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Magic Marble Mountain Vietnam

July 24, 2015 by David Herd

Marble Mountain Vietnam

Marble Mountain Vietnam

 Marble Mountain Vietnam where the statues are hand carved by certified and regulated stone mason artists. These artist begin a lifelong apprenticeship from a very young age and spend their life learning the trade.

 Huge statue

Marble Mountain Vietnam

 Mined from the famous Marble Mountain, in Vietnam, the premium marble offers quality and colours that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. Plus the skill of the Vietnamese ensures a wonderful product.


 

Many beautiful statues

Marble Mountain Vietnam

I had to stop myself from sending a whole container home. TripAdvisor rate Marble Mountain 2nd out of 97 things to do in Danang.

Marble Mountain Vietnam

Marble Mountain Vietnam

 The stone carving village of Dong Hai, located next to the Marble Mountains in Vietnam is famous for traditional stone engraving and stone-cutting craft.

 

A Vietnamese Venus de Milo

Marble Mountain Vietnam

The statues here are rather extraordinary, all shapes and sizes. 

Bangkok to Danang

Marble Mountain Vietnam

There are about seven low cost flights per week from Bangkok to Danang, it only takes around 90 minutes.

Tiger on the prowl

Marble Mountain Vietnam

This guy is a rather mean looking beast. It reminds me of a funny story of my brush with a tiger in Chiang Mai, check out THIS LINK for the full story.

David Herd at Marble Mountain

Marble Mountain Vietnam

Thanks for visiting my Marble Mountain Vietnam post, please have a look at some more posts if you have the time. For great hotel rates simply use this link.    

         Hoi An, midway between Hanoi & HCMC, fly into Danang take a taxi south, on the way make sure you visit Marble mountain.

 

               

                      Here are some more posts to check out 

         Sydney                               Paris                                   Bangkok           
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          Tokyo                        Rio De Janeiro                        Budapest
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           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
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            Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you            
 book through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                                                 Plus free cancellation .
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Slide show here.

Pattaya live webcam
 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck


  • Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Beautiful China Beach Vietnam

July 24, 2015 by David Herd

White sand & a bright blue ocean

Beautiful China Beach Vietnam

Beautiful China Beach Vietnam

 Beautiful China Beach Vietnam is in Da Nang, a port city along the coast of the South China Sea. While there is not a great deal in the city in terms of restaurants and bars at the moment, Da Nang has been targeted for massive investment by both the government and private companies alike, and is tipped to be a major destination for both tourism and commerce.

Beach Vendors

Beautiful China Beach VietnamAlthough I was last there in 2003 I’m sure nothing has changed with the persistent beach vendors. They do not like taking no for an answer and there is really no escape from them.


Everything is for sale

Beautiful China Beach VietnamJohn Martin aka Pothole examining the merchandise.

 

Two Americans

Beautiful China Beach VietnamWe met two nice Americans on the beach and had lunch together washed down with some cold beers. Notice my Lee Child novel close by. 🙂

For a great hotel rate just book through THIS LINK.

Shelter from the sun.

Beautiful China Beach Vietnam

 In more recent history, Danang is best-known for its role in the American Vietnam War. The Danang Airbase was a major American airbase, used both by the Americans and the South Vietnamese. Nearby China Beach, named after its beautiful china-white sand, was home to the 510th Evacuation Hospital, where wounded American soldiers would come to recover. China Beach itself was an American in-country R&R spot, nicknamed the “Five and Dime”. The Vietcong, meanwhile, had their own hospital surprisingly close by in the caves of the Marble Mountains.

 Beautiful Vietnamese face

Beautiful China Beach VietnamMy travelling partner John Martin aka “Pothole” was a bit of a lunatic, he is an excellent reason for travelling alone. 🙂

I forget what the young girl was selling however I just had to capture that beautiful face.

Marble Mountain

Beautiful China Beach VietnamIf you find yourself travelling from Da nang to Hoi An make sure you visit Marble Mountain.

China Beach Vietnam

Beautiful China Beach VietnamChina Beach Vietnam is a great place to relax however I would suggest you stay at Hoi An which is only 45 minutes away by taxi.

