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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

    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
    Sadly 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
    Rivers 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
    Reminds 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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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    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
    Nice 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
    A 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
    Buddha 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.
    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
    Tall 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!
    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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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Guardian
    Mosaic glass tiles1Black Buddha in foregroundNasty looking creaturesThey "recycled" Chinese porcelain that broke to create artworkEmerald Buddha made of jade. 66 cms. Has 3 outfits - one for each season. The king dresses himCorn cob spireMany guardiansUsed for banquets and holds royal ashesThrone hall - where the royals are laid in state

    The Grand Palace & Wat Phra

    1. syyskuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Although our intent was to get to the Grand Palace by 8:30, that didn’t quite happen. Thus the day was already hot and crowds had arrived by the time we got there. Entered the palace grounds and quickly became dazzled by the beauty. Waited for a tour to try and learn along the way. Though the King now lives elsewhere, the palace buildings are used mostly for ceremonies, housing royal ashes and to house the “Emerald Buddha”. I really have never seen anything so lavish and immense. Afterwards walked to see reclining Buddha in Wat Phra - another huge and ornate complex. Did a bit more meandering afterwards and then back to hotel to cool down and rest. Took a break from Thai with Israeli food for dinner.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Just like Venice?!
    Royal Boulevard leading to palaceFor wishes or prayersHeading up to templeA mantra for everydayBuddha sitting on NagaHow a king gets aroundUnless they ride an elephant

    Wat Saket and National Museum

    31. elokuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ 🌧 30 °C

    Wake up quite late thus adjust plans accordingly. Breakfast first (pancakes!) and then walk along canal to Wat Saket - a temple built into a hill. Quite impressive and a nice city view at the top. From there go to
    National Museum. Get a nice overview of prehistoric and ancient times and the lives of the royalty. Rain comes down in buckets while inside. Back to hotel and out for ok dinner.    Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Fancy it's not
    2The white structures honor the deadLots of canals in this cityOne of a few fortsBridge across Chao Phraya riverThere were 180 of them. Maybe people interred? Have placards for each family memberVery fancy tuk tuksFerry across the riverVery crazy nightlife

    Onto Bangkok

    30. elokuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    Early morning rise to catch the 8:25 train. Manage to figure out what we need and where we wait. Cost - $4 each (with bikes). Train is late. Ultimately have to take packs off to get them through narrow door (though mine gets shoved through the window). Sit up front with them. Luxurious it isn’t but we quickly get to Bangkok. Opt to ride to get closer to main city. Not too bad or unsafe. Await check-in. Meander out with no real destination. Fortunately there are interesting sights everywhere. Get 6 miles in. Meet our new Italian friend Stefano for dinner (met on the way to Koh Tao).Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Safe way to cross highwayThe tracks we have followed for many miles

    Rice fields and dogs

    29. elokuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    Take care of a few errands before leaving. Ratchaburi and the train is our destination. Very flat riding, thankfully, as it’s very hot. Rice fields and marshes dominate the landscape. Side roads are great but full of dogs who seem particularly aggressive. They generally go away after you yell at them. But still …. Stop for a smoothie and finish our ride. Ensure we can take our bikes to Bangkok and find a hotel. Check out Ratchaburi at night.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Goodbye Gulf of Thailand

    28. elokuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Made our way out of Hua Hin and road a quiet road near the coast (couldn’t see the water but could see high rise resorts). Finally stopped at quiet beach and had final swim in the warm water. Began our journey inland as rain began to fall. Did find ourselves on a proper cycle lane for about 10 miles. Very flat riding and managed to stay pretty dry as entered big town of Phetchaburi . Found our nice room by the river. Walked amongst one of the large temples before having a very good dinner.Lue lisää

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Quietly watching us1Houston we have a problem. Had to turn around1Hmmm. Why is Buddha in pieces3What happens when a stalagmite meets a stalactiteCould have saved some walking by taking boatVolcanic rock stepsWho would think to do this1

    From quiet beauty to chaos

    27. elokuuta 2025, Thaimaa ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Another late start as tire needs to be fixed again. Short ride to Khao Sam Roi Yot National
    Park. Stop at the headquarters and notice very aggressive monkeys that the workers fight off with sling shots. Do a little walk amongst mangroves and monkeys. Stop to investigate Porcupine Cave. As seems to be the norm, round a corner and see a temple and golden Buddha. Detour to Phraya Nakhon cave. Steep walk up to amazing caverns, with skylights and a temple in the middle. Push on along through quiet resort villages before arriving in the chaotic resort city of Hua Hin. Check in, do some laundry and cringe at all the white people on holiday in the western bars. Are we still in Thailand?Lue lisää

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