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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
    Pop up wedding tent. We have seen them all over SE Asia
    Pop up wedding tent. We have seen them all over SE AsiaLovely road to cycle onBurial plots amongst the greeneryMore dragon fruitBeautiful plants within the templeBlooming orchidsThe mighty Mekong

    Ben Tre

    5. januar, 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.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    The bay during the day
    The bay during the dayCruising 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. januar, 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.Les mer

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

    On to Vung Tau

    3. januar, 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.Les mer

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

    La Gi

    2. januar, 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.Les mer

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

    A long New Years Day ride

    2. januar, 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.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Nice quiet path along the canal
    Nice quiet path along the canalOf 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. desember 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.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Morning in Nha Trang
    Morning in Nha TrangPrettiest water we have seen in a long timeSurrounded by mountainsOn da beach

    Along the sunny coast

    30. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    A bit of a rough night sleep wise. Though “beds” were relatively comfy, we seemed to go on very rough roads making for a lot of bumping. Arrive in Nha Trang quite early and make for a coffee shop. Wind our way out of town through resort areas and along a very pretty coastline. Strong tailwind keeps us moving. Arrive on the beach near Phang Rang, get a hotel and check out the beach. Lack of sleep catches up with us so order in.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Dog guardian by one end of Japanese bridge
    Dog guardian by one end of Japanese bridgeView out from Japanese bridgeMonkey guardian at other sideQuite murky but still prettyUsed to cook traditional medicineMaking silk threadLarge hanging incense basketsView from rooftop coffee bar2Egg coffeeOne of the many bridgesSettling in for the night

    Taking in the culture of Hoi An

    29. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    Spend our last day in Hoi An poking around the historic sights. But first taken our bikes to the car wash where they get the grand treatment. Leave them and our packs at the hotel while we walk around. Cross the Japanese bridge, walk through the Museum of Traditional Medicine and attend a dance and music performance. Take a nice walk by the water before picking up our bikes and riding to the bus stop. Have a good vegan dinner before boarding our 9 hour bus to Nha Trang.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    The call these coconut boats. Used for fishing and for tourists
    The call these coconut boats. Used for fishing and for touristsPretty empty beach.Seems to require a special skill set to spin back to shoreTourists riding coconut boatsSo many different types of greens

    Cloudy beach time

    28. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    A short spin on our bikes gets us to the local beach, AnBang. First grab lunch - grilled cheese sandwich on delicious sourdough. Lots of beach erosion and reconstruction. Must be an annual process following the rainy season. Too chilly to swim but it’s nice to be on sand and listen to the waves. Ride though the fields, including a humongous vegetable garden. Out for very good Indian food.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Beautiful old buildings
    Beautiful old buildingsProduce of all kinds at market by the riverAn old templeOld buildings restored into snazzy restaurantsThe streets come alive with lantern lightsAs does the riverThe colors are amazing. And hand paintedJapanese bridge

    Hoi An

    27. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    A very short ride south to Hoi An. Though skies seem a bit threatening, we do stay dry. Divert off of big road to ride through fields. Able to check-in upon arrival. Walk to secure bus tickets and then check out the very touristy, yet pretty Old Town. Nice dinner then wander around amongst the beautiful lightsLes mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    2
    2Many types of statues amongst the gardens1View of Da Nang from "Heaven's Gate"The other Karst hillsShrine inside one of the cavesOne of the quieter areas1Find Dougie!He spans the entire bridgeWe felt the heat from where we wereAnd then there is the water

    Marble Mountain

    26. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 21 °C

    With no view to the outside world, end up sleeping in. Also it is raining so no rush to get anywhere. Food motivates, and continue our Western eating - bagels. Catch a Grab to Marble Mountain, a complex of caves and shrines amongst the Karst hills. Quite crowded. It does stay dry which is a welcome change. Return to the city and check out the festive riverfront. Return at night for the “fire show”.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Oh what fun it is ....
    Oh what fun it is ....FuelNice beach ... maybe?Up, up, up we goOrganized bike tour passes usA few hairpin turnsFortress on topGreat views?!Down we goChristmas bevies2Christmas dinner1

