I took a nap on the lounge sofa and woke up at 3 AM. I didn't feel like I'd slept very well. There was still plenty of time until the 7:30 AM departure.
I had breakfast at the cafeteria.
I didn't want to get sleepy after eating, so I headed to the boarding gate a little after 6 AM. Despite my right knee pain, I had to walk a considerable distance. Gate Q14 was at the very end.
Perhaps due to the weak yen, there seemed to be few Japanese tourists. The languages I heard were Malay, Chinese, Korean, and English.
Boarding finally began after 7 AM.
People with Malaysian passports seemed relatively well-off. Many were wearing Uniqlo jackets or Asics shoes; it seemed like many of them were Japanophiles.
It's currently cherry blossom season, the perfect time for sightseeing.
The flight was six and a half hours. The AirAsia cabin felt quite cramped. Is it because many Asians are slender that the planes are designed this way? American and Australian airlines have more spacious economy seats... although body types are completely different.
The plane took off on time. Thankfully, this time, my Penang flight also had an aisle seat. My flight to Kansai Airport was an aisle seat at the very back. It's nice to be able to easily go to the restroom. I can also get up and walk around occasionally. My knees start to hurt even when sitting, so I need to stand up and walk around regularly.
I always use budget airlines for my Asian trips, so there are no in-flight meals, movies, or music, making for long, boring times.
Even though it's only about seven hours, it's too long to just sit still.
Just after 3 PM, I landed at Kansai Airport. It's been about 40 days since I was last in Japan.
Unlike Malaysia, the temperature is low.
Some people from Malaysia are wearing short-sleeved shirts, shorts, and sandals. Are they going to buy clothes in Japan?
I took the shuttle to the arrivals exit.
The thing I'm happiest about being back in Japan is the toilet.
Not a handheld bidet, but the bliss of sitting on a heated toilet seat and having the bidet automatically wash my bottom...
I smoothly completed the procedures, got my luggage, and headed to the exit.
Piapi and Ryota were there to meet me.
My trek to Australia was 163 days, four times longer than this 40 days.
Even though it's only 40 days, after being away from Japan for over a month, I definitely feel like Urashima Taro (a character from a Japanese folktale who returns to his village after a long time away).
For starters, I hardly spoke to anyone during my trek.
I only exchanged a few words with staff when shopping or checking in/out at hotels.
Even during the car ride home, I was pleasantly surprised by the scenery, which was completely different from Malaysia (no palm trees, narrower roads, etc.).
I was torn between the relief of being back in Osaka and the sadness that my trek was over.
First, I need to heal my injured right knee. A situation I've never experienced before.
It might be due to age, but it's also possible that my training wasn't sufficient.
Above all, I'm deeply grateful and overwhelmed with emotion that I made it back safely!
Thank you to everyone who supported and cheered me!
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