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Big Changes Nana Plaza

March 18, 2018 by David Herd

Improvements to Nana in Bangkok

Big Changes Nana Plaza

Big Changes Nana Plaza Big Changes Nana Plaza Plus Soi 4 are taking place right now in March 2018. A huge roof is being built over the Plaza & the bars in the centre are being built again.

Lucky Lukes is still the same

Big Changes Nana PlazaFirst bar on the right as you enter.

 VW bar at the back

Big Changes Nana Plaza Plus Quite a nice addition to the plaza, apparently it has been here 3 years yet I rarely venture to the back of Nana.

Playschool is an old favourite revamped

Big Changes Nana PlazaYou gotta love the pink. 🙂

Big Changes Nana Plaza Plus Soi 4

Big Changes Nana PlazaLollipop makes a comeback. It was Suckers & before that Lollipop again.

Here it is in 2017.

Big Changes Nana Plaza

This to me is the quintessential Nana Plaza photo, sums up many of the customers. 🙂

 Re-building the bars, again.

Big Changes Nana PlazaThis is at least the 3rd time the bars in the centre courtyard have been re-built, I have a feeling the current owners will do it right this time.

Last re-build was 2013, check this link.

Turn the clock back to 1997

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My first visit was 1997 which was the start of a long and happy connection, not necessarily because of the Thai girls who are there basically to relieve you of your hard earned cash, more because of the great times I have enjoyed with friends from all over the world. Check out this photo blog which showcases them and many of the gorgeous babes we got tangled up with over these decades of decadence. 🙂

Another longtime Nana Plaza bar.

Big Changes Nana PlazaRainbow 1 has been at Nana Plaza for as long as I can remember.

Let’s wander down Soi 4

Big Changes Nana PlazaThis is one of about 4 Hillary bars.

New kid on the block

Big Changes Nana PlazaJust a short stroll down Soi 4 on the opposite side of the road.

Located in front of  the old Rajah hotel.

Big Changes Nana PlazaThe bars offer a nice alternative to the rowdy Nana Plaza.

Semi open beer garden

Big Changes Nana PlazaAt the front of Broadway in Soi 4.

Opposite Broadway is the Red Zone

Big Changes Nana Plaza Plus Soi 4Apart from the new bars there are a couple of high rise buildings under construction, hotels or condos, not sure which.

Used to be Bangkok & before that Spellbound

Big Changes Nana Plaza The more things change the more they stay the same. I first came to Nana Plaza in 1996, & here I am again in October 2018 drinking ice cold Tiger beer & listening to the Eagles sing Hotel California, the perfect song for this incredible venue. “You can check out anytime you want but you can never leave.”

Big Dogs has also changed a little.

Big Changes Nana Plaza Still a great spot to watch the arrivals.

Hello sailor.

LadyBoys Nana Plaza Bangkok  Girls will often be boys.

Lots of improvements at Nana

LadyBoys Nana Plaza Bangkok The best I have ever seen it look.

Always busy here

LadyBoys Nana Plaza Bangkok The action never stops.

Thanks for visiting my Big Changes Nana Plaza Plus Soi 4 photo blog.

Click on bottom right hand corner for full screen.

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

 
  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
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Wine Connection Central World

March 18, 2018 by David Herd

The Grill at The Grove

Wine Connection Central World

Wine Connection Central WorldWine Connection Central World Bangkok is called the Grill at the Groove, & is ideally located in the best location in Ratchaprasong district, this central business district is easily accessible via three different Skywalk links between BTS Siam station and BTS Chitlom Station.

Each Wine Connection restaurant has a liquor store where you can purchase wines from all over the world at very reasonable prices.

 Stunning decor

Wine Connection Central World

Great atmosphere, good service & excellent food.

Busy open kitchen

Wine Connection Central WorldThese guys really earn their money.

My brother Warren & Elyssa his daughter

Wine Connection Central WorldThey both love the food at Wine Connection.

Elyssa loved the eggplant

Wine Connection Central World Bangkok

The eggplant & the cold cuts with cheese are Elyssa’s favourites.

Spanish prawns

Wine Connection Central World My favourite dish at  Wine Connection Central World.

Good value Australian red wine

Wine Connection Central World

Priced at only B450 if you take it home or B500 if you drink it there.

Wine Connection Central World Bangkok

Wine Connection Central World BangkokThe bar area is rather spectacular as you can clearly see.

A very good pasta selection

Wine Connection Central World

The extensive menu has a great variety of pasta & pizzas.

Lamb shank

Wine Connection Central WorldThe terrific slow cooked lamb shank.

