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The Grand Adventure
  • Helene Rimberg
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  • Helene Rimberg

The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Meer informatie
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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    2

    Final day of exploration in Seoul

    9 november 2025, Zuid-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!Meer informatie

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    Babbling brook along forest path
    Turtles = perseveranceShort cut upPersimmonsSo many arsenals2Medicine chest

    Namsan Tower and National museum

    8 november 2025, Zuid-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.Meer informatie

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    A 3 palace day

    7 november 2025, Zuid-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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Finally a bit of blue
    This is an LED screenTad bit early

    Goodbye Vietnam: Hello South Korea

    6 november 2025, Zuid-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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Small temple along the water
    Land bridge/road across the lakeSadly closed for lunchVery fancy governmental buildingsRoyal palaceVery empty walkway in front of HCM mausoleumMausoleumI always knew karma was a bitch, but ...Beautiful quartz1Very different shrines from others we have seenTemple of LiteratureThese honor those who achieved highest level of educational honorsTrading in my bikeIncredible wooden panel

    A final day of wandering

    5 november 2025, 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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Fancy!Old trolley runs by occasionallySeems to be that time

    First time for everything

    4 november 2025, 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).Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Chinese influence is everywhere
    And ChristianityBig on BonsaisThey take over the sidewalksOld and new in harmonySkinny buildings meant lower taxesMisty view

    And we go upscale

    3 november 2025, 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 nearbyMeer informatie

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    Local craft beer!One of the small lakes in the cityA music event it seemsChinese relics pop up around the cityYum1Lanterns are everywhereOld city wall

    Tucking our bikes in

    2 november 2025, 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!Meer informatie

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    Final push to Hanoi

    1 november 2025, 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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Fish pond behind our hotel
    A mix of clouds and smokeOur hotelPart way up looking back at the valley we leftNice country roadBlech. I hate mudA lot of sugar caneSometimes Google Translate is worthless

    A scary Halloween ride

    31 oktober 2025, 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).Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Not much up in the hillsFirst stage of harvestingAnother fun caveMachine used to separate the rice

    Mai Châu walkabout

    30 oktober 2025, 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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    View from above our homestay
    Happy home's waterwheelsGradual downGlad I am not on a bikeOne of many valley villagesGrandma's house?Our path through the rice fieldPath along the riverHmmm. What happened to our pathThey "grow" fish tooBack up we go

    Pu Luong walkabout: Day 2

    28 oktober 2025, 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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Lots of little falls along the road
    Quite a ways downSo many puppies aroundBamboo baskets drying the riceDown into the caveA lot of corn in addition to the riceBeautiful wood houses on stilts

    Pu Luong walkabout: Day 1

    27 oktober 2025, 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!Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Road washoutOne of many small villages we rode throughWe are headed for those hillsNot our homestay, but prettyAlmost done - mango smoothie timeView from our balcony

    We found our happy home - literally

    26 oktober 2025, 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!Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Typical street scene
    Fruit grows right into it's packagingOur "road"Better than the horns

    Things are looking brighter

    25 oktober 2025, 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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    And another one

    24 oktober 2025, 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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    They have beautiful doors here
    Not sure what's in those bagsView from hotel

    Some days ……

    23 oktober 2025, 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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Thus far Christian churches outnumber anything else

    Along the Ho Chi Minh trail

    22 oktober 2025, 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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Cemetery
    Roads are so much better than LaosExcept where there has been landslidesTea!Very clear river cutting through valleyLake next to our resortSo many puppiesOur bungalow

    Amongst tea plantations

    21 oktober 2025, 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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Kitten friends
    Typical Laos roadDown we go. Road so much better

    Hello Vietnam

    20 oktober 2025, 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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Maybe prepping to pave
    Mountains have gotten biggerVery low ceilingsTop of hill looking back to where we came fromA new friend

    UP towards the border

    19 oktober 2025, 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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Interesting way to grow plant startsCave entranceFound a kitten in the restaurant. Sorry - no milk there

    Tham Nam Non Cave

    18 oktober 2025, 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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Staying hydrated
    Although I like "stalagmeet" these are called columnsOtherworldlyLight, at last

    Kong Lor Cave

    17 oktober 2025, 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.    Meer informatie

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    Water buffalo poolMud bathSurrounded by craggy peaks1Harvest timeRaised pathways to bathroom and restaurant

    Spring river resort

    16 oktober 2025, 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.Meer informatie

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Morning beauty
    So excited 😳First zip line of manyAnd he's flyingZip line platformFirst sketch bridgeUp and overSpider web bridgeAmazing!Look back from where we cameVia FerrataAbseiling downLunch is servedStraight up we goVery narrow bridge. Not sure I liked this one

    A day for adrenaline junkies

    15 oktober 2025, 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.Meer informatie

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