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The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Read more

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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Beach combing and deja vu
August 7, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
After checking out, head down to the beach for the afternoon. Hadn’t seen the beach at high tide. So many different types of shells! Get a tiny bit of rain but seek cover under a tree. Pack up and ride back to Kauh for our ferry to Thailand. Check back in to the same hotel. Dine at the nearby arts cafe. Nice dinner!Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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To the west and waterfalls
August 6, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Skies are nice and clear when we wake up but become a big ominous as we head out across to the east side of the island. Rain begins to fall as we arrive at the start of the walk up to Seven Wells falls. But it passes. Beautiful falls and not too many people. Lounge around in the pools for quite a while, trying not to slip on the rocks. Return to our room and walk along the beach for fish dinner.Read more
Hannah Boe Snacks
8/7/25Reply
Helene Rimberg Always a motivator
8/7/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
To the north side
August 5, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
First order of business - determine if we can take a ferry to Thailand. Ride to passenger ferry terminal and confirm - we can! Grab some breakfast and ride the 12 miles across to the north side of the island. Check in to Red Coral Cottages. Skies open and it dumps for a few hours. Afterwards, head to the beach. Long Beach walk. Dinner right next door.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Some days just don’t go as planned
August 4, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Another early start to catch ferry to Langkawi. Short ride to port town only to find out that we couldn’t go on the passenger ferry with our bikes. Next ferry port - almost 30 miles to the north. Off we go. More small roads through rice paddies with threatening skies all around. Get a tad bit wet and fight the wind. Arrive at the ferry too late for the 1:00 one that had not yet left. Wait for the 3:00. Roll on no problem. 2+ hours we arrive in Langkawi but at a different ferry dock. Ride back into town to our hotel. We made it! Off for Syrian food.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Two ferries and quiet roads
August 3, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Get an early start as we have always to go and 2 ferry crossings. Streets are quiet as it’s Sunday morning (perhaps). Arrive back in Butterworth and head north out of the city. Pretty quickly find ourselves on very small roads amongst rice paddies. Enjoy oceanside road until it disappears on us. Back to bigger road. Arrive at river crossing and easily catch a boat across. Stop for some food and finish our ride, showing up,at small, rural “resort”. Enjoy pool before heading into to “town” for a very unhealthy dinner (bit of fried seafood and ice cream)Read more
Hannah Boe Yikes
8/7/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
A jungle hike and beach
August 2, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C
Opt to not ride anymore as the traffic is horrible and drivers worse. Catch a grab (uber-like) to take us to national park on the other side of island. Sit in a lot of traffic but at least it’s air conditioned. Arrive and find that beach walks are closed. Head up and over, going through jungle to get to turtle beach. Swimming is not advised and the water is hot anyway. Relax a bit before hiking back. Return to the city (less traffic) and have nice Indian dinner. Check out Georgetown festival.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Kek Lok Si Temple
August 1, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Went out for coffee and wound up eating breakfast after observing the French toast. Quite tasty. Fueled us up to battle the traffic to get to Kek Lok Si Temple - a huge Buddhist temple. The artistry was amazing! Spent several hours there before resting by the turtle pond. Headed to Botanical Gardens which were underwhelming but was full of aggressive monkeys. Head back and out for vegan dinner and then ice cream.Read more
Traveler Wow!
8/3/25Reply
Traveler I’d want a tour guide for place like this “s’plain this to me, please”
8/3/25Reply
Traveler Multi-task
8/3/25Reply
Helene Rimberg There weee some useful signs. But yes that would have been good
8/3/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Exploring George Town
July 31, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Out for good coffees and pastries before exploring the city. Finally some history in this country. Quite the mix of Asian and European influence. Small streets with food stalls abound. Lots of street art. Nice dinner spot - Tina’s Kitchen for local Penang cooking.Read more
Hannah Boe Very cool photo!
7/31/25Reply
Hannah Boe Adorable
7/31/25Reply
Hannah Boe Wow!
