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The Grand Adventure
  • Helene Rimberg
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  • Helene Rimberg

The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Leggi altro
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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Relatively calm water. Very nice temp1Our TukTukMangroves in tidal poolsDeserted beachSunset kitesurfingKittens!Procession comes to our resort

    Easing into vacation mode

    25 gennaio, Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    With no big plans, go with the very chill vibe around here and have a late start. Eventually head down for some breakfast and then prepare for some beach time. Relax, do puzzles and bob in the water. Eventually need to take Hannah to her dive refresher course. Maddie gets to try out driving. Drop her off and find another beach to walk on. We all meet back up at the hotel eventually and have a BBQ dinner. Major church celebration which includes a procession and fireworks.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Awaiting our TukTukOur trusty driverDonkeys are everywhereNeighbor kittensOur beach - used to be moreUsed to be road to our place

    We are now a party of 4

    24 gennaio, Sri Lanka ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    After 2 days of travel, including a long layover in Hong Kong, Hannah and Maddie join us in Sri Lanka. We all get some more sleep (they arrived very early in the morning) before beginning our adventures. Doug and Maddie leave to get pick up the TukTuk and get driving instructions. Turns out to be harder than anticipated. We all pile into the TukTuk and head north through city traffic. Doug manages well and we all do our best to help. Long journey to our beach destination - Surfpoint Kitesurfing resort . Check in and go off on a beach walk. Dine at our “resort’s” restaurant. Nice curries!Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Lounge #1. Had to travel in business class to get baggage allowance
    Doug relieving travel stress in massage chairWhen they offer Champage it's hard to say noOur place

    Goodbye Vietnam. Hello Sri Lanka!

    22 gennaio, Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    After 2 months, it is time to leave Vietnam. Though there have been some high points, I found it a particularly difficult country. The roads weren’t great, the drivers were atrocious and the language barrier was significant everywhere except the tourist spots. We travelled through a lot of cities which generally were less pleasant. It was also the country where I felt the most out of place and at times not very welcome. Regardless, I am glad we went but not keen to return anytime soon. Managed to navigate 2 separate flights and kept baggage weight within limits. Arrived with our gear and caught a van to our apartment. Settled in and went to bed. Long day of travel.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    So tasty. Even plain milk in our coffee
    There were quite alot of nice old treesScaffolded. CathedralGarden outside Opera HouseLike everywhere else, rows of motorbikes parked outside Opera HouseScaffolded Opera HouseOne of the prettier buildings in the cityAn almost finished new buildingKing CobraCrazy flowersThe peahens were not impressed

    Exploring Saigon

    20 gennaio, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Head out to explore the city as I am feeling a bit better. Start off with terrific French pastries. Take a Grab to avoid the busy and unpleasant streets. Wander around District 1, passing a few notable buildings. In general, it seems like a generic busy city. Wind up spending a few hours in the Zoo and Botanical Gardens. A rather large selection of animas from around the world. Head back to the hotel where we reman for the rest of the evening.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    No idea why the gave us extra ice
    This was a very common scene across VietnamWaterway totally filled with plantsThe white in the trees is the pre- wrapped fruitAnother short ferryOur landing portNice pagoda as we come into SaigonA rare quiet streetThere are alot of rivers throughout SaigonDiverse architecture

    Onto Saigon

    18 gennaio, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Less than 40 miles to go to end our cycling journey through Vietnam. Get some coffee (sweet of course) and breakfast and head out on small roads through the countryside. Ride through a few market towns and fish markets. Take a small ferry and begin our journey through Saigon. Lots of motorbikes but it seems less hectic than Hanoi. Perhaps we have gotten better at riding in the flow. Arrive at our hotel safely. Do some packing prep and walk towards main part of the city for dinner. Very hectic. After finding gelato, take a Grab back.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Amongst the canal
    Lemongrass?Argh! This was actually bigger than what came beforeSunset over pineapple fields

