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Fat Coco Beach Club construction

November 13, 2019 by David Herd

Fat Coco Beach Club construction

Fat Coco Beach Club

Fat Coco Beach Club construction has been in progress for many months during 2019, many of the following photos have been taken from the 20th floor of Markland which overlooks the A-One Hotel. As you can see above it was just a normal swimming pool area.

Lets dig some holes they said…

Fat Coco Beach Club construction It will be an improvement they said. 🙂

From ground level

Fat Coco Beach Club construction This was September 2019.

What a mess. 🙂

Fat Coco Beach ClubThey work from very early in the morning until late at night.

September 12th, week 2.

Fat Coco Beach ClubStill too early to get an idea of their plans.

Concrete roof

Fat Coco Beach Club construction First they made a frame then set the concrete on top.

Raised platform

Fat Coco Beach Club constructionAdjacent to the footpath, perhaps if will provide privacy? Wh knows what they are planning.

It’s getting very confusing

Fat Coco Beach Club construction They have put dirt in the bottom of the pool, & those large white blocks are foam.

Foam being laid on top of the dirt.

Fat Coco Beach Club construction I have no idea why they are following this procedure. 🙂

Chopping up the foam

Fat Coco Beach Club construction

 Hopefully I can find out about this method.

The bar I presume

Fat Coco Beach Club construction I’m betting the alcohol prices will be rather expensive. 🙂

On her perch. 🙂

Fat Coco Beach Club

Fat Coco Beach Club Work is finished & she is sitting four meters in the air checking her messages.

November 15 2019

Fat Coco Beach Club construction They work on this structure to after 10 pm at night.

Lets thatch this gizmo. 🙂

Fat Coco Beach Club construction Looks good.

Fat Coco Beach Club

Fat Coco Beach ClubParadise, I doubt, more like a noise factory. 

Houston, we have a problem…

Fat Coco Beach Club construction The noise factory is about to open, my advice to my neighbours in Markland, start getting quotes on double glazing. 🙂

December 8 2019

Fat Coco Beach Club construction You can see a round shallow pool being built here.

Thatched canopy

Fat Coco Beach Club constructionNot sure, but this may be where the band sets up.

Houston, we have a problem.

Fat Coco Beach Club Check out the size of the speakers, noise city will not be pretty.

Here is the finished product. just follow this link.

Thanks for visiting my Fat Coco Beach Club photo blog.

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

Everything you wanted to know about Bangkok but were afraid to ask. 🙂

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Music triggers fabulous memories

September 3, 2019 by David Herd

Music triggers fabulous memories, I hope you enjoy these selections, all favourite songs that I really love.  Everything from Sinatra to Freddie Mercury.  Can you imagine a life without music?

This mix starts & finishes with  Harry Nilsson

Music triggers fabulous memories, how many times has a song come on the radio, & in that instant we are transported back in time to a particular moment or a place so many years ago?

Mix 3 begins with Joe Cocker.

Wait, there’s more, over to you Frankie.

 

A mix of many of my favourite songs spanning over 60 years.

So many of my favourite songs starting with Winds of change.

Sultans of Swing, Hotel California & Piano Ma

Here are some more posts to check out 

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           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
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 book through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
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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.               

 
 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

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Starbucks Pattaya every morning

July 28, 2019 by David Herd

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

Starbucks Pattaya every morning is a perfect start to my day. Not just the excellent coffee, the friendly smiling staff always put me in a positive mood. Above is the branch at The Bay on Beach Road Pattaya between Soi 5 & Soi 6.

The Bay Beach Road

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

 Let’s go to Starbucks & stare at our phones. 🙂

Opening day at the Bay

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

 September 22 2015.

My breakfast of choice.

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

Ham & cheese croissant with a tall latte. B240 or $7.8 USD

There are two Starbucks at Central Festival

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

That makes 4 within 10 minutes walk from my condo.

Inside Central Festival branch

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

 Quite an attractive fit out.

