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The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Read more

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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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The Grand Palace & Wat Phra
September 1, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 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.Read more
Hannah Boe Woah 🤯
9/3/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Wat Saket and National Museum
August 31, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 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.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Onto Bangkok
August 30, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 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).Read more
Hannah Boe Oh my orchids 🤯
9/3/25Reply
Helene Rimberg They are everywhere. Even garnishes for drinks
9/3/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Rice fields and dogs
August 29, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 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.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Goodbye Gulf of Thailand
August 28, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 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.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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From quiet beauty to chaos
August 27, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 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?Read more
Hannah Boe They stalagmeet
8/29/25Reply
Traveler🤣
8/29/25Reply
Helene Rimberg 🤣
8/29/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Another tiny coastal village
August 26, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 29 °C
Day started with a flat tire. Fortunately hadn’t left hotel. Late start but short day planned. Arrive quickly into the largish town of Prachuap Kiri Khan. A few stops to pick up some needed items. Find myself in the Thail version of Costco. Not quite what you need on a bike. Head along the coast in the drizzle. Arrive at our chosen destination and find a nice little hotel. Check out local beach and then local seafood restaurant. Back to no English on menus but we did fine.Read more
TravelerThailand made the news here due to the heavy rain and flooding, so naturally I thought of you, but realize big country and hope you’re in a very safe part. These pics are beautiful. Love seeing them. A part of the world I’ll never see-in this life, for sure.
8/28/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Continuing along the coastline
August 25, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 29 °C
Continue our journey northward. Sun is out for a bit which is a nice change. Get stopped on the road by the police; all of whom take out their phones to video us. Ride a bit to get breakfast and coffee. But do find one of our favorite “rest areas”. They have bathrooms, coffee shop and at least one store - all of which is quite handy. Continue on and make our way to giant golden Buddha looking out to sea. So ornate. Clouds roll in. Stay on small roads until very end. Stop at small village outside of Prachua Khiri Khan. Water is a bit rough and too late for a swim. Nice dinner at nearby resort.Read more
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Back to Thailand Riviera
August 24, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Early start but stop almost immediately for coffee. Day is overcast and quiet as we take small roads to return to the coast. Find ourselves on the Thailand Riviera again - apparently a project to create a 900 km route from south west coast up to Bangkok. Loose it a few times on our ride but stay on fine roads anyway. Stumble upon huge sleeping Buddha! Rain comes and goes but light and keeps us cool. Make it to tiny seaside village of Bang Saiphon Noi. Nice bungalow by the sea. Quick dip before dinner.Read more
Hannah Boe Wow those are incredible
8/25/25Reply
Traveler Everywhere you go is not like anything I’ve imagined. I love looking at these pictures. Makes me feel like I’m seeing the world too.
8/26/25Reply
Helene RimbergGlad you are along for the ride
8/26/25Reply
Traveler I also love seeing the pictures and reading about your journey. This picture and caption makes me think - there’s more than 2 of you at that cafe in the middle of nowhere who are living your dreams. Good for all of you!!
8/31/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Goodbye Koh Tao
August 23, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
A lovely sunny morning. Walk back to shark bay and get a nice bit of snorkeling in. Just love the big coral gardens. Pack up and hang at the beach before riding back to the pier to catch our ferry. Much quicker ride back to the mainland; though a late departure didn’t leave us with much daylight to ride very far. End up right across from the night ferry port Eat at same restaurant as when we leftRead more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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A snorkel adventure
August 22, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 28 °C
Cloudy skies and windy conditions has us dithering all morning about whether to go on a snorkel cruise around the island (we seem to be dithering a lot lately). Opt to go. Picked up and taken to the other side of the island and the boat. Short trip to first stop - a lovely little island off our island. Though crowded, manage to snorkel away from others. Great coral formations and big fish. Back in the boat for lunch Stop at two more snorkel locals (both quite nice) and then the skies open up. Tad bit chilly as we head off into the wind and waves. Opt to sit out the next two stops as too cold to go in. Battle rough seas back to dock and return to our bungalow. Out for Spanish tapas and gelato.Read more
Hannah Boe Reminds me of the glacial granite formations in Lolo, MT
8/24/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A coastal hike
August 21, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Sleep in and awake to overcast skies and rain. Make our way to our breakfast buffet. Afterwards ponder our options over cappuccinos by the sea. Decide to hike along the coast. A bit rough at times but very pretty. Stop and snorkel a bit on quiet little beach. Enter busy port town, get gelato and high speed ferry tickets for our return journey. Walk back along busy road (lots of motor bikes). Out for ok pizza dinner.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Koh Tao
August 20, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
A smooth, yet noisy crossing. Dock at 3:00 am but can stay on the boat and sleep. Finally disembark at 6:00 and find an
open coffee shop. Very short ride to the south side of the island and try to check in. Too early so go hang on the beach
for awhile. After checking in, walk to the next bay over - shark bay - and do a bit of snorkeling. Relax on a quieter beach before returning to our bungalow. Nice dinner up on the hillside.Read more
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To the ferry we go
August 19, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Another late morning for some reason. Continue our northward journey along the “Thailand Riviera”. Very nice quiet road along the water. One bit of amusement - it is common to “employ” monkeys to help with coconut and palm kernel picking. We see them hanging ion to the trucks coming and going from work sites. Cross a sketchy bridge and deal with a few rain drops but not too bad. Pass a number of temples and a very large Buddha before finding the ferry dock. Quick dinner before boarding our night ferry. Each get a bunk.Read more
