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New Zealand Holiday 1991

September 22, 2020 by David Herd

This is not a travel blog just a personal photo collection from 1991.

New Zealand Holiday 1991

New Zealand Holiday 1991 in Auckland & the Bay of Islands in the north. My girlfriend at the time Karen Greenwood was a kiwi, we travelled with her mother & enjoyed beautiful countryside.

In the shot above I’m wandering around Auckland looking for a pub. 🙂

New Years Eve 1991

New Zealand Holiday 1991 As you can see Karen was a beautiful looking lady with a gorgeous smile. We knocked around together for a year or so, our reasons were a little different. I was happy having a gorgeous babe on my arm, Karen stuck around because I loaned her a car. 🙂 🙂 🙂

The lovely seaside village of Russel.

New Zealand Holiday 1991 Russell, known as Kororareka in the early 19th century, was the first permanent European settlement and seaport in New Zealand. It is situated in the Bay of Islands.

The jetty in Russell

New Zealand Holiday 1991

This is where we boarded a charter boat for a couple of days cruising around the islands.

What a fabulous boat.

New Zealand Holiday 1991 I could be very happy living on this with a bert at Marina Mirage on the Gold Coast. 🙂

What a fabulous babe. 🙂

New Zealand Holiday 1991 Absolutely beautiful.

We caught up again in 2017

New Zealand Holiday 1991

Here we are at Frank’s seafood on Chevron Island. It’s amazing that these photos were taken 26 years apart yet Karen has hardly changed at all.

Three generations

New Zealand Holiday 1991 Karen’s Mum & her daughter Natasha.

Happy faces on the boat.

New Zealand Holiday 1991 The ship’s captain was Karen’s mother’s boyfriend.

New Zealand Holiday 1991

New Zealand Holiday 1991

Right at the top of this beautiful country.

Thanks for visiting my New Zealand Holiday 1991 photo blog.

 Please check out these fabulous posts     

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Rio de Janeiro                 Singapore                    Eastern Europe

Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari

Counter only started September 22 2020.

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New Friends Restaurants Shops 2018

December 5, 2018 by David Herd

The end of another eventful year.

New Friends Restaurants Shops  

This is not a travel blog just a personal photo collection from the 2nd half of 2018, check THIS LINK for the first 6 months.

New Friends Restaurants Shops

New Friends Restaurants Shops 2018 in Pattaya & Bangkok & no trips out of the country which is rather unusual. One of my greatest pleasures apart from dining at a good restaurant is watching the sunsets & storms from my 20th floor condo on Beach Road Pattaya. The photo above is at Terminal 21 which opened October 19 & is a truly magnificent shopping mall. In fact you can follow the construction process on THIS LINK.

Drinks at the Atlantic Bar as usual.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Stingy & Chocolates otherwise known as Richard Blair & David Robertson are with a bunch of Thai ladies on August 27.

Still obsessed with Skechers.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

They opened a new store at Central Marina so naturally I purchased anther 3 pair & a red hot price. 

My current collection.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

I’m set for the next 5 years.

The beach restoration continues, check the progress on THIS LINK.

New Friends Restaurants Shops

Surprisingly the Thais have stuck with the job at hand for all of this year & the beach is looking great.

Atlantic Bar 70s party.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Here is Stefan & some of the girls. Here is a long history of my time at this great bar, just follow THIS LINK.

The whole gang are dressed to kill.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

There is no doubt the Thais love dressing up for a party.

Fabulous new restaurant.

Thai Marché bon appetit 

Thai Marché bon appetit, a fabulous new addition to Pattaya’s restaurant scene. 

But wait, there’s more.

Wine Connection Beach Rd Pattaya

 Wine Connection on Beach Rd Pattaya has finally arrived in our city by the bay. Opened November 28 2018 & a friend & I dined there the following day.

After all these years in Thailand I finally got to visit the Sanctuary of Truth.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

On most of the forums the cheap Charlies complain about the 500 Baht entry fee, however in my opinion it certainly is worth it. Check it out on THIS LINK.

The ever changing Bangkok skyline.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

What a fabulous city, I try to visit at least 3 or 4 times a year.