A birthday candle for me. 🙂

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

 As I mentioned earlier the smiles on girls are a really nice start for the day.

Sometimes they run out of croissants.

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

So I settle for a sandwich. 🙂

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

 Every 12 coffee is free if you have a Starbucks card so I often take one home for later. Also they often have a two for one offer.

Almond croissant

Tough times Thailand

 A nice alternative to the ham & cheese.

Mr Donuts

Central Festival food hall

Starbucks change B115 for a latte, here at Mr Donuts I paid B93 for what you see.

Xmas day 2021

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

Two of the lovely girls who look after me every day. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Starbucks Pattaya every morning photo blog.

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Zagreb Croatia                      Rio de Janeiro                  Brisbane River 

Zagreb Croatia bars restaurants        a7ff7566-9628-434d-a2b1-8c6e8b9a9021       IMG_0100

       

     Koh Samui                                   Korea                                  London

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         Bangkok                                   Osaka                                     Pattaya

Soi Cowboy (25)          Osaka 1st night (17)       Walking St Pattaya is wild & sexy 

                                     

             Chiang Mai                      Pattaya                      Chao Phraya river

Chiang Mai with Tone9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)191de3bb-38fc-45cd-bce7-ef24081c554b

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great posts

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Italian food Beach Rd

January 19, 2019 by David Herd

Italian food Beach Rd 

Italian food Beach Rd
Italian food Beach Rd Pattaya at Trattoria Pizzeria Toscana is a delightful experience. TripAdvisor obviously agree with a rating of 45 out of 1,111 Restaurants in Pattaya. Owner & chef Luca Marchetti is originally from Pracchiola, a tiny village in the mountains to the north of Tuscany.

Flashback to 2006

Italian food Beach Rd

The original restaurant was on the block where the Holiday Inn is now situated.

Here’s to old times in 2006

Italian food Beach Rd Pattaya

The restaurant was much smaller & more intimate, in fact I preferred the atmosphere to the current location which seats over 700 people.

Pizza with parma ham.

Italian food Beach Rd  Definitely one of my favourites.

Fettuccine is absolutely delicious.

Italian food Beach Rd Pattaya  Of course they serve every kind of pasta & pizza imaginable.

Memories of 2012

Italian food Beach Rd Pattaya Dinner & red wine with Irina from Ukraine.

Take your pick

Italian food Beach Rd It all looks so good, Toscana’s menu is huge.

There are several sections of the restaurant

Italian food Beach RdThis is my preferred area to dine.

What a fearsome sight this is.

Italian food Beach Rd The big fellow Luca with a knife in his hand should be avoided at all cost. 🙂

Lots of stock in the cold room.

Italian food Beach Rd Luca operates his own organic and sustainable farm not far from Pattaya where he grows his own vegetables,  rears free-range chickens, rabbits, ducks, pigeons, guinea fowl, wild boar, goats, sheep, pigs and cows. No processed food, no growth hormones, no chemicals, no problem. 🙂

Another pizza

Italian food Beach Rd Notice the anchovies on the side, delicious.

The boys from Oz in 2014

Italian food Beach RdLenny, yours truly & my brother Warren. Sadly we lost Lenny early 2016 after losing a battle with cancer, RIP.

Seafood anyone?

Italian food Beach RdToscana has recently opened a new seafood section in the front garden.

Lots of wine, mainly ITALIAN.

Italian food Beach RdQuite a few wines available y the glass.

A very friendly waitress in 2014.

Italian food Beach Rd PattayaAs you can see I’m not a person who misses a photo opportunity. 🙂

Dinner with friends January 2019

Italian food Beach Rd PattayaFrom the left we have May, Alex, Hamish & Gary.

Hamish’s favourite

Italian food Beach Rd Beef carpaccio tasted as good as it looked.

May chose the Baby Clams aka Pippies.

Italian food Beach RdThis is the same dish she had on New Years Eve.

Quail for dinner December 2021

Italian food Beach Rd

Quite tasty but very fiddly to eat.