Beautiful China Beach Vietnam

 


Beautiful China Beach Vietnam

Beautiful China Beach Vietnam

 Who needs people when you have beautiful white sand & a bright blue ocean. 🙂

David Herd at China beach.

Beautiful China Beach Vietnam

Thanks for visiting my Beautiful China Beach Vietnam travel page, one of my favorite places in Vietnam, however the image that sticks in my mind most of all are the beautiful faces of the people and their children in this amazing country. Have a look at some of my other Vietnam posts.

For a great hotel rate in China Beach just book through THIS LINK.

                    Here are some more posts to check out 

         Sydney                               Paris                                   Bangkok           
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          Tokyo                        Rio De Janeiro                        Budapest
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           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
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            Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you            
                book through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                                                 Plus free cancellation .
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Slide show here.

Pattaya live webcam
 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

                            

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Road Trip Nha Trang

May 25, 2015 by David Herd

Leaving HCMC

Road Trip Nha Trang

Road Trip Nha Trang

Road Trip Nha Trang via Dalat by mini bus with a one night stopover in Dalat. We travelled through some very interesting countryside stopping often for food and drinks.

Riding to school

Road Trip Nha Trang

 Young girl wearing the traditional ao dai. The name “ao dai” was originally applied to the outfit worn at the court of the Nguyễn Lords at Huế in the 18th century.

A tip for the boys

Road Trip Nha TrangI gave these boys a tip which made them very happy indeed.

 

Another happy face in Vietnam.

Road Trip Nha Trang

So many happy faces in Vietnam.

Beautiful country heading north

Road Trip Nha TrangRice terraces from the highway.

Village on the river

Road Trip Nha Trang

A whole town sits on the water.

What more could you want?

Road Trip Nha Trang

Vietnam’s version of waterfront homes.

HCMC Nha Trang Dalat Vietnam

Road Trip Nha Trang

  Compare the above and below photo and see if you can spot the difference.  

Looks the same doesn’t it?

Road Trip Nha Trang

  Of course you picked it, the mother is rocking the baby. 🙂 🙂 🙂  

Paddling by foot

Road Trip Nha Trang via Dalat

That’s a new technique.

Dalat market

Road Trip Nha Trang

Night market in Dalat.

Fresh fish at Dalat

Road Trip Nha Trang

     Đà Lạt, the capital of Lâm Đồng Province in southern Vietnam’s Central Highlands, is centred around a lake and golf course, and surrounded by hills, pine forests, lakes and waterfalls. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its distinctive temperate climate, Đà Lạt was developed as a resort by the French in the early 1900s, and many reminders of its colonial heritage remain.

Off to training

Road Trip Nha Trang via Dalat

    The kids are looking good in their karate outfits.

Lovely smile in Dalat

Road Trip Nha Trang

    So many smiling faces in this great country.

HCMC Nha Trang

Road Trip Nha Trang

Thanks for visiting my HCMC Nha Trang Dalat Vietnam post, this is really a worthwhile adventure if you want to see life in the countryside, this was 2003, check out some more recent Vietnam posts below.                       

                   Here are some more posts to check out 

         Sydney                               Paris                                   Bangkok           
 497d0b6e-c0bd-4ba2-86be-c02100f050a8        65470622-d17a-4b90-bf97-2574df4c412d        1a2160c1-41f7-465a-954c-631e083eb229
          Tokyo                        Rio De Janeiro                        Budapest
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           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
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            Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you            
             book through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                                                 Plus free cancellation .
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Slide show here.

 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

May 24, 2015 by David Herd

Japanese Covered Bridge

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Ancient Town Vietnam Central Coast is Hoi-An featuring wonderful French colonial buildings including this beautiful Japanese covered bridge which dates back to the 18th century. Probably the most photographed place in Hoi-An.

Crossing the bridge

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

I’m not sure what the ladies are selling.

For a great hotel rate just book through THIS LINK.

This is my favourite photo.

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

The culture & heritage is mostly from the Cham people whose kingdom originally stretched from Hue South to Phan Thiet (South of Nha Trang) – the Champa’s most likely originally from Java. The original Cham political capital was Tra Kieu, the commercial capital was Hoi An and the spiritual capital was My Son (Hindu). The Cham people were Hindu, and by the 10th century the influence of Arab traders to Hoi An resulted in some converting to become Muslims.