    It’s pretty but …

    17 gennaio, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    small canal paths take forever. Though we start nice and early, another high mileage day keeps us riding all day long. Find ourselves on single track paths amongst the rice fields. This is followed by a 7 mile stretch on a “motorbike superhighway” where we seem to be going against the flow of traffic. Pull up to intended hotel just as it gets dark to find it full. Manage to find a fine hotel a few kilometers back. Pretty good seafood dinner.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Cycling amongst the rice fieldsOne of few kids that actually wear a helmetBig boat full of grain I thinkSu setting while we are on ferry #2Our landing pointNight watch cats

    Back through the canals

    16 gennaio, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C

    Get an early start as we have a big day ahead. Retrace our “steps”, and the small paths and steep little bridges are still slow going. It’s also quite toasty. After lunch, my derailleur has a little tizzy and stops working. Stuck in the lowest gear. All the little hills become giant. Miraculously find a bike mechanic on our route who is able to quickly fix it but we lost a lot of time. Pick up the pace, cross two waterways on ferries and race to beat the sunset as we cycle through another area full of fruit. Last few kilometers are in the dark. Find our hotel, check in and wander down the road in search of food. Manage to have a good meal, thankfully.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Line up of scuba gear
    Islands off the southern tip of Phu QuocUnfortunately cloudy. Gondola in the distanceFaux ItalyLunch timeGondola overheadMackerel and Squid

    Scuba Day

    13 gennaio, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Today we both catch an early van to go scuba diving. Doug goes off with his little group to complete required skills while I have my refresher dive. Though we did a few skills, mostly reminded myself how to manage to stay buoyant and not float away. First dive was very murky and not very scenic. Second dive was over a nice coral wlll and much nicer. Had lunch on the boat after our dives and returned to shore. Van ride back to hotel where I relaxed by the pool. Nice seafood dinner.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Leaving the land of boutique hotels
    Arrive at our new digsNice vibe!Looks better than it tastedLots of restaurants and services

    Ong Lang

    11 gennaio, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Day to transition to our bungalow for the remainder of our time. Do a bit of beach yoga and frolic in the calm sea. Pack up and head north. Enjoy a quiet promenade for a bit before hitting the chaos of Duong Dong, the main town. Manage to clear the town unscathed and continue north. Pull off the main road and enter a more green and quieter side of the island. Small village of Ong Lang is definitely touristy but in a manner that honors where it’s at. Check in and chill by the pool. Out for disappointing pizza.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Well maintained beach
    Beach full of sunburned RussiansRemains of our dinnerBusy night market selling lots of seafoodQuiet resorts

    Hectic day to Phu Quoc

    9 gennaio, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Allow ourselves plenty of time to ride the 3 miles to the ferry dock. Manage to secure tickets but seems all bank machines are on the fritz. Doug finally finds one that is operational, pay, and race to the dock. Quite the chaotic scene with multiple ferries unloading and loading. Our bikes go on with the motorbikes and we settle into our seats for 3 hour ride. Arrive at Phu Quoc and reverse the process. Ride across the island and find our hotel amongst a series of boutique hotels. Walk a short ways and check out the beach. Head to night market for seafood dinner.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    They tend to make their bridges rather artsy
    A larger "road"People live all along these waterwaysOne of many steep little bridgesBig boats and little boats cruising alongDid not go over that oneWe rode along this channel for many milesBizarre type of topography

    Deep into the delta to Rach Gia

    8 gennaio, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Long day planned to get us to Rach Gia where we will catch the ferry to the island of Phu Quoc. Spend most of the day on very small paths alongside the channels. Lots of branches, meaning lots of steep little bridges. Though it’s scenic, it’s also slow going. Stop in a park for some lunch and continue along. Fortunately days are getting longer but we still get to Rach Gia as it is getting dark. Find out hotel and too tired to venture out. Order in and listen to rocking festival nearby.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Pop up wedding tent. We have seen them all over SE Asia
    Lovely road to cycle onBurial plots amongst the greeneryMore dragon fruitBeautiful plants within the templeBlooming orchidsThe mighty Mekong