You can probably now understand why Wine Connection is my favourite Bangkok restaurant chain.

Thanks for visiting my Wine Connection Central World Bangkok photo blog. Follow THIS LINK for more Wine Connection outlets.

Check out the new Pattaya branch on THIS LINK.

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

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
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

 

Pattaya live webcam
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Iconic Photos Series 2

March 6, 2018 by David Herd

Some of my favourite photos

Iconic Photos Series 2

Iconic Photos Series 2 Iconic Photos Series 2,  taken over recent years by me, David Herd. To many people they will be nothing special, however to me they are very special indeed. Pattaya sunsets are I believe as stunning as anywhere on Earth as you can clearly see. 🙂

Take a look at volume 1 here.

Only the lonely…..

Iconic Photos Series 2

Is the caption that comes to mind seeing this favourite photo from Dubrovnik in Croatia.

 An evening in Amsterdam

Iconic Photos Series 2One of Europe’s super cities.

What about this big guy?

Iconic Photos Series 2At Aquilla game park 3 hours north of Cape Town.

 Iconic Photos Five Star Vagabond Series 2

Iconic Photos Series 2

This little Japanese princess in Kanazawa granted my request for a photo, but only after I asked her parents for permission. 🙂

Minesota Fats at “The Game” in Bangkok.

Iconic Photos Series 2  Located on Sukhumvit right under the Nana BTS Station. The photo takes me back to 1961 when I saw “The Hustler”, featuring Eddie Felsen (Paul Newman) and his adventures in the world of professional pool. Fast Eddie is a young hopeful on his way to challenging Minnesota Fats (Jackie Gleason) for his world title.

A taste sensation

Iconic Photos Series 2Salmon caviar at Genki restaurant in Pattaya.

Cooking up a storm at the Pattaya Hilton

Iconic Photos Five Star Vagabond Series 2I’m sure you are not surprised that this is one of my favourite photos.

Chiang Mai Thailand Wat Ban Den

Iconic Photos Series 2By far  the most impressive temple I have ever seen in Thailand. It was totally renovated in 1998 after the new Abbott Kru Ba Tuang raised huge amounts of money from people all over the country.

A candle in the wind.

Iconic Photos Five Star Vagabond Series 2The lovely ladies at Starbucks in Pattaya helping me celebrate my birthday. 🙂

Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

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

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837IMG_7425Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

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

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
 
Pattaya live webcam
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

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. 

Check out these great photo blogs.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 1 photo.

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.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Surfers Paradise Party Animals 1992

January 15, 2018 by David Herd

This is not a travel blog, it is part of my personal photo history. It seemed like Groundhog day. 🙂

Surfers Paradise Party Animals

Surfers Paradise Party Animals

Surfers Paradise Party Animals, 1992 was just another year of fun & games on the beautiful Gold Coast. I was certainly among the main party hosts, I had a great home for entertaining & I loved have lots of beautiful girls around. 

Some of the usual suspects.

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsNaturally when there were pretty girls around the competition between the guys was fierce. 🙂

A rose between two thorns, I don’t think so. 🙂

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsI guess there is no need to say I was enjoying life to the max.

Occasionally some of the girls would relax in the spa.

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsNaturally I always had my camera ready.

These girls loved nature

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsAnd Dr Evil was always there with the camera. 🙂

Roslyn & Jill looking good

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsI remember spending some “quality time” with both these lovely ladies.

 Jill & Sharon

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsAnother “daily double” I’m happy to say, (that just means I bonked them both. 🙂 )we saw a show that night at Jupiters casino, I think it was Barry Humphries.

Andre Buzek dentist extraordinaire, (I don’t think so)

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsSadly my great mate lost his life soon after in a car crash in Cuba.

Girl of the year Kelly Davis

Surfers Paradise Party Animals I was lucky enough to spend a few months on & off with this lovely lady.

Here we are on New Years Eve

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsNaturally Harley is locked & loaded once again. 🙂

My favoute song from 1992

Big Steve Bristow (son of Tim) & Greg Johnston.

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsNow in 2018 Greg lives in Pattaya & runs a bar on the dark side, & Steve still lives on the Gold Coast.

 Birthday drinks at Melbas 7-7-92

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsOur local drinking hole was Melbas on the Park.

Mister Melbas himself.

PaulAllen1992 (1)

The late great Paul Allen, a Surfers Paradise icon.

Talking about icons…………

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsDaryl Beattie is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, those bikes however all belonged to  Mick Doohan the living legend who won five consecutive 500 cc World Championships. The guy in the middle is a legend in his own lunch time, my good mate Ross Kennedy aka “Shoeless Joe”.

