This is not a travel blog, it is part of my personal photo history. It seemed like Groundhog day. ๐
Surfers Paradise Party Animals
Surfers Paradise Party Animals, 1992 was just another year of fun & games on the beautiful Gold Coast. I was certainly among the main party hosts, I had a great home for entertaining & I loved have lots of beautiful girls around.
Some of the usual suspects.
Naturally when there were pretty girls around the competition between the guys was fierce. ๐
A rose between two thorns, I don’t think so. ๐
I guess there is no need to say I was enjoying life to the max.
Occasionally some of the girls would relax in the spa.
Naturally I always had my camera ready.
These girls loved nature
And Dr Evil was always there with the camera. ๐
Roslyn & Jill looking good
I remember spending some “quality time” with both these lovely ladies.
Jill & Sharon
Another “daily double” I’m happy to say, (that just means I bonked them both. ๐ )we saw a show that night at Jupiters casino, I think it was Barry Humphries.
Andre Buzek dentist extraordinaire, (I don’t think so)
Sadly my great mate lost his life soon after in a car crash in Cuba.
Girl of the year Kelly Davis
I was lucky enough to spend a few months on & off with this lovely lady.
Here we are on New Years Eve
Naturally Harley is locked & loaded once again. ๐
My favoute song from 1992
Big Steve Bristow (son of Tim) & Greg Johnston.
Now in 2018 Greg lives in Pattaya & runs a bar on the dark side, & Steve still lives on the Gold Coast.
The late great Paul Allen, a Surfers Paradise icon.
Talking about icons…………
Daryl Beattie is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, those bikes however all belonged to Mick Doohan the living legend who won five consecutive 500 cc World Championships. The guy in the middle is a legend in his own lunch time, my good mate Ross Kennedy aka “Shoeless Joe”.
Talking about legends…
Here I am giving my boat a good wash. ๐
A good looking bunch of babes
It was Xmas day 1992 and we all had a great lunch at my home in 106 Upton St Bundall. My main squeeze at the time was Kelly 2nd from the right, & my occasional squeeze was Jill standing beside her. ๐
Another night another dinner at Upton St
Harley & his gay flatmate naturally came dressed in their army outfits. ๐ Tat’s Kandice on the left & Nicola on the right.
That night produced one of my favourite photos
This is a true classic.
Another classic from 1992
Lyn Goss & Roslyn provided the glamour & Tony Murphy & I contributed with a truck load of style. ๐
Amazing Food Planet Earth Volume one starting with AUSTRALIA.
Amazing Food Planet Earth Volume one, you are probably not mistaken thinking my life revolves around food. I guess I’m guilty as charged, therefore I’m going to highlight through my photo blog called “Amazing Food Planet Earth Volume one” my favorite food from all over this wonderful world.
The best seafood in the world.
Of course that’s just my opinion, Australia has the 7th longest coastline in the world, 25,760 km (16,006 miles) so is it any wonder there is an abundance of seafood on offer?
There is only one problem.
Seafood like most things in 2017 in Australia, is rather expensive. However that is not going to stop me enjoying this wonderful food. In March 2017 I was in Port Macquarie on the NSW coastwhere they have some of Australia’s best seafood. What you see above was around $25.
I have eaten oysters all over the world, please check out THIS LINK.
Next in the alphabet I believe is AUSTRIA.
If you visit Austria you will certainly eat a schnitzel, absolutely delicious ๐
Amazing Food Planet Earth Volume one
We are a long way from the ocean in Salzburg but that makes no difference, they love seafood and offer very high quality as you can clearly see. Check out my road trip from St Moritz to Salzburg.
I have traveled to Brussels & Bruges & really enjoyed the food. They seemed have an obsession with Mussels & Fries, & Mussels I can take or leave. Consequently I indulged in other areas. There is no doubt they brew the best beer in the world.
One of my many weaknesses, I guess that’s why I’m 112 kilos.