The second major influence was from the Chinese, firstly from traders but especially the escaping Ming Dynasty armies who after settling in Hoi An for some years moved further south and created Saigon as a major trading port.

Beautiful faces

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Hoi An is midway between Hanoi & HCMC, you can fly into Danang then take a taxi south, on the way make sure you visit Marble mountain where you can watch beautiful statues being made and perhaps even order one to be shipped home.

 

Here I am at Marble Mountain just north of Hoi-An.

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Marble Mountain Vietnam where the statues are hand carved by certified and regulated stone mason artists. These artist begin a lifelong apprenticeship from a very young age and spend their life learning the trade.

Travel Tip. Hoi-An has the reputation as the place to go to have clothes made, I think one of the best strategies is to take some of your favourite items and have them copied at a fraction of the price you would pay at home.

 Hoi-An French colonial buildings

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

One of the many Hoi-An French colonial buildings.

Please click on Google + to help my ranking.

Fu kien restaurant

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

A typical Hoi-Ann street scene.

 Beautiful buildings

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

There are so many wonderful buildings.

 Lanterns

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

There is a photo opportunity around every corner.

We asked where he was taking the duck?

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

He said I am taking it home to eat it.

Hoi Ann timber delivery

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Firewood for cooking I imagine.

Ancient Town Vietnam Central Coast Hoi Ann market

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Morning gossip at the market.

Banana anyone?

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

It is a hive of activity on the waterfront.

Happy faces

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Non la (palm-leaf conical hat) is a traditional symbol of Vietnamese people.

Great looking kids in Hoi Ann.

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Another couple of great Vietnamese smiles.

China Beach

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

During the war the Americans used the name China Beach to refer to the beautiful 30 km sweep of fine white sand that starts at Monkey Mountain and ends near Hoi An. Soldiers would be sent here for some R&R from bases all over the country.

Pothole shopping for art

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

 Pothole aka John Martin shopping for some genuine reproductions. 🙂

For a great hotel rate just book through THIS LINK.

Hanoi to Bangkok

 Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

It was the start of the Sars problem.

Thanks for visiting my Hoi-An French colonial buildings photo blog, one of my favourite places in Vietnam, however the image that sticks in my mind most of all are the beautiful faces of the people and their children in this amazing country. Have a look at some of my other Vietnam posts.

                         
 

For a great hotel rate in China Beach just book through THIS LINK.

Here are some more posts to check out 

         Sydney                               Paris                                   Bangkok           
 497d0b6e-c0bd-4ba2-86be-c02100f050a8        65470622-d17a-4b90-bf97-2574df4c412d        1a2160c1-41f7-465a-954c-631e083eb229
          Tokyo                        Rio De Janeiro                        Budapest
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           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
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            Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you            
 book through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                                                 Plus free cancellation .
                                               Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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Slide show here.

Pattaya live webcam
 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Here are some of my most popular posts.

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Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Vung Tau South Vietnam coast

January 21, 2015 by David Herd

Put this on your bucket list

Vung Tau South Vietnam

Vung Tau South Vietnam

Vung Tau South Vietnam coast is a 90 minute fast ferry ride from Saigon. One surprise certainly was the statue of Christ similar to Rio on a smaller scale. Wayne Morris, my friend from Sydney climbing the 811 stairs to reach the top. It was very hot and I had to rest 5 times on the way up. 🙂

A tough climb

Vung Tau South Vietnam

This climb reminded me of El Castillo at Chitzen Itza, that one was more frightening but this one was far tougher. Lucky for me they have quite a few rest stations which I was happy to take advantage of. 🙂

Vung Tau South Vietnam

Vung Tau South Vietnam

A you can see there is access to the very top of the statue, however it is closed between 11 and 1 pm.

Happy dragon

Vung Tau South Vietnam

Halfway down the mountain this happy dragon appears.

 

Vung Tau South Vietnam ferry terminal

Vung Tau South Vietnam

Only 90 minutes from Saigon in a fast ferry that costs just $10 usd.

Vung Tau fisherman

Vung Tau South Vietnam

Vietnam of course specialise in seafood due the the incredibly long coastline.

