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The Grand Adventure
  • Helene Rimberg
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  • Helene Rimberg

The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Read more
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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    1No idea what these were.2He is made of jade.1What would you do with 18 handsShe is hugeThese guys were friendlyDoug is armed

    Kek Lok Si Temple

    August 1, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Went out for coffee and wound up eating breakfast after observing the French toast. Quite tasty. Fueled us up to battle the traffic to get to Kek Lok Si Temple - a huge Buddhist temple. The artistry was amazing! Spent several hours there before resting by the turtle pond. Headed to Botanical Gardens which were underwhelming but was full of aggressive monkeys. Head back and out for vegan dinner and then ice cream.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Street art to share history
    1Used to be the ferry dockFun quay out into the waterSo many types of templesTypical street11Beautiful illumination

    Exploring George Town

    July 31, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Out for good coffees and pastries before exploring the city. Finally some history in this country. Quite the mix of Asian and European influence. Small streets with food stalls abound. Lots of street art. Nice dinner spot - Tina’s Kitchen for local Penang cooking.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    1

    Onto Penang

    July 30, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Woke to pouring rain but able to wait it out before leaving. The cloud cover stayed awhile which kept temps down. Long ride through very built up area. Not a great day of riding. Made it to ferry port and caught short ferry to Penang Island. Short ride to hotel. Cool down and out for pizza! Wandered the streets a bit.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Taiping

    July 29, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ 🌩️ 33 °C

    Wound our way out of the busy streets of Ipoh. Hugged the river valley as hazy peaks surrounded us on both sides. Found a few quieter roads enabling us to get off of the busy Hwy 1. Stopped for some lunch where Doug finally tried Durian - reporting that it was slimy. Continued on as day got hotter. We really do need to stop riding in the late afternoon. Arrived in Taiping. Checked in to Hotel Louis. Meandered around a bit before finding a dinner spot.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Many monitor lizards in this river
    1Smart place for a pussycat

    Ipoh

    July 28, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C

    Returned to Ipoh on foot to explore during the daylight. Saw a few cool, old buildings from British occupation. Nice murals and street art as well. Quite toasty walking around. Ordered in and ate by our nice pool.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    1

    A waterfall and cave!

    July 27, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    Take a walk into the hill and jungle behind town to local waterfall. Very nice water! Pack up and head out. Kind of late but short day. Divert off main road to check out Tempunung cave. Very cool. Huge open caverns. Even have little moss and ferns growing. Finish up our ride and eventually make it to our little villa very hot. Enjoy our pool before walking into Ipoh for tasty Indian food. And gelato.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Deserted street

    Long day on the pavement

    July 26, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Long ride along highway 1. Not much besides pavement through the jungle. Not even a monkey to beak up the day. Arrive in Kampar. Opt to try the region’s dish - clay pot chicken with rice. So good! Crispy, burnt rice bits and moist chicken with occasional bites of salted fish. Highlight of day.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Checkpoint where we were stoppedTypical Malaysian town

    Over the mountain range

    July 25, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Early morning start to try and avoid heat while we make it to the top of the mountain. It is quite hazy with smoke from fires in Indonesia. Stop and chat with monkeys and then are stopped as the road prohibits cyclists - too dangerous. Policeman at checkpoint tries to flag down trucks to transport us with no luck. Finally a car passing the other way stops and offers a ride. Manage to fit everything in and finish the last 1000 feet of climbing with ease. Pop out at next checkpoint and cruise down the hill. Go another 20 miles before stopping in Tanjung Malim. Walk through large university to very good Thai food.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Malaysia is a real mix of cultures

    Bukit Tinggi

    July 23, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Enjoy a good breakfast before heading back out of the jungle and continuing our westward journey. Rolling hills aren’t too bad thought the trucks carrying palm oil fruits are unfortunately plentiful. Luckily the final miles, which are uphill are mostly in the shade. Arrive in Bukit Tinggi - basically an exit off the highway and make our way up to our apartment. Walk back down to the town for Chinese dinner.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Waiting to check in
    First you must make contact1

    Elephants!

    July 22, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Leave the lowlands and head up into the jungle to Kuala Gandah - Ho,e of the Elephant Conservation Center. With our tour guide, get to feed the baby elephants. Watch the big elephants get their bath. After, assist in bathing and exfoliating the baby elephants. Quite rough skin. Interesting note: they utilize the elephants at the center to assist when other wild elephants need to be rescued. Stay at Chalet right next to center. Lovely “local dinner”.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Cheese filled roti"Oven"

    Temerloh

    July 21, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C

    Short day - for real this time. Busy road for much of the time. A flat tire delays us a bit but still get to our hotel relatively early. Cool off in the pool. Walk into town for delicious roti and curries.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Mosque in Pekan
    Lunch stopMonkey on wireLights in Maran

    Maran

    July 20, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C

    Get an earlier start as not sure how far we will go. Find a good quiet road along a river - though only catch fleeting glimpses of it. Wind is less favorable but still make good time. Lots of rustling in the trees means monkeys are around. They tend to disappear as we get closer. Opt to keep going. Wind up with a 60+ mile day. Heat gets rough towards the end. Somehow manage to find a homestay - on the grounds of a mosque.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Pekan

    July 19, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C

    Watch sun rise - though obscured by clouds. Long day planned as limited options for accommodations. Seems to be a trend for us here in Malaysia. Fortunately it is flat and we have a good tail wind. Stop for lunch along the China Sea. Arrive in Pekan but can’t find our lodging. Go in circles until the host finally sends us a correct map. New food for dinner - Muetabak. Rolled pancake with tasty fillings.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Very low tide
    "Our" beach2