CAPE TOWN
The entree pictured above was as good as I have had anywhere in the world. Prawn and avocado tian with sesame wonton crispโs and a touch of โcaviarโ for around $9 aud. A dozen Oysters were only $22 aud.
We can’t escape the seafood in Cape Town
Why would we want to when it’s served like this? ๐
Lets take a closer look at this great food
If you are in Cape Town make sure you visit OYO restaurant & cocktail bar.
Croatia & Bosnia
Without any doubt they have the best Cevapciciin the world. This fabulous snack was in Sarajevo, ฤevapi has its origins in the Balkans during the Ottoman period, and represents a regional specialty similar to the kofte kebab.
Famous of course for both food & wine, when I am there I’m always looking for a Veal Scallopini. I doubt if I have ever had a better one than this in a side walk restaurant beside Lake Como.
I know this is the best pizza I have ever eaten.
Caffรจ Italiano, Via Isola delle Stinche, 11R-13R inFlorence. Without a doubt this is the best pizza I have ever eaten in my life. You canโt book at this small restaurant, you must wait outside in the lane until there is a free table, believe me however, the wait is worth it.
Amazing Food Planet Earth, just go there
The magician who makes them is originally from Naples.
Portifino costa plenty. ๐
I’m going to wind up volume one at Portofino where the delicious seafood soup in 2006 cost 26 Euros, it’s probably twice that price now. ๐
This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.
On the road between Hornsby & Sydney is The historic Roseville Cinema on the Pacific Highway, noted for its art deco facade. It became Traynor’s Picture Palace in 1919, but did not become a full-scale cinema until 1936. Roseville Cinema was renovated & updated to two screens in 1995.
Approaching the Harbour Bridge
Not too much traffic on a Sunday morning.
World famous Sydney Opera House.
A fabulous iconic Sydney landmark.
Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour
Huge ships dock at Circular Quay because they are too tall to go under the Harbour Bridge.
Naturally Bill had to climb it. ?
Being an ex Para Military man who has made over 500 parachute jumps my friend Bill Austin naturally had to climb to the top of the bridge, and what an amazing view he had from there.
Sydney Harbour Ferry
Circular Quay ferry terminal.
The famous Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Opened in 1933 it is certainly Australia’s best known landmark.
ORIGINALLY BUILT BY TOOTH & CO. IN 1938 & RECENTLY RESTORED TO ITS ART-DECO GLORY, THE ROBIN HOOD HOTEL IS LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF BRONTE AND CARRINGTON ROADS IN WAVERLEY (CHARING CROSS).
Wonderful antique pub signs
When I was growing up I remember these great signs were on most Australian pubs.
Typical old Australian home in Waverley.
I would hate to think what it’s worth today, Sydney prices are outragious.
House prices in Waverley
As you can see you need plenty of money to live in Sydney. ๐
My road trip from QLD has ended
My Honda rental car never missed a beat, time to head to the airport.
Apex Car rental
It’s worth checking their promotional prices, ofter you can get a terrific rate to relocate one of their vehicles. In my case I rented for 6 days at $19 aud per day. Picked it up at Surfers Paradise & dropped it off at Sydney airport.
Road Trip South Australia reminds me of the last frontier and the road trip I took in 2003. Three Japanese students, Yukako, Megumi & Noriko & I travelled from the Gold Coastin Queensland, through Broken Hill NSW to Coober Pedy in South Australia, a fascinating opal mining town where most of the population live in underground houses, then on to Ayers Rock and back home to the Gold Coast via Hervey Bay where we went whale watching. On our marathon journey all through the Australian Outback we traveled 7,300 kilometers which was around 82 hours behind the wheel.
The above photo is at Tenterfield on the New England Highway.
This famous Australian singer son writer was born in Tenterfield. For a discounted room rate just book through THIS LINK.
Listen to Peter sing one of his famous songs about the Tenterfield sadler.
The first stage
Across NSW to South Australia.
Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia
Our first day on the road, we will overnight in Broken Hill.
