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The Grand Adventure

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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Pu Luong walkabout: Day 1
October 27 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
After a nice breakfast, organized ourselves for a hike. First stop - Bat Cave. From there descend into the river valley. Walk along a lovely river and amongst the rice fields. As its harvest time, people are out in the fields and also burning; creating a bit of smoke and haze. Very steep walk out and back to our happy home. Try out a different restaurant for dinner - quite good!Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
We found our happy home - literally
October 26 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
After an amazing cheese omelette, set off on a short but hilly ride into Pu Luong reserve. Again, we dealt with hills and muddy roads to avoid the traffic. After a stop for coffee (have yet to figure out how to order it here) headed up. Nice gradual climb of 1200 feet. Made it to Happy Home - our homestay! Lovely room and view. Had our best meal thus far in Vietnam!Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Things are looking brighter
October 25 in Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
A dry and warmer morning. Backtrack a bit to find an iPhone store. With a quick screen replacement it’s all better. Head out and opt for very small roads to avoid the traffic. Mostly decent surface with a few muddy sections. Scenery improves and with it our moods. Return to the big road for final miles and arrive at our home stay. Greeted by the Brit host and shown to our fine room. Chicken curry and rice prepared by our hosts.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
And another one
October 24 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Another cool and rainy morning. Longer day in store and unfortunately almost totally on the busy Ho Chi Minh road. The horns and treacherous drivers were relentless. Rain did stop and we did make sure to stop and eat lunch. Arrive at the hotel emotionally drained. A bit out of town so limited options for dinner. Walk across the road and choose our dishes from the pots. Made for a decent dinner.Read more
TravelerSome tips/reading that a friend shared: https://myvegantravels.com/destinations/asia/vi…
10/25/25Reply
Helene RimbergCool. Yet I think in the small towns we have been in that would have been challenging.
10/26/25Reply
Travelerhttps://www.happycow.net/
10/25/25Reply
TravelerI love that you are in Vietnam! But I am sorry to hear how stressful the journey is. I remember the horns and chaos of the roads in the city but not the countryside. I hope the weather and journey improve for you soon!
10/25/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Some days ……
October 23 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
….. it just feels like too much. Today was one of those. Weather was cool and rainy, quite the switch for us. Donned jackets and headed out. Battled rain, wind and honking vehicles all day. So wet, we couldn’t take pictures. Found our hotel - a relatively bright spot in the day. Went out in search of dinner and the few restaurants were closed. Put together dinner from a little store.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Along the Ho Chi Minh trail
October 22 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Left our bungalow and quickly returned to smaller roads. Quite windy again making for slower riding. Lots of storm damage and overflowing rivers (a few typhoons passed through recently). Meander across several bridges just for 2 wheelers. Staying away from trucks and cars is a primary objective - they are very horn happy! Make it to Tan Ky, and after an interesting mango smoothie find a hotel. Gathered a few basic provisions and order a relatively balanced dinner. Vietnam is proving to be a bit challenging in the food department.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Amongst tea plantations
October 21 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Very late start due to bike repair needs. Set off on rural roads through green hills. Terraced tea plantations dominate. A few hills and some wind slow us down a bit. Make it to “eco- resort” next to a lake and more tea. Rustic but fine. They serve a simple but tasty dinner which we enjoy with a few travelers on motorcycles.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Hello Vietnam
October 20 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
Cloudy morning as we prepare to climb the last bit before crossing the border into Vietnam. Load up with caffeine and sugar and head out. The road seems quieter but still a bit rough. Rain begins before we hit the last climb. Wait it out a bit but must continue onward. As we near the border, have to weave in and out of the lanes as the trucks are parked on our side waiting to cross. Fairly easy crossing though it’s very wet. Beautiful road going down with very little traffic. Lots of greenery and flowing water. Make it to Son Tay and check into nice hotel. Venture out for dinner. Manage to order an odd dinner but pretty good - chicken bits and little fish and sticky rice.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
UP towards the border
October 19 in Laos ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
