knowing it would soon end. We had breakfast just outside of Penkalan Hulu, at a roti restaurant. We had the best roti telor so far on this trip (egg folded into super-thin flatbread which is then fried, egg is sometimes spelled telur, sometimes telor, depending on the region). We sat at a table with some local fire and rescue guys and had a nice chat with them. As we were leaving we met Tukiman, a professor of psychology from North Sumatra University who was home to visit family for the weekend. We’d sure love to visit Sumatra sometime, and if we do, we’ll try to look Tukiman up. He was a pleasure to talk to, even for just a few minutes.

Our Bikes Open Doors and Conversations

Traveling by bicycle is such a wonderful way to meet people. Because we’re riding, we see small towns that most tourists never see. Because we arrive by bicycle, we are often respected for our efforts to see the country, and most often it is because of our bicycles that conversations begin. We have met so many wonderful people on this trip because we are accessible on these bicycles. We’re not encased in an air-conditioned bus or car that separates us, we are among the locals and eating where the locals eat. I feel fortunate to be able to have this time to travel, because bike touring takes time. And this time is passing by much too quickly.