Trades Hall in Broken Hill.
The Trades Hall is Broken Hill’s most historically important building.
Broken Hill in outback NSW.
Broken Hill over 1,100 km (680 mi) west of Sydney and surrounded by semi-desert.
For a very good discount on a Broken Hill hotel just book through THIS LINK.
Typical outback building
In the 19th and early 20th century Broken Hill was home to a community of Afghans. Afghans worked as camel drivers in parts of outback Australia, and they made a significant contribution to economic growth when transport options were limited. The camel drivers formed the first sizeable Muslim communities in Australia, and in Broken Hill they left their mark in the form of the first mosque in NSW (1891).
Wilmington South Australia
Wilmington is a farming community, known for sheep, wheat and barley, but more recently for the planting of olive groves.
Road Trip South Australia, the general store
Wilmington is 305 kilometres north of the state capital, Adelaide.
This was at Byron Bay near the start of our journey.
Such lovely young girls, Noriko Megumi & Yukako. Thanks for visiting my Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia photo blog. Next stop is Coober Pedy.
Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip seeing lots of friends & in particular caught up with Karen Greenwood an old girlfriend from 1991, 26 years ago. As you can see see still looks fantastic. ๐ So many great memories came flooding back, it was certainly wonderful week Surfers Paradise. We are at Franks seafood cafe on Chevron Island.
I first visited this iconic bar on New Years Day 1982, 35 years ago. The reason I am so sure of the date is it was the day after my unforgettable NYE on Sydney harbour with my overloaded boat being showered by sky rockets.
First stop Kingscliff only a 40 minute drive.
Just a quick stop for a very good breakfast and some photos.
Great views over the beach from this excellent hotel, Use THIS LINK for a terrific discount on a room with a view.
The older side of Coogee
Many parts of Coogee are quite ancient as you can see, probably worth several million as a development site here in Arden Street.
This one is certainly worth preserving.
Not sure if it will be kept as a private residence or a guest house.
Overlooking Coogee Bay
As you can see Coogee is quite hilly.
Important safety message
When on the beach in Australia make sure you always use sun block-out, wear a hat & swim between the flags.
In recent years I have had many skin cancers removed, doctors tell me the damage was done many years ago before I turned 16 years of age. In those days we NEVER wore hats or used sun protection.
Things looked a little different in 1936
It was called Belmore Rd in 1930
Fabulous old photos.
How about 1905?
It certainly wasn’t Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach then. ๐
Thanks for visiting my Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney photo blog, before you leave please check out Maroubra Beach which is a few kms south of Coogee.
Maroubra Sydney Beachside Suburb located 10 klms south of the city was so busy on this beautiful sunny Sunday. Just finding a place to park the car was a major frustrating exercise.
Maroubra Sydney Beachside Suburb
Some of the expensive apartments overlooking the beach. In fact the average price of an apartment in Maroubra is around $850,000, however those in the photo would be more than double that. The average house price in the suburb is $1,840,000.
Here is what makes Maroubra famous
Without a doubt Sydney’s beaches are among the best in the world. In my opinion the only country that can compare is Brazil, especially Florianopolis.
One of Sydney’s best surfing beaches.
Everyone is waiting for a wave to ride.
The blue building is the surf club.
You can clearly see the lookout tower where the lifesavers keep a close eye on the swimmers.
A favourite photo
You have the camera man, the babe doing exercises, the Bra Boy heading for the surf & a couple just watching the action. Bra Boys are a notorious surf gang,at their home beach Maroubra.
In December 2005 riots broke out between Muslum gangs from Sydneys Western suburbs & Eastern suburbs surfers. Follow THIS LINKfor details. Contrary to popular opinion I personally was proud of the Aussie surfers that day.
That’s a huge zoom lens
No doubt this guy is a serious photographer. ๐
Important safety message
When on the beach in Australia make sure you always use sun block-out, wear a hat & swim between the flags.
