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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

    Sydney Explorations

    March 5, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Took the bus into the city to save some miles of walking. Walked through parks amongst the downtown area on our way the harbor. Got our first views of the Opera House as we walked towards the harbor bridge. Great views as we walked across the bridge and then as we walked right alongside it. Walked through the Botanical Gardens, through Bondi, finally ending at Bondi Beach. Surf was rough so walked along coastal walkway again, stopping for a dip in a narrow cove. Finally return to the hostel after 14 miles of walking.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Welcome to Oz

    March 4, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Early rise as we re-sort and check in. Again they allow us an extra checked back. Shake our way to security and relax for a bit in the lounge. Board our plane and jet across the Tasman Sea. Shortish flight and breeze through security. A few hours later we are heading into Sydney. After a brief moment of confusion, we find a beautiful cycleway and make our way to Coogee Beach. Check in and go to the beach. Walk along the coastal walkway. Amazing cliffs and big waves. Soak in the Aussie beach culture.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Back to where we began

    March 3, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Said our goodbyes, sadly, Tom Christine and John as they headed home. Finished our packing and determined we could get everything in the car. Took a short beach walk and then on to the airport. Chaotic resorting as everything was way over weight. Fortunately they let us check 2 extra bags for free. But they didn’t check us all the way through. Hence we had to retrieve our belongings in Auckland. No way to get to hotel so “slept” on the floor amongst others in our little camping area.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Nelson wanderings

    February 28, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    After enjoying watching the huge tides from our deck, set off into Nelson. Stopped at Japanese Garden and climbed up to the geographical center of NZ. Wandered through town before heading into wine country. Others tasted as I agreed to be the DD. Picked up seafood for dinner.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Abel Tasman Kayak - day 2

    February 27, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Rise early and catch a beautiful sunrise. Paddle out into the calm waters. As its high tide, we are able to explore the tidal estuaries and rivers. Continue making our way down the coastline. Relax on a few beaches before ending our journey where we started and meeting up with Christine and John. Relatively short drive to Nelson and our Airbnb.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Abel Tasman Kayak - Day 1

    February 26, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Up and out in time to catch our kayak trip. Get our gear and get oriented before catching the water taxi to our starting point. Paddle the calm waters in search of seals. Head for a big beach for lunch. As we leave, clouds form and wind picks up. Carry on into the swells only making it to where we started. Busy little campground on the beach, full of weka.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Abel Tasman

    February 25, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Quick drive to Abel Tasman park and pick up the coastal track to Apple tree beach. Lovely walk and incredible beach. Swim, picnic lunch and relax. Quick walk back. Steak dinner as we prepare for our kayak adventure.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Franz Josef glacier

    February 23, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Early start though the kids on the hop on/hop off bus are up before us. Beautiful clear sky as we make our way up the trail towards Alex Knob. Nice vistas along the way. I alone go up to the top carry though it’s socked in with clouds. Nice eerie effect. Back down I go, carefully scrambling along the rocks. Long hike but well worth it. Nice pasta dinner.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Glacier Valley

    February 22, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Up and out for our drive up and over the mountains to the west coast. Beautiful and windy road. A few little stops and then a walk to Monro Beach. Beautiful but buggy. Arrive in Franz Josef and our set of double bunk beds.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    A day of silliness

    February 21, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Got up early to go back to the hike for sunrise. Walked up a bit and watched sun poke through the clouds. Back down for breakfast and then went to Puzzling World. Crazy illusion rooms and then an almost impossible maze. Finally finished after walking about 2 miles. Strolled along the lake and hung out before shopping and dinner.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Roys Peak

    February 20, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Beautiful morning as we set off on a hike up nearby Roy’s Peak - 4000 ft over 4.5 miles. Although many people go up for sunrise, we get a leisurely 9:30 start. Incredible views make it all worthwhile. Gelato and soaking feet in the lake are additional rewards.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Wanaka

    February 19, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Meander through Queenstown before hopping in the car and heading out. Scenic route to Hayes lake and a quick walk about. Take the very windy Cardrona Range up and over into the next valley. Stop at Cardrona distillery - sampling some tasty beverages. Continue along to Wanaka, trying to stay ahead of very dark clouds. Check into campground and take walk along the lake into Wanaka town. Back at campground, tuck into the barbecue area for fish dinnerRead more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Queenstown

    February 18, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Rainy morning makes for moody mountains. Rain ends though clouds persist. Quick walk to nearby waterfall before the drive, retracing our steps, to Queenstown. Skies clear as we head north. Head into the hills for a hike up then Queenstown Hill. Great views of lake and city built into the hills. Ominous clouds in one direction and blue sky in the other. Check into Blacksheep Hostel, explore the touristy city, and back to make chili.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Milford Sound

    February 17, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    5:15 wake up time to drive the rest of the way to Milford Sound for our Sunriser kayak trip. Get our safety briefing and outfits. Alana, our guide, leads us around the inner third of the fjord (it’s not actually a sound). Towering cliffs and waterfalls and the occasional seaplane or helicopter. Sun pops out and we peel off as we paddle back. A few quick stops including spotting a Kia. Lunch spot down the Hollyford road by very cold swimming hole. Quick walk to Humboldt falls. Great lamb dinnerRead more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Key Summit

    February 16, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Mega shopping trip to stock up for our jaunt into fjordlands. Packed in like sardines as we wind our way into the valley. Beautiful stops along the way before our hike along Routeburn trail to Key Summit. Quite windy at the top but find a nice lunch spot. Side trail to a lake on the way down. Check into Eglinton Valley campground.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    2

    Te Anau

    February 15, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Long drive through the plains, over mountains and along lakes. Amongst the brown hills, lots of grape vines and orchards pop up. Finally make it to Te Anau - gateway to Milford Sound. Nice lakeside walk before checking out the town. Out for best pizza this far in NZ.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Cliff scramble, lake walk & a reunion

    February 14, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Another cloudy morning as we head to the nearby clay cliffs. Beautiful sandstone formations that look like they belong in the Southwest. Sun pops out as we scramble about. Head to Lake Ohau for a lakeside walk, picnic & swim. Return to our campsite to host dinner for surprise guests - another PSU friend happened to be nearby. How crazy is that. Nice evening catching up.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Aoraki via the Hooker Valley

    February 13, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Foggy morning quickly gives way to beautiful skies as we make our way into the mountains. New peaks continue to pop up behind each other. Trek from the village toward the crowds - all heading ip the Hooker Valley trail. There is a reason it’s so popular! 3 suspension bridges later and we make it to the glacier lake. Too chilly to swim but it feels good on the feet. Back down we go with and stop at the lavender farm for ice cream. Great day ending in a good fish taco meal.Read more

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    13

    Let the car trip begin

    February 12, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Bundle ourselves up and hit the road. Cover familiar territory ( Rakaia Gorge) and explore new sights (Peel Forest). Pass beautiful lakes - Tekapo and Pukaki as we make our way south to Omarama.

  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Breezing to Christchurch

    February 9, 2025 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Early rise to catch the bus. Streets are empty and still dark. No problems with the bikes that more money can’t solve. 6+ hours later we are in Christchurch. Quick ride to hotel and then wander a bit. Central city is very modern as it was rebuilt post-earthquake. Still rebuilding the cathedral.Read more