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The Grand Adventure
  • Helene Rimberg
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  • Helene Rimberg

The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Les mer
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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Odd to see on streets of Phnom Penh
    Breakfast!!Very nice grounds1I think I want a Naga

    A trip to the National Museum

    5. april, Kambodsja ⋅ ☀️ 37 °C

    After morning pastries, in honor of Easter, made our way to the National museum. Very nice collection of artifacts, many from places we had already explored. Interesting exhibit on how they have recently sought to have their artifacts returned from other countries. Sadly it was not air conditioned, which made it hard to really appreciate. Back to the hotel. Really done with the schvitzing. Out for a nice mix of Cambodian food.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    People will find shade where they can
    One of the temples within the Royal compoundVery different type of facesThe grounds were so well maintainedOne of the battle scenes. Hard to tell whose the good guys1Beautiful orchidsSo emptyVery cool manuscripts. They had many cases full of themFinally. A model of what Angkor Wat would have looked likeFor your elephant ridesGetting quite the scrubWot Phnom Daun PenhLots of party boats on the Mekong

    Exploring Phnom Phen

    4. april, Kambodsja ⋅ ⛅ 36 °C

    Get a late start to our day which unfortunately puts us in the Grand Palace at midday. Somewhat surprisingly, it was quite empty. Perhaps others don’t want to bake in the sun while wearing extra clothes. Quite impressive structures, though not as ornate as the Royal Palace in Bangkok. The painted wall frescoes were quite nice albeit a bit gory. Cooled down in a coffee shop before heading back to hotel. Grabbed our bikes and took them for a bath. So thorough! She hasn’t been this clean since I got her. And they wouldn’t take any money. Drop them off and walk towards the bat tree which turned out to be part of a much larger Wat complex. Head back to the river and stroll, along with many many others, through the night market. Quite the scene. Back to our hotel for our own dinner. Nice to have something simple for a change.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    A cow amongst the lotus flowers
    More riceVery recently built WatNice lawn ornaments!Mighty MekongFull moon rising

    Day 4: Phnom Penh

    2. april, Kambodsja ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    Pick up breakfast and coffee along the way and still manage to get going pretty early. Scenery is mostly the same; more Wats, some rice fields and lots of bugs and grubs for sale. Absolutely no interest in trying. Day feels slightly less hot (tho it is 98 or so) - perhaps we are just getting used to baking. Though can’t seem to drink my water before it turns too hot to drink. Cross over the Might Mekong (again) and do veer away from the big road for a bit, cruising along right next to the river. Traffic picks up as we enter the city and we fight our way to our hotel. Very glad to make it one piece. Check in; positive note they upgrade us to a junior suite but unfortunately pool is not open. 😭. Take a cold shower instead. Out for ok Tex-Mex food.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Many newish Wats along the road
    1Ah ha! Here are the rice fieldsI think those little structure are burial shrinesLunch spot1Yes it's that hot

    On to Phnom Penh Day 3: Skun

    1. april, Kambodsja ⋅ ⛅ 37 °C

    Another long day awaits us and even with an early start it is hot. And getting hotter. Breeze helps to keep us cooler but generally it’s in our face. Pass the time trying to figure out all that they are selling along the roadside. Sometimes it exotic fruit, other times bugs, or dried fish. Take many breaks and eventually arrive in junction town of Skun. Check in the hotel with so-so AC. Find some ok dinner down the road.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Mango tree in our parking lot dropped one for us
    A bit of shade is quite helpfulProcessing rice though haven't seen fields of itA friend at the coffee shop

    On to Phnom Phen: Day 2 Kampong Thom

    31. mars, Kambodsja ⋅ ⛅ 36 °C

    Pack up and go in search of coffee. Accidentally order myself an iced chocolate milk instead of iced latte; tasty but not quite the kick I was looking for. Continue onwards, inspired by a swimming pool awaiting us at the next hotel. Stop and get some real coffee - finally - and then quickly finish the ride, arriving in Kampong Thom. Lounge by the pool for the rest of the afternoon. Explore the nearby market; picking up a good supply of tropical fruit. Dine at our hotel as it’s convenient and turns out - tasty.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Our room was top left one
    Our park passes