Downtown Vung Tau

Vung Tau South Vietnam

During 14th and 15th centuries, the cape that would become Vũng Tàu was a swamp which European trading ships visited regularly. The ships’ activities inspired the name Vũng Tàu, which means “anchorage”. The French Indochinese government named it Cap Saint-Jacques (“Cap Xanh Giắc”, in Vietnamese). The cliff of Vũng Tàu is now called Mũi Nghinh Phong (literally meaning “Cape of breeze welcome“) or (“Cape of greeting the wind“).

Enjoying the evening breeze

Vung Tau South Vietnam

late afternoon and late into the evening people gather along the seaside to chat and enjoy the ocean breeze.

Escaping from the sun.

Vung Tau South Vietnam

Most Asian ladies are very careful to stay out of the sun.

 No clever remarks please

Vung Tau South Vietnam

I realise some of my friends will not be able to resist the comparison between myself and the whale. 🙂

 

Green Hotel $40 pn

Vung Tau South Vietnam

Good location and great value if you book through this AGODA link.

 

View from Green Hotel

Vung Tau South Vietnam

Although this was a very good location if you like the beach, however next time I visit I’ll probably stay in the town.

Opposite Green Hotel

Vung Tau South Vietnam

The long sandy beach was ideal for my regular morning walk.

 Five Star Imperial Hotel

Vung Tau South Vietnam

My friend was staying 800 meters from The Green Hotel at the five star Imperial Hotel. There is of course no comparison in the facilities, however there is a huge price difference. If you book through AGODA you will get a competitive rate of $230 to $300 aud, but that is a lot more than $40 for the Green hotel.

Imperial Hotel

Vung Tau South Vietnam

An excellent upmarket hotel with a pool and bar right on the beach.

Very unfriendly place

Vung Tau South Vietnam

This beer bar is part of the Imperial hotel, sadly the staff are quite rude and unfriendly. I wanted to have a drink while waiting for my friend to arrive, it was early and only about 4 customers in the whole place.

I wanted to sit near the window to keep an eye out for my friend, however they insisted I sit at the bar because I was alone. Because of their poor attitude I rang my friend and we had drinks elsewhere.

Lucy’s Sports Bar

Vung Tau South Vietnam

This friendly bar is totally the opposite from Vuvuzela, great food and very friendly staff. It’s run by an Aussie called KJ who certainly makes you feel welcome.

Lucy’s Sports Bar

Vung Tau South Vietnam

Here are the friendly girls at Lucy’s, nice food and a good atmosphere.

Scallop salad at Lucy’s sports bar

Vung Tau South Vietnam

The extensive menu offers some great choices, I had a terrific seafood chowder and a great cheeseburger.

Aussie hamburger at Lucy’s

Vung Tau South Vietnam

A bar run by an Aussie is always going to serve a great hamburger.

 Sunset at Vung Tau South Vietnam

Vung Tau South Vietnam

This is the view from Lucy’s bar overlooking the bay.

Hollywood night club

Vung Tau South Vietnam

There is a reasonable selection of late night venues, many of them seem to focus on Karaoke.

 Lan Rung

Vung Tau South Vietnam

Good food here and even better beer which they brew themselves.

Shrimp and cauliflower at Lan Rung

Vung Tau South Vietnam

 Lan Rung restaurant, shrimp and cauliflower.

 Fresh spring rolls, my favourite.

Vung Tau South Vietnam

They were delicious, I remember a little Vietnamese restaurant on the Gold Coast  beside the fire station near Monaco St, they had some of the best Summer rolls I have ever eaten.  

Hoang Hoa Tham road Vung Tau South Vietnam

Vung Tau South Vietnam

This road is a short cut from the beach to the town, about 30% lower taxi fare than going around the coast. You can guess which route the taxi drivers prefer. 🙂

French bakery

Vung Tau South Vietnam

This is a very good French bakery and coffee shop in  Hoang Hoa Tham road, it’s quite large so you can’t miss it. The address is 128 Hoàng Hoa Thám, Xa Vung Tau, Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu, Vietnam 064. Here is the bakery on Google Earth.


 Fast ferry to Vung Tau

Vung Tau South Vietnam

Only 90 minutes at $10 usd from Saigon to Vung Tau South Vietnam.

