Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

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Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

January 5, 2017 by David Herd

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

 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

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

However it features my friends & my beloved Jag in Beechworth Victoria, how about the hair & the bell bottom jeans? 🙂

Looking back the 1970s was probably my most exciting decade.

Carol Aboud 

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

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

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

 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? 🙂

My Dad Arthur & my 2 best friends Wolf Wottke & Ron Walsh.

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

My two buddies surprised me by flying over from Adelaide without prior warning. That was a fabulous birthday present.

Carol’s birthday November 1978.

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

Check out the hair colour & the gold chains. 

New Years Eve 1978

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney Apologies for the fuzzy photo, but you get the picture. 🙂

French Champagne of course

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

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

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

Peter & his wife in 1979, he was Carol’s brother and sadly passed away a year or two later.

December 1978

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

We hired a houseboat for a weekend cruise on Hawksbury River. Two Peters, yours truly & Rob Symonds.

Talking about boats

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

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

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

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. 

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

In my eyes this was one of the prettiest cars ever built.

 View from my condo

  Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

With my Bertram moored right out front.

Another party at Wrights Rd

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

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. 🙂

While we are on the subject of boobs….

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

You could never accuse Carol of being shy. 🙂

And the winner is Angie

  Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

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. 🙂

The music in the 70s produced many of my all time favourite songs, here are 3 of those.

Piano man 1973

Audio Player

Hotel California 1977

Audio Player

Suttans of Swing 1978

Audio Player

The five Herd brothers in 1979

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

Neale, David, Ian, Bryan & Warren, it’s a shame the photo is such poor quality.

 Jenny Dale

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

Jenny with the red eyes was another nice girl from the late 70s who wandered into my life occasionally. 🙂

Let’s finish the year off properly

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

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. 🙂 

Now in 2023 at the ripe old age of 79, I guessing I just may have been a rebel without a cause. 🙂

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. 🙂 🙂 

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

Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

Yippee, cheap booze for me. 🙂

Opening night 

Flashback Sydenham Cellars

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. 🙂

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.

 

Some of my lovely ladies from the 70s.

  Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney       Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney          Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

    Paula 1970                              Dianne 1973                            Lee 1974

    Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney        Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney          Farewell Melbourne hello Sydney

     Di Parko 72 & 76                      Jan 72/74                              Carol 76/79

                   Someone Like You by Van Morrison.

   Here are some more posts to check out

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

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  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

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Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
                              Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
                         d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
 That’s all folks
 
 
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A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.               

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

December 20, 2016 by David Herd

A little shade on Pattaya Beach

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach Rd Thailand, everybody who visits the beach side city will regularly hear this as they pass the many bars, shops & massage parlours. “Hello welcome” is probably the most repeated phrase in Thailand. 🙂

There is always something to see on Beach Road Pattaya, I’m so happy to wake up and see the wonderful view every day.  

This post highlights the interesting things I see on Beach Road every day.

And here is my view

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Is that magnificent or what?

Morning exercise on Beach Road

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Most mornings I walk along Beach Road about 8 am, there is always something to photograph. 

 Above we have the healthy, below the not so healthy.

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

I have read many super models smoke to control their body weight, clearly in this case it has not worked. 🙂

This centuries most popular female entertainment

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

 A females favourite pastime, when too many selfies is never enough. ?

My favourite selfie 

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Taken March 24 2017.

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach Rd Thailand     Hello welcome Pattaya Beach      Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

It doesn’t get much better than this. 🙂

Safety first

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Good to see these guys wearing crash helmets, too bad about the pedestrians on the footpath, let’s not forget “this is Thailand”.

My tyres are fatter than yours

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Not too sure what the advantage is have fat tyres on a bicycle, unless you are a fat guy like me. 🙂

Your tyres aren’t fat, these are fat. 🙂

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Big super blue boom box, block the footpath, no problem this is Thailand.

 Sensible people wear hats on the beach

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Hats! What hats, I don’t see any hats. 🙂

Look closely, surely you can see the hats

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Is this a trick question? 🙂

Work begins on the pipeline

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Highly skilled workers commence this 200,000,000 Baht project to the relieve the flooding on Beach Road. 

“OOPS” Houston we have a problem.

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Not only were the operators lacking in the skill department the project that took many months also failed miserably.

So Beach Road still floods.

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

I really don’t think you will ever stop this flooding, there is such a huge volume of water from the tropical storms no drain or gutter can cope.

The bikini babes hit the beach

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

After the rain the sun come out and the bikini babes hit the beach. 🙂

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach March 11 2018

Pattaya beachWidening the beach which is good news, but will they complete the job? 🙂

Very low tide

Hello welcome Pattaya BeachApril 22 2018.

