Triumphrat

Rhodie · 12-21-2007

Nearby some young monks played with a mobile phone and a cat.

I headed down the stunning 108 running south parallel with the border.
It was dense jungle in parts intersperced with paddy fields.

Along the way I came to a Shrine to four Japanese soldiers who had died in the scramble to evade the Allied forces when they recaptured northern Burma in 1944.

In nearby Khun Yuam where someof the Japanese survivors stayed after the war -the last dying only a few years ago - there is a War Museum with a very different perspective.

Rhodie · 12-21-2007

Inside, a DVD film proclaimed the need of the Japanese Empire to expand into China
was due for their requirements for further living space. Sound familiar!

Also the reason for going to war with America & Britain was due to their need for oil and materials!
Certainly a different perspective on accepted history, and not a word on Japanese atrocities.

Back on the road I blew the historically corrupted cobwebs from my mind, on these glorious roads.

The sunflowers were magnificent.

The vistas were stunning, but the accidents were also perpetual problem that the accident road sign was a permanent marker.

Rhodie · 12-23-2007

The road to Mae Chaem is stupendous with roller-coaster gradients and a sometimes apple-crumble surface making the riding real attention getting.

On one hill a songtheaw had come down a steep hill and lost it on a tight corner.
Fortunately the drop-off was not great but the pick-up still rolled ending up upside down.
A group of 15 passengers sat disconsolately nearby.
I stopped, but the injured had already been picked up and there was nothing I could do for them.

Further on I came to these water buffalo wallowing in a mud pool.

Mae Chaem is a dusty town with little to say for itself but I found a hotel to overnight with a great view of Thailand's highest mountain, Doi Inthanon, 2565 metres.

Rhodie · 12-23-2007

After a very cool night with temperatures dropping to 6C the morning mist hid the mountain until after 9am.
Then a switchback ride up to the top with beautiful views

The highest point

The run back to Chiang Mai was a quick two hours.

The Scram was due a local speciality - a soapie!

Wherever the Scrambler went it was always given a warm welcome.

A very Merry Christmas to all - the shakedown will continue in the New Year.

ohiorider · 12-23-2007

Overwhelming!

Thanks for the day by day photo shots.

Bob

daytonacharlie · 12-26-2007

Fantastic trip report! Beautiful photos. Amazing scenery, looks like you're having a wonderful time. Cool bike too, keep us updated. How much longer will you be on the road or have you already finished?

dc

sweatmachine · 12-30-2007

incredible scenery, incredible story, incredible photography, incredible bike!

more More MORE!!!

best scrambler ever!

Rhodie · 01-21-2008

With all the gremlins having surfaced in Chiang Mai clearly it was written that the bike needed sorting out before continuing the Scrambler Shakedown.

Also, I had run out of time if I was to finish the ride, before my son joined me to ride the Golden Triangle over New Year.
Unfortunately by Bonnie riding mate seen previously was taken out by three kids on a scooter - the rider was 10!

The damage amounts to 60 percent of the purchase price!
Though bruised my mate and the kids are all OK - but he's gutted having only had the bike a week!

News on the Scrambler is that the electrics were sorted out, though the rocker cover oil weep is still an issue, but my confidence in the local dealer is such that I would rather go with this known problem,
than tempt fate with potentially more damage being incurred by its replacement.

But first was to get my son back up to riding par by having two days training with Mark Rossi, an Aussie Supercross champ.

Mark making it seem easy.

Richard was soon getting the hang of it.

Now for the Mae Hong Song Loop...