In recent years I have had many skin cancers removed, doctors tell me the damge was done many years ago before I turned 16 years of age. In those days we NEVER use sun protection.
A great family enviroment
What a place to grow up & to have fun on a magnificent beach like Maroubra.
Sidewalk cafes
Similar to every other Sydney beach-side suburb sidewalk cafes abound.
A great view from this boutique hotel overlooking Coogee Beach north of Maroubra, just book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.
Flashback to 1961
Things looked a little different back then. ๐
Location
As you can see Maroubra lies south of other famous beaches such as Bondi & Coogee.
Thanks for visiting my Maroubra Sydney Beachside Suburb photo blog. For a great discount at Crowne Plaza hotel or other properties in Coogee just book through THIS LINK.
Gosford Central Coast NSW is located on Brisbane Water just 80 km north of Sydney. Growing up in Sydney this area was where our family would spend our annual holidays.
Breakfast at Tommys Cafe at Gosford
Before driving to Coogee in Sydney I decided I needed a good breakfast.
Scrambled eggs & avocado
On Turkish toast of course. ๐ TripAdvisor rate #6 of 101 Restaurants in Gosford.
A delightful spot in Gosford Central Coast NSW
I wish I could find Turkish bread in Thailand.
Perfect sunday morning in Gosford
From Gosford it’s just a short cruise to the magnificent Hawksbury River,
Starship Cruises
The “Lady Kendall” will take you on a 2.5 hour cruise for $37.
Gosford Sailing Club Club
Located on the foreshore of Brisbane Water. Check it out through THIS LINK.
Shooting some photos
I never go anywhere without my Canon. ๐
A perfect place for a row.
Opposite the Leagues club.
Gosford Central Coast NSW Central Coast Stadium
The stadium has picturesque views over the Brisbane water.
Just book through THIS LINKfor an excellent discount.
The Settlers Tavern
A terrific T Bone have Settlers Tavern at 2 Hely Street, West Gosford. They have a great menu for a local pub, check it out on THIS LINK.
All the meals were excellent
My friend Geoff had the pasta & his ex fiance Nana ordered a huge meal of steak & seafood. Geoff is a regular visitor to Thailand, follow THIS LINKto see his 50th birthday party.
Time to head south to Sydney.
The last leg of my road trip is just a short drive south to Sydney along the Pacific Highway.
Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast is the largest and most expensive in QLD costing a whopping $160,000,000. Combining bars, cafes, restaurants along with 40 fresh food retailers. Spread over two levels it features eateries from local hospitality heavyweights such as the Honeyeater Kitchen from ex-Songbirds chef Trent Scarr, David Haylesโ Bettyโs Burgers and James Bradyโs Mr Pigs Bakehouse; alongside celebrity chef George Calombarisโ first Queensland restaurant, Jimmy Grants.
Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast
The whole place is quite spectacular, I will certainly visit again next time I’m on the coast.
Pure Meats
Butchers have come a long way since I grew up, I clearly remember them having sawdust on the floor. Here is an explanation from an old butcher explaining why;
When my Dad and I butchered, we used it as a safety enhancement and for ease of cleanup as was mentioned. No, we wouldn’t have meat on the floor, but it seemed as the floor would get slippery over time, and without sawdust, it was only a matter of time before someone would slip and it didn’t matter much what you had for footwear.
Often we wore cowboy boots as you basically stand for 8 to 14 hours at a time and it seemed easier on you, but as you can imagine they aren’t known for tractive abilities. If you are packing a 135# or so hind, you really want your feet to stay under you. We never would have worked without sawdust on the floor in the back, the front we left sawdust free but eventually it would make its way up there.
It is a pain though tracking sawdust all over the place, in your vehicle, etc.
Naturally the beef must be hung. ๐
Why is meat hung you may well ask;
Meat hanging is a culinary process, used in beef ageing, that improves the flavor of meats by allowing the natural enzymes in the meat to break down the tissue through dry ageing. The process also allows the water in the meat to evaporate, thus concentrating the flavor.
