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The Grand Adventure
  • Helene Rimberg
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  • Helene Rimberg

The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Lue lisää
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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Serene retreat
    Serene retreatOur bungalowLove these peppersCraggy mountain topsRoses? Who knew?

    Fang

    25. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Leave our pleasant “retreat” noting all the rain that filled in the gullies. Sunshine quickly gave way to clouds and drizzle as we began climbing. Jagged peaks poked through the clouds and mist. Hit the top and the rain really started. A bit treacherous as we descended. And then it stopped. Relatively easy ride into Fang though surprisingly alot of people and traffic. For a novel treat, went to the store and ‘made’ our dinner.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Mostly healthy
    Mostly healthyCake for breakfastEveryone needs one of theseBig looming mountains

    Chiang Dao

    24. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ 🌧 28 °C

    Another buffet breakfast topped off with another birthday cake, with singing. Pack up and leave our fancy hotel, resuming our northward journey. Quickly find quiet roads. Day warms up as we find ourselves back on a big road to do some climbing. Gradual descent into Chiang Dao and check in to nice bungalow just as rain begins. Do manage to try out the pool during a break in the rain.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Roof was quite purple but looks more blue here
    Roof was quite purple but looks more blue hereThey actually sell eggs for your boiling pleasureNice massaging water featureNot just a cave - a temple tooNo idea if the significance of zebrasRoof top viewsNegroniBoomer cloudsFrench 752 of our dishesNice surprise

    Another trip around the sun

    23. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ 🌧 31 °C

    Start my birthday with a bountiful breakfast buffet. Once fueled up, mount our bikes (yes spending my birthday on my bike) and head into the countryside. Nice rolling hills and quiet roads lead us to San Kamphaeng Hot Springs. Do a bit of feet soaking in very hot water and then take a dip in a 39 C pool. Ride up to a cave very worthy of exploration. Ride back to town, clean up and check out roof bar. Walk to lovely dinner! A birthday cake finds its way to my room.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Chiang Mai way down thereSo many butterflies on this hikeWoodwork was fabulousReally liked the peacock above the doorStreet is closed every SaturdaySmoothies for dessert

    Hike up the Monks Trail

    20. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ 🌧 30 °C

    After the morning shower (seems to be the norm), caught a lift to the base of the Monks Trail heading for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Trail was pretty busy up to the first temple. As we continue downward, crowds thinned and trail became muddier and steeper. Poles were very helpful. Very sweaty even though temp and humidity are lower. Nice views from above. Attempt to go down via a waterfall trail but it was closed. Back down via the windy road and then a new very quiet trail. Nice outing. Check out our evening market before venturing out for dinner (another round of pizza).Lue lisää

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    Botanical Gardens

    17. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Quick breakfast at our hotel before mounting our bikes and heading out of town. Roads are quite congested and in need of repair. Eventually find a lovely protected bike path. Wind our way to Mae valley and begin windy climb up to Botanical gardens. Steep climbs (walking) within the park but do find some nice paths to stroll through. Such a variety of trees! Bamboo, bananas, firs …. Very cool canopy walk above the trees. Walk back down and enjoy the coast back into the city.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    The tree in the background is 200+ y.o.These bells make such nice sounds2Gotta love his outfitBuddha belly!Monks seatsToppled by an earthquakeBeautiful teak insideSo much going on

    Chiang Mai walking tour

    15. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Slow start. Make our way to a bagel shop and have bagels and lox for brunch. Fueled up, we start our tour through Chiang Mai and the many Wats. Cover a few of the more than 120 before we are templed out. Hot and sunny day so seek out a watermelon smoothie. Get some pool time before out for a good Thai veggie dinner.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Clockwise walkingPeople pour oil into thisSo many bellsLongan trees1What's left of walls

    Chiang Mai

    14. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Head back to town to check out sights. First up - cat cafe! Visit Wat Phra That Haripunchai where many people have come to pray. Try to stay out of the way and be inconspicuous (hard as only white people). Back to hotel and ride the 18 miles into Chang Mai. Pretty easy entry to rather large city. Check in to hotel. Long walk on outskirts of
    old city for very good pizza and gelato.    Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Love the green fields
    Love the green fieldsSadly didn't see anySo many mushrooms2Love these!Thais love their peppers

    Lamphun

    13. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Another hilly day - but the morning is a nice warm up. Enjoy a muddy path before joining the highway. Unfortunately no other option to get to Chiang Mai. Last hill is long and hot and noisy with semis. But another cruise down. Stop at a local market for a cold drink. Arrive in Lamphun. Nice dinner and then wander through night market.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Very jungly
    Very junglyRivers are so full and running fastHmm. Bike on other sideDoug is the heroTwo of many yappy and annoying dogs

    Back to the hills

    12. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    First order of business - up a rather big hill (at least relative to what we have been doing lately). Though it’s early it’s already hit which only adds to the fun. Cruise down the other side and find some breakfast. Veer off the highway for some quietness and find a water cross. Make our way across and return to big road. End our day at Ban Sop Soem and another little bungalow. Fortunately there is an attached restaurant.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    So many birdsThis Buddha is huge!