Fabulous Bangkok restaurant.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

El Mercado is an experience not to be missed. Eleven thousand restaurants & such little time, dining in Bangkok can be rather confusing, because there are just so many good places to eat.  More info on THIS LINK.

I always visit the JW Marriott for breakfast.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Apart from having a 20% discount card the breakfast is fantastic.

Some names have changed at Nana Plaza

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Plus they have added a roof. More photos on THIS LINK.

Lets go back to the Atlantic Bar.

New Friends Restaurants Shops

Right across the road is one of the soapy massage parlors. 🙂

Drinks at Atlantic with Mark Yagalla.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Mark of course is famous for a $50,000,000 Wall St Ponzi scheme. 🙂 

Some well known characters here.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Denise is not looking happy, next we have Pothole & Yogurt aka John Martin & Joergen Ulitza, & last but not least Allen from Melbourne who is married to Denise.

The Sabai Resort is diagonally opposite.

Popular with many friends of mine due to the great location. For a very good discount on a room just book on the hotel image.

Clinton from Brisbane.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

On his way back to Brisbane from Poland he popped down to the Hilton for the Sunday buffet lunch.

You too can have bodies like this if you abuse them. 🙂

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Stingy & Chocolates otherwise known as Richard Blair & David Robertson relax at the Sabai Resort.

It’s often hard to find an exciting new restaurant with unique food. One method I use is to send Chocolates, aka David Robertson along to try it, If he says it’s terrible & there is nothing on the menu he liked, you know you are on a winner.
 
That’s what happened recently at Thai Marche. 🙂
This is Ron Rigg from Hawaii

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

He loves visiting Thailand, a couple of days after this photo he flew to Chiang Mai for a 3 day visit.

Lets talk about home cooking.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Lamb shank imported from Australia. Check out the excellent butcher at Big C extra on THIS LINK.

I also buy Aussie lamb cutlets there.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Delicious when served with Gravox & roast vegetables. Or bubble & squeak as shown above. 🙂

My home made pumpkin soup is to die for. 🙂

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Pumpkin is so cheap in Thailand, I make enough to last me 2 or 3 weeks.

Les Mcevoy from Perth dining at Leckerle.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Enjoying the fabulous crepe Suzette at Leckerle which is one of the best value for money restaurants in Pattaya.

The Pattaya sunsets are still the best I have ever seen.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Take a look at THIS LINK for many more.

I also love watching the storms rolling in over the bay.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Same as before, you will see a lot more on THIS LINK.

My message for 2018 is quite simple…..

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Surely that’s not asking too much. 🙂

Tye Critchlow

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Caught up with Tye Critchlow from California at the Atlantic bar, he is a fan of my photo blogs. Tye loves life in Pattaya & hopes to move here permanently.

Brad Robbins cooks up a storm.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Dinner-Brad-Por.jpg

Brad just sold his law firm in Townsville & will be spending more time at Pattaya in his apartment on the 22 floor of my condo building. Dinner last night turned into a beer tasting & loud music festival. He is a great chef & a terrific host. After the beer I was forced to drink far too many red wines & am suffering for it today.   

NZ lamb shank with baked vegetables. 

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One of my favourite home cooked meals along with Aussie lamb cutlets.

Darren Loughman comes all the way from Ireland.

New Friends Restaurants Shops

Darren promotes tourism through his website askaboutthailand. Here he is enjoying a drink at the Atlantic Bar.

Amazing view

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

Looking north from the sky bar at the Pattaya Hilton.

The usual suspects

New Friends Restaurants Shops

Hamish Elton. Wayne Croker & David Herd on the shortest day December 21.

Potholes moment was photo bombed

New Friends Restaurants Shops

His sons aka “the Squabblers” were celebrating a great result at the swimming carnival when the sinister face of Joergen aka Yogurt sneaked into the the shot. 

Bryan, Lyn & the grand kids.

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

My brother Bryan on Xmas day with the tribe.

Another family gathering on Boxing Day.

New Friends Restaurants Shops

Traditionally the Herd clan gather on Boxing day, this year Bryan was the host.

Pizza with a knife & fork. 🙂

New Friends Restaurants Shops

Claire Liccardo from Australia dropped into Pattaya for NYE so we had dinner at Bella Italia.

