When the weekend rolls around and I’m not off traveling somewhere, I quickly run out of things to do in town. I explored the local lake and park, have checked out the markets, and have taken my motorbike on a casual ride down almost every street. So as another free weekend approached I decided to venture further and explore the province. I looked up some different hikes and waterfalls around the area, making a mental note of all of them for future excursions, and decided on Pha Mo E Dang, which is a cliff overlooking the Thailand and Cambodian border.

I got up nice and early(ok, later than I had planned), loaded up on sunscreen since I would be out in the sun for the 2.5 hour ride, threw on my day pack and hit the road. I absolutely love riding my motorbike. It’s an older model so it needs some TLC and took some getting used to but I had been riding it a lot and had gotten a feel for it. Taking it out on it’s first lengthy ride was very exciting and a little nerve wracking but the feeling of the wind rushing past you is incredible. The sense of freedom and adventure I felt when I was on the road was so much more exhilarating than driving in a car. I can see why people who ride motorcycles often have that camaraderie and I am hooked.

Leaving the city limits of Sisaket behind me I ventured out into the countryside. I live in an area of Thailand that is made up of almost exclusively farmland. Every other road I pass by is a narrow one made of dirt, the fields go on until the eye can see with trees scattered here and there, and it was common to see a huge ox wandering in the field(also chickens on the side of the road and one goat that got frighteningly close my bike). It was a simple, rural landscape but had a serene beauty to it. Thailand is entering the dry season so a lot of the vegetation was dried up and I couldn’t help but wonder at the majesty that this land would reveal in it’s prime season.

Although it was 90% farmland I also drove by a large lake that offered a refreshing breeze and a couple stretches of road cloaked in shade from huge trees lining the road; there were a lot of fruit stands on that part and I stopped for some snacks. I finally arrived at my destination and was welcomed by a Thai Royal Guard Officer as I entered the gate to the national park. This site is so close to the border of Cambodia(and it’s a border that has been contested many times) so there was a heavy military presence. I spent some time up on the cliff wandering around and taking photos; there was one guard who saw me taking a selfie and then offered to take the photo for me but took a whole photoshoot, suggesting different poses, insisting I stand and then sit and then move to this spot or that spot, and I couldn’t say no. I ate my snacks and then embarked on the journey back home.

For me this day really was so much more about the journey than the destination. I loved Pha Mo E Dang but pushing myself to explore past the boundaries of what was comfortable and experiencing the thrill of the open road was more memorable and remarkable for me. Oh, and the discomfort was not only figurative; by the end of the trip my butt was numb, my knees were sore and my back hurt, but it was worth it. I have taken my bike on a few more excursions since then and I love it more and more each time.

The lake I rode by on the way

Park Sign (I usually take photos of the park signs so I can remember the names:)

Thailand is dead ahead and Cambodia is to the right

I’m so terrible at selfies

And the photoshoot begins…

Now standing

Now put your arm up! haha

There were barracks like this around the whole area

Stairs down to a sculpture

Stairs with the Thai flag

Definitely couldn’t go wandering around…barbed wire lined the paths

I went back with my friend and the guard remembered me and asked for a picture….then didn’t smile haha

My kick-ass bike

My landlady wanted a picture too