15 minutes from HCMC

 

Vung Tau South Vietnam

Every now and then I take a photo I really love, this is one of those.

HCMC to Vung Tau

Vung Tau South Vietnam

It was an interesting trip from HCM to Vung Tau South Vietnam by river.

Even better value is the luxury mini bus

Vung Tau South Vietnam

They run every hour and pick up from your hotel, the road is excellent, 65% express-way.  The trip from Vung Tau to Saigon was only 80 minutes.

Vung Tau South Vietnam

Vung Tau South Vietnam

I’m the only passenger from Vung Tau to Saigon.

Many thanks for visiting my Vung Tau South Vietnam photo blog.

The New World Hotel is in a great location in the centre of the city, for a discounted room rate book through 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

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               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Here are photos of the War Remnants Museum

 
 

Here is my HCMC post, a great city

 
 

Finally the best view in Saigon from Chill

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Chill Sky Bar Saigon aka HCMC

January 16, 2015 by David Herd

High above this exciting city.

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

Chill Sky Bar Saigon is a wonderful venue with breathtaking views of the city. Perched on the roof of AB tower it is a terrific place to have a few drinks before dinner.

Amazing view from Chill

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

Looking down from the 51st floor.

Chill

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

Building with the purple lights is the Pullman.

 

Fantastic Saigon skyline

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

I first came to this exciting city in 2003 and now in 2015 so much has changed.

Saigon at 8 pm.

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

Saigon is a vibrant exciting friendly city.

Fabulous bar

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

76A Le Lai | Rooftop of AB Tower, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Formerly CHILL Skybar, Restaurant, Lounge) Phone:+84 8 3827 2372

Tables at Chill

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

The sky bar is well worth a visit, put it on you bucket list.

A table with a view

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

There certainly is a building boom happening in this city right now.

Drinks at the bar

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

A girls night out at Chill.

Red wine from Chile

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

 About $14 aud + 15% compared to at least double that at Sirocco in Bangkok.

Seafood fettuccine $26 aud + 15%

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

The serving was rather small but an excellent taste made up for it.

The chefs at 27 Grill, above Chill Sky Bar Saigon

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

27 Grill is located directly above Chill Skybar. When entering the restaurant guests are greeted by a large, glass enclosed wine cellar with some of the finest wines and vintage champagne’s on display. Further on in the restaurant is the open kitchen, built of polished stainless steel, marble and various kinds of polished stone. A key part of the kitchen is the over sized grill, open for all guests to see their meals being freshly prepared on one of the few charcoal grills in the city. Located in the back corner of the restaurant is the private VIP dining area that can be left open or completely closed off. 

District one

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

I visited this city twice in 2003 and stayed in a small hotel overlooking this park. The New World Hotel also overlooks the park which is the centre of the city, for a discounted room rate book through THIS LINK.

Another look at the bar

Chill Sky Bar Saigon

As you can see it is a rather spectacular bar. Many thanks for visiting my Chill Sky Bar Saigon photo blog.

 Here are some Brisbane photo blogs 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

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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

 

Take a look at my video of Chill Sky Bar

Chill Skybar in Saigon

 
 
 

Here is my post on Saigon, a fabulous city.

 

Vung Tau is only 90 minutes south of HCMC.

 

Here is the War Remnants museum

 


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David Herd unforgettable year 2003

July 1, 2014 by David Herd

David Herd unforgettable year 2003, not sure how I survived, it was one of the busiest & best years for travel, & at home on the Gold Coast, that I have ever experienced. I went to Vietnam twice in January & April, Thailand in April & July, then around the world in November starting in Chile, then on to Rio De Janeiro in Brazil, Barcelona & Bangkok on the way home to Australia.

In August I took 3 lovely Japanese girls on a 7,000 kilometer road trip through the Outback to Uluru, stopping at Broken Hill & Coober Pedy then on the way home we went to Airlie Beach & Hervey Bay to see the whales.

This is not a travel blog just a personal photo collection from 2003.

Lovely Japanese girls + Vannessa

David Herd unforgettable year

Most of these lovely girls were students, I took 3 of them on a 7,000 kilometre road trip through the Outback and to Uluru. My friend Vannessa Teo is the lovely lady on the right.