Sabai Wing Soi 1 North Pattaya

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Sabai Wing Soi 1, 3 swimming pools and nice rooms, 100 meters from BigC, great value at only $23 usd per night as of August 15. I live in the high-rise in the background, Markland. For a great room rate book here.

 Closely followed by hundreds of day trippers

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Chinese tourists flock to the beach every day to go para-sailing & visit Koh Larn island.

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach Condominium

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Work stopped 18 months ago on this high rise due to a dispute over height and other regulations. Now in December 2016 they have been ordered to remove the top 8 floors and increase the car parking.

Water cannons for sale

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Songkran in April is New Year in Thailand, Pattaya conducts a huge water fight that drags on for over a week.

Lowest tide I have ever see in Pattaya.

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach Rd ThailandThis was June 6th 2012.

Beach restoration.

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach Rd ThailandJuly 2018 & they are working like beavers on restoring the beach.

What a beautiful morning

Morning walk Beach Road Pattaya

The temperature is 32 but feels like 38.

As the sun sinks in the west….

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach

Thanks for visiting my  Hello welcome Pattaya Beach Rd Thailand photo blog. 

                       DH Sept 2013

 For an excellent budget hotel near Big C in North Pattaya just book through THIS LINK for a great rate.

For a more upmarket hotel on Beach Rd

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach Rd Thailand

Just use THIS LINK for a terrific rate at the Wave Hotel.

Here is another well known Pattaya phrase

Hello welcome Pattaya Beach Rd Thailand

Probably used 1000 times a day walking past the beers bars, the funny thing is some idiots actually believe it. 🙂

Many thanks to Mike Baird for another wonderful cartoon.

Please check out some of the most popular below, and thank you for visiting.     

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
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Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                   Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

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  • Breakfast Bake n’ Brew

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Bruges beautiful Belgium city

June 28, 2013 by David Herd

Bruges is really worth a visit.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Bruges beautiful Belgium city, in fact I knew very little of this great place until I saw the 2008 movie called “In Bruges” with Colin Farrell, then I knew I just had to visit, I had the same feeling about Versailles after seeing the Woody Allen movie “Midnight in Paris,” so actually this European trip was planned around both those fascinating destinations. I was not disappointed the city is quite special, expensive but really special.  😆

Bruges waterfront homes.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Definitely a city that should be on your bucket list.

Without a doubt AGODA is the best online Hotel booking site.

Belgium Chocolates, yum!

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Now we all know how famous Belgium is for its chocolates however I am willing to bet you don’t always get a warm smile from a lady when you give her some of these.

Coffee in the sunshine

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Here are my two English friends Bill Austin & Dave Catchpole not looking too happy, maybe it was something they ate.  🙄

In fact they were grumpy most of the trip which caused us to split up once we got back to Brighton on the south coast of England.

Outdoor Cafe in Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

I have no hesitation in recommending this beautiful place for you to visit,  remember to book your hotel before arriving. Check the weather forecast as well, it is so much nicer walking around the village taking photos with a beautiful blue sky.

Thai Festival

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

What a coincidence, I’m living in Thailand & here when I visit Bruge there is a Thai festival happening. 🙂

Bruge Plaza

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Interesting sculptures and fountains.

Waterside dining

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

A beautiful sky & French food by the water, what more could you want?

Nice restaurant

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

So many restaurants & such little time. 🙂

Wonderful terrine

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Always on my list in Belgium or France.

Cruise the canals

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

One of the popular canal tours.

Or take a horse & buggy if you prefer

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Personally I prefer to walk the city.

Wander along the cobblestone streets.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Lots of shops & restaurants to keep you busy.

The Park hotel is in a perfect location across the road from the above square.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

There are many good restaurants and bars to choose from, however if I visit again it will be during the week as the weekends are so busy in summer most of the hotels are full. We paid 200 Euros for room at the Park Hotel with 4 single beds. For a good discount on rooms just book through THIS LINK.

Waterfront restaurant.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

An interesting restaurant beside this wonderful tree.

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Catch fish from your window.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Picture postcard perfect in Bruges beautiful Belgium city.

Red wine & desert.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

As you would expect there are many nice restaurants in Bruges.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Bruge was a wonderful experience.

Thanks for visiting my Bruges beautiful Belgium city photo blog.

                              Here are some more posts to check out 

                Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)       The Walkie Talkie (5)    

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425    Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                     

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)     Vung Tau statue (6)

Pattaya live webcam
 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

 

Thanks for visiting my blog on Bruges, and thanks to the movie “In Bruges” for inspiring me to visit this wonderful city. Please send the link to your friends https://fivestarvagabond.com/

 

Click here for my St Tropez post.

 

My fabulous world in 2014

 

Some Red light action in Bangkok

 

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