New Years Eve

New Friends Restaurants Shops 

My friend Mark Yagalla & I spent a quiet evening on my balcony drinking Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

Thanks for visiting my New Friends Restaurants Shops photo blog, see you next year. 🙂

 Here are some more posts to check out

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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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Surfers Paradise Party Animals
 
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1) 
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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Counter only started February 16 2020.

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New Years Eve Sydney 2012

June 4, 2016 by David Herd

January 1st 2013, please note, this is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s my personal history, check it out if you wish.

New Years Eve Sydney 2012 at Drummoyne

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

 New Years Eve Sydney 2012 from 72 Wrights Road Drummoyne where I lived for six years from 1979 to 1984. This is late afternoon and everybody is getting ready for the fireworks, there are two spectacular shows, one at 9 pm for the children (and me) and one of course at midnight.

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

The apartments you see are in St Georges Crescent where I also owned another 3 bedroom waterfront apartment at Brackley Gardens, this was for investment & rental purposes I never lived there. It is interesting to look at prices way back in the 70s, I purchased Brackley Gardens for $48,000 in 1977 then sold 5 years later for $98,000.

I sold Wrights road for a profit of $100,000 in 1986, I rate this in the top 3 mistakes I have ever made in my life.

Warwick Robinson

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

 I have known Warwick for about 35 years, a nice fellow with a great sense of humour. He and his lovely wife Ady have lived in Cherrybrook for many years. I like standing beside him, he makes me look thin. 🙂

Peter Hesky

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

I have known Peter for a similar amount of time as Warwick, we enjoyed many great time together in the 70s & 80s. He is a great host and organized some terrific dinners at his Freeway Hotel in Artarmon.

Peter & I both love Mud Crabs and have polished off many back in the days I lived at Drummoyne, I must say however the best I have ever had have been in Singapore, follow THIS LINK to see what I mean.

In fact here is an example

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

 These monsters are certainly not cheap, from memory this one set me back about $120. It’s from Sri Lanka and at 3.3 kilo the biggest I have ever eaten.

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

The 9 pm fireworks show at New Years Eve Sydney 2012 gets under way. I must confess I have seen so many fireworks displays over the years they have lost a little of their appeal for me. Certainly the best I have ever seen was in the 80s when I would anchor my boat in the Harbour beside the opera House and be in the middle of the action. Equally as exciting and maybe more so was Rio de Janeiro on NYE 2007 when 2 million people converged on Copacabana beach, just follow THIS LINK to see what I mean.

And the beat goes on

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

I have another confession I was in bed trying to get to sleep at 11 pm. 🙂

I was more impressed by the food

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

Our hosts Peter Hobbs and his lovely Thai girlfriend Pring put on a great spread.

And here she is 🙂

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

All I can say is Peter is punching way above his weight. 🙂

Peter & I the next morning on New Years Day.

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

 Wrights Road in these apartments was my home for 6 years from 1979, some of the best years of my life. In fact check out my 1982 photo blog and see for yourself.

72 Wrights Rd

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

The smaller block in the middle was my home, I was in unit 12 on the top floor, Peter is on the ground floor on the left. Talking about property values again, I purchased in 1979 for $65,000 then sold in 1985 for $165,000. I believe now in 2016 they sell for over a million.

Flashback to 1982

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

One of the greatest eras in my life was living in Drummoyne in the 80s, looking back it was a mistake to move to Newport with my new fiancée thinking I was ready to settle down. How wrong can a man be?

 Not too attractive from the street

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

However it was a great location to live with my white Mercedes Sports in the garage and my Bertram 25 moored right outside.

Robbie Bonnet

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

Robbie live here when I did in the 80s and he is still here now 35 years later. He owns a  Bob Jane T-Marts in Drummoyne however I believe it recently closed and he is moving to a new location.

Farewell to Wrights Road

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

The memories certainly came flooding back after spending New Years Eve Sydney 2012 at my old home in Drummoyne. It was great to catch up with lots of old friends, who say nostalgia is a thing of the past?

Talking about old friends

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

When I left Drummoyne on the morning of January 1st to drive to Port Macquarie I stopped in Dee Why for a coffee with another old friend Paul Slaughter.