Thanks for visiting my Italian food Beach Rd Pattaya photo blog.

Coffee with Luca

Italian food Beach RdFebruary 6th I met Luca for coffee during my morning walk.

 Zagreb Croatia                      Rio de Janeiro                  Brisbane River 

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     Koh Samui                                   Korea                                  London

32780a6c-baf6-428a-bd71-68b1bed30b4c         Changdeokgung Palace (2)        IMG_7042

         Bangkok                                   Osaka                                     Pattaya

Soi Cowboy (25)          Osaka 1st night (17)       Walking St Pattaya is wild & sexy 

                                     

             Chiang Mai                      Pattaya                      Chao Phraya river

Chiang Mai with Tone9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)191de3bb-38fc-45cd-bce7-ef24081c554b

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

         Istanbul                                 Budapest               

Check out these great food photo blogs.

 

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Patrick’s Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

July 18, 2018 by David Herd

Renovated May 2018

Patrick’s Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

Patrick's Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

Patrick’s Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya is certainly one of my favourite restaurants. TripAdvisor rating is #22 of 1,025 Restaurants in Pattaya, however in my opinion it is in the top 10.

Perhaps a salad to start with.

Patrick's Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

Lots of choices at Patrick’s Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya.

The photo does not do it justice.

Patrick's Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

The Oxtail soup is fantastic, I often drop in and have it for lunch, followed by a waffle of course. 🙂

Of course I sometime have the pancake instead of the waffle. 🙂

Patrick's Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

They are both delicious.

Patrick’s Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

Patrick's Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

Dining with my friend Hamish & my brother Warren in May 2018 just after the renovation was completed.

The Tuesday night special.

Patrick's Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

Without a doubt they serve the best lamb shank in Pattaya, perhaps even the northern hemisphere.

Patrick’s Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

Patrick's Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

The new decor is attractive & modern. This was at 6.30 pm & I was the only customer. 🙂

In case you were wondering, here’s Patrick.

Patrick's-Belgian-Steakhouse-Pattaya

 

 

 

He used to be a parachuter, now he is a biker. 🙂

Early May 2018 they gutted the restaurant.

Patrick's Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

The finished product is excellent.

Here we are at the old restaurant.

Patrick's Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

I’m with Greg Clee & Hamish Elton celebrating Hamish’s birthday in 2015. Notice the old fashioned decor?

Can you believe the size of this Tomahawk? 🙂

Patrick’s Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

A whopping 1.5 kilo, I think Hamish could handle it. 🙂

A terrific dinner with friends.

Patrick’s Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

August 31st 2018, 3 Aussies, a Belgium & a Yankee.

Good food & nice people.

Patrick’s Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

 From the left we have Dan Escamilla, Hamish Elton, David Herd, Sally Schmidt & Wayne Schmidt.

Another Tuesday night dinner

Patrick's Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

Half the table ordered the lamb shank. 🙂 From the right we have David Rose, Brendan Tate, Jessica, Hamish Elton, David Herd, Dan Escamilla & last but not least Possum. 🙂

That is a great looking slab of beef.

Patrick’s Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

You would need a huge appetite to get through that. 🙂

Irish stew was exceptional on October 21 2020

Patrick’s Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

Great value at B250 or $8 USD.

Location

Patrick’s Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

Opposite Mike shopping mall in an arcade opposite the Beefeater.

One final look at the Tuesday special.

Patrick's Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

Lamb shank (French style) & potato au gratin. I only have one criticism of this fine restaurant, the house wine is far too expensive. Everything else is excellent, many thanks for visiting my Patrick’s Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya photo blog.

July 31 st 2020

Patrick’s Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

Belgian waffles & red wine.

For more Pattaya steak restaurants just CLICK HERE.

