Part 2: The Noob’s Motorcycle Diaries – Mae Hong Son Loop

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After our eventful first leg, the motorcycle adventure continues!

Day 2: Mae Sariang –> Mae Hong Son       (163 kms)

On the second leg of our journey, the surroundings started to become harsher. Landscapes converted from green to orange and dried leaves scattered the forest floors. Some parts of the forest were even on fire, causing the air to be thick with the scent of smoke. At one point, a burning tree fell in the middle of the road billowing a mass of grey smoke. As Arran skillfully weaved our motorcycle around the burning tree – I silently ticked off a bucket list item – rising from the flames like all those Hollywood movies, check.

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Part 1: The Noob’s Motorcycle Diaries -Mae Hong Son Loop

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With the mention of The Motorcycle Diaries, Che Guevara’s epic 9 month motorcycling journey across 28 South American towns comes to mind – popularized by a 2004 movie with the same name. Not nearly as epic, yet thrilling nonetheless, was The Exploring Engineers’ 5 day motorcycling trip traversing through northern Thailand mountains.

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Travel by Gabriel García Márquez

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Gabriel García Márquez, an author I love, described so aptly the joys found from traveling. The original poem written in Spanish, I find a lot more poetic and beautiful (isn’t everything in Latin language?)  For the purposes of my readers who are largely English- speaking, here is a translation. Scroll down for the original Spanish version.

Travelling is leaving home,
Parting with friends
It’s trying to fly;
To fly along new routes
Crossing paths
It is trying to change.

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How I Met The Person I Want to Travel the World With

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It all began with a weekend trip to Madrid.

The day started off with a walking tour across the historical sites of the Spanish capital. Astounded by the excellent service provided by the tour guides of Madride Travel, I decided to take up their offer to join the night crawl too. Turning up at 8pm sharp at the bear statue of Puerta de Sol,  a horde of 20 other international tourists joined in on the fun.  Strolling through the cobblestoned streets an hour into the crawl, I overheard my travel partner striking up a conversation with this man with distinguished blonde hair and red beard.

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