After a lovely pancake breakfast, head out onto the main road. Climb stats immediately, and the sun bakes us as we struggle upwards. The road is in all sorts of disrepair which as to the fun. Great views though. Finally make it to the top and have a break as we lose a bit of elevation. Stop at Dragon cave and viewpoint. Finish the ride as the headwinds really pick up. Find a cheap hotel and an ok place for dinner.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Tham Nam Non Cave
October 18 in Laos ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
After another nice breakfast, left the resort - retracing our route to the north. Stopped at Tham Nam Non cave, which to our surprise was full of water. Using inner tubes we floated up into the cave. It was quite spacious and the water was clear and a lovely temperature. Turned around when it got too dark and spooky. Continued on Na Hin, finding a decent place to sleep and eat.Read more
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Kong Lor Cave
October 17 in Laos ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
As the bungalow is very dark, I manage to sleep in. Late. Finally get up and go have breakfast before it’s too late. Short ride to Kong Lor Cave, a 5km long cave with a river through it. Take a little boat to a motorized boat and cruise up the river - stopping a few times to marvel at the formations. Pop out on the other side and then return. Very cool! Back to
our place and relax for the rest of the day.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Spring river resort
October 16 in Laos ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Day begins quite cool (relatively) but quickly warms up. Not moving too fast as tired from the previous day’s adventures. Steep downhill to start which quickly levels out into a lovely road through a valley. A big of a headwind but we make good time and arrive at our destination - Spring River resort. Check in and venture out on kayaks. Head into a lagoon which is quite serene. Doug’s boat takes on water and eventually he capsizes. Twice. I tow him short distance back.Read more
TravelerYou should have taken pics on the kayaks of Doug in the water.
10/17/25Reply
Traveler Poor Doug.
10/17/25Reply
Traveler No kayaking with the water buffalo!!!!
10/17/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A day for adrenaline junkies
October 15 in Laos ⋅ 🌧 28 °C
On our “rest day”, we embark on a full day adventure. For 7 hours we flew on zip lines, climbed up and down sheer rock walls, walked across sketchy bridges and basically did whatever possible to get our heart racing (generally from fear). Though scary, it was amazing soaring high above the craggy peaks. We claimed our mind against the hordes on bugs and heat. And when the rain and thunder began - we just continued on. Great day - especially in retrospect.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Up to the Rockpoint
October 14 in Laos ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
Later start as we only have 20 miles to ride - almost entirely up hill. The road is pretty rough in sections but we make it over the first hill. Clouds build and get pelted with a bit of rain but keep going. It does clear pretty quickly; with the sun coming out just in time for the steep part. Sweat our way up and arrive at the Rockpoint viewpoint and Lodge - our destination. Check in to our “capsule” and venture out onto the walkway. Amazing views!Read more
Hannah Boe Looks steep!
10/15/25Reply
Hannah Boe So pointy!
10/15/25Reply
Traveler So cool!
10/15/25Reply
Traveler Oh now that looks nice. Amazing/unbelievable pictures. So unbelievably boring when you get back here.
10/27/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
One last long day in the heat
October 13 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Road stays nice and smooth as we wind our way along the Mekong before turning inland. Back to 90+ degrees with a feels like temp of 107. The promise of a smoothly keeps us going forward. Make it to hotel just as skies open up.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Back to the Mekong
October 12 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Up and out early as need to find coffee and breakfast. Gather our supplies for the day and head out on horrible road with many trucks and buses. After about 5km, the road becomes smooth asphalt with a big shoulder. Cruise along, meeting up with the Mekong. A few stops for frosty drinks and finally make it to Paksan. Check in to hotel (another one that is mostly empty). Find dinner and spend all evening trying to figure out Vietnam visa process.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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A waterfall visit
October 11 in Laos ⋅ 🌩️ 32 °C
Long day planned but we plan to break it up with a visit to a waterfall. Cycling is easier today as road is flatter with longer stretches of good road. Veer off the main road and head into the hills to visit waterfalls. Have a nice dip and watch storm clouds form. Get out of the water just as skies open. Huddle under a little shelter - watching the falls double in size. Finally it stops, yet find our bikes now parked in a creek. Continue on our way. Arrive in Naxay and find a very cheap but acceptable hotel.Read more
Traveler 😳
11/5/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A long hot ride