7/31/25Reply
TravelerBeautiful place!
8/3/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Onto Penang
July 30, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Woke to pouring rain but able to wait it out before leaving. The cloud cover stayed awhile which kept temps down. Long ride through very built up area. Not a great day of riding. Made it to ferry port and caught short ferry to Penang Island. Short ride to hotel. Cool down and out for pizza! Wandered the streets a bit.Read more
Traveler I remember this!
7/31/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Taiping
July 29, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ 🌩️ 33 °C
Wound our way out of the busy streets of Ipoh. Hugged the river valley as hazy peaks surrounded us on both sides. Found a few quieter roads enabling us to get off of the busy Hwy 1. Stopped for some lunch where Doug finally tried Durian - reporting that it was slimy. Continued on as day got hotter. We really do need to stop riding in the late afternoon. Arrived in Taiping. Checked in to Hotel Louis. Meandered around a bit before finding a dinner spot.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Ipoh
July 28, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C
Returned to Ipoh on foot to explore during the daylight. Saw a few cool, old buildings from British occupation. Nice murals and street art as well. Quite toasty walking around. Ordered in and ate by our nice pool.Read more
Hannah Boe So cute!!
7/31/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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A waterfall and cave!
July 27, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C
Take a walk into the hill and jungle behind town to local waterfall. Very nice water! Pack up and head out. Kind of late but short day. Divert off main road to check out Tempunung cave. Very cool. Huge open caverns. Even have little moss and ferns growing. Finish up our ride and eventually make it to our little villa very hot. Enjoy our pool before walking into Ipoh for tasty Indian food. And gelato.Read more
Hannah Boe Woah!
7/31/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Long day on the pavement
July 26, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Long ride along highway 1. Not much besides pavement through the jungle. Not even a monkey to beak up the day. Arrive in Kampar. Opt to try the region’s dish - clay pot chicken with rice. So good! Crispy, burnt rice bits and moist chicken with occasional bites of salted fish. Highlight of day.Read more
Hannah BoeClay pot chicken sounds yummy!!
7/31/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Over the mountain range
July 25, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Early morning start to try and avoid heat while we make it to the top of the mountain. It is quite hazy with smoke from fires in Indonesia. Stop and chat with monkeys and then are stopped as the road prohibits cyclists - too dangerous. Policeman at checkpoint tries to flag down trucks to transport us with no luck. Finally a car passing the other way stops and offers a ride. Manage to fit everything in and finish the last 1000 feet of climbing with ease. Pop out at next checkpoint and cruise down the hill. Go another 20 miles before stopping in Tanjung Malim. Walk through large university to very good Thai food.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Day of rest
July 24, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
After 6 riding days, we needed a break. Did very little except read, yoga, walked to town to get food.
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Bukit Tinggi
July 23, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Enjoy a good breakfast before heading back out of the jungle and continuing our westward journey. Rolling hills aren’t too bad thought the trucks carrying palm oil fruits are unfortunately plentiful. Luckily the final miles, which are uphill are mostly in the shade. Arrive in Bukit Tinggi - basically an exit off the highway and make our way up to our apartment. Walk back down to the town for Chinese dinner.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Elephants!
July 22, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Leave the lowlands and head up into the jungle to Kuala Gandah - Ho,e of the Elephant Conservation Center. With our tour guide, get to feed the baby elephants. Watch the big elephants get their bath. After, assist in bathing and exfoliating the baby elephants. Quite rough skin. Interesting note: they utilize the elephants at the center to assist when other wild elephants need to be rescued. Stay at Chalet right next to center. Lovely “local dinner”.Read more
Traveler That is as big a smile as I have seen on you Bean. Doug, same beam. ❤️
7/27/25Reply
TravelerSo cool!!!