Hannah Boe Omg cuuuute
8/21/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
The Gulf of Thailand
August 18, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
With a long day ahead of us and hot weather predicted, opt to get breakfast at the cafe. Nice choice. Leave before 9 - early for us. Rather quickly spot a large cobra crossing the road. Stay vigilant after that. Make good time on quiet rural roads. Quick lunch and then reach the Gulf. Stop for a swim - very warm water. Opt to continue to a larger town. Check in to hotel and out for a very good dinner - soft shelled crabs and red meat.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A two pool day
August 17, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Wake up mostly recovered from yesterday’s adventures. Walk across the road to the local swim hole. Beautiful, cool water. Pack up and continue eastward towards the Gulf of Thailand. Roads remain relatively quiet. Decide to go a bit farther to a riverside resort with a pool. Nice bungalows and cool salt water pool. Eat dinner by the pool.Read more
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I hate mud
August 16, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
After our morning showers set off, heading east towards the other coast and hopefully dryer weather. Make good time on the big roads but are glad to get onto quieter ones. After a turn, road is no longer paved and muddy from the rains. Continue on. And then it becomes thick and like clay. And we are stuck. Literally- having to clear tires and crevices so that the bikes will move. HORRIBLE! After about 2 hours and maybe 2 miles land back on gravel. But we are spent. Roll along the hills and amazingly enough come to a tiny car wash. Doug hoses us down. Late lunch and return to big road. Make our destination of Bang Sawan and find a hotel a bit outside of town. Fortunately they have a restaurant. Unfortunately it’s closed. Walk back to night market. Our first one. Manage to find some dinner (not bugs) and return to room.Read more
TravelerSorry to be laughing, but I am laughing. Bike at the carwash. 🤣
8/17/25Reply
Helene RimbergIt was a little car wash. Just a handheld pump. Almost hosed myself down. That would have been amusing
8/18/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Unintended rest day
August 15, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
Very rainy morning. Pore over weather forecasts to figure out how bad it will be. Finally decide to stay and right after we pay for another night, the rain stops. Stays relatively dry for the remainder of the day. Do some planning and go out on a beach walk. Help groups of children with their English lessons by being “interviewed”. Out for very good Indian food.Read more
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Railay Beach
August 14, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 28 °C
Bit rainy in the morning so take our time getting ourselves ready for the day’s adventure. Take a longboat down the coastline to Railay beach - a peninsula only accessible by boat. Explore on foot with the hordes of tourists. Check out a very cool cave and follow the submerged walkway to tip. Heavy rain comes down but we have our ponchos. It lets up a bit and mosey around for awhile longer before heading back. Another nice Thai dinner and find good ice cream.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Ban Ao Nang
August 13, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Very short ride out of Krabi town to the seaside resort of Ao Nang. Very touristy, yet beautiful. Walked along the beach to the tip, and hung out watching the tide go out; opening up a walkway to nearby ‘island’. Returned on the beach as it had become much bigger with the lowering tide. Watched sun dip down before going out for pizza. Sometimes you just need gooey cheeseRead more
Hannah Boe So many shells!
8/16/25Reply
Helene Rimberg Only way I can “collect them”
8/17/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Wat Tham Suea
August 12, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
No rush this morning. After coffee head into Krabi for breakfast. Skies open just as we are about to leave. Wait it out and catch a ride to Wat Tham Suea; a Buddhist temple in the hills. Check out the main temple before heading towards the caves. Once again it pours and we wait. Finally continue along, getting wet anyway. Rain tapers and decide to ascend the 1200+ steps to Buddha and views. Well worth it. Clouds add to the mood. Nice outing. Back to hotel before laundry and another very good dinner.Read more
Hannah Boe 😂
8/16/25Reply
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It’s a warm rain
August 11, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
After deliberating back and forth between heading to the theoretically drier east coast or staying on the likely wetter but more scenic west coast , opted to take our chances. Wait out the first rain shower in the hotel. Have a nice stretch of dry rural roads before hitting the busy highway. Sun peaks out momentarily but the rain returns forcing a lunch break undercover. Opt to push on to Krabi. Nice hotel in quiet area. Out for dinner, first stopping at Booze Bar.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
To the Andaman Sea
August 10, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Have a “normal” breakfast (yogurt) but stop for coffee before leaving town. Because of all the estuaries, it’s impossible to go in a straight line. Stop at a Botanical garden and do a short jungle walk. Lovely trees! Enjoy the view from above with a canopy walk. Day heats up and we go onward. Stop at 7-eleven (our new favorite stop) for smoothies. Day is also a bit windy - not in our favor. Finally make it to the sea. Stop for a bit before continuing to our hotel. Beautiful, long Beach full of locals enjoying their Sunday afternoon. Great seafood dinner with the help of an English menu!Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Meandering through the countryside
August 9, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Rainy night gave way to clear morning. Odd breakfast delivered to our door. Ok but not my fave - chicken and rice soup (Congee). Quickly find ourselves on small roads, amongst the jungle interspersed with rubber trees and other fruit bearing trees. Stop in a cemetery for a snack and continue on - reaching Yan Ta Khao. Find our hotel (harder than you think when can’t read signs). Relax and then venture out for dinner. Google translate to the rescue again.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Thailand
August 8, 2025 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Early morning to catch the 9:30 ferry to Thailand. Pay for our tickets and await clearing Malaysian border patrol. Do notice the sign that says bikes not allowed but they do let us through. First on board to stow our bikes in the back. Short trip to Thailand. Last off and wait to clear Thailand border patrol. No problem. Ride quiet roads at first and then join the larger road with an ample shoulder. Hot day but make good time to town of La-Ngu. Find our hotel and relax before venturing out. Find the restaurant we had chosen and with the help of google translate manage to order our first Thai meal (in Thailand). Stop for dessert on the way back - much easier as could just pointRead more
Traveler 😱
8/9/25Reply
Traveler 😲
8/16/25Reply
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