Patrick discovers El Mercado

Patrick discovers El Mercado

Here is what Patrick had to say about El Mercado; “Didn’t know where to eat tonight in Bangkok so I asked my good friend David Herd who is an expert in Bangkok restaurants. He suggested El Mercado. Wow, what a surprise. Never saw anything like that in Thailand. All those choices of cheeses, cold cuts, seafood and fish. Many wines as well, but a bit on the expensive side. I enjoyed a mixed platter with cheeses and cold cuts, my wife went for the oysters and seafood dish. All in all a success and very enjoyable. Book in advance, packed all the time. Worth a visit when in Bangkok.”😉😎

   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

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             Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
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 That’s all folks
Surfers Paradise Party Animals
 
 
Patrick's Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya 
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Patrick's Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya

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

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Patrick's Belgian Steakhouse Pattaya           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

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Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

May 8, 2018 by David Herd

So much seafood & such little time.

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018 Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018 was a noisy affair as usual. There is a bandstand on the beach which blasts very ordinary music until the early hours of the morning. My condo is on the 20th floor 400 meters away & the sound hits me full blast even with the door closed. 🙂

Beach Road Pattaya

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

 One of the bigger kitchens along Beach Road.

Prawns, crab & shell fish

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

A good variety & freshly cooked.

 Big variety of meat including crocodile. 🙂

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

I’m surprised there is no snake or buffalo. 🙂

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

One of the many stalls lined along Beach Road.

Here is my favourite shot

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

A typical spontaneous Thai smile, no wonder we love living here.

Time for a mango shake

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

Another huge benefit of living in Thailand, the mangoes are wonderful.

OK, I’m confused…..

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

I have no idea what these bamboo tubes are for.

Busy ladies here on Beach Road

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

The festival runs for 5 nights and really draws the crowds.

I dined at the same place last year.

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

In 2017 the food here was great so I decided to give it another whirl.

 Small but tasty

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

 I chose 2 dishes from their signature menu, the one above was fine at B159 or $5 USD.

 This one not so good.

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

The calamari was as tough as an old boot & the filling was very average indeed. I would have been better off at one of the smaller stalls.

Thanks for visiting my Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018 photo blog.

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Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

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. 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
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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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Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurants

February 5, 2018 by David Herd

Thailand or Osaka, where am I?

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurants

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurants

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurants which are so authentic you will think you are in Osaka. There are several branches in Bangkok & one in Pattaya, the Asoke branch is ranked by TripAdvisor # 866 of 10,352 restaurants in Bangkok.

Pattaya branch

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurants

I prefer to sit upstairs.

Location

ShakarikiOpposite the Mike Hotel in 2nd road, +66 33 036 369.

Now for the food

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurantsOn my first visit in 2017 I ordered two of my favourite dishes, salmon caviar & Unagi or Japanese eel.

Shakariki 432 great Japanese restaurants

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurantsHard to fault the food at this noisy authentic Japanese restaurant.

How good is this?

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurantsIs it any wonder this is now one of my favourite restaurants along with Genki in Soi 4 North Pattaya.

Is there a better beer than Asahi?

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurants

I don’t think so, the Belgium beers are great but my pick is Asahi. 🙂

Fabulous colour combination

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurantsAnd what a taste, perfect.

Salmon Caviar washed down with Asahi.

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurants

As good as it gets. Plus they have a special on liquor, all you can drink in 90 minutes for B299.

Home delivery is a great idea.

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurants

The restaurant is two floors, upstairs is better.

Shakariki 432 great Japanese restaurants

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurantsDinner with friends February 21 2018. Hamish, Jonathon & Anne.

How good do these oysters look? Photo credit Nick & Sharon. 🙂

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurantsAbsolutely mouth watering.

Have I convinced you?

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurants

Just trust me & try out this great little hole in the wall & you will feel like you have been transported to Osaka. In fact follow THE LINK for one of my Osaka photo blogs.

Meanwhile thanks for visiting my Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurants photo blog. I will be back in Japan in May 2018, here is my agenda.