    Ruins of Sukhothai

    10. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ 🌧 30 °C

    Day off to explore the even older capital city. Seems Sukhothai was at its peak in 12th/13th centuries. A lot of work has been done to restore the structures, especially the Buddhas. Rode our bikes around the old “walled” city. Even a moat to protect from invaders. Huge complex with structures in varying degrees of decay. Very peaceful and well tended. Very few people. Nice day overall. Finished off with a swim. Deluge came trapping us in our bungalow. Fortunately we were able to have food delivered!Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    So many elephants
    So many elephantsReminds me of IndonesiaThere are mountains thereHmmm. Might the water cover the road?Different trees up hereFancy!

    Sukhothai

    9. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

    Nice tailwind as we pedal north (can’t remember last time we went in one direction for so long). Lots of puddles on the roads and the dirt road is a tad bit muddy. Skies in front of us are quite dark and the mountains to our left are covered in clouds. Push on to beat the rain. Almost. Last mile the skies open. Arrive at our lovely resort which is mostly empty. Check-in, relax and even go in the pool. Nice dinner nearby.Lue lisää

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    A day amongst wet rice fields

    8. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ 🌧 30 °C

    Another mixed day weather wise. Ride amongst rice, corn and sugar cane. All is pretty flooded though not sure if that is the norm for this time of year or excessive. End point chosen as there are hotels. Chose one and check-in. Apparently we could have only paid for a few hours (hence condom amongst the soap and glasses). Not many dinner options but put it together with a food stand and 7-eleven.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    A long climb up the wall of our villa
    A long climb up the wall of our villaNice templeMany little swamps with pretty lotus flowers

    Travel mode

    6. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    These are the days we put our head down and just ride. We are keeping the distance manageable yet getting delayed by rain during the day. Today it started with sun but clouded up pretty quickly. It is a nice break from the hot sun. Made it to our planned destination. Cheap lodging and grabbed some food from across the highway.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Fun elephant sculptures
    Fun elephant sculpturesA monk being followed by a monkeyStorm clouds over the CheriSurrounded by rain1Sought shelter

    When it rains ….

    5. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Yes, it pours. We seem to be experiencing the rainy season. Though we remain dry most of the time, rain seems to be unleashed later in the day. This is what happened today and we sought shelter very close to our final destination. Fortunately they have alot of shelters along the road. Nice “villa” with a pool though didn’t utilize it. Nice, unique dinnerLue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Love these trees
    Love these treesBuddha head was caught up in roots and tree grew around itWat Maha ThatSo tippyThese are 500-600 years old.What it looked likeWhat's left - Wat Ratchaburana (Temple)Buddha body parts strewn around1Elephant doesn't seem happyWat Phra Si Samphet - Royal PalaceDoug amongst headless Buddhas in Wat ChaiwatthanaramThe sharp corners are very coolThese are like Russian stacking dolls. Relics are contained in the last oneLove me some golden water glassesCute golden elephant1

    Ayutthaya

    4. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    A day exploring the ruins. Ayutthaya was the capital of Thailand in olden times. It was plundered by Burmese. Bangkok became the new capital. Wandered around the various sites. Seemed a bit different than the temples we had been exploring in Bangkok.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    View from our lunch spot.
    View from our lunch spot.One of many little bridges we crossedLittle ferry across riverNice temple along our routeShrine right by police stationSpit roasted fishThey are cooking up a storm.

    Goodbye Bangkok

    3. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ 🌩️ 32 °C

    Pack up and ride north through the somewhat chaotic traffic. It is certainly not as bad as I had expected but still took a lot of concentration and caution. The urban sprawl continued for what felt like forever. Followed the canal and eventually traffic lessened. Very hot day! Hop on to our first ferry - no problem. Second ferry doesn’t really seem to exist. Backtrack and go over very chaotic bridge. Quickly find our hotel. Dinner, gelato and a walk through the night market.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    A third of a persons remains goes to their temple
    A third of a persons remains goes to their templeTall BuddhaGolden BuddhaManhole cover artChinatown street artChinese templeView from top of mallNot the nicest looking river

    A few more Buddhas & river cruising

    2. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Our last day in Bangkok. Stop first at Wat I - home of a very large standing Buddha. Able to climb up almost to the top for a nice view. Walk to the river and board the hop on hop off ferry and travel down to Chinatown. Make out way to Wat Trai Mit - home of the golden Buddha. First learn more about Chinese history in Thailand and history of golden Buddha. It weighs 5.5 tons! Made of gold! Incredible. Wander amongst street art before boarding ferry and crossing over to huge mall with lovely deck. End up watching it get dark from there (facing wrong way for sunset). Back on the ferry for evening lights.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Reclining Buddha - huge!
    Reclining Buddha - huge!Mother of pear inlayUsed for prayer? A coin dropped in each4 main Chedis. One for each of first 4 King RamasAbout 80 minor Chedis.Hermits in various yoga positionsEven the cats honor the Buddhas1Veggie and flower market

    Wat Phra (part 2)

    1. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Couldn’t restrain myself. So many pictures.

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