    On to Phnom Penh: Day 1 to Stoung

    30. mars, Kambodsja ⋅ ☀️ 37 °C

    Pack up, head out, and sadly leave Siem Reap behind. We have enjoyed our time here; exploring temples and ruins and eating a wide array of food. Managed to use 6 days of our 7 day pass. Road is pretty busy at first but quiets down. It is flat and HOT! Make good time so decide to push passed our endpoint to knock off miles from the next day. Find a nice hotel where we cool off. Get decent, basic food from across the street.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Nice place to swim back in the day
    Entrance to Bantenay Kdei - built in 12th centuryA real mix of well preserved ....... and rubbleMore smiling faces on the gateTop of Pre RupMuch more bricks than "newer" templesLooks like a giant squashed the wallGives some perspectiveTa Prohm in the late afternoon glow. Like a labyrinthEntranceA last viewTrying to give some sense of how all encompassing these temples are

    A last tour of the temples

    29. mars, Kambodsja ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    Opt to stay out of the baking sun for most of the day. Wake up late, pack, do laundry and have a nice brunch. Venture out around 2:30 to do a late afternoon tour to some of the temples we missed. Though it was hot, there was a lot of shade on the road which helped. Checked out: Srah Srang (kings swimming pool), Banteay Kdei Temple (for the Mings mother), Pre Rup temple (from the 10th century) & Ta Prohm Temple (used in a Laura Croft movie). Late afternoon sunlight really lit everything up. Looped back past Angkor Wat and raced back to try (unsuccessfully) to beat the dark. Nice chicken dinner and a last gelato.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Avíes from the outsideA view from the east entranceLong "hallway" along the perimeter that houses the bas reliefsA bas relief - rising a horse drawn carriage into battleChurning the Ocean milkOne of the hallwaysReconstruction is ongoingEverywhere you looked there was artOn the top levelThe jungle comes right up to meet the templeLike the levels below it's a squareLooking down to 2nd levelMany onlookers

    Angkor Wat

    28. mars, Kambodsja ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C

    Apparently, seeing sunrise behind Angkor Wat is the thing to do so of course we set out to see it at its finest. Wake up very early and take a Tuktuk to be at the gates at 5:00 - when they open. Walk in the dark under a star filled sky. Cross the moat and enter the complex. Find a spot by one of the reflecting pools and wait, watching as the sky begins to lighten. Lots of people around but not crazy crowded. Very beautiful sight! Walk around the outside and out to the eastern gate. Return to the temple, first viewing the fabulous bas reliefs - mostly telling the stories of epic battles (usually involving gods and demons). Angkor Wat is unique among the temples in that it has never been left to deteriorate. Through time it has been repeatedly repaired and restored. So no boulders laying around - all very tidy. Climb to the top level for a great view. Return to town and ‘chill” in our hotel. Do a few errands before venturing out for indian dinner.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Bayon Temple
    One of the many storiesVery serene BuddhaInner courtyardElephants!Temples are very symmetrical aligned with N/S E/W axisesA bit of a jumbleStupa in the middle with hallways radiating outVery fancy doorwaysAt point point might have been lovely poolsHad to cross this waterway to get to the poolsSometimes walls are reconstructed and left there

    Grand Circuit

    27. mars, Kambodsja ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Opt to use our bikes even more as cycling at least creates a breeze. Return to Angkor Thom amd I head into Bayon. 216 faces stare down upon you as you wander through the convoluted passageways. Walls are covered in bas reliefs that depict stories. Able to explore two of the stories as the last one in being restored - that seems a never ending process around here. Head out the north gate and ride to Preah Khan, Preah Neak Poan, Ta Som and Eastern Mebon before deeming ourselves templed out. Return to the hotel for a swim. Greek food for dinner (loving the break from rice).Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    The South Gate
    I believe these are the godsAnd these the devileThese walls would keep intruders outWest gateSo much wall art. Genrallly walls are from sandstoneIt is so nice and emptyThe top of BaphounThey look harmless