    Kuala Rompin

    July 18, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Very sunny day. Fortunately the first half of our ride is through forest land with lots of trees and shade. Spot quite a few monkeys - who look a tad bit more aggressive than the ones we saw in Indonesia. Maintain our distance. After a lunch break - re-enter the main road and although it’s relatively quiet it’s more exposed and thus hotter. Arrive at the semi-deserted beach resort and hit the pool and then the beach. China Sea is very warm! Cycle into town for dinner though it being a Friday, many things are closed. Overwhelmed again by the menu (how many types of fried rice can there be) but manage to try something new Tom Yam soup which was quite tasty.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    1
    Ferry boats headed out to islands

    Futzing around in Mersing

    July 17, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    After yesterday’s adventure, opt to only change hotels vs. cycling onward. Enjoy a cappuccino while we do some laundry. Check out the beach - kind of murky and dirty. Decide not to venture out to the islands so check into hotel. Wander back out later for some food. Very tasty fried stingray!Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Urban jungle
    Tapir crossing

    Jungle hopping

    July 16, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Venture out onto busy roadways, still trying to get out of the city of Johor Bahru. Eventually the traffic ruins and we have a calmer ride. As the jungle builds next to us, see some interesting wildlife signs. Do spot actual monkeys, large monitor lizards and dead snakes. Consider stopping after 24 miles but the accommodations were expensive and not very nice. Press on into the heat. Options are very limited which results in a 71 mile day. Arrive at a hotel in Mersing as sun is setting. Tired and filthy but manage to clean up and find some food.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Malaysia is just a bridge away

    July 15, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    The ride out of Singapore varied from busy roads to beautiful paths. Lots of twists and turns took some time
    to navigate as did finding our entrance to the causeway into Malaysia. We were separated with the motorbikes which helped. Popped out on the other side and poof - another country. Big city with hectic traffic. Survived the motorways and found a hotel. Relax before venturing out for dinner. Too chaotic for pictures (few more orchids)Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Advantage of age!21

    A colorful birthday celebration

    July 14, 2025 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Fortunately, Doug is feeling better in time for his birthday. Start the day with pastries before hopping on the metro to the Botanic Gardens. Emerge into light rain, but it’s a warm rain. Walk through the greenery before exploring the orchid gardens - the largest collection of orchids in the world. Amazing array of flowers representing native and worldwide varieties. Finish our stroll and go out separate ways to complete shopping errands. Meet up at a mega mall. Drop off our purchases at our hotel and back downtown to catch the evening lights in Gardens by the Bay. Phenomenal light show! Try out Korean BBQ. New experience for both of us. (I need to work on my non-existent chopstick skills).Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    A temple in Little India
    Fancy!Greenery everywhereOld cemetery. Used headstones to form wallOne of many quays(waterways)Bum boatSo many trees!ChinatownHawker market - quiet at middayModernist.Gardens by the Bay

    Singapore on foot

    July 13, 2025 in Singapore

    Doug continues to battle stomach issues so I head off on my own. Wander through neighborhoods, historical sites and even into glitzy malls. Singapore is rather quiet for a large city and very clean. It is also very green as many buildings incorporate greenery. Find my way to Gardens by the Bay. Take a rest on a bench before exploring these gardens. Head back along the bayfront - wandering through the very modern architecture. Quick metro back and after a wee rest we head out for Indian food. 16 miles in total!Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    2

    Hello Singapore

    July 12, 2025 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Very early wake-up but quite easy transport to airport and then to check. Business class got us shorter lines and all our baggage included. And such nice seats! Too bad flight isn’t longer. Arrive in Singapore with all bags intact and proceed to assemble. Find the cycle path and make our way to city first stopping at our storage locker where we left what we don’t need for awhile. Find our hotel with tiny cubby hold room. Showers, metro ride and we are downtown in time for a fireworks display (celebrating 60 years of country-hood. Huge and very busy hawker market for dinner and then metro back. Long day!Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    So much stuff
    Don't quite understand mangosteens. Don't smell

    Step 1 to the airport

    July 11, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Finish most of the packing a manage to stuff ourselves into one car to get to next hotel by the airport. Spend the afternoon trying to do the impossible - get our baggage to be under 80 kilos. Give up and figure we will pay for the extra. Use the gym to sweat off the remainder of the ick. Dinner in the hotel.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Exchange rate here is crazy.

    A day to pack

    July 10, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Another round of stomach ick left me feeling rather unwell. Managed to retrieve all our belongings and begin packing process. I sleep while
    Doug packs the bikes. Not much else to the day

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Sunrise from cabin window
    Seas are a bit rougher

    Back to Bali - again

    July 9, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Quieter night as we stay anchored in place. Very windy and choppy morning. Two snorkel stops. Strong current and waves make for less visibility but still nice range of fish and coral. Short journey back to Labuan Bajo and the airport. Do some scurrying to secure a place to stay as booked hotel falls through. Quick flight and long drive in traffic - but make it Antana apartments. Out to a brew pub for dinner.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    The crowds descending1Doesn't seem all that dangerousBoom-boom time 6 hours worth

    Pandar Island and Komodo Island

    July 8, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Engine troubles and tides necessitate moving at night. Unfortunately the struggling motor does not lull one to sleep. Arrive at Pandar island in time for our 4 am wake up. Pile into little boat and join the crowds climbing up 800+ steps for the sunrise views. Fortunately don’t have to wait for the group. Find a nice spot and settle in. Struggle with the “selfie lineups” as they block the views and create traffic jams. Back on boat for breakfast, then first snorkel spot on pink beach. Head to Komodo Island for short guided hike to see the dragons. Quite the predators! Head to Manta point but no Mantas. Snorkel in a strong current along a stop off; spotting 8 turtles. One co more beach stop for sunset and our day is done.Read more