    A Christmas Day climb

    25. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    As predicted, we are greeted with a rainy day. Try to catch a catch a dry window, but the rain quickly starts again in earnest. Deviate off the man road (thankfully) and begin our ascent of Hai Van pass. Generally a pretty gradual climb with some steep sections. Rain does taper off affording a few views. Clouds settle in as we approach the top. Zip on down and have a city slog to get to our hotel in Da Nang. Get separated again but both arrive safely. Check in as it pours again. Spend the rest of the day in hotel, venturing out for Christmas dinner.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Middle door is for emperor stays closedHe is 9 meters underneath. Special numberFive levels. Also special numberClearish water inside bayHo ho ho2

    A frazzling ride to Lang Co

    24. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Leaving Hue is a bit hectic and we quickly loose each other. Finally meet back up (how would we do that without GPS) and ride side roads to Khai Dinh Mausoleum. Quite impressive structure. Our time on little roads ends and we meet back up with the highway (AH1). So many trucks and buses). Though the day is sunny, visions of hopping on a bus enter my mind. Two tunnels to navigate - fortunately able to walk along raised walkway but still so loud. Arrive in Lane Co, at the base of tomorrow’s climb. Out for Xmas Eve seafood dinner. Just us in huge restaurant.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Presumably war memorial
    Presumably war memorialLots of waterLots of interesting cemeteriesLots of temples/shrinesVery festiveThere seemed to be Asian spots and Westerner spotsOpera cakeTiramisu

    A long ride to Hue

    22. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Weighing our options, set our sights on the popular town of Hue, though it’s more than 100 KMs away. Morning rain gives way to patchy sunshine. Spy the sea as we cross over many bridges. Unfortunately, wind is not in our favor. Although we see no evidence of it, do cross through the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone); once separating the North and South. Enter Hue’s OldTown and confidently enter the fray of vehicles. A tad bit nerve wracking. Check into nice hotel which is strategically near a laundromat. Nice dinner out in the bustling tourist area and then reward ourselves with chocolate!Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    On the shortest day of the year ….

    21. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 24 °C

    ….. we ride 110 KMs. It’s a somewhat rainy day but not much to see anyway on this stretch of road. Manage to stay mostly off the big road, even having a brand new road mostly to ourselves. Wind is at our back for much of the time making for fast riding. Though we are close to the sea, don’t see it though sand dunes abound. Find a hotel in Vinh Linh; very cheap, a bit dirty, but they have a locked garage just for our bikes. Venture out for food, settling on what is closest.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Cruising down the riverCave entranceThough most of the cave was very spacious, some spots had low ceilings1Are we under water or on Mars?Cavernous sectionView walking up to Tien SonSkinny passagewayClay pot dishes

    Phong Nha and Tien Son Caves

    20. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Dry but cloudy day, perfect for exploring caves. Walk to the boat dock and round up a few others to fill our boat. Motor down the river until it ends at Phong Nha Cave. As the cave is wet (always filled with water) take the boat into the cave. Our female crew paddles us into the back of the cave and then drops us off so we can explore a bit on land. Crazy cave features - very other worldly. Walk up to the smaller, Tien Son cave - walking amongst huge and colorful stalactites and stalagmites. Return via boat and again have a relaxing afternoon at our hotel. Out for a very good dinner: a set menu allowing us small tastes of a lot of things.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Beginning of sketchy boulderingCentury old treeVery cool vineSlippery and steepUp, up, up we go!