8/6/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Temerloh
July 21, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C
Short day - for real this time. Busy road for much of the time. A flat tire delays us a bit but still get to our hotel relatively early. Cool off in the pool. Walk into town for delicious roti and curries.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Maran
July 20, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C
Get an earlier start as not sure how far we will go. Find a good quiet road along a river - though only catch fleeting glimpses of it. Wind is less favorable but still make good time. Lots of rustling in the trees means monkeys are around. They tend to disappear as we get closer. Opt to keep going. Wind up with a 60+ mile day. Heat gets rough towards the end. Somehow manage to find a homestay - on the grounds of a mosque.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Pekan
July 19, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 34 °C
Watch sun rise - though obscured by clouds. Long day planned as limited options for accommodations. Seems to be a trend for us here in Malaysia. Fortunately it is flat and we have a good tail wind. Stop for lunch along the China Sea. Arrive in Pekan but can’t find our lodging. Go in circles until the host finally sends us a correct map. New food for dinner - Muetabak. Rolled pancake with tasty fillings.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Kuala Rompin
July 18, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
Very sunny day. Fortunately the first half of our ride is through forest land with lots of trees and shade. Spot quite a few monkeys - who look a tad bit more aggressive than the ones we saw in Indonesia. Maintain our distance. After a lunch break - re-enter the main road and although it’s relatively quiet it’s more exposed and thus hotter. Arrive at the semi-deserted beach resort and hit the pool and then the beach. China Sea is very warm! Cycle into town for dinner though it being a Friday, many things are closed. Overwhelmed again by the menu (how many types of fried rice can there be) but manage to try something new Tom Yam soup which was quite tasty.Read more
Hannah BoeI had tom yum soup last night!
7/19/25Reply
Hannah Boe Grumpy kitty
7/19/25Reply
Helene Rimberg But cute tail
7/20/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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Futzing around in Mersing
July 17, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
After yesterday’s adventure, opt to only change hotels vs. cycling onward. Enjoy a cappuccino while we do some laundry. Check out the beach - kind of murky and dirty. Decide not to venture out to the islands so check into hotel. Wander back out later for some food. Very tasty fried stingray!Read more
Hannah Boe Cutie
7/19/25Reply
Hannah BoeYou are stingray??
7/19/25Reply
Helene RimbergYes. Was tasty. Tried not to think about it too much
7/20/25Reply
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Jungle hopping
July 16, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Venture out onto busy roadways, still trying to get out of the city of Johor Bahru. Eventually the traffic ruins and we have a calmer ride. As the jungle builds next to us, see some interesting wildlife signs. Do spot actual monkeys, large monitor lizards and dead snakes. Consider stopping after 24 miles but the accommodations were expensive and not very nice. Press on into the heat. Options are very limited which results in a 71 mile day. Arrive at a hotel in Mersing as sun is setting. Tired and filthy but manage to clean up and find some food.Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
Malaysia is just a bridge away
July 15, 2025 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
The ride out of Singapore varied from busy roads to beautiful paths. Lots of twists and turns took some time
to navigate as did finding our entrance to the causeway into Malaysia. We were separated with the motorbikes which helped. Popped out on the other side and poof - another country. Big city with hectic traffic. Survived the motorways and found a hotel. Relax before venturing out for dinner. Too chaotic for pictures (few more orchids)Read more
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The Grand Adventure Helene Rimberg
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A colorful birthday celebration
July 14, 2025 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Fortunately, Doug is feeling better in time for his birthday. Start the day with pastries before hopping on the metro to the Botanic Gardens. Emerge into light rain, but it’s a warm rain. Walk through the greenery before exploring the orchid gardens - the largest collection of orchids in the world. Amazing array of flowers representing native and worldwide varieties. Finish our stroll and go out separate ways to complete shopping errands. Meet up at a mega mall. Drop off our purchases at our hotel and back downtown to catch the evening lights in Gardens by the Bay. Phenomenal light show! Try out Korean BBQ. New experience for both of us. (I need to work on my non-existent chopstick skills).Read more
Hannah Boe Wow!!
7/16/25Reply
Hannah Boe Oooohhhh
7/16/25Reply
Helene Rimberg The orchids were crazy. So many types
7/16/25Reply
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