Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

The Mae Hong Son Loop: Where Gluteus Maximus and Zen Find Common Ground Ever wondered what it feels like to have your spine rearranged while simultaneously experiencing spiritual enlightenment? Welcome to the Mae Hong Son Loop, northern Thailand's answer to the question nobody asked: "Can someone get hemorrhoids and inner peace at the same time?" Picture this: 1,864 curves (yes, someone actually counted) snaking through approximately 600 kilometers of mountains so beautiful they'll make travelers weep, though that might just be eyes watering from the combination of dust, exhaust fumes, and sheer terror as riders navigate hairpin turns with local truck drivers apparently late for their own funerals. Many tourists tackle this legendary 3-5 day motorcycle route because their therapists suggested they "face their fears." Most therapists probably meant public speaking, not clinging to Honda Clicks while praying to deities previously not believed in, but there th...

Mae Hong Son: The Thai Mountain Town That’s So Chill, It Forgot It Was Supposed to Be Famous Welcome to Mae Hong Son, Thailand’s quietly beautiful northern outpost where the air is cool, the mountains are misty, and the vibes are so relaxed you might accidentally slip into a permanent state of “meh, I’ll do it tomorrow.” Nestled near the border with Myanmar and surrounded by jungle-covered hills, this is the spot you come to when you’ve had enough of islands, full moon parties, and pretending to like coconuts. Spoiler: It’s not a party town. It is a place where you eat noodles, ride motorbikes through mountains, and question whether you should just stay and open a coffee shop. How to Get There (And Why You’ll Feel Like Indiana Jones Doing It) Let’s be real, Mae Hong Son is not “on the way” to anything. But getting there is part of the charm. By air : There’s a tiny airport in town with direct flights on tiny planes that may or may not feel like you’re flying inside a tin can with win...