    Ben Tre

    5 gennaio, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Very nice riding in the morning along a small road amongst the greenery. Stop at a fun temple in My Tho. Rejoin the big road, as we need to cross the Mekong. Somewhat surprised about how busy this area seems to be. Take advantage of the modern supermarket before heading to our homestay. Take a dip in the pool between rain drops.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    The bay during the day
    Cruising on our ferryOne of many boats on the myriad of waterwaysBikes on board small ferryWaiting for bikes to come offBridge in Go Cong

    To the Mekong Delta

    4 gennaio, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Slow morning. Must have been because we were up late watching the finale of Stranger Things. Find a nice place for breakfast before riding around the peninsula in search of a ferry. Find it and jump on board as it’s leaving. Cross a large finger on water and arrive on one of islands of the Mekong Delta. Many bridges later, and another ferry have us arriving in Go Cong. Check into a brand new hotel and go in search of food. An ok bowl of noodles, broth and some seafood.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Lovely dunes all around
    Newly constructed empty streetsA rest by the beachNightlife of Vung TuaWildlife!BruschettaGoat cheese saladThe bay at night

    On to Vung Tau

    3 gennaio, Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Another windy ride along the coast. As we have seen in other places, there is a a lot of construction; mostly building big name resorts that seem very far from the rest of Vietnam. With the wind solidly behind us, make very good time into city of Vung Tau. A separate lanes for bikes and motorbikes provides some relief for cars and trucks. Check into our hotel overlooking the bay and indulge in a Western meal (steak, grilled fish, warm goat cheese salad). Quite nice.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Trash continues to be horribleBlooming dragon fruitQuite festive

    La Gi

    2 gennaio, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Make our way slowly out of the sprawl of Mui Ne and then Phiet Nam. Dodge the self-centered drivers of all sorts who pull out in front of you without even bothering to yield. Stay along the coastline where waves are crashing due to big winds. Check out lighthouse before riding through massive dragon fruit fields. Arrive in La Gi, a non touristy town a bit away from the sea. Eat Pho Bo at a roadside vendor. Quite tasty and cheap.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Amongst the giant turbines
    This is a problemYes this is passableThis one really sucksPhew!

    A long New Years Day ride

    2 gennaio, Vietnam ⋅ 🌬 26 °C

    The new year starts with a resort breakfast. As I can’t convince myself to eat Eastern style breakfasts, options are a bit more limited. With the wind at our back we continue along the coastline. Our first detour takes us through wind turbines and quiet fields. All is fine until our road becomes submerged. Do manage to traipse through the sand to get around. Arrive at a very quiet and recently paved road. Quick lunch stop before doing some climbing. Opt for a side road - which turns into gravel and sand. In the mode of not turning around (not my idea) continue onward. 6 miles and a long time later, emerge on the big road. Still have 25 miles. Race against the setting sun, losing the battle in the construction of Mui Ne (a busy resort town). Find a hotel and walk to a bustling food court. Odd assortment of food, but pretty tasty.Leggi altro

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Nice quiet path along the canal
    Of course built on top of a hillMountains popping up from valley floorMuch more arid.Wind turbines mean wind. But it's behind usVery fun rocks on our beach

    A New Years Eve by the sea

    31 dicembre 2025, Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Make a detour to Thap Cham Phan Rang, Cham towers from 14th century. Quite a different style from other pagodas we have seen. Clear the city and ride back towards the sea. Stop at Hon Ca Resort, a lovely place right on the sea. Spend the rest of the afternoon on the tiny beach, finally making it into the water. Pretty good dinner right by the beach. Unable to stay awake to ring in the new year.Leggi altro

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