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The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Read more

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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
On the Gibran Pratama
July 7, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Cappuccino and pastries at Komodough (punny). Picked up and taken to chaotic and crowded terminal for boats to Komodo. Get ourselves sorted and board our boat - the Gibran Pratama. Slowly putter to first stop and walk up hill for great views. Do a bit of snorkeling with baby sharks amongst other fishies. Next stop - an incredible coral reef ringing a tiny island. Back on board for sunset, a bat show and seafood dinner.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Labuan Bajo
July 6, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Catch an early am taxi to the airport. Very easy check-in procese without bikes. Short flight over islands we had been on earlier. Arrive in Labuan Bajo and walk to hostel. Mosey around town and then do a beach walk, getting caught in a thunder storm. It’s a warm rain. Out for tasty pizza and gelato.Read more
Traveler Wow! Mmmm!
7/9/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Back to where we started
July 5, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Very short ride to drop off our bikes with the rest of our stuff (home of WarmShowers host). Walk to hotel and then try to do some shopping. Sit on busy beach under cloudy skies. Greek restaurant for dinner.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
On to Canggu
July 4, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Another cloudy/drizzly morning. Seems wetter on this side of the island. Ride looks easy on paper but proves to be challenging. After 18 loud and chaotic miles on the main road, turn off on side “roads” which quickly becomes sort of paved paths through rice fields. Lots of river crossings which entails steep ups and downs. It is beautiful and so much quieter. Return to busy roads for the the final miles. Stop for lunch and check in to eco resort. Drop off laundry and meander. Eat at the vegan restaurant we had eaten at before while in Denpasar. So good.Read more
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Beach day
July 3, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Cloudy morning. Have a bit of extra time this stay put. Walk along rocky beach. Spot crab “art” and many surfers catching the “longest left break in Bali”. Sit for awhile, until rain comes. A low key dayRead more
Hannah Boe Neat!!
7/4/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Back to Bali
July 2, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Quick ride back to the ferry and have a calmer journey back to Bali. Winds are unfortunately in our faces as we ride the busy road south towards Denpasar. And they only get busier with drivers seeming less tolerant of our presence. Finish at the surfing town of Medewi. Check in to surf hotel and out for a tasty steak dinner.Read more
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A Wonder-ful Privilege: 2 years in
July 2, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Two years ago, Doug and I left our Portland lives and flew to Amsterdam; beginning what has become a cycle tour around the world. I don’t think that our intent was to circumnavigate the world; rather, we were going to start cycling and see where the wind blew us. In the ensuing 2 years, we have been on 6 continents (Antarctic will have to be another trip) and cycled in 18 countries. We have hit a bucket list of destinations - ranging from the isolated peaks of Patagonia to the islands of the South Pacific. We have been joined by our kids in Peru and our friends Christine & John in Ireland and New Zealand. We even “bumped into” our college friend Pam in NZ.
We have frequently experienced the generosity of strangers and tried to be good citizens of the world - returning that kindness whenever possible. I am well aware of how fortunate we are to be able to take this type of trip. We have the tangible (e.g. money) and intangible resources to be able to go the distance. Not only does one need physical health and grit but one also needs mental fortitude and agility. You never know what will come your way. We also have each other - which though usually is a blessing can be a curse. Being with one person 24/7 has its challenges!
So what’s next? We have just started in SE Asia and plan to continue exploring the SE Asian Peninsula. Our intent is still to finish in Italy - thus we will eventually head west and cross Central Asia (likely not by bike).
I was reading an article last night suggesting how travel isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. That growth and cultural awareness is all bullshit. I disagree. Though I am basically the same person - I have been touched and changed by our journey. The world is an amazing and awe-inspiring place and travel is, in my opinion, about getting outside your comfort zone and challenging yourself and your assumptions. It has been a wonder-ful privilege to be on this adventure.
And how did we celebrate 2 years? Climbing into a volcano caldera on Java of course!
A picture from each country in order.Read more
Traveler I’m not sure this really captures the essence of the Peruvian jungle
7/2/25Reply
Helene Rimberg True but it’s the only picture of all of us
7/2/25Reply
Helene Rimberg I suppose our bunk bed hammocks might have captured it better
7/2/25Reply
TravelerGreat to hear your thoughts at this milestone moment. Loved being with you in Ireland and NZ and vicariously the rest of the time. Love you guys. Stay well! Pedal on.