Thanks for visiting my New Years Eve Sydney 2012 photo blog.

                      Here are some more posts to check out 

           

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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. 
                              Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
                         d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
 That’s all folks
1g Duck
Pattaya live webcam 
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1) 
 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 


Counter only started February 16 2020.

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Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

April 12, 2016 by David Herd

New shopping mall

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall next to Foodland in Pattaya Klang. A huge complex with lots of shops & restaurants plus a modern supermarket. The photo above was taken in October 2015 while it was still under construction.

April 12 2016

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

The centre is 90% completed, bigger than Big C and lots of screaming kids. Many good Japanese restaurants and all the usual coffee shops.

Kids having fun

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

Being school holidays there were kids everywhere.

Coffee Club

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

Their latte is hard to beat as is their eggs Benedict. 🙂 Au Bon Pain and Coffee world are here also.

Big modern supermarket

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

I was impressed how big the centre was plus the supermarket was excellent. Lots of car parking at the rear of the building.

Postal service

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

Many different shops as you would expect.

Tokyo Teppanyaki

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

I was surprised at the number of Japanese restaurants here.

 

Another Japanese restaurant.

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

I’m guessing there must be a lot of Japanese people living in the area because of the number of Japanese restaurants here. Just down the road 200 meters is Big C Extra, here you will be able to buy the best imported beef & lamb from Australia and New Zealand.

Tuna Ichiban

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

My friend Geoff Robinson made this comment after visiting Tuna Ichiban, “Another great recommendation David Herd best sushi I’ve had in Thailand”.

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

Apart from this monster there is a huge kids playground on the top floor, make sure you take your earplugs. There is also two floors of phones and computers similar to Tukcom.

Harbor new Pattaya mall seems to have it all

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

 Thanks for visiting my Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall photo blog, Pattaya just keeps getting better and better.

                    Here are some more posts to check out       

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

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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

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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

 

This gallery contains 2 photos

Times Square New York City

November 18, 2015 by David Herd

The Big Apple

Times Square New York City

Times Square New York City

 Times Square New York City is one of the world’s most iconic locations. When I last visited in February 2008 I stayed at the Hotel Edison only 100 meters from Broadway.

For an excellent room rate just book through THIS LINK.

The fabulous Broadway shows

Times Square New York City

In seven days I saw five Broadway shows. My favourite was A Bronx Tale by Charles Palminteri, closely followed by August Osage County.

A Bronx Tale

Times Square New York City

A small theatre with one man on stage talking about his life, it was fantastic.


Times Square New York City

Times Square New York City

At night Times Square comes alive.

The song said it all

Times Square New York City

They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway…….

Alicia Keys - Empire State Of Mind (Part II) Broken Down LIVE @ AOL Sessions

M & M

Times Square New York City

Great colours and lots to see around Times Square.

Gallagher’s Steakhouse at 228 W 52nd St

Times Square New York City

Not quite Times Square but only a short walk away. Gallagher’s lived up to it’s reputation as being on of New York’s best steakhouses, in fact my Surf & Turf could have fed two people easily. I believe the restaurant was refurbished in 2014.

 Times Square New York City

Times Square New York City

There are enough bars, restaurants and shows within a couple of blocks of Times Square to keep you occupied for weeks.

You gotta love New York

Times Square New York City

What a city, I often say to friends, if the cities of the world could be likened to a horse race, New York would win by 10 lengths over the next bunch of cities which would include Paris, London, Sydney, Bangkok, Tokyo, Rome, Rio De Janeiro & Cape Town, not necessarily in that order.

7th Avenue

Times Square New York City

One of my all time favourite photos, I call it “my boulevard of broken dreams.”

Thanks for visiting my Times Square New York City post

Times Square New York City

Please take a look at some of my other posts if you have the time.

Here is a link to my NYC photo blog.

 Here are some more posts to check out           
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
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    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
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Click here to see my post on Uluru in the Australian desert.

 
 

Carnival in Brazil is fantastic

 
 

Tokyo is my 2nd favourite city after New York

 
 

Nobody does it quite like Frank.

