Hello from the Five Star Vagabond
June 10, 2020
by David Herd
Comments Off on Bangkok restaurants shopping 2020
Bangkok between Nana & Asoke Bangkok restaurants shopping during the Covid-19 lock-down was still an enjoyable weekend, I really needed to get away from my home in Pattaya for a welcome change of scenery. This photo was taken from … Continue reading
December 3, 2019 by David Herd
Bangkok river buildings photographed from the Iconsiam free ferry shuttle on the Chao Phraya River. Everything from tall modern skyscrapers to ancient waterfront homes. The photo above is the State Tower which was built in 2001, it is the largest building in Southeast Asia, with 300,000 m² floor area. The building on the right is the Shangri-La hotel.
One of the best locations in Bangkok, 5 minutes walk to the sky train. On the right is Centre Point hotel. For a discount at the Shangri-la just use THIS LINK. The rooms in Center Point are excellent, for a discounted room rate just use THIS LINK.
These boats are very good for exploring the Bangkok canals. See more on THIS LINK.
What a contrast we see along the Chao Phraya river, modern skyscrapers & wonderful old buildings.
Often referred to as the Ghost Tower, the Sathorn Unique is an abandoned Bangkok skyscraper. Not only is it illegal to enter but it’s also in a state of dangerous disrepair. Where there’s a will there’s often a way, however, and many daring souls have slipped a “tip” to the security guards and made their way through the debris to experience an exhilarating adventure with glorious views over Sathorn’s towering buildings.
This impressive office building is owned and operated by the Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT). Consisting of 30 floors.
Great view of the CAT building with the State Tower featuring Sirocco restaurant on the far right with the gold dome.
Bangkok River Park is located at Trok Saphan Yao, Chakkrawat, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100. Construction was completed in 1994. The condominium comprises of a single building, having 36 floors and includes 97 units.
Such a contrast compared to the the modern high-rise buildings along this great river.
River City opened in l984 and was the first riverside shopping complex of its kind in Bangkok. With over 47,000 sqm of space and a couple hundred retail spaces, the mall offers a wide selection of shopping choices. Its main focus is on Thai cultural articles and antiques. It does offer standard retail shopping as well. The mall also hosts a number of exhibitions, events, festivals and auctions throughout the year.
To the right is the Royal Orchard Sheraton, for an excellent room discount just book through THIS LINK.
Icon Siam Mall is called the “Mother of All Malls”, with 500 shops and 100 restaurants from more than 30 different countries. Developed by the same tycoons behind Siam Paragon and EmQuartier, Icon Siam offers high-end brands, an indoor floating market, an art gallery, exhibition space, and a beautiful riverside location with views of downtown Bangkok.
Thanks for visiting my Bangkok river buildings photo blog, this great city is forever changing, put it on your bucket list.
Everything you wanted to know about Bangkok but were afraid to ask. 🙂
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December 1, 2019 by David Herd
Iconsiam Bangkok great food, however there is a problem, there are so many great places to eat it is difficult to make a decision. There is a selection of over a hundred famous restaurants from all over the world in seven different zones, each of them catering to diverse culinary tastes. The incredible choice of dishes available come from venues ranging from Michelin starred restaurants to famous Thai street food stalls.
Very authentic, it’s as good as you get in Tokyo. 🙂
Only B420 or $14 USD. Siam Takashimaya offers three zones of Japanese food venues, the ground floor features a food court and more Japanese restaurants, while cafés and bakeries from across Japan on UG floor are divided into three smaller zones named after the Japanese prefectures of Kyoto, Hokkaido and Nara.
In fact I travelled to Sapporo in July 2018.
Lots of varieties here to choose from.
Yes, I certainly am, everything looks so good. 🙂
Another interesting casual venue.
Check out the seven dining zones.
So many restaurants & such little time.
Lots of heat under that big bowel.
As you can clearly see there are so many choices at Iconsiam, please put it one your bucket list, you will not be disappointed.
Just catch the free shuttle ferry from Sathon pier, they run every 10 minutes or so.
Thanks for visiting my Iconsiam Bangkok great food photo blog.
Everything you wanted to know about Bangkok but were afraid to ask. 🙂
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November 30, 2019 by David Herd
Iconsiam shopping mall Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River is yet another wonderful Bangkok shopping venue. I certainly believe Bangkok now rivals Tokyo with the best shopping malls in the world.
This is where you arrive on the free ferry shuttle from Sathon wharf. The River Park is a riverside community space covering a 10,000-sq. m. area in front of ICONLUXE. Open daily, it welcomes all visitors to enjoy an enchanting view of the Chao Phraya River amid lush, green auspicious trees.
You will need several hours to explore this wonderful shopping precinct. In fact there are over a hundred famous restaurants from all over the world available in seven spacious zones, each of them catering to diverse culinary tastes. Check out THIS LINK for details.
For a list of the hundreds of shops just follow THIS LINK.
There is a surprise around every corner.
Now is your chance to grab a tiger by the tail. 🙂
Over 100 restaurants, check out THIS LINK.
