Unexpected mini trips, Christmas, computer problems…the past few weeks have kind of been odd and now I need to get back on the blogging bandwagon and figure out what I’m doing and where I’m going in 2013.  A quick look about what’s been going on lately…

Northern Thailand is filled with mountains and jungles – it’s stunning.  I’ve done several drives through the areas around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, but have always wanted to go even further north to the town and province of Mae Hong Son.  (Often in Thailand a province’s largest city shares the same name as the province.)  After coming back from Malaysia, I haven’t even really left town these past few months and was itching to get out.

The town itself doesn’t offer much.  It’s cute but small with not much to do.  The real reason of the trip was for the drive – 1864 curves in the road between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son through sun-filled jungly mountains.  I would have been completely content just driving around in circles all day…which is actually kind of what it felt like since the roads were so windy and it took about 6 hours.

While there are plenty of buses and minivans going between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, the most rewarding way to go would be by motorbike.  Unfortunately, I did the trip by myself and didn’t feel comfortable driving that far alone, so felt like I was kind of missing out on fully enjoying the area.  On the plus side, I managed to not get car sick.  I have a strong stomach, but 6 hours in a full minibus with three little kids getting sick (1864 curves!) could get to anyone.

A day after getting back from Mae Hong Son, I ended up going to Bangkok for a couple nights (still can’t believe that I can just decide to go to Bangkok one moment then hop on a bus to get there the next…) and finally tried eating some bugs.  Check that off my list.

Then it was Christmas, which in Thailand doesn’t feel anything like Christmas.  Even spent with friends – who collectively managed to pull together and impressive spread of green bean casserole, potatoes and gravy, stuffing, roasted chickens, bread, wine and lots of chocolate – Christmas here just feels…like nothing.

Though the spontaneous Mae Hong Song and Bangkok trips helped with my itchy feet, I’ve been trying to be more proactive about getting out and seeing or doing the things I still haven’t done here – particularly trying to go on day or afternoon trips to areas just outside of town.

So there you have it – no big plans, 2012 recaps (although you can check out some of my most popular posts on Wanderlust & Lipstick here) or 2013 resolution posts for this girl, just a quick catch up and now onto getting back into a bit of a routine now that the holidays are (almost) over and I have a working computer again (fingers crossed).