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The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Read more

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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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Ekas
June 13, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Bit of a late start but head out of Kuta on very empty road. After having to detour around a very large motorbike arena, found ourselves on a 4 lane highway with no one on it except us. Kind of odd. Detour to a beach but not very nice. Continue on, stopping for lunch in a bridge. Our quiet road deteriorates into dry, rutted dirt path interspersed with mud and swamp. Spot very large lizards. Make it out of there and finish ride to ting town of Ekas. After a dip in the pool explore the beach and town. Sadly full of litter. Very nice dinner in local Warung.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Kuta Beach day
June 12, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Lazy morning. As the Lombok coffee is not great, go off in search of cappuccinos. Afterwards, Doug heads off for a haircut. Amazing. Walk along the beach where the sand feels and looks like mustard seeds. Make it over to the next bay which is much quieter. Still not sure where all the surfers actually surf. Back to town. Another nice dinner and gelato.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Long day to Kuta
June 11, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Last morning on Gili Gede. Enjoy our cappuccinos and banana pancake breakfast before boarding the boat to Lombok. Load up and retrace our route to Lembar. Continue along pretty busy road which was safe but chaotic. Our choices seem to be major roads or dirt roads with big hills. Nice downhill F the end I to Kuta. Cool off in the pool before checking out the beach and moonrise. Very good pizza dinner.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Snorkeling Extravaganza
June 10, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ 🌙 27 °C
We arranged a snorkel excursion with the guy who brought us to the island. He ended up sending his brother which was fine. 5 islands, each with a different array of fish and coral. It was some of the best snorkeling I have ever experienced. Coral ranged from pink to blue to purple and so many different types of fish. We also saw 4 turtles and 2 sea horses. Sadly at one of the spots, the floating plastic was horrible. The clouds and rain during the day just added to the changing scenery. Relaxed for the rest of the day and then splurged for an upscale meal. (Once we figure out how to download pictures from Doug’s camera will add underwater shots )Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Exploring Gili Gede
June 9, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
First some context: Gili Gede is one of a cluster of tiny islands off the southwestern side of Lombok. Gili Gede is about 1 km x 4 km and home to 1000 people. Though it’s only a few miles off the coast it’s a world away. Electricity didn’t come until 2017. It and its neighbors sit on amazing and healthy coral reefs. And it has a huge litter problem. Though some is theirs, much comes from larger cities. It’s a heartbreaking paradise. Anyway, we explored, did a bit of snorkeling from the shore, walked along the coast (amongst the plastic trash) and then helped out with their trash pick up efforts.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Lombok
June 8, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ 🌬 29 °C
Very rainy night and morning. Fortunately it stops in time for us to pack up and get to the ferry dock - only 5 minutes away. 4 + hours later we land in Lembar, Lombok. Quickly feel the difference between the two islands. Muslim mosques have replaced the Hindi temples. Busy road but spot our first monkeys on this island. Ride mostly along coast to get to our pickup spot. Load up bikes on little boat and putter over to Gili Gede. Check in and check out the beach. Out for another nice fish dinner.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Padangbai
June 7, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ 🌧 28 °C
A very rainy night and morning. Manage to wait it out. A very short day planned; 10 miles and almost all downhill to get to ferry port village of Padangbai. Very steep and windy but quiet and beautiful. Hit the main road and the peace is shattered. But make it to town and check into lovely hostel - Bamboo Paradise. Get our ferry tickets for tomorrow, some food and hit the beach. Beautiful but too wavy to snorkel. After showers and a cold beer go to amazing fish restaurant where we picked out fish and they grilled it for us. Found a great gelato place as well.Read more
Hannah Boe Kitty!
6/8/25Reply
Helene Rimberg Finally a cat country!
6/9/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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A tourist kind of day
June 6, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
After breakfast of very good pancakes, travel by car UP with our host to Besikah, the largest temple complex on Bali. Don a sarong and head off with a guide. Learn quite a few things as we wander through the maze-like passages. From there drive back down the steep and windy roads to Sideman and visit a daring making shop. Two waterfalls, one for fun and one for prayer finish off our day. Glad we toured by car as the roads throughout are crazy steep!Read more
Hannah Boe Très chic!
6/8/25ReplyTranslate
Helene Rimberg Sarongs are a must. First one we went in they were nicer and had a sash!