Estimates are that there are about 3,500 domesticated elephants in Thailand. Roughly 3,340 wild elephants live in 69 wildlife sanctuaries and national parks across the country. Thailand’s population of wild elephants has been rising.
However, it’s a far cry from a century ago when at least 100,00 elephants roamed the heavily forested Kingdom. Loss of habitat and poaching helped lead to the steep decline in the elephant population.
This bull is a real cool dude. 🙂
Thanks for visiting my Iconsiam shopping mall Bangkok photo blog, please go to THIS LINK to see some incredible buildings along the Chao Phraya river.
A new huge branch to open in February 2021. In addition to the main Starbucks signature coffee bar, the Starbucks Reserve store will be the first to serve Starbucks’ Mew Jai ‘Blend coffee grown in the northern part of our country, along with the’ Tee Vana ( Teavana ™ Bar) ‘first in Thailand. For customers who like drinking tea. Both Earl Gray Lychee and Peach Mojito Tea There are also cocktail bars that are not yet available
Check out these great photo blogs.
Tokyo fabulous food
Steakhouse New York
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October 6, 2019 by David Herd
Favourite photos Japan
Favourite photos Japan, there are so many, I need to do two, maybe three posts. Such a fabulous country with a wonderful mix if old & new, or should I say ancient & modern. 🙂 The beautiful garden above was in Kyoto.
There is a surprise around every corner in Japan.
Originally founded in the year 738 CE, Todai-ji temple was not opened until the year 752, absolutely spectacular.
Nara is 50 minutes by train from Osaka.
Sushizanmai is a well known restaurant chain, this branch is open 24 hours a day & was adjacent to the old Tsujiki fish market, without a doubt it’s my favourite restaurant in Tokyo.
In Kabukicho there is a small lane called “Piss Alley”, there are many tiny restaurants serving fabulous food. I have named this photo “Only the Lonely”.
One of the many artists in Ohori Park in Fukuoka.
A huge fire in 1759 destroyed the whole castle then it was re-built in 1788. That year is also when 11 ships with 1,530 people onboard, 736 of them convicts, arrived in Botany Bay a few miles south of Sydney Harbour in Australia. This event is known to all us Aussies as “the first fleet”.
Awesome statue commemorating the atomic bombing of the city on August 9, 1945 during World War II.
Hikone Castle is a Japanese National Treasure, one of five in the whole country. It is regarded as one of Japan’s most beautiful and historic castles.
Harajuku girls are famous ‘Fashion Aficionados’ or ‘Beauty stars of Japan’ which are known all over the world for their unique clothing style.
These coffees certainly have the “wow” factor. 🙂
I love to sit in Starbucks & watch the peak hour crowd swarm across this famous intersection.
In the heart of the Ginza this terrific restaurant is a great place to enjoy Kobe beef. Go at lunch time when the special are cheaper. 🙂 TripAdvisor rating is #45 of 8,342 Restaurants in Chuo.
I visit this great venue every time I’m in Tokyo.
This is Dotombori in Osaka, there are so many restaurants & such little time. 🙂
Thanks for visiting my Favourite photos Japan photo blog.
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January 20, 2019 by David Herd
LadyBoys Nana Plaza Bangkok
LadyBoys Nana Plaza Bangkok seem to be increasing in numbers each year. In Thailand a Kathoey or katoey is a transgender woman or an effeminate gay male. Many Thai people perceive that a kathoey actually belongs to a third gender.
They usually start to arrive from 6 pm on, it’s rather entertaining seeing them arrive with an exaggerated walk & almost always stroking their hair.
LadyBoys often look and act more ladylike than the ladies! Everything is exaggerated, particularly walking, where they look like they are on a constant catwalk. There is a more pronounced swaying of the hips, more elegant posture (particularly when seated), excessively flicking and fidgeting with their hair and over-applied make-up.
However he is a well known face around Nana Plaza, let’s just call him “Secrets”. 🙂
Most LadyBoys are much taller than the girls & after living in Thailand for many years they are easy to spot. Ladyboys do not just exaggerate their femininity; they exaggerate everything! Every word and action is excessively flamboyant. This makes them stand out from the crowd because Thai culture is such that women (even those working in beer bars and go-gos) are usually quite reserved.
Gary & Brad are from Townsville & I’m in the middle & have lived in Pattaya for 10 years. However my first visit to Nana Plaza was 24 years ago in 1996.
By far the best looking LadyBoy I have ever seen was in Pattaya. My two Aussie friends Dennis & Nick were absolutely stunned. 🙂
Without a doubt this is the best adult entertainment precinct in Bangkok.
Wow! what nice group of lads. 🙂
A couple of fine feathered friends. 🙂
However I prefer the real thing, someone like this gorgeous lady who is looking for a late night snack.
Thanks for visiting my LadyBoys Nana Plaza Bangkok photo blog.
Lots more photo blogs here;
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January 14, 2019 by David Herd
Mahanakhon Sky Walk Bangkok
Mahanakhon Sky Walk Bangkok is Thailand’s tallest building featuring a glass floor 314 metres above the busy streets of Bangkok. A two-tiered observation tower is part of the complex that also hosts Bangkok’s highest rooftop bar and a 63-square metre glass tray floor. I visited with Brad Robbins, my friend from Townsville Australia, his girlfriend Por & her daughter Pang.
