The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Read more

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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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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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
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
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
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
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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
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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
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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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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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
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
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
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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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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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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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
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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