7/2/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Kawah Ijen
July 1, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
A very early start (12:00 am) for our hike up Kawah Ijen. First get our health certificates and then travel the windy road to the start of the hike. Get our equipment (i.e. gas mask, headlamp & goggles ) and start when the trail opened at 2am. So many people. Unfortunately we have to wait for all 25 people in our group which slows us down drastically. Need to don gas mask before arriving at the crater rim. Descend into the crater with the masses. Steep hike down. Feels a bit like what I imagine Hillary steps were like. Even have private guides dragging their clients along. Make it to bottom and get a chance to view blue fire - caused when sulfuric gases come in contact with oxygen and burst into flames. Way too many people pushing for my comfort. Very cool though. Trek back up quickly but still miss sunrise. All around frustrating outing. Back to our hotel by 10 and sleep for awhile. Lay around before venturing out for seafood.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Java
June 30, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Pack up and ride towards the ferry port at Gilimanuk. Ride through the jungle of Bali Barat National park; surrounded for much of the time by monkeys lining the road. Secure our ferry tickets and board a rickety looking ferry. Slowly cross the wavy channel between Bali and Java. Short distance to busy Banyuwangi and find our B&B. Decide to do a night hike up Kawah Ijen which departs at midnight. Quickly venture out for some food and back to catch a few hours of sleep.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Menjangan anorkeling
June 29, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Meet up with our snorkel group and guide after breakfast and board the boat heading to the island of Menjangan; a small island off the coast which is within a protected national park. The boat quickly covers the distance and we plunge into the crystal clear water. Float along slowly; admiring the very healthy coral and fish. At our first site there is a very steep drop off. Stop in the island for lunch and then back out for our second snorkel. This site is shallower and spot a turtle and a huge eel. Float back ti the boat and return to shore. Stop at a turtle sanctuary and then go for a hike to a viewpoint which also happens to be a temple. Hundreds of people stream out and head back down - presumably it is some type of celebration. Make ur back to hotel before the rain starts but venture out for dinner in the deluge.Read more
TravelerEhhh crystal clear waters and turtles are fine but do you know how one develops diabetes? Cause I do…kinda
7/1/25Reply
Helene RimbergYou are awesome! Keep at it.
7/1/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Onto Pemuteran
June 28, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Continue along busy road. Very flat so roll along at a good pace. Finally turn off on a small road and have some peace and quiet. Find a little beach for a short rest stop. Spot grapes growing - apparently we passed by the one winery in Bali. Come upon a large troupe of monkeys around a temple; no idea why they hang out by temples. Arrive at our lodging - lovely spot! Walk to beach and attempt to snorkel but a bit murky. Take a beach walk instead. Return for showers before heading to the Sage Bali for dinner.Read more
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Up to waterfalls & bioluminescence
June 27, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Another day to explore around Lovina. Short ride up 1000 feet, passing rice terraces and lots of other crops. Arrive at waterfall complex where many people come to do silly things like jump off high rocks. We just watch. Nice cruise day and hang by pool for a bit. Have dr decided to go in a night boat trip to see bioluminescent plankton. Snorkeling with the blue lights is pretty cool.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Short but chaotic ride to Lovina
June 26, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Only 15 miles to ride but all of it on busy roads. Though not physically challenging, mentally challenging as one needs to pay attention as vehicles come at you from all directions. My general strategy is to look forward and go with the flow - not worrying about what’s behind you. Make it to touristy Lovina, stopping first for a nice iced cappuccino. Check in and wander along the beach. Cloudy and a bit drizzly at times. Hang by the pool and out for an excellent dinner at Buda bakery & cafe.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A ride along the northern coast
June 25, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ 🌧 26 °C
Morning rain and clouds inhibit sunrise views. Organize ourselves and ride back through Amed, stopping for pastries after only 3 miles. Very tasty! Head the wrong way momentarily, but right ourselves and cruise along the one road leading north. A few light rain showers keep things humid. Pretty easy riding. Stop in front of Tara’s hotel. $14 get us a room right on the water. No A/C or hot water but still fine by us. Relax and walk back to nearby Warung for dinner.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Snorkeling around Amed
June 24, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Catch the sunrise from our balcony. Many boats out early -
perhaps catching morning fish. As we are staying another day, take our time getting ourselves together for our snorkel day. Ride further south along the rough road, first stopping to snorkel around a Japanese wreck. Two other snorkel spots yield much better results! Make our way back to hotel and out for another good dinner.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Around the mountain to Amed
June 23, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ 🌬 27 °C