October 10 in Laos ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Get an early start though it’s tempting to stay! Lots of rolling hills amongst green hills that eventually get bigger. A few tough climbs in the heat. Plod along, especially over the rough sections. Find ourselves in a mud pit. No bueno. Find a decent, and cheap, hotel. Then off to dinner. Another fun time ordering food with no local language skills.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Fun van ride over the mountain
October 9 in Laos ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Early morning departure to board a minivan for Vien Vang. Horrible road conditions confirm that we made the right decision not to ride. And then in slopes up and the road becomes almost nonexistent- a tad scary in a vehicle. Make it down and pick up more people just adding to the fun. Somehow make it to Vien Vang without losing my mind. Gladly mount my bike and ride short distance (still rough road) to resort by very large reservoir. Lovely swim in the lake and enjoy sunset. Nice ending to a rough day.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Two sides to Laos
October 8 in Laos ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Take a short walk to the UXO museum (unexploded ordnances). Between 1964-1973 the US dropped a plane load of munitions, on average, every 8 minutes, 24 hours each day. And we denied doing it. 30% did not explode and thus remained - creating deathly hazards for the people of Laos and impacting all aspects of their lives. The government has worked to educate and clean them up. It was quite eye opening and disturbing. Juxtaposed to this, the preparations for the festival were in full swing. Spent the afternoon packing and cleaning bikes before hitting the streets for the parade. Bought our offerings which we released into the Mekong (goodbye bad luck- hello good
luck). Watched the flaming floats travel down stream after snagging a table by the water. Tried a Lao fish wrap - very tasty. Make your own lettuce wraps using a whole grilled
Fish.Read more
Traveler Oh my gosh! The clothes and the people, so beautiful
11/5/25Reply
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Luang Probang exploration
October 7 in Laos ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Wake to heavy rains which clear pretty quickly. Head to Royal Palace which is now a museum. Unable to take pictures of the lavish digs. Afterwards long walk to get eSIM cards as our reliable worldwide coverage does not cover Laos. Check out local market Tour a few Wats in town before heading up Phosi Hill for sunset and moonrise. Strangely we aren’t the only ones to think of this. Opt to not wait an extra hour for moonrise. Preparations for Lhai Heua Fai (Festival of Lights), marking the end of Buddhist Lent are starting!Read more
Traveler Agree!
10/11/25Reply
Traveler 😮
10/11/25Reply
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Anniversary adventures
October 6 in Laos ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
In honor of our 34 years of marriage, ride 34 miles (RT) to Kuang Si waterfalls. Scenic ride with some very rough sections (e.g, water filled potholes). Explore very full waterfalls with many other tourists. Even have a bear sanctuary. Get a great view from the top. Enjoy the cool
water before heading back to town. Enjoy some anniversary bubbles before pizza dinner.Read more
Traveler Happy Anniversary!
10/11/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Mekong: Day 2 and onto Lubang Probang
October 5 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Earlier departure and more crowded bought. Yet sunny day as we continue winding our way downstream. Very isolated villages along the way though seem to be building roads all along the river. Arrive about 7 hours later and schlep our stuff up steep steps. Manage to ring our way into crowded city without our typical navigation tools (our global internet seems to neglect Laos). Find our hotel and out for nice French-Lao dinner.Read more
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Crusing down the Mekong
October 4 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Oddly, the skies darken after we wake up. And then the skies open. Crazy storm that lasts almost an hour and delays our departure to the boat dock. Finally able to go; get our tickets, load our bikes on top and grab some food before boarding boat. Wait quite awhile as it fills to capacity and then set sail. Cruise along at 16 mph - passing little villages perched in the hillside. Spend the next 6 hours reading and watching the world go by. Definitely ready to get off at the point we dock. Arrive at Pakbeng and our hotel is very conveniently located to the dock. Take a short walk through small village before dinner.Read more
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Laos
October 3 in Laos ⋅ 🌙 27 °C
Pack up and head for the “Friendship Bridge” and the border with Laos. Unable to ride across the bridge; instead crossing in a shuttle bus. Manage passport control fairly easily. And just like that - new country. And we are back to riding on the right. Forget this a few times on our short ride into Huayxai. Check out the boat dock for tomorrow and then find our hotel. Walk onto local Wat and meander a bit in this town though quite hot and not much to see. Out for our first dinner in Laos. Side note - Laos is a communist country.Read more
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