 Talking about legends…

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsHere I am giving my boat a good wash. 🙂

A good looking bunch of babes

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsIt was Xmas day 1992 and we all had a great lunch at my home in 106 Upton St Bundall.  My main squeeze at the time was Kelly 2nd from the right, & my occasional squeeze was Jill standing beside her. 🙂

Another night another dinner at Upton St

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsHarley & his gay flatmate naturally came dressed in their army outfits. 🙂 Tat’s Kandice on the left & Nicola on the right.

That night produced one of my favourite photos

Surfers Paradise lifeThis is a true classic.

Another classic from 1992

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsLyn Goss & Roslyn provided the glamour & Tony Murphy & I contributed with a truck load of style. 🙂

Can’t remember the other guys name.

 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
Surfers Paradise Party Animals
 
Pattaya live webcam 
 
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.               

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

Check out these great posts

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
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 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

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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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Brazil Hotels That’s all folks

1g Duck

Pattaya live webcam

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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

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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

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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 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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               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

1g Duck

 

 

Here are some of my most popular posts.

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Sokha Beach Resort Sihanoukville

October 29, 2017 by David Herd

Ideal spot to chill out

Sokha Beach Resort Sihanoukville

Sokha Beach Resort SihanoukvilleSokha Beach Resort Sihanoukville has a great pool & a beautiful private sandy beach. Exceptional food & very good rooms, what more could you possibly want? 🙂

Pool bar

Sokha Beach Resort Sihanoukville Cocktails or a cold beers at the pool bar.

There are two room sections, we stayed at the cheaper option, the Sokha Express. You still have full use of all the facilities, for a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

If you prefer the Sokha Beach Resort use THIS LINK for a discount.

It doesn’t get much better than this. 🙂

Sokha Beach Resort SihanoukvilleRarely were there many pople in the pool which made it absolutely ideal.

But wait, there’s more……

Sokha Beach Resort SihanoukvilleThe beautiful beach has pure white sand and warm tropical water.

The beach goes on forever, where are the people???

Sokha Beach Resort SihanoukvilleGenerally Asian people like to stay out of the sun so us foreigners have the place to ourselves. 🙂

 The main building

Sokha Beach Resort Sihanoukville Breakfast is served here & it’s as good as it gets a you can imagine.

The property is huge

Sokha Beach Resort Sihanoukville The deck is around 500 meters from the main building & pool. It’s worth the walk however, you have the choice of two excellent restaurants, Lemongrass & the Lotus.

Why do they call it “The Deck”?

Sokha Beach Resort SihanoukvilleWell it’s pretty bloody obvious if you ask me. 🙂

Lemongrass Restaurant

Sokha Beach Resort Sihanoukville Food was very good & the place almost deserted.

Soup to die for.

Sokha Beach Resort Sihanoukville

I really do love my soup.

Serendipity Beach

Serendipity Beach SihanoukvilleThis is where most people dine at night, it’s the net beach & all the action is here. Only a 10 minute Tuk Tuk ride.

Tuk Tuk

Sokha Beach Resort Sihanoukville The ten minute ride to Serendipity is only $2 or $3 USD.

Lovely ladies They were working at a wedding that was in the hotel grounds.

This is supposed to be happy hour. 🙂

Sokha Beach Resort Sihanoukville Nobody looks happy, & in fact there certainly were not. 🙂

Drinks are 2 for one at happy hour between 5 & 7 pm.

Sokha Beach Resort Sihanoukville  Sokha Beach Resort Sihanoukville

Pizzas & burgers are reasonably priced as well.

The Beach Bar

Sokha Beach Resort Sihanoukville Sadly is closes around 7.30 pm.

I guess they want you at their casino.

Sokha Beach Resort SihanoukvillePart of the hotel & when we went there there were more staff than customers.

Sadly this lovely coastal village is never going to be the same, just read THIS STORY.

 Zagreb Croatia                      Rio de Janeiro                  Brisbane River 

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     Koh Samui                                   Korea                                  London

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

                                     

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Koh Rong Sihanoukville Cambodia

October 26, 2017 by David Herd

40 minutes by fast boat.

Koh Rong Sihanoukville Cambodia

Koh Rong Sihanoukville Cambodia

Koh Rong Sihanoukville Cambodia is only 40 minutes by fast boat. It seems  a little like Koh Samui 25 years ago, lots of backpackers & hippies.

Leaving Plantation Beach

Koh Rong Sihanoukville CambodiaThe fare each way to Koh Rong Sihanoukville Cambodia is $13 USD.

