Day 54. Tuesday, September 7, 2010. In Kagoshima.
Decided to stay on the west side of the bay this day. Rode out to the ferry port to time the trip and orient myself. Rain on and off most of the day, mostly a drizzle but occasionally a downpour for a few minutes. Checked in for a second night at the hotel. I sorted through my things early in the morning: those to keep, those to send back to Tokyo and those to chuck as gomi ("trash"). Walked over to a nearby Kuroneko Yamato office and sent three bags back to Tokyo for only ¥2,500. Among the gomitized items was the one-man tent I bought from Jackie Kountz back in 1990 or so. I discovered that the floor wasn't waterproof and the frame wasn't self-supporting. Should have sent stuff back sooner but, weeks ago, that might have seemed like a partial "surrender". I didn't hesitate today.
I've given up the idea of catching a ferry back to Tokyo especially as the next direct one to Tokyo from Shibushi leaves on the 13th. The only question now is whether to bag my bicycle and take it on the train or take it to the delivery service, too. The former will mean lugging it from train to train and then reassembling it at Ikebukuro; the latter is just a matter of money.
So much is just "a matter of money".
June 12, 2011.
By this time I was getting a bit travel weary. Perhaps this was due to my nearing the end of the trip with the accompanying letdown of "achieving" my goal. While riding I often considered that there is a great difference between "doing" something and "having done" it. Reminiscence - no matter the relative comfort of the place where it is done - just does not compare to action with the sun and wind on my face and daily discovery of the unknown.
A word about preparation for such a trip: if you decide to bring a tent, make sure it is self-supporting, i.e. doesn't have to be secured by pegs or lines. There were many places - including the approach to the Karakachi Pass between Obihiro and Furano - where it wasn't possible to set up the tent though the ground was relatively flat. And make sure the floor is waterproof.
Ferries: it was difficult if not impossible to get information on more local ferries. I often had to just show up at a port and hope for the best. Also note that some smaller ferry lines have been discontinued yet appear on paper maps and Google Maps. In particular, the ferry from Shibushi to Tokyo (the route is Okinawa-Shibushi-Tokyo) sometimes does not operate but, when it does, is rather infrequent at 3-4 times a month.
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