    Angkor Thom

    26. mars, Kambodsja ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    Head out on bikes to the temples. Stop first at a fabulous grocery store for lunch supplies. Continue on amd park our bikes by the south gate of Angkor Thom. Admire our first rendition of Churning of the Ocean of Milk - an epic tug of war. Walk along the outer perimeter; enjoying the quiet. Temperature is rising and we stop for a lovely lunch that is interrupted by an aggressive monkey. Doug hurts his toe so we got our separate ways. I explore Baphuon, the remains of the Royal palace, the a terrace of the Leper King and Terrace of Elephants. Arrive back at the main temple yet too hot to explore. Trudge back to the bikes. Return to our hotel and cool off in the pool. Have pinza for dinner - similar to pizza but with a more complex dough. And of course, gelato.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Bathroom buddy. One of 3
    First view of Angkor WatAngkor Wat in the backgroundVery steep stepsSetting Sun makes for good light1Pub street

    Siem Reap

    25. mars, Kambodsja ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    Only a few hours of riding, including some great newly paved roads and some very busy roads. Make it to Siem Reap in good time but can’t check in. Do some laundry and eat to pass the time. Siem Reap is very Western; prices are even in dollars. Finally check in and cool down in the pool. Take a tuktuk to Phenom Bakheng to watch the sunset. Out for nice Western style meal.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    These are parts of sticks that are planted.
    Guardian NagaKind of like jengaThis wall was about 30 feet highLove the carvingsEntry pathHmmm. Stay on the paths

    Prasat Beng Mealea

    24. mars, Kambodsja ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    Another stop on our journey to Angkor Wat. These 30+ mile days are nice - get them done by noon or so before it gets the hottest. Cool off and relax before riding back to the temple complex of Beng Mealea. The jungle has really had its way with this one. Only a few other people so could enjoy the eerie passage of time.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Walls surround many of the structures
    Who knew they used bricks so long agoLove the tree hugging the other oneNot sure why he's in a cageMany of the doors have carvings aboveThese white trees are fabulousElephant - maybeVery tall wall surrounding pyramidParts of figurines on top of pyramidView from the top

    Koh Ker

    23. mars, Kambodsja ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C

    Relatively short day of riding to get to the town of Phumi Moreal. Arrive at our hotel very hot and sweaty. Fortunately there is a pool so take a plunge to cool down. No one else around besides us. Bike towards the ancient city of Koh Ker- the Angkorian capital in the 10th century. Very few other people around as we explore the very large and dispersed grounds. A seven tiered pyramid affords a great view of the surrounding jungle. Head back down the red dirt road to our hotel where we take another dip before dinner.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Bridge over Mekong
    Mangos everywhereNo idea what these areRight across from our guesthouse

    Through the mango fields

    21. mars, Kambodsja ⋅ 🌙 28 °C

    Day is toasty even at 7:00 am. Find breakfast, pack up and ride back over the Mekong and head west toward Angkor Wat. Not much around besides fruit trees and small shacks/houses. Seems a very poor area. Long day and it’s hot. Arrive at our destination - small town of Chhaeb. Find a guest house and crank up the AC. Cold showers help too. Get some fruit and find some dinner.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    View from our hotel

    Into Cambodia

    20. mars, Kambodsja ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Short ride to the border crossing. Only issue being Kai’s wanted $5 each for some unknown reason. Pay it and continue on. Day is cloudy which helps keep the heat down. Have some difficulty finding food but make do with our emergency tuna. Arrive in Stung Treng in the Mekong. After checking in, wander a bit in search of some supplies. Nice market but not much in the way of basic (our definition) necessities. Out for a decent dinner.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Ferry boat crossing the river
    Tiny town where we waited and had breakfastThe boat we eventually tookNext boat to Don DetWee little islandsView from our room