Shakariki 432 Japanese restaurants

Lots of interesting posts here;

 

 Zagreb Croatia                      Rio de Janeiro                  Brisbane River 

Zagreb Croatia bars restaurants        a7ff7566-9628-434d-a2b1-8c6e8b9a9021       IMG_0100

       

     Koh Samui                                   Korea                                  London

32780a6c-baf6-428a-bd71-68b1bed30b4c         Changdeokgung Palace (2)        IMG_7042

         Bangkok                                   Osaka                                     Pattaya

Soi Cowboy (25)          Osaka 1st night (17)       Walking St Pattaya is wild & sexy 

                                     

             Chiang Mai                      Pattaya                      Chao Phraya river

Chiang Mai with Tone9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)191de3bb-38fc-45cd-bce7-ef24081c554b

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
Pattaya live webcam
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)
 

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

January 12, 2018 by David Herd

The end to another great year

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect place to live for a guy like me. Good friends & great restaurants, what more could I want? Plus a reasonably short plane ride to many outstanding locations. Above is the incredible view from my Markland apartment on the 20th floor.

Birthday July 7

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectWhere else but the magic Mantra?

My brother Warren & Greg Clee on the left.

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect    Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

David Rose & Ray Ebzery on the right.

Birthday at the Atlantic bar

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectGeorge Hoult with Sharyn & Frank, all Aussies.

One of the many reasons we like the Atlantic Bar

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect Many middle eastern types who don’t spend money & aggravate the girls & customers are turned away, try that in Australia. 🙂 

Two more Aussies agree with the sign.

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectFred & Bill think its a great idea & so do I.

Are you ready for this?

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectBest sunsets in the world.

 Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

There something special about a silhouette.

Mark Yagala & Anne at Horizons.

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectMark of course is the guy who knocked off $50,000,000 on Wall St a few years ago, apart from that he is a very nice fellow. 🙂

The sign said “boat for sale”.

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectThe fine print said “needs a little work”. 🙂

I’m sure Mark Yagala could sell it. 🙂

One of my breakfast haunts.

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectThis is the branch at Central Marina shopping mall, I’m also a regular at The Bay on Beach Rd,

Celebrating my birthday

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect The girls stuck a candle in my croissant. 🙂

Huge renovation at the Amari Hotel.

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectThis work will go on for a couple of years, it’s only 2 blocks from my condo.

From the Amari to the Dusit Thani

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect Dim Sum is usually at the Peak restaurant but was relocated to the Bay restaurant for a few weeks.  

Probably the best dim sum in Pattaya

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect Follow THIS LINK for some other good restaurants.

Shakariki 432

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

An excellent authentic Japanese restaurant in 2nd Rd opposite Mike Hotel. 

Beach Road empty???

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectA rare sight in Pattaya, traffic was stopped for a parade.

Dinner at Leckerle (again)

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectJohn Hunjadi with cousin Greg & his wife.

Of course I had the pancake. 🙂

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectLately when I have dinner here I take away six servings of their pea soup.

Sometimes we wonder why we have problems with our internet at Markland

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

These highly trained 3BB technicians are quite fastidious as you can see.

Bacco Beach Italian restaurant

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectLocated beside the Glasshouse at Na Jomtien, very good food & right on the beach.

Wood fired Pizzas

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectThe pizza was excellent but I think the Holiday Inn on Beach Rd is better.

Justin & Steve Bates & Patrick Taylor

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectWe went to Chiang Mai for 4 days which was excellent then 8 days in Cambodia which was not so good. Reason being we all caught a dose of the flu which really took the shine off our holiday.

Surf & Turf at Wongamat

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectA terrific beach side restaurant with very good food.

Surf & Turf hamburger

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectGuaranteed to fix your appetite.

Geriatrics are us. 🙂

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectI think the combined ages were 272 years, from the right we have David Herd, Richard (Stingy) Blair, John Hunjadi & David Robertson who is even more Stingy than Stingy. 🙂

Bali Hai wharf.

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectThis was supposed to be completed by October 2017, however given the fact that this is Thailand it will more likely be Xmas 2018.