6/9/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
In the shadow of Mount Agung
June 5, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Another nice sunrise with much less fog. Psyche ourselves up to push up and out of the caldera. Continue up for a bit as we continue along the rim. Nice quiet road as we begin our long descent. Mount Agung pops up quickly next to us. Roads deteriorate and traffic increases making for a less pleasant second half of the ride. Up into the rice terraces we go for our lodging. Lovely place! Go for a little walk about into the rice terraces.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Climbing an active volcano
June 4, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Wake up early to catch the sunrise. Entire lake is covered in a thick fog. After a few hours it clears up and we head down to the lake on bikes. Cruise around a bit and find ourselves at a trailhead of sorts. Decide to go ahead and climb the volcano - with a guide. It hasn’t erupted since 2000. Cycle up to a higher starting point and then quickly start scrambling. Lots of loose rocks and pumice. Make it to top as clouds build. Walk around the top for a bit and fortunately take an easier route down. Ride a bit more to get lake views and then back up to the hotel. Rest a bit before walking up to the rim (of course) for dinner.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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UP to Mount Batur caldera
June 3, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Get an early start, stopping first for a baguette and pastries. With 3600 feet of elevation gain in only 20 miles we will need motivatimg sustenance. Manage to quickly put the chaos behind us, vacillating between the main road and smaller side roads. But always up! Pass terraced rice paddys. Find ourselves sweating buckets and needing to stop very often. After a quick lunch break, make the final push - literally. Last bit was very steep and we were beat. At the top take in the breathtaking view of the caldera. After a hiccup, check into a hotel and get a shower and then hot tub. Walk a few minutes to dinner.Read more
Hannah Boe I like the tigers! 🐅🐅
6/4/25Reply
Traveler Are you an angel now? Someone in one of those temples bless you?
6/6/25Reply
Helene RimbergNope. Just glowing though.
6/6/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Ubud rice paddys and crowds
June 2, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Get an early start to try and avoid the crowds. Check out the palace, a local coffee shop and the market. On the way to our walk, don appropriate cloths and walk around temple. Walk up along the ridge and into rice paddys. Back into the crowds. Retreat to our room before going out for another good dinner.Read more
Traveler Hold on, did Doug actually comb his hair?!
6/6/25Reply
Helene RimbergHa. He combs it with a scissors
6/8/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Ubud
June 1, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Pack up, leaving quite a bit of our gear behind. Feeling much lighter, we venture out into the somewhat quieter streets. Find that the motorbikes are actually quite accommodating. Find ourselves on small paths and in rice fields. Short ride to Ubud. Check into our $18 room and venture out. Head to Monkey Sanctuary. Enjoy 100s of monkeys and temples. Amazingly we are there for a weekly dance. Back to the room for shower #2 and then out for another great dinner.Read more
TravelerTell us more about the dance?
6/6/25Reply
Helene RimbergI don’t recall the name of the type of dance but it was a version of the frog princess. King is turned into a frog by a god, princess loves him anyway, god turns him back into a man.
6/8/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Exploring the chaos
May 31, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Early morning rain brings a lovely rainbow. Venture out for coffee and wind up eating breakfast. Finish bike assembly and head towards the beach, walking along very busy streets with skinny sidewalks. Temples abound making for a nice contrast to the screaming motorbikes. Arrive at the beach; walk, swim, and watch some type of ceremony. Return to our ‘home’ and back out for a great dinner with Rob and Ayu.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Bali
May 30, 2025 in Indonesia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Easy van ride to airport and once again we are crazy overweight. TBF, the limit was lower than we have had before. Rearranged like mad and paid a crazy amount, but so be it. Short flight over the sea to Bali. Clear customs pretty easily and navigated the ride ( 2 large cars) to our Warmshowers hosts, Rob and Ayu. Do some unpacking, settle in to our wonderful accommodations and go to a nearby Warung (restaurant) for dinner.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Packing Day and Mindil Market
May 29, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Take my newly serviced bike out for a spin to get to the pool. Lovely, outdoor 50 meter pool that was mostly empty. Spend the afternoon packing. Walk to Mindil Beach for the evening market and sunset. Return to our favorite gelato place - only one we went to actually.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Botanic Gardens and swim lagoon
May 28, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Wake up to pouring rain. Brunch of bagels and lox by the sea. Not spectacular bagels but overall pretty good. Walk to Botanic gardens. Meander back along the Esplanade, learning about Darwin bombing during WW II. Who knew? Go to wharf district where there is a “safe” lagoon. Though they can’t guarantee no stingers. Water is a bit warm and murky.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Bike ride and beach walk
May 27, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Set off on a bike ride back along the coast. Walk through mangroves and along the beach. Tide is way out. Beach is covered with little sand balls produced by sand bubbler crabs who deposit them as they forage for food. Do a bit of shopping and then out for pizza. And more gelato.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Darwin
May 26, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Complete a few errands on the way into the city. Return to north east coast for a walk and swim in a safe lake. Check into hotel and enjoy the a/c. Walk to dinner, passing a snake along the way. Fish n’ chips at Frying Nemo. Stop for some delicious gelato.Read more
Hannah Boe Frying Nemo 🤡😅
5/29/25Reply
Traveler🤣🤣🤣frying nemo
6/12/25Reply
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