Trip on a Phantom to Doi Intanon

Yesterday Feb 20th we rented a Honda Phantom ( see below...really only 250 cc but twice the power of the one we usually use.  Probably twice the weight however. ) to see if we had a BIG BIKE we would enjoy going on longer trips without too many aches and pains!  I was warned that it was a long wheel base but didn't really understand the implications.  We rode about 200 Kms or 120 miles to the top of Doi Intanon, the highest mountain in Thailand, just south of Chiang Mai.  When we started out in the morning it was probably about 75 degrees F and it felt quite cool on the bike, but at the top of the mountain it was probably closer to 45 F.  That temperature felt quite cold with only light jackets on.  By the time we rode down in the afternoon it was very, very hot on the bike.
Riding the bike was an experience;  if we were on a nice flat straight road it was great BUT if we were going over curvy mountain roads with uneven surfaces it felt very unstable like the tires were under inflated.  I even stopped to see if that was the case.  Of course learning to use a hand clutch again and the different gears compared to the little Suzuki Smash we rent was also distracting,  and on a few occasions I shifted the wrong direction which probably caused some anxiety for Bev.  At the bottom are pictures of the places we visited.




Doi Intanon  statistics Created by Google My Tracks on Android.
Total distance: 194.69 km (121.0 mi)
Total time: 7:44:16
Moving time: 6:33:47
Average speed: 25.16 km/h (15.6 mi/h)
Average moving speed: 29.66 km/h (18.4 mi/h)
Max speed: 78.30 km/h (48.7 mi/h)
Max elevation: 2529 m (8298 ft)
Min elevation: 238 m (780 ft)
Elevation gain: 2736 m (8975 ft)
Max grade: 38 %
Min grade: -23 %




Here are some pictures..

Debate on "right view" at Wat Chedi Luang

On February 15 there was a debate about "Right view" which is called  "link: samma ditthi" in the link:Pali language.  There were nine monks/novices and three lay (student) debaters.  The purpose of the debate was to help stimulate the use of better English in explaining Buddhist teachings to the many visitors who come to Chiang Mai.  Our friend and dhamma teacher Phra Montri was competing so I went to see the debate.  The week before a group of us who meet with him on some Saturdays discussed his speech and made some suggestions.  

I was the only "white guy" at the debate in a fairly large room filled with students who were studying English at 2 universities, and monks/novices studying English at 2 temples.

Each debater was given between 4 and 6 min. to make his case and if he was under that time or exceeded that time he would be disqualified.  A system of bells was used to warn the debater at the 4, 5 and 6 min. periods which seemed to unnerve virtually every speaker!

After an initial introduction and prayers six monks spoke and then there was a break or intermission when the students put on a skit they had created.  I'm not quite sure what was the rationale for the skit but the video will be shown below.  At one point there was also a traditional Thai dance to wish happy birthday to the senior professor who organized the event.

First I will show a video of many of the debaters.  I only used about 1 min. of their speaking so you could get a sense of their ability.  Of course the range was from very good to "just learning".  Watch the monk at about 8:50 minutes and 16:42 minutes for some fun moments.... (volume is low so you will need to turn up the sound as I used my little Canon S100)



Here is the video of Phra Montri's speech and the subsequent analysis.  We are very proud that he came in first!



Finally we get to the "halftime" entertainment created by the students.  I have to say I found it mystifying but humorous.  I think it was a way to raise money for their class as people bid to see who was performing at the end.




It was an interesting experience for sure. Finally, a picture of the Temple in the morning.