Theme From New York New York - Frank Sinatra | Concert Collection

Pattaya webcam

 

That’s all folks

David Herd Thailand

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

September 1, 2015 by David Herd

Japan

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC 

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC New York starting with Japan, I’ll list the 5 countries in alphabetical order rather than by personal preference. The photo above is  Shabusen at the Ginza A terrific restaurant for Kobe beef, go at lunch time for special prices. Check out my first post in this series here.

The train system is fantastic, from Tokyo it’s a 40 minute trip to Yokohama or 3  h0urs by bullet train to beautiful Kyoto.

One square meter of land in the Ginza center is worth more than ten million yen (more than 100,000 US dollars), making it one of the most expensive real estate in Japan. It is where you can find the infamous $10 cups of coffee and where virtually every leading brand name in fashion and cosmetics has a presence. To me Tokyo is all about food, food and more food, interestingly the Michelin guide has Tokyo comfortably ahead of Paris (10 three-starred restaurants), New York (7) and London (2), with a total of 350 establishments making it into the guide this time around.

 Kabukicho                        Harajuku girls                                   Tokyo

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

     Kabukicho is an entertainment and red-light district in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Kabukicho is the location of many host and hostess clubs, love hotels, shops, restaurants, and nightclubs, and is often called the “Sleepless Town.”   Make sure you check out my post called “Piss Alley”.

I don’t know any other person who has travelled more than I during the last 20 years. Perhaps I can provide you with a few ideas on where to go for your next holiday.

Thailand

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

  I sold my home in Australia October 20th 2011 and have have been living in Thailand since then. My first trip to this great country was in 1980, however it wasn’t until 1997 when I started visiting 2 or 3 times each year. In the early days Koh Samui was a favourite destination, however in my opinion progress has not improved the island, it was far better before all the modern gold shops etc moved in. These days I prefer Koh Chang near the Cambodian border & of course Bangkok is fantastic with so many great bars, restaurants & shopping malls.

              Chiang Mai                           Pattaya                            Chao Phraya river

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

Chiang Mai tiger warning, the sign could not have been clearer. It was placed a metre from the cage which was at the rear of the zoo away from the other tiger enclosures. It simply said “danger, don’t go past this sign”. Looking back I have done many stupid things in my life and this certainly ranks highly in the “stupidity stakes.”

Naturally I ignored the warning and moved past the sign and put my camera lens through the wire to get a clear shot of the magnificent beast sitting quietly in the pond two meters from my lens. Within one second of taking the photo there seemed to be an explosion in front of me and suddenly I jumped backwards totally soaked with water.

I could barely hear my brother’s raucous laughter from several meters away due to the rapid beating of my heart. The 240 kilo beast had lept from the pond and hit the wire full force with all his four giant paws. My luck held as did the wire, which without exaggeration saved me from being torn to pieces.

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

I e-mailed the tiger zoo and inquired about this particular tiger. They told me his name was Tone, he weighed 240 kilo and was far too dangerous to allow the public to get close, he was just used for breeding.

United Kingdom part of my Travel tips five great countries photo blog.

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

So many places to see & so much history. I travel there most years making London my base, then visit cities & towns all over the country either by train or car. Apart from London some of my favourite places are Brighton, Bath, Glasgow & Bradford on Avon. The photo above is Gold Hill is a steep cobbled street in the town of Shaftesbury in the English county of Dorset.

      London pubs                      Lands End                  Hyde Park

 Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC  

Travel tips. Great Britain has an excellent rail service, save up to 80% by booking your ticket before you arrive, just click here. London Underground’s Piccadilly Line provides the most cost-effective rail route between Heathrow Airport and the capital, so look for accommodation around Earl’s CourtGloucester Rd or Knightsbridge. For more information click here.

United States of America

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

Another huge country offering everything from snow capped mountains to desert, beaches & exciting cities. New York of course is everyone’s favourite however hotel costs are so expensive. I really enjoy Miami with the wonderful Cuban influence, but I must say the last time I was in San Francisco I was quite disappointed by the high numbers of beggars on the city streets.

Miami                                San Francisco                           New York

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

Car hire and internal flights are reasonably inexpensive. In Los Angeles I always stay in Santa Monica where I enjoy the restaurants and Venus beach.