Fish Lab by William Wu
Not only is this a good looking restaurant they also have a “drying room” next door. Follow THIS LINK for more about it.
The drying room
I have never seen anything like this before in a food court.
One of the many cafes
There is certainly lots of choices where to have a coffee here.
Too many coffee shops are never enough. ๐
Not too sure if they are all making a living, and I’m guessing the rents are astronomical.
Such a feeling of space.
The high ceilings and open plan gives a feeling of space.
Spectacular roof at Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast
The architects have really done a great job here.
Lucky Luciano’s
I wonder if it’s a mafia hangout? ๐
Woolworth’s for some serious shopping.
As you can see Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast caters for everything.
Farewell from Robina
Thanks for visiting my Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast photo blog.
Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.
The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.
This is not a travel blog just my personal photo collection from the 1970s & 80s, check it out if you wish.
Arabella St Longueville
Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney
Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney, it was early 1976 after a dramatic final few months living in Melbourne, I resigned from Sanyo Office Machines, moved to Arabella St Longueville in Sydney & started a new job as NSW sales manager with Wilkins Servis washing machines. I rented a beautiful waterfront home with the view you see above & a garage for my red E-Type Jag.
Little did I realise the next 11 years would be the most successful money making decade of my life, along with an almost non stop party regime and included luxury waterfront apartments, Jaguars & Mercedes plus a Bertram fly bridge cruiser parked outside my condo, & last but not least a red Doberman called Baxter.
This was actually 1975
However it features my friends & my beloved Jag in Beechworth Victoria, how about the hair & the bell bottom jeans? ๐
Looking back the 1970s was probably my most exciting decade.
Carol Aboud
It didn’t take me long to get tied up with Carol who had a hair dressing salon in Double Bay. She also had a husband & 4 children but these minor complications did not stop us from having a lot of fun over the next 4 years.
There is a very funny story involving Carol on another blog, just follow THIS LINK.
My beautiful mother celebrating my birthday on the 7-7-77
What a great date for my birthday to fall on. When friends see these old photos is it any wonder they suggest I looked like a Miami drug dealer? ๐
My Dad Arthur & my 2 best friends Wolf Wottke & Ron Walsh.
My two buddies surprised me by flying over from Adelaide without prior warning. That was a fabulous birthday present.
Carol’s birthday November 1978.
Check out the hair colour & the gold chains.
New Years Eve 1978
Apologies for the fuzzy photo, but you get the picture. ๐
French Champagne of course
From memory we were at the Castle Cove house of my friend Peter H & the booze was really flowing.
Oh Carol, I am but a fool…..
Neil Sedaka "Oh Carol"
Peter Luciano RIP
Peter & his wife in 1979, he was Carol’s brother and sadly passed away a year or two later.
December 1978
We hired a houseboat for a weekend cruise on Hawksbury River. Two Peters, yours truly & Rob Symonds.
Talking about boats
This was my Bertram 25 moored right outside my condo at 72 Wrights Rd Drummoyne. I enjoyed six great years here & threw so many parties that I became the most hated person in the building.
St Georges Crescent Drummoyne
Just around the corner from my condo I purchased another waterfront apartment, so now I owned 2 condos & a terrace house in Glebe, I was on a roll. Working now as NSW Sales Manager for Remington Typewriters before moving to the word processing division. Enjoyed the job but hated the back stabbers, & there were plenty of them.
Selling all my Sydney properties over the years was one of my worst ever decisions, I should have kept at least one.
After the Jaguar XJ6 I upgraded to a white Mercedes Sports, life was good.
In my eyes this was one of the prettiest cars ever built.
View from my condo
With my Bertram moored right out front.
Another party at Wrights Rd
This gorgeous redhead called Beryl worked with Carol in the Double Bay salon, she had just had a boob job and I couldn’t help but admire them. ๐
While we are on the subject of boobs….