The girls loved my Mercedes.

David Herd unforgettable year

I had a couple of Japanese girls staying in my home, they loved my yellow Mercedes & here they are after I had taken them & their friends for a Yum Cha.

A very happy group Friends family students

David Herd unforgettable year

Harley is looking like a stunned mullet, the other guy is Jack, an Aussie who I met in Vietnam in January.

My beautiful home

David Herd unforgettable year

I lived here from 1990 to 2011 & loved every minute.

David Herd unforgettable year

David Herd unforgettable year

I enjoyed these beautiful sunsets for 21 wonderful years living in my beautiful home on the Gold Coast in Australia.

My beautiful Mercedes

David Herd unforgettable year

I owned this lovely car for 17 years, I reluctantly sold it in 2007 when I was starting to downsize with a view of moving to Thailand.

 Duranbah Beach Tweed Heads

David Herd unforgettable year

Duranbah Beach (NSW, also called Flagstaff Beach) is the most northern beach in NSW. The 500 m long beach faces east and is located between the northern 400 m long entrance wall of the Tweed River mouth  and the 30 m high black basalt slopes of Point Danger, which marks the Queensland-NSW border. 

Lunch with friends Ross & Mariana Kennedy

David Herd unforgettable year

Lunch at Omeros Brothers restaurant with good friends Ross & Mariana at the Marina Mirage.

Chevron Renaissance in Surfers Paradise

David Herd unforgettable year

One of my favourite people watching locations.

Getting ready for out road trip.

David Herd unforgettable year

My 3 Japanese friends Yukako, Noriko & Megumi who came on the Outback road trip. Did I mention life 2003 was frantic? Well our 7000 km journey in 2 weeks certainly was. 🙂

life 2003 celebrating my 60th birthday

David Herd unforgettable year

My 60th birthday with John Sinclair, Bruce Donachie, Ross Kennedy & Phil Thomson.

Owned by Billionaire Bob Ell.

David Herd unforgettable year

It would cost me a years wages (if I had a job) to fill it up with diesel.

Tony Murphy’s houseboat

David Herd unforgettable year

My friend Tony Murphy lived on his houseboat here in Surfers Paradise and previously in Townsville.

Coffee on Chevron Island with Ross Kennedy.

David Herd unforgettable year

I rarely miss a day going to Chevron Island for coffee, breakfast, lunch or dinner. 🙂

David Herd unforgettable year with some sweet Japanese girls

David Herd unforgettable year

On the left is Sayuri with her friend and Ziggy in the background. Sayuri stayed at my home for several months while studying English.

Sonia from Beijing.

David Herd unforgettable year

 Sonia & I went out together for a while, we met in Toowoomba where she was going to university, then hooked up last year in Beijing. She moved to Sydney and found a husband. 🙂

Sydney Cricket Ground

David Herd unforgettable year

I was at the Sydney Cricket Ground to watch my beloved Sydney Swan play Australian Football. Luckily my friend Peter Hesky had a private box which makes the game more enjoyable.

Pothole, Apple and Sue

David Herd unforgettable year

John Martin aka Pothole, Apple and Sue in Sydney for the weekend.

Sue, Apple Pothole & his sister Anne.

David Herd unforgettable year

Strange how things turn out, it is 2016 and Pothole live in the same building in Pattaya Thailand.

Apple was the best Thai cook I have ever seen.

David Herd unforgettable year

Finally after the love affair finished with Pothole Apple wound up married to an ex cop in London. She was with him at Buckingham Palace when he received an award from the Queen, not bad for a girl from Nana Plaza. 🙂

Visiting my brother Bryan

David Herd unforgettable year

Bryan built a lovely home at Cobbity which is near Camden west of Sydney.

Sue and I at Manly

David Herd unforgettable year

Fish & chips is compulsory for lunch at Manly.

Manly

David Herd unforgettable year

One of the nicest Sydney seaside suburbs,

Magnificent Sydney skyline

David Herd unforgettable year

Sydney from the Manly ferry.