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC Vietnam

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

 Ho Chi Minh City is Honda heaven, it is quite a shock when you see the number of motorbikes on the streets, crossing the road seems like a game of Russian roulette. My main memories of this wonderful country are the beautiful ladies and the terrific food. My first visit was twice in 2003 then 12 years later in January 2015. Halong Bay is a magical experience, make sure you stay overnight on one of the many boats, it’s an experience you will never forget. Vung Tau and Nha Trang are two of my favourites places in this great country.

Hoi An                             Chill Sky Bar                      HCMC 2015

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

Warning, when catching a taxi in Saigon stick with Vinasun or Mai Linh for clean honest low priced taxis. Many other companies are rip off merchants who will try to rob you.

Don’t under any circumstances use the company below.

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC New York

Thanks for visiting my Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC photo blog.

            Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.         

Pattaya Hilton

Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC

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

 Travel Tokyo Bangkok HCMC           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
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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

 

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand.

September 19, 2013 by David Herd

Songkran April madness.

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand, the festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year’s Day from 13 to 15 April. It coincides with the New Year of many calendars of South and Southeast Asia. Songkran has traditionally been celebrated as the New Year for many centuries, and is believed to have been adapted from an Indian festival. It is now observed nationwide, even in the far south. However, the most famous Songkran celebrations are still in the northern city of Chiang Mai, where it continues for six days and even longer. It has also become a party for foreigners and an additional reason for many to visit Thailand for immersion in another culture.

Songkran bazooka.

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand

Songkran is scheduled to last 2 days which would be entertaining, however in Pattaya and some other areas the madness goes on for 8 or 9 days. For us locals that is 5 days too long, so we either stay indoors most of the time or take a holiday away from Thailand. Otherwise every time you step out your door you get soaked.

Are you feeling lucky punk?

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand

I really love the the “don’t mess with me” look this guy has on his face.  👿

Dressed for the fight.

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Songkran is so much fun for everybody young and old. Often however there is ice in the water which can kind of sting when it hits you.

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand

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This is at 2nd road at the top of Soi 6, that bar in the background has since closed.

Resting before the battle.

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand

Troops must always try to rest before the battle begins, any footpath will do. Sadly there will be casualties.  😆

On the hunt in Beach Road.

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand

No one is safe, lucky April the the hottest month of the year in Thailand, the best thing you can do is wear some old clothes and prepared to be soaked.


My friends join in the fun.

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand

Here are my friends Justine, Nui & Macca joining in the fun.

The kids reload.

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand

As you can imagine the kids think it is the greatest time of the year. Here they are reloading their guns.

You can run but you can’t hide.

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand

Nowhere are you safe from being soaked, as you can see the main form of transport in Pattaya are the Baht buses, and they have open sides and become prime targets for the predators.

Thai people love Songkran.

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand

For Thai people it is such a happy joyful time of the year, I feel rather guilty for not being a great supporter, well that’s not entirely true, I would love Songkran if it only lasted for 2 or 3 days.


Bacardi Breezer promotion.

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand

Here we have the ultimate wet tee-shirt celebration. The Bacardi Breezer promotion always has lots of gorgeous girls getting soaked.

Beautiful Thai girls having fun.

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand

Move baby move, get in the grove now.

Sexy Thai girls celebrate Songkran in Beach Rd Pattaya Thailand, April 19.

Shake it baby shake it!

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand

Well I know I am repeating myself but Thai people really love Songkran, plus thousands of travellers from all parts of the world come here to join the fun, why don’t you?

The fun police are here.

Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand

Here are the cops making sure nobody goes overboard, I have never seen these uniforms before, I think they are military police from the navel base. If you want to communicate with them I suggest you learn some Thai.

Thanks for visiting my Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand photo blog, I’m looking forward to Songkran 2017.

 
Songkran Pattaya Thailand, crowds gather on beach road

Thanks for visiting my Songkran madness Pattaya Thailand photo blog, check out the road carnage that sadly goes hand in hand with this celebration, just follow THIS LINK.

            Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.         

Holiday Inn

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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

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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 opposite the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

More great posts here;

 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

 

 

Click on the photo to check out the Babushka post.

 

Great golf courses near Pattaya

 

Walking St Pattaya is wild

 

Pattaya LadyBoy show

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 1 photo.