My experience with headlands riding from Batemans Bay to Broulee was engaging management of momentum and run ups. Trickier with a touring load of course.

Coincidentally, the day after this journal I learned about the amazing insect hawking, echosteering, spit nesting swifts on an infoboard at Mossman Gorge!

Roquefort cheese? Formula for lambs?

Or is there travel in the head tube?

Tidal traps for shellfish?

I was bemused by a restaurant in north Bali proudly displaying a framed photo of Hygienic Employee of the Month.

Protesting Dutch colonisation.

I agree, Graham - convenient, cheap, I haven't got sick, etc. But, I am riding a bicycle and I'd love more options than the same items at room temperature with rice. Thats the typical fare along the road. Larger pla es are different. I eat several times a day and would love something different. Vegetables seem in short supply. In Vietnam and Thailand, you get an excellent stir fry with a great range of items. Malaysia has outstanding food. Here, a nasi goreng has a few strands of vegetable and a bit of cucumber on the side. In my opinion, Indonesia does not compete on the food front.

It’s interesting that this style of restaurant has spread so widely within Indonesia (from Padang in Sumatra) but unlike Yum Cha, doesn’t seem to have become an international phenomenon. Not yet.

When I was taking groups to Java & Sumatra, we found that reputable Masakan Padang restaurants were excellent for feeding a large group fast and cheaply. Especially on road trips.

Dozens of small servings of various dishes in individual serves/bowls were laid out. We only paid for those which were eaten.

We didn’t have any mass food poisonings from these or other types of styles restaurants in the seven years of study tours. Possibly thanks to the knowledge of locals who directed us.

I have to disagree. It appears that you got today’s ride very right.
Such a variety of roads, scenery and, most importantly, positive interactions with many local folk. Especially with the students. That was great.

We haven’t met, but today your friend shared your story with me. Love it!

Dear Zhoujing, thanks for the kind comment. I need them today!!
Have we met? Ian

Amazing journey Ian! Shoutout for you from Canberra. Ride safe and have fun!

Ah yes. The small motor bike syndrome. I remember it well from cycling in southern Italy and the Peloponnesus.
My theory is the riders are reincarnated Harley riders. Their kharmas probably ran over their dogmas.
I’m yet to work out why noise is so prevalent in hotter climates, and seems to abate in countries closer to the poles.

Martin, I wish that I had asked you because I was wondering where you were. Ian