Quite breathtaking as you can clearly see.
The price is rather high, B850 or $26 USD for adults & B250 or $7.80 USD for children & seniors, & guess what? I’m a senior, YIPPEE!
The golden dome is the State tower with the famous Sirocco sky bar.
Which is a large shopping mall, which opened to the public on 10 November 2018, as well as hotels and residences.
The terrible haze covering Bangkok really effects the photo quality. I’ll visit again when the sky is blue.
Imagine what it will be like on a beautiful fine day.
Going up was very fast, 74 floors in 50 seconds. Going down King Power set a trap for you, they force you to walk through 4 or 5 floors of shops, to make matters worse the exit on each floor is not clearly marked, so it is very difficult to get out of the building.
You must take off your shoes & wear soft covers.
If you suffer from vertigo the glass floor is not for you. 🙂
Refreshments are available from the shop.
You feel like quoting Martin Luther King “Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
Thanks for visiting my Mahanakhon Sky Walk Bangkok photo blog.
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June 12, 2018 by David Herd
Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo
Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo is the cities oldest temple. Senso-ji is the most widely visited spiritual site in the world with over 30 million visitors annually. The temple was completed in the year 645, making it Tokyo‘s oldest temple.
There are many festivals throughout the year in Asakusa, the most famous of them is the Sanja Matsuri, also known as Sanja Festival in May.
Prior to entering the temple take the ladle in your right hand and pour some water over your left hand. Then repeat the process using the opposite hands.
Many people believe that touching the smoke with injured parts of the body may have a healing effect.
As you can see food is sold within the temple grounds.
A delightful tradition, many ladies & gorgeous young girls hire a Kimono to feel more in the moment at the Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo.
It really is a joy to see their happy smiling faces.
And why not? They really look fabulous.
There certainly is lots of gold inside the temple.
Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo is rather spectacular don’t you think?
This fabulous gate has been destroyed & rebuilt many times throughout the ages.
The temple houses a seating figure of Yakushi Nyorai (Physician of Souls).
In every nook & cranny there is something special to see at the amazing Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo.
Around every corner awaits a surprise.
As you can imagine there are lots of temple souvenirs here.
That’s the famous Tokyo Skytree, check out MY PHOTO BLOG from a previous trip.
Thanks for visiting my Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo photo blog. Many more photo blogs below.
I stayed at the Agora Place hotel which was a wonderful location close to 3 metro stations Tawaramachi, Ueno & Asakusa. You can get an express train direct from Narita & you can catch the Shinkansen from Ueno. Book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.
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.
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.
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.
Check out these great photo blogs.
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June 11, 2018 by David Herd
Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple
kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple Japan was founded in 778 by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, and its present buildings were constructed in 1633, ordered by the Tokugawa Iemitsu. There is not a single nail used in the entire structure. It takes its name from the waterfall within the complex, which runs off the nearby hills. Kiyomizu means clear water, or pure water.
I assure you going back down from Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple is much easier. 🙂
There are many advantages travelling in low season, less crowds, cheaper flights & hotels.
Lots of students even though it’s a Saturday.
Such a lovely Kimono on this very pretty lady.
If you go to all the trouble to hire a kimono & dress up then you need to take plenty of photos.
It’s so nice to see everyone dressed up.
On a hot day such as this soft serve ice cream really hits the spot.
A tight squeeze here but at least it’s off the road. These little boxy cars are very popular in Japan.
It was about a 35 minute walk from my hotel, however the last 10 minutes was up a very steep hill.
Thanks for visiting my Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple photo blog. The APA Hotel where I stayed is a great location with large rooms, as a bonus there is a Starbucks on the ground floor. For a really good room rate just book through THIS LINK, it will also give you free cancellation.
For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.
Fukuoka – Hiroshima – Sapporo – Sendai
Tokyo – Kagoshima – Kanazawa – Nagoya
Nagasaki – Yokohama – Kyoto – Kamakura
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March 18, 2018 by David Herd
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.
First bar on the right as you enter.
Quite a nice addition to the plaza, apparently it has been here 3 years yet I rarely venture to the back of Nana.
You gotta love the pink. 🙂
Lollipop makes a comeback. It was Suckers & before that Lollipop again.
This to me is the quintessential Nana Plaza photo, sums up many of the customers. 🙂
This 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.
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. 🙂
Rainbow 1 has been at Nana Plaza for as long as I can remember.
This is one of about 4 Hillary bars.
Just a short stroll down Soi 4 on the opposite side of the road.
The bars offer a nice alternative to the rowdy Nana Plaza.
At the front of Broadway in Soi 4.
Apart from the new bars there are a couple of high rise buildings under construction, hotels or condos, not sure which.
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.”
Still a great spot to watch the arrivals.
Girls will often be boys.
The best I have ever seen it look.
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.
For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.
Lyme Regis Jurassic coast
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