The Blog of Michael Desrosiers: 2022 Year-in-Review
The year has had its ups and downs. I've had some amazing highlights, but I've also been really exhausted and struggling with burnout in my work life. I think some of that is going to change in a major way in 2023, though!
The year has had its ups and downs. I've had some amazing highlights, but I've also been really exhausted and struggling with burnout in my work life. I think some of that is going to change in a major way in 2023, though!
I didn't achieve all of my resolutions from last year, but I did get to do some pretty amazing things!
The year began with one of the biggest adventures of my life so far. I headed up north with YouTuber and adventurer Karl from Karl's Thailand.
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We trekked to the top of one of Thailand's most famous mountains, explored the northeast, and even got detained by park rangers for accidentally trespassing.
You can follow the entire 4-part adventure here:
Petchabun Thailand-The Journey Begins - YouTube
You can follow the entire 4-part adventure here:
Petchabun Thailand-The Journey Begins - YouTube
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You can also read all my blog posts about the adventure right here on my blog:
In February, Pinky and I did something that's been on my radar for years: we headed up to Udon Thani to visit the famous Red Lotus Lake, a colorful phenomenon that blooms just once a year.
I took a very short visa run to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and finally had the chance to go up the KL Tower. I still haven't been up the Patronas Towers yet, though!
I visited my family in the spring and had a short two-night stopover in Dubai.
I toured the old city.
And I took a desert safari.
It was a busy, full day, but so much fun.
Pinky and I visited my family and took a short road trip to Arkansas. We visited Hot Springs.
And we drove all the way up to Eureka Springs.
We went with my parents to the far southwest of Texas to visit Big Bend National Park, somewhere I've always wanted to go!
It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.
The Attempt Adventure Podcast, a fun side project that I do with my good buddy, James, is going really well! In our third season we grew a lot! We had as many listeners this year as we did in the first two years of the show combined.
I had to take another visa run to Phnom Penh, Cambodia where I toured the Royal Palace and saw a wild hornbill (which I excitedly added to my birding life list).
Pinky and I took a short vacation to Koh Sichang, an island not too far from Bangkok. Life got really busy in the second half of the year, and we both needed a nice getaway.
In August we finally were able to have our church wedding at the beautiful and historic Christ Church in Bangkok. Huge thanks to Fr. Matthew Fitter who made our wedding so very special!
My mom and brother came to the wedding, and afterwards we went adventuring together. We headed out west to Kanchanaburi, my favorite province in Thailand. We explored the River Kwai and went glamping in the jungle at the Hintok River Camp.
Back in Bangkok, we explored the (in)famous Khlong Toey Market and took a cooking class with the legendary Poo.
We did some walking tours, ate some incredible Michelin-starred street food, and had a lot of fun. It was so nice to have visitors in Bangkok!
At the end of October, I had to take yet another visa run, once again to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
I've been there so often that I really feel like I've done nearly everything. I was bored and wanted to try something new, so I signed up for a food tour.
I've been there so often that I really feel like I've done nearly everything. I was bored and wanted to try something new, so I signed up for a food tour.
I got a brand-new perspective of the city, met some nice people, and learned a lot about Cambodia.
I came home for Christmas this year for the first time since 2019.
I had a one-night layover in Istanbul, and made the most of it! Again, I signed up for an all-day street food tour, which turned out to be one of the best travel experiences of my life.
The next morning before flying back to the US, I stopped in for breakfast at a legendary pudding shop.
Before leaving, I visited the Hagia Sofia and had the very special experience (albeit only for a few moments) of being the only person inside.
My dad and I visited the nearby Meyer Observatory for their monthly open house.
And we took a fun Waco trolley tour to see some of the best Christmas lights in town.
This year I visited one new country (Turkey), bringing my total up to 24.
I've got some great stuff on the horizon.
I'm excited for work, as I think that this year is when everything is really going to take off at my company.
I'm excited for work, as I think that this year is when everything is really going to take off at my company.
The thing I'm most excited about, though, is the Rickshaw Run! In March I'll be heading to Sri Lanka with my brother and mom to take part in a crazy six-day race across the country by tuk-tuk. It's going to be so much fun!
Happy New Year!
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