500 Horsepower

Koh Rong Sihanoukville CambodiaA very fast smooth ride.

 Koh Rong Sihanoukville Cambodia Pommie backpackers

Koh Rong Sihanoukville CambodiaThere were 4 or 5 English backpackers shrieking to each other over the engine noise, as you can see Steve is not too impressed. 🙂

 Our first glimpse of the island.

Koh Rong Sihanoukville CambodiaIt was like travelling back in time. 🙂

Vagabonds

Koh Rong Sihanoukville CambodiaVagabonds cafe I’m sure has seen it’s share of vagabonds, however this is the first visit by the famous FiveStarVagabond. 🙂 🙂 🙂

The Rising Sun

Koh Rong Sihanoukville CambodiaWe settled here for a couple of cold beers and a Phad Thai, the place is run by 3 friendly Italians from Milano.

And here they are…..

Koh Rong Sihanoukville Cambodia Living the dream on Koh Rong Sihanoukville Cambodia.

Hard at work

Koh Rong Sihanoukville Cambodia Well somebody has to do the heavy lifting. 🙂

Crystal clear water here.

Koh Rong Sihanoukville CambodiaAs you would expect for a tropical island.

The essence of Koh Rong

Koh Rong Sihanoukville Cambodia This shot captures the essence of Koh Rong for me,  a lazy tropical island full of backpackers & hippies.

Talking about backpackers…..

Koh Rong Sihanoukville CambodiaHere is a perfect example, sadly I arrived 30 years too late. 🙂

Guess I’ll go fishing instead. 🙂

Koh Rong Sihanoukville Cambodia Crystal clear water & lots of fish big & small.

Koh Rong Sihanoukville Cambodia

Koh Rong Island Sihanoukville CambodiaA nice way to explore the island would be to hire a log tail boat.

Life is very very casual here.

Koh Rong Sihanoukville CambodiaYou can rent a room overlooking the beach for around $10 USD per night.

Use THIS LINK to book & get an excellent discount.

Back to Sihanoukville

Koh Rong Sihanoukville Cambodia We had a bigger boat which took 5 minutes longer.

Sadly this lovely coastal village is never going to be the same, just read THIS STORY.

 Zagreb Croatia                      Rio de Janeiro                  Brisbane River 

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

       

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         Bangkok                                   Osaka                                     Pattaya

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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great photo blogs.

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Buildings Chao Phraya River

July 17, 2017 by David Herd

Up the lazy river

Buildings Chao Phraya River

Buildings Chao Phraya RiverBuildings Chao Phraya River Bangkok are one of the many interesting sights in this great city. Take the Sky Train to Saphan Taksin station or grab a taxi. The river ferries leave from just below the station.

Above is the free shuttle to Asiatique an excellent night market 10 minutes away. Lots of terrific restaurants, be careful if you want to take a taxi home from there, they will quote B400 for an B80 ride, the Bangkok taxi Mafia is in full operation here.

Sathorn Unique Tower

Buildings Chao Phraya River 

Planned as a high-rise condominium complex, construction of the building was halted during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, when it was about 80 percent complete. It’s now the most prominent of Bangkok’s many derelict buildings, and has become a destination for urban explorers.

One of the many skyscrapers.

Buildings Chao Phraya RiverBangkok is really going through a building boom, particularly along the mighty Chao Praya river.

One of the very tall buildings.

Buildings Check out my Bangkok building photo blog on THIS LINK.

Sunset on the river

Buildings Chao Phraya RiverThere are many ferries large & small taking people on a cruise along the mighty Chao Phraya river, follow THIS LINK for another of my photo blogs.

The golden dome

Buildings Chao Phraya River Sirocco Sky Bar is the world’s highest open-air bar on the 64th floor of the State Tower located on Silom Road, Bang Rak business district, Bangkok, Thailand, the second tallest building in Thailand. 

Centre Point Hotel Silom

Buildings Chao Phraya River 

Centre Point Hotel Silom is the white building close to the State Tower, excellent 45 M2 rooms, for a discounted room rate just book through THIS LINK. 

All shapes & sizes

Buildings Chao Phraya River  So many interesting boats on the river.

Buildings Chao Phraya River Bangkok

Buildings Chao Phraya River

How would you ever find a life-jacket if there was a problem with the ferry?

Thanks for visiting my Buildings Chao Phraya River Bangkok photo blog, follow THIS LINK for the Asiatique market.                               

                            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.
                                                                 Plus free cancellation .
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Slide show here.

 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great photo blogs.

 

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