 Andrea & Gavin Kernot

David Herd unforgettable year

My friend Gavin with his gorgeous girlfriend Andrea. Have a look at my 2005 Paris post where I spent some time with Gavin and and Cheryl Kernot who was a well known Australian politician.

Melbas Xmas lunch with Graham (Biff) LaRoche.

David Herd unforgettable year

Each year a group of ex Melbourne guys would get together for a Xmas lunch at Melbas in Surfers Paradise.

The whole crew

David Herd unforgettable year

Sadly time waits for no man, four guys from this group have now passed away, Noel Smith, John Woods & Ron Collier, RIP.

Dave Allen & Kerry Townsend.

David Herd unforgettable year

Dave was the manager at Melbas and Kerry was the receptionist. Dave was the son of the owner Paul Allen who sadly passed away in July or August 2011. Melbas was the premier restaurant & nightclub on the Gold Coast since 1981. It was also my local drinking hole, the memories I have from there are unforgettable.

Xmas day lunch at home for David Herd unforgettable year.

David Herd unforgettable year

David Herd unforgettable year 2003 was frantic with Friends family students I was happy to spend Xmas day alone with my best friend Ziggy (my Doberman) enjoying my beautiful home that I built in 1990. I ate magnificent seafood and washed it down with my favourite white wine from Margaret River in W.A. a Salitage unwooded Chardonnay, life does not get much better than this. It was great having a quiet day to reflect on my wild & frantic year.

Thanks for visiting my David Herd unforgettable year photo blog.

I’ll leave it to Glenn Frey to tell you how I feel right now.

             

   Here are some more posts to check out

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

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

Seven deadly Songkran days

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

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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Click here to check out my Miami adventure.

 

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Canon Camera Love Travelling

December 25, 2013 by David Herd

Hoi An in Vietnam

Canon Camera Love Travelling

Canon Camera Love Travelling. When you grow up in Australia you soon realise that every other country in the world is beyond the sea. Somewhere in my teenage years I was bitten by the travel bug, I have been to 50 countries and 600 cities. Here is a collection of my favourite travel photos in no particular order, however the one above just happens to be my number one favourite.

Here is Bobby Darren with the appropriate song.

Copacabana

 

Perhaps the worlds best beach for people watching. Since my first trip there in January 1999, I returned another 7 times, with the last time being October 2010.

Future super models in Rio

Canon Camera Love Travelling

As soon as I raised my camera they struck a pose, did not have to be asked to do it, the spirit of Rio

My boulevard of broken dreams.

Canon Camera Love Travelling

W48th st & 8th ave Manhattan there is a nice French bistro, Pigalle. New York is my favorite city, it seems like six different cities molded together, there is such an exciting diversified collection of people and places make sure you give yourself enough time to soak up the atmosphere.

Tell us what you think Billy.

 
Canon Camera Love Travelling in Lisbon 

Canon Camera Love Travelling

Canon Camera Love Travelling Lisbon is recognised as a global city because of its importance in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, education and tourism. It is one of the major economic centers on the continent, with a growing financial sector and the largest/second largest container port on Europe’s Atlantic coast.

Koh Chang Thailand.

Canon Camera Love Travelling

Koh Chang is the 2nd largest Thai island after Phuket. Stay in a bungalow on the beach and enjoy the terrific Thai food. In many ways Koh Chang reminds me of Koh Samui 15 years ago. I used to love Koh Samui in the 90′s but the more it developed the more the attraction faded.

Valparaiso in Chile

Canon Camera Love Travelling

Valparaiso is by the sea in Chile about 100 kilometres from Santiago. I bet this fantastic house has been photographed millions of times, perched on the edge of a sheer drop you would not want to be a sleep walker. This is one of the escalators (Ascensores) connecting the harbor area to the hills, and the building is the restaurant Las Brujas.

Sanctuary Cove on Australia’s Gold Coast

Canon Camera Love Travelling

The Gold Coast has many world class golf courses, it was the home of Adam Scott who is currently number 2 in the world.

Canon Camera Love Travelling  in South Beach Miami 

Canon Camera Love Travelling

The fabulous art deco towers are unique examples of this form of architecture, they along the eight and a half mile stretch of  Beach. All told there are twenty five towers guarding those who use the beach. At once functional and decorative, they contribute beautifully to the overall aesthetic of this Floridian resort city.