And so this is Xmas….

Pattaya Life Absolutely PerfectLight show at the A-One hotel.

One last Mantra dinner on December 28

Dec 28 Dinner (1) Hamish & I had a 20% discount voucher. 🙂

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect     Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect

Fabulous food as usual.

Finally on the subject of food which is very dear to my hear.

Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect Fresh prawns & Aussie lamb chops & cutlets from Big C.

Now you can understand why I make the following claim “Pattaya Life Absolutely Perfect.”

Here are some more posts to check out

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47        6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa          d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

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
1g Duck
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

 
Newport-peninsular-Sydney

Newport peninsular Sydney Home 1984

June 30, 2016 by David Herd

Newport peninsular Sydney is my personal photo history not part of my travel blog.

Newport peninsular Sydney

 Newport peninsular Sydney was my home for three years from 1984 to 1987. After becoming engaged to a beautiful Melbourne lady Karen Smith, I purchased a timber home perched on a hill above the Royal Motor Yacht Club. The cost was $128k, and I sold it after our engagement fizzled out 4 years later for $360K. I guess it would be worth nearly 2 million dollars today.

Absolutely gorgeous.

 As you can see Karen was a beautiful lady, it took me anther 10 years before I realised I was just not cut out for marriage or long term relationships. There is probably a multitude of reasons why, fear of commitment, too independent etc etc.

Dinner party at Herbert Avenue

We were very happy at Newport 80% of the time, I tried hard to settle down and enjoy life as a couple, every now and then however the “call of the wild” would interrupt our utopia.

Wolf Wottke (with the beard) had been my best friend for a number of years, I left him renting my Drummoyne apartment for a year or so until I got fed up chasing the rent. Consequently I sold it which in hindsight was probably a mistake.

Lots of birds & wildlife

These beautiful Rainbow Lorikeets would visit every day for their snack on the balcony.

Life was very good

I had all the toys, a beautiful Mercedes Sports, a cabin cruiser moored at the yacht club, a liquor store in Sydenham which I was in the process of selling and a good sales job with Canon Australia.

Lion Island

This great photo (excuse the quality) was taken on Lion Island in the Hawksbury River, from left to right we have Graham La Roche aka “Biff”, his girlfriend at the time Mona, Ross Ansell from Melbourne and Karen Smith & I.

Me Tarzan

Ross doing his Tarzan impersonation on Lion Island.

31 Herbert Avenue Newport

About 25 years later around 2012 I paid a visit to Herbert Avenue to see if things had changed. Apart from the colour scheme and far less vegetation nothing much had changed.

 Another day on Pittwater

My good friend Tony Murphy and his beautiful wife Inge join Karen & I on my 26 foot cabin cruiser. After 29 years I caught up with Inge in Melbourne in 2014.

My back veranda overlooked Bayview

Here is my good friend Paul Slaughter with two gorgeous girls, on the left is Trish and on the right an old girlfriend of mine Shirley.

Big Tim Bristow, dinner at Herbert Avenue.

 Tim Bristow was a friend of mine dating back from the time we met in 1971 when he was on my tail to give me a hiding, but that’s another story just follow THIS LINK. In the 70s just the name Tim Bristow struck fear into the heart of all those who knew him, an enforcer with a reputation of being one of the most brutal street fighters in Australia. Put simply he was legend, a bouncer at the Newport Arms hotel, would be contenders for his crown would travel from all over Sydney to try their luck, many came and all of them were sent packing battered and bruised.

 Sydenham Cellars

I sold my liquor store in late 1984 which took the pressure off me. I had been working with Canon for a few months and travelling to Sydenham (a one hour drive each way) at weekends to work in the liquor store. Meanwhile I dug a wine cellar underneath my Newport home and stored a huge amount of wine that I took home from the shop.

Unwins Bridge Road

 That’s Madison my beautiful 4 year old German Shepherd who used to diligently guard the store overnight.