After a different type of breakfast (chia pudding) pack up and ride out in the rainy morning. Pass 2 cycle tourers, first we have seen in Indonesia. Hit the main road and find ourselves amongst a lot of traffic. Wait out a rain shower before climbing and again rewarded with monkeys. Nice descent and finally turn off onto a much nicer, rural road. It kicks up quickly but at a moderate grade so we spin along. Rain starts again but it is cooling. Lovely views before tearing down the other side and hitting the eastern coast. Find our way to our Homestay. Clean up and walk to Galanga - a very lovely dinner spot.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Fast(?) boat to Bali
June 22, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Watch the last sunrise from our beach and get ourselves ready to go. Head to the dock, and not surprisingly, it’s a bit of a zoo. Manage to find our boat operator and get what we need to board. Wait , and wait. Finally board and stuff into a packed boat. Though seems to be safe. Make a quick stop on Lombok and cruise over to Padangbai. Bob in the water awhile waiting for a clear spot to land. Check in to same hostel from before and go for short walk to Blue Lagoon which is quite rough. Nice freshwater shower after days of salt water. Return to fish restaurant and gelato shop.Read more
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Lazy Day #2
June 21, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Mosey on over to a new beach - the actual Turtle point. It does not disappoint and we spot 2 small and one very large turtle. Return to yesterday”s spot; once again marveling at the abundance of coral and fish. As we settle into a card game, winds pick up and the rain begins to fall. Get wet on walk back. Dinner at nearby Greek restaurant. (Seem to be too lazy to even take pictures).Read more
TravelerDon’t spit on turtles
6/24/25Reply
Helene RimbergSpotting is better
6/24/25Reply
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Lazy Day #1
June 20, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Unfortunately, Doug needs to go to main city for his visa extension. While he’s gone I hang on the beach; reading a beach novel and snorkeling. Rain arrives in the evening but venture back to other side of island for pizza. And gelato’ 🍨 course.Read more
Traveler Really making me miss island life
6/24/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Island exploration
June 19, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
After breakfast, go for a morning snorkel. Amazing fish and coral! Spot an eel and a large turtle. Walk along the beach path around the island. Quite a mix of rustic hotels, schwanky resorts, dive shops and lots of beach chairs and umbrellas. Another snorkel and spot another turtle and eel. Doug loses his camera but somehow is able to find it. Watch the sunset and have a good fish dinner.Read more
Hannah Boe What a funny collection of signs 😂
6/21/25Reply
Traveler What’s in those drinks?!
6/24/25Reply
Helene Rimberg Just a margarita. At least mine was
6/24/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Gili Air
June 18, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Our reward for all that climbing was a very long and lovely downhill. Lots of great views of Rinjani as we descended. Picked up the rest of our stuff and continued onward. A nicely paved road awaited us and we cruised along toward Bangsal and the port to Gili Air. Came upon an interesting parade along the way. A little overwhelmed with boat choices and having to navigate our bikes but got a reasonable deal for all our ferry needs. Bikes got loaded and then us and 10 minutes later we are on Gili Air. After checking into our bungalow, got a bit of snorkeling in. Great dinner though we were the only customers. Walked across the island (1 km) for gelato.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Senaru & Mount Rinjani
June 17, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Opt to leave most of our gear in our “room” and head further up the mountain to stay. Short and steep climb to 2000 feet. Have a nice lunch and book a hotel. Check in to a much more luxurious place than the night before (actual bed and running water). Go check out beautiful waterfalls. Clean up and have a good dinner. Put climbing Mount Rinjani on our bucket list for next time.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Around the north side
June 16, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Slow start but riding is pretty easy for awhile. Quiet and mostly flat right near the coastline. Opt to avoid a dirt road; instead adding another 500 foot climb. Take a break on a black sand beach before heading up again onto Mount Rinjani. Very hot and sweaty. Find our way to a home stay in tiny village. Very authentic and rustic; bumping into cows and chickens on the way to outhouse. Feel a bit out of place and sadly can’t find dinner. Eat emergency can of tuna. Another friendly kitten.Read more
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Another snorkel tour
June 15, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Packed up (oh so much quicker when in hotels) and rode 4 miles to another hotel by the beach. Was able to get a snorkel tour of the nearby Gilis. Shared the boat with a pair of Germans so had some interesting company. Beautiful water, fish and amazingly white sand. Tiniest Gili barely existed. Back on land, had a good fish dinner while watching 2 kittens play.Read more
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A day in “real” Lombok
June 14, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Get a nice early start, after a meh breakfast. Today’s ride took us through very rural areas as well as chaotic towns. Foreigners, especially those on bicycles are not an everyday occurrence in this area along the eastern coast. As with most days, “Hallos” come from all directions; sometimes followed by “Money, Money”. Children in particular are fascinated. Arrive at our hotel, empty except for us. Check out the beach. Sadly have our first bad dinner.Read more
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