    “Botanical Gardens” aka jungle scramble

    19. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    Though morning clouds linger on the hills, they quickly dissipate yielding another sunny day. Fuel up on banana pancakes and ride into the national park. Up a short but steep hill and we are at the Botanical Gardens. Actually a misnomer as no gardens - just a jungle and waterfall. Lots of clambering up and down boulders, at times next to lovely flowing water. Great waterfall at the end! Dunk feet and legs before heading out. Hear a few monkeys in the trees on our way down. Chill for a few hours before finding dinner.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    View from bridge over inlet
    View from bridge over inletTad bit sketchy bridge1Sketchier bridgeKarst hills and boats to transport to caveReally, we haven't had any yet

    A sunnier disposition

    18. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    An odd sight greets us in the morning - blue sky! Short day ahead to get to Phong Nha National Park. Stay on small roads as long as we can - until we hit a muddy construction site that we can’t go through. Zip down the main road, crossing a few tall bridges. Turn off and enter the hills. Quite a bit of undulation; especially compared to what we have been riding lately. Bridges get smaller as well! Make it to the touristy town of Phong Nha. Grab some lunch, check into our hotel and do a wee walk about. Karst hills look much better with clear skies around. Short walk for mediocre pizza.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Rough seas
    Rough seas

    A soggy one

    17. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Rain and wind greet us this morning. Continue our journey south at times having wind at our back. Not most scenic ride as nearby hills are covered in clouds. Witness a cow vs. motorbike accident - cow ran away but the kids on bikes did not. Though helmets are mandatory many people don’t wear them. After about 40 miles we had had enough so checked into a hotel. Quick walk down the road for cheap fried chicken dinner.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Local fisher people selling their catchBeach at Thien CamGetting decked out

    Thien Cam

    16. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Check out beach before packing up. The hotel staff are, again, incredibly helpful; insisting on carrying bags and holding bikes. Another flat and relatively quiet ride. Day stays cloudy but no rain until we arrive at Thien Cam - our destination. Lots of construction or reconstruction going on throughout the town. Continue to draw a lot of attention- even off bikes. Definitely not in a touristy part of the country.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    One of many churches seen todaySo many cropsFun boats along the seaVery big bridge over wide inletVery desertedView from our balcony. Not ideal swimming weather

    To the South China Sea

    15. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Still cool but the air has improved and it’s not raining. Stop for coffee and breakfast before winding our way through back alleys on our way to the sea. A few detours are needed before arriving at the sea. Wavy and grey. Very quiet roads along the coastline. It definitely seems to be off season. Opt to stay along the coastline rather than going into Vinh. Checked into a huge and deserted hotel. Get great service though.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Path amongst the crops

    Head down and ride

    14. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    A cool and rainy morning. Get a late start, trying to let the rain pass. Riding split between some quiet roads and busy main roads - though traffic seems lighter (Sunday?). Pass through small nondescript towns before stopping for the day. Find a small and cheap hotel a bit away from noisy road. Wind up in a restaurant that only serves goat. Not bad.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Lots of limestone around

    Southward

    13. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    Our journey south continues. Day is both cloudy and smoggy. Leave the karst hills behind and hit the busier roads. Sprinkles keep us moving quickly. Rain begins around noon as promised. Get to Thanh Hoa and hit a bit of inhospitableness. Not sure if it’s our bikes out that we look like dirty drenched rats. Finally find a fine hotel. Hunker down for the rest of the day, not even venturing out for dinner (delivery instead). Too rainy.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
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    12Anciet palaceNeed one of these watch dogsThere are over 500 of these over 1+ kmVery cool doorBuddha under Bodhi tree1Ceiling inside tall pagoda

    Ruins and temples

    12. desember 2025, Vietnam ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    After another round of bike repairs at a fantastic shop in town, we headed in the opposite direction from yesterday- towards Trang An. Road along the river amongst the “hills” winding our way past local homes and ‘resorts’. Came to Hoa Lua, ancient palace site. Lots of tourists on bikes wandering amongst the narrow paths. More riding along the river and arrive at a very quiet Bai Dinh, a recently finished temple complex. Took an electric bus to enter the massive grounds. Polluted air continues to mar distant views but structures are beautiful. Another dash back before sunset.Les mer

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