Brian Millard on Newport peninsular Sydney

Brian was a boat broker at Newport and a regular drinker at the Newport Arms hotel. He lived just up the road at Bungan Beach before moving to Noosa where I believe he still resides.

 Richard on the left and Rob Carnahan

Two very nice guys who were customers of mine when I was with Canon. Their office was opposites the Oaks Hotel in Neutral Bay so more often than not we would meet in the pub. 🙂

A bunch of my nephews & nieces come to visit.

Amazing seeing these old photos, all of these cute kids now have children of their own.

Sue and John Heatherington

A lovely couple who lived in the next street from us, John also worked at Canon in the computer division.

Malaysia 1985

John & Sue, Karen & I went on a Canon conference to Penang, here we are driving from Penang to Singapore via Kuala Lumpur.

Singapore Xmas 1985

Here we are in Singapore, notice the cigarette. I smoke on and off for most of my life until 2003. Usually 2 or 3 years then I would quit for a similar time before returning to the grip of the nicotine.

 Newport peninsular Sydney with Phil Parkinson 

Phil has lived most of his life on the Newport peninsular Sydney and I believe still does in 2016. He is the brother of my ex girlfriend Di Parkinson.

Melbourne Cup 1985

Karen & I at the cup with friends including another ex girlfriend Helen Burke who is on the left of the photo. Helen has a vineyard at Dromana on the Mornington Peninsular, I spent a few day there in October 2014 drinking wine with her and her partner Jack.

Oscars Coolangatta 1985

I can’t remember the name of the beautiful dark haired princess, she was the girlfriend of my crazy chiropractor from North Sydney.

Newport peninsular Sydney

Prior to buying my cabin cruiser I had this little run-about, it was a lot of fun, do you like the name? 🙂

Another guy from my rogues gallery.

Danny Rose one of Adelaide’s true characters, we had a day of the water, you can see “Stamped Urgent” in the background.

Beautiful Karen Smith

Certainly my life on the Newport peninsular Sydney revolved around lots of good friends and my beautiful fiancee Karen. My thanks to her for being the most important part of my life for those great years.

Thanks also to you for visiting my Newport peninsular Sydney photo blog.

Here are some more posts to check out

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47
6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa
d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n
Susies home Newport 1 (1)
April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

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

Brazil Hotels That’s all folks

1g Duck

Pattaya live webcam

9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)
A-One hotel on Beach Road

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

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

Soi Cowboy (5)
e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e
8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad
https://s214.photobucket.com/user/zulu928/embed/slideshow/David/84%20to%2087

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

November 27, 2017 by David Herd

Fascinating Thai history

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand is about 80 kms north of Bangkok, however we were travelling from Pattaya so it was a 2.5 hour drive. The first thing we saw was this little dancing elephant.

I don’t like to see them trained like this.

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

 They are treated cruelly in the training process which is very sad.

Enjoying the ride

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

 This activity is fine, but I wish they would stop the cruel training.

These ruins are all over the city.

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

It seems 90% was destroyed by people from Myanmar.  It was capital of the Kingdom of Siam, and a prosperous international trading port, from 1350 until razed by the Burmese in 1767.

 My travelling companions

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

The 3 Amigos, Bill, Paul & Ron.

The local transport

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

 These little Tuk Tuks are very cute.

 Hotel ext door to Temple

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

 For an excellent room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Very impressive

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

 I was surprised to see how many ruined temples there were.

Quite spectacular

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

 Certainly exceeded my expectations. 

Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

 We struck a beautiful day with a light breeze.

Very popular with tourists

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

Buddhist temple in Ayutthaya Lots of tourists everywhere.

Lots of cameras here. 🙂

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

I prefer my Canon Ixus however I also use my phone or some.

There is a lot to enjoy here.

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

We were too lazy to go up the stairs.

Too may Buddhas are never enough. 🙂

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

I do like the yellow scarves. 🙂

Here we are at  Wat Phra Sri Sanphet 

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

Wat Phra Si Sanphet was the holiest temple on the site of the old Royal Palace in Thailand’s ancient capital of Ayutthaya until the city was completely destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. Wikipedia

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

 Not may tourists here.