    4000 Islands

    18. mars, Laos ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Nice early start but encounter a few setbacks on our way to cross the Mekong. First the coffee shop is not open and then we somehow miss the ferry eventhough we are right there. Pay for our own little boat to take use across. Ride south to the next ferry port to take us back across the Mekong to the island of Don Det; one of presumably 4000 islands within the Mekong. Short ride to Mr Tho’s Guesthouse. Chill by the river. Although quite touristy, very scenic and peaceful. Out for Indian dinner.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Lots of Wats in Champasak
    For more info on Vat PhouLove doorwaysPlumeria treesVery steep and skinny stepsNot a happy camperNot a tan

    Vat Phou

    17. mars, Laos ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Opt to stay on the west side of the river so that we can visit Vat Phou, an ancient Khmer site from 12th century. Explore the ruins set up into the hillside. Day is becoming hazy but still have good views into the valley. Pedal on into the heat. Have a bit of a breeze which is helpful. Not much in the way of stores or services do put together a meager lunch. Our road abruptly turns into dirt, sand, and craters. Struggle along for 15 miles slowly. And amazingly it turns back to asphalt for the final 5 miles. Roll up to a hotel, check in and soak up some A/C. Luckily they also have a restaurant.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Back to Laos and the Mekong river

    16. mars, Laos ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Early start to get some miles done when it’s cooler. Seven miles down the road come to Thailand and Laos border. Get stamped out of Thailand and then need to procure our visas for Laos. Pass on through and out the other side. Immediately notice differences - road is much worst and lots of litter. Attempts of find an 🏧 that wants to give us money. No luck. Carry on. Head south at the Mekong river and make our way to Champasak - a historic town full of Wats and old building. Check in (no A/C) but manage to cool down walk to very good dinner by the river.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Restoring to daytime mode
    Nice breakfast to power usPlumeria tree

    Towards the Laos border

    15. mars, Thailand ⋅ 🌙 27 °C

    Manage to get ok sleep though a bit bumpy. Roll out of our beds before our stop so they can put the cabin back in daytime mode. Arrive in Ubon Ratchathani nice and early. Stop for a nice cappuccino and breakfast and head east towards the border. Nice road with a wide shoulder most of the time. Day heats up and struggle a bit towards the end. Land at a hotel hot and tired. Get cleaned up, rest and walk to a meh dinner.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Canal-side street
    Cheap water stationFound a fun gallerySo many people dressed upMy berthPulls down from wall

    Wat Arun and a train journey

    14. mars, Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Last day in Bangkok. Fortunately we are able to leave our loaded bikes at the hotel so we can spend a bit more time exploring. Wind our way to Wat Arun. We had walked by it last time but not made it in. Although we had planned to get there early this did not happen. The Wat was very busy; mostly with people dressed up in traditional clothes getting their instagram photos taken. Pretty annoying - though it is a very beautiful structure. Head back to our hotel and ride towards the train station. Once we got ourselves to the right side of the building had a very smooth process to roll out fully loaded bikes onto the train. Find our sleeper car and climb into our Murphy bed-like berths.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    View from our hotel room
    Beautiful royal headdressCute in a scary kind of waySpecialized fans are key for specific eventsThailand has been influenced by many religionsQueen Mother recently died. Many tributes to her as they are in a year long mourning period

    A return to the National Museum

    13. mars, Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Spend a bit of time sorting out our train travel. Need to extend our time in Bangkok because of limited sleeping car availability. Need to switch hotels so pack up. I head back to National Museum to finish exploring as our visit last time was cut short by rain and closing time. Great collection of royal regalia. And as always, many Buddhas. Return to new hotel ad Doug had moved us over. Cool down and then off to dine by canal. Wander through night scene as we search for ice cream.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Nice cycle path with Wat in the background
    Skies opened up just as we were leaving bike shopSo many canals in Bangkok!

    Back to Bangkok

    12. mars, Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Finish our ride into Bangkok, most of it along the newly developed canal cycle way. It’s still a work in progress as at times it abruptly ends or goes up steep steps. Check into hotel, drop our bikes off for servicing and wander around Chinatown. Duck into malls a few times to escape heat. Pick bikes back up and return to the hotel. Nice dinner out. We are enjoying our return to Thai food.Les mer

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