Current

The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Photos Share

The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
2
Final day of exploration in Seoul
November 9, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Up early and head into chilly sunshine for some exercise. Jog up to the tower along trail. Stop a bit for some strength training as well. Pack up, and after stashing out stuff, grab some breakfast. Walk past Cathedral and catch the metro to the Olympic park. Many people out enjoying the sunshine. Do a quick walkabout before taking metro back. Catch the train to the airport and pass through security easily spend some time in lounge before boarding plan. USA - here we come. Definitely ready for a break!Read more
Hannah Boe Glitter Day?? ✨✨
11/11/25Reply
Helene Rimberg A K-pop band concert. They were all dressed like school girls
11/12/25Reply
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
2
Namsan Tower and National museum
November 8, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Head off in another direction this morning. Up to the Namsan park and tower. As it’s Saturday it’s very busy with people enjoying the fall day. Nice 360 view. Walk through the park and then head to war memorial. Lots of police presence for some unknown reason. Skiddadle out of there and walk through nice neighborhoods to the National museum of Korea. Learn a bit about the country’s history - lots of occupations. Take the metro back and have a good last meal in Korea.Read more
Hannah Boe Wow I want that to organize my rhinestones ✨
11/11/25Reply
Helene Rimberg That could work
11/12/25Reply
TravelerIt looks so much like Portland in the fall!
11/14/25Reply
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A 3 palace day
November 7, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Chilly morning so we take our time getting ready to go out. Greeted by a beautiful blue sky - first in awhile. Fuel up with coffee and hit the tourist trail. Catch a changing of the guard ceremony at the first palace and then again at the second. Walk the hilly streets admiring the older buildings. Another palace, a market and a walk along a river finishes off our tour. ( Added benefit is that everything is free) Find dinner nearby as quite tired.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Goodbye Vietnam: Hello South Korea
November 6, 2025 in South Korea ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Pack up and bid adieu to our lovely hotel. Catch a ride to the airport and breeze through check-in and security (so much easier without bikes). Sit in the lounge for a few hours awaiting our departure. Do miscalculate flight time vs change in time zones arriving 2 hours later than expected. Quick entry into S. Korea and find the train into the city. Quite chilly out. Stop for vegan Korean food before checking into hotel. Walk around the city a bit, marveling at the quietness and orderliness.Read more
TravelerWe love Seoul, Korea!
11/7/25Reply
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
1
A final day of wandering
November 5, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
A dry and sort of sunny day - finally. Walked the land bridge we had been looking at from our window. Continue through well protected HonChiMinh park. From there go to Temple of Literature, showcasing the importance of education throughout Vietnam’s history. Do some final shopping before heading out. Good dinner at a very popular restaurant for tour groups.Read more
Hannah Boe That cat looks like such a diva
11/7/25Reply
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
First time for everything
November 4, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Another cool and rainy morning. Indulge in room service as we need to spend our credit. Don jackets and head out to explore. Find our way to Hoa Lo Prison (aka Hanoi Hilton) where Vietnamese were imprisoned by then French and then later American pilots imprisoned. Checked out a cat cafe before going to the spa my first ever massage. Social entrepreneurship in action - they train vision impaired youth in the art of massage. Somewhat enjoyable experience. Do a bit of shopping before stopping for another good dinner (have eaten well in Hanoi).Read more
2 likes
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
And we go upscale
November 3, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
Spend the morning wandering around Ho Hoan Lake, the French Quarter and Old Town. Pack up and after fueling with a Banh My, walk to our new hotel - PanPacific. Great view from our 11th door window. Enjoy the facilities before heading to up to the roof top bar. Tis raining so sit inside. Back out into rain to a nice restaurant nearbyRead more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
1
Tucking our bikes in
November 2, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Our plan to leave early to avoid traffic does not materialize. Repacking and cleaning the mud off our bikes takes awhile. Ride a hectic 10 miles to where we met Tu, who had agreed to house our bikes while we are in Portland. Pare down to what we need and hop in a Grab which takes us to our hotel. Check in and map for awhile - frenzy of the past days having caught up with me. Venture out into the city and explore the Old Quarter. Good dinner!Read more
Traveler Beautiful!
11/5/25Reply
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Final push to Hanoi
November 1, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Rainy morning and not eager to go out into it - thus a late start. Find our way quickly to quieter roads. Roll along, managing to catch views when the clouds lift a bit. Eventually return to the bigger road and begin the harrowing journey into Hanoi. Traffic is bonkers with everyone out for themselves. Probably worst entry into a city - ever. Find a hotel and begin process or organizing for our journey to Portland. Finally do laundry and have Pho (or Bun) for dinner.Read more
2 likes
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A scary Halloween ride
October 31, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 23 °C
And another cloudy morning. As a monster hill awaits us, get an early start. Though it starts gradual, it quickly becomes devilishly steep. Frightfully loud trucks and cars get impossibly close to us as we head towards the pass. The rain begins and the fog descends making for spooky riding. A cold and wet descent and sadly, no views. Get off the busy road and ride the longer yet much quieter route. Find a hotel and another somewhat odd dinner (grilled duck and cake).Read more
0 likes
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Mai Châu walkabout
October 30, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Cloudy and drizzly morning; thus opt for a walk. Head away from the rice fields and into the jungle. Just a few farm homes up in the hills. The trail ultimately disappears so we turnaround and walk a bit amongst the fields. Seems the entire village is supporting the rice harvesting. Find our way to a cave before heading back to hotel.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Pu Luong walkabout: Day 2
October 28, 2025 in Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Another nice breakfast fuels our next walk farther down into the valley. Road steepens to 25% before we hit the valley floor. Village people go about their business of harvesting and making handcrafts for tourists. Though tools and technology have certainly impacted their lifestyle, they still seem to live a simple lifestyle - living off their communal Loop around the rice fields before heading back up - with a mango smoothie break. Back to our happy home and one last dinner.Read more
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Pu Luong walkabout: Day 1
October 27, 2025 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
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
We found our happy home - literally
October 26, 2025 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
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Things are looking brighter
October 25, 2025 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
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
And another one
October 24, 2025 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
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Some days ……
October 23, 2025 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
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Along the Ho Chi Minh trail
October 22, 2025 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
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Amongst tea plantations
October 21, 2025 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
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Hello Vietnam
October 20, 2025 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
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
UP towards the border
October 19, 2025 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
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Tham Nam Non Cave
October 18, 2025 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
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Kong Lor Cave
October 17, 2025 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
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
1
1
Spring river resort
October 16, 2025 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
1 like
The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A day for adrenaline junkies
October 15, 2025 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
1 like