Why did the elephant cross the road?

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

Because anything the chicken can do he can do better. 🙂

Temple flooded October 3 2021

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

A section of the wall on the southern side of Wat Chula Manee in Bang Ban district collapsed at about 5.30am after the Chao Phraya river overflowed, inundating communities around the temple. The grounds of the ancient temple were left 2 metres under water, damaging about 20 pagodas containing ashes of local residents’ ancestors.

Finally lunch then back home.

Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand

 Col One Love Restaurant was a bit of a tourist trap, we didn’t do our research & took our drivers advice. (kickbacks would apply here) Food was ok but not good value.

Thanks for visiting my Ayutthaya Historical Park Thailand photo blog.

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

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.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

36555237616_da3ed73d6a_o

The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

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.

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
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Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
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               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

 

 

Here are some of my most popular posts.

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Atlantic Bar North Pattaya

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Beautiful Budapest

Australian seafood

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Excellent Beachside Restaurant

July 1, 2017 by David Herd

Surf & Turf

Excellent Beachside Restaurant

Excellent Beachside Restaurant

 Excellent Beachside Pattaya Restaurant offers good food in a great seaside location on Wongamat beach. There’s a huge menu & my only complaint is the wine cost, like many other Pattaya restaurants they do not offer a glass of house wine for between B120 & B150. This oversight certainly costs them customers.

What a fabulous view

Excellent Beachside Restaurant

I prefer lunch over dinner for two reasons, the fabulous view & I find the wine far too expensive at night.

Excellent Beachside Restaurant

Excellent Beachside Restaurant

As you can see the beer prices are fine.

Let’s take a look at the food

Excellent Beachside Restaurant

My seafood pasta was very good indeed.

Scallop Mornay was excellent.

Excellent Beachside Restaurant

Just looking at this photo makes my mouth water. 🙂

Succulent Oysters

Excellent Beachside Restaurant

As you can see, the food is beautifully presented.

I have eaten oysters all over the world, please check out THIS LINK.

Spanish Paella

Excellent Beachside Restaurant

One of the many interesting dishes on the extensive menu.

 Chicken, onion rings, sweet corn , YUM!

Excellent Beachside Restaurant

 By now you probably realize why this is a favorite Excellent Beachside Pattaya Restaurant.

Spinach soup, what a great color.

Excellent Beachside Restaurant

Often a soup & a selection of entrees suits me better than a large main meal.

TripAdvisor rating

Excellent Beachside Restaurant

TripAdvisor rate Surf & Turf 111 out of 870 restaurants in Pattaya. I’m a little surprised there are only 870, I really thought there were more. On another subject I have never been a fan of food served on wooden plates, I just wonder whether are are as hygienic as normal plates?

Two visitors from Australia

Excellent Beachside Restaurant Ross Kennedy & Bryce Mathews enjoying their first visit to Pattaya.

October 2017

Excellent Beachside Restaurant Good lunch as always with a bunch of Aussies, Steven & Justin Bates & Patrick John Taylor. The following day we flew to Chiang Mai.

Excellent hamburger

Excellent Beachside Restaurant They don’t come much better than this.

Excellent Beachside Pattaya Restaurant

Excellent Beachside Pattaya Restaurant What a fabulous colour.

Looking south

Excellent Beachside Restaurant

Looking south towards Pattaya, the high rise on the left is “The Cove”, an upmarket condo & the the other one is “Cape Dara” a 5 star hotel on the beach. For a discounted room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Thanks for visiting my Excellent Beachside Restaurant photo blog.         

             

Here are some more posts to check out 

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          Tokyo                        Rio De Janeiro                        Budapest
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           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
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            Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you            
 book through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                                                 Plus free cancellation .
                                               Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
                                            d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037            01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
Pattaya live webcam
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great food photo blogs.

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