You could never accuse Carol of being shy. ๐
And the winner is Angie
Her name was Angela Savic, she was the girlfriend of my best friend Wolf. Without a doubt she had the best body out of all the girls we knew. Our very own Greek Goddess. ๐
The music in the 70s produced many of my all time favourite songs, here are 3 of those.
Neale, David, Ian, Bryan & Warren, it’s a shame the photo is such poor quality.
Jenny Dale
Jenny with the red eyes was another nice girl from the late 70s who wandered into my life occasionally. ๐
Let’s finish the year off properly
Well 1979 turned out to be a very tumultuous year, Remington gave me the flick and I joined the company who had the agency for Qyx the new word processor taking the world by storm. I did a marketing course with Exxon in Philadelphia and topped the class, there were 25 Americans in the course with me the only foreigner. Back to Australia to launch the product nationally but only lasted a few months before having a blowup with the company directors who showed me the door. I was never good at taking instructions from fools. ๐
Now in 2023 at the ripe old age of 79, I guessing I just may have been a rebel without a cause. ๐
To top off the year finally Carol & I parted company after 4 terrific years painting the town, I suspect I may have been going through a mid life crisis. ๐ ๐
Consequently I took 3 months off, spent lots of time on my boat, travelled to Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand & Bali then opened my very own liquor store in March 1980.
Sydenham Cellars
Yippee, cheap booze for me. ๐
Opening night
My friend Debbie Don was part of the celebration. More photos on THIS LINK.
The 1970s were probably the most interesting & dramatic of my life. 1972 saw me return to Sydney after a 2 year stint in Melbourne, only to see me head to Adelaide for two years as State manager for Sanyo, then back to Melbourne for two years with Sanyo before returning to Sydney in 1976.
Made some money, broke some hearts & had a lot of fun.
I was very good at my job, Sales & Marketing in the cut throat business equipment industry was a tough gig, but on reflection & being & brutally honest, my arrogant autocratic management style that worked well in the 60s & 70s was out dated in later decades. Consequently recognising my limitations I went back to what I was good at, which was selling. In the mid 80s I had a successful few years at Canon followed by 7 or 8 very good years as a financial planner with a couple of banks in QLD. In 1998 I took a year off work to travel & never really worked again. ๐
Thanks for visiting my Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney photo blog.
It’s now 2023 and here is Glenn Frey to tell you exactly how I feel today.
Naturally when there were pretty girls around the competition between the guys was fierce. ๐
I guess there is no need to say I was enjoying life to the max.
Naturally I always had my camera ready.
And Dr Evil was always there with the camera. ๐
I remember spending some “quality time” with both these lovely ladies.
Another “daily double” I’m happy to say, (that just means I bonked them both. ๐ )we saw a show that night at Jupiters casino, I think it was Barry Humphries.
Sadly my great mate lost his life soon after in a car crash in Cuba.
I was lucky enough to spend a few months on & off with this lovely lady.
Naturally Harley is locked & loaded once again. ๐
Now in 2018 Greg lives in Pattaya & runs a bar on the dark side, & Steve still lives on the Gold Coast.
Our local drinking hole was Melbas on the Park.
Daryl Beattie is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, those bikes however all belonged to Mick Doohan the living legend who won five consecutive 500 cc World Championships. The guy in the middle is a legend in his own lunch time, my good mate Ross Kennedy aka “Shoeless Joe”.
Here I am giving my boat a good wash. ๐
It was Xmas day 1992 and we all had a great lunch at my home in 106 Upton St Bundall. My main squeeze at the time was Kelly 2nd from the right, & my occasional squeeze was Jill standing beside her. ๐
Harley & his gay flatmate naturally came dressed in their army outfits. ๐ Tat’s Kandice on the left & Nicola on the right.
This is a true classic.
Lyn Goss & Roslyn provided the glamour & Tony Murphy & I contributed with a truck load of style. ๐
Apologies for the fuzzy photo, but you get the picture. ๐