Beautiful faces in Rio De Janeiro

Canon Camera Love Travelling

Carnival in Rio is awesome, it is really the greatest show on Earth. I was at the Sambadrome in 1999 and 2005, then I celebrated Carnival at a Bloco in Ipanema in 2008. I was way up in the bleachers in 1999 so in 2005 I paid about $500 to have a front row seat. Therefore I have been fortunate enough to have experienced Carnival from 3 different aspects.

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  Fishing fleet in Nha Trang Vietnam

Canon Camera Love Travelling

I went to Nha Trang twice in 2004 and hope to return July 2014.

Take us to your leader.

Canon Camera Love Travelling

Once a year, when the great Rio De Janeiro carnival takes place, the coastal town Paraty which is located 250 km south west to Rio, holds a unique carnival. In Paraty’s Mud Carnival – (Portuguese: Bloco da lama) the costumes that its participants wear is black sticky mud which is smeared on their bodies.

The carnival preserves the ancient local tradition when the Indians smeared their bodies with black mud for medical reasons, and held ritual ceremonies in order to bring cure to the ill. In contrary to Rio carnival where the participants wear marvellous coloured costumes, in Paraty carnival the fiesta is based mostly on the simplicity of the junction between men and nature.

Fantastic seafood in Salzburg.

Canon Camera Love Travelling

So much wonderful seafood on sale at a city nowhere near the ocean.

Salzburg is the fourth largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. Salzburg’s “Old Town” has internationally renowned baroque architecture and one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps.

The Old Bridge on the river Arno in Florence

Canon Camera Love Travelling

Florence is a beautiful city, I have been there 3 or 4 times and can’t wait to visit again. I saw a lot of the city and surrounding areas thanks to my good friend Francesca.

View from my condo in Pattaya Thailand.

Canon Camera Love Travelling

I wake up every morning to this wonderful view of Pattaya beach.

Bookmark my webcam and check it out. 

De Wallen Amsterdam

Canon Camera Love Travelling

One of the truly great European cities, this is their famous red light district.

Gorgeous girls & Manneken Pis.

Canon Camera Love Travelling

Brussels is a great city for food.

Roast pig at Tram Chim Saigon

Canon Camera Love Travelling

HCMC or Saigon is a truly wonderful experience, I was there in 2015 and millions of $$$$ are being spent to transform this amazing metropolis.

  From as early as 1980 I knew I would Have Camera Love Travelling around the world & often to Thailand, but I never thought I would live there permanently. However in October 2011 I left Australia and moved to Thailand. This is probably the final stage in my wonderful life.  

Thanks for visiting my “Have Camera Love Travelling” post

 Canon Camera Love Travelling

  Here are some more posts to check out           
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

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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

 

Pattaya live webcam
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To receive my latest posts please follow me on Twitter  Click here to see one of my posts on Brazil.

 

Check out Vung Tau in Vietnam

 

In Monte Carlo you can smell the money

 

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Ha Long Bay Vietnam is magic.

October 17, 2013 by David Herd

Ha Long Bay Vietnam is a magic place.

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

 Ha Long Bay Vietnam

Ha Long Bay Vietnam is magic, only 3 hours from Hanoi, there are many boat trips available however I suggest you spend at least one night aboard to enjoy the mystical atmosphere of one of the great travel destinations.  If you try to do it in one day too much time is wasted traveling to & from Hanoi, so take your time and enjoy this wonderful part of Vietnam.

Ha Long Bay is around 1,553 km2, including about 2,000 islets, most  are limestone.  The limestone in this bay has gone through 500 million years of formation in different conditions and environments.   

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

The evolution  in this bay has taken 20 million years and was formed by the forces of their tropical wet climate.

 Tour boat on Ha Long Bay.

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

The boats are comfortable and spacious.

Floating school on Ha Long Bay.

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

One of the most interesting schools I have ever seen.

The entire community lives, eats, sleeps on the beautiful emerald coloured water.

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

  The bay consists of a dense cluster of over 3,000 limestone  islands each topped with  jungle vegetation, rising spectacularly from the sea. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves. Hang Đầu Gỗ (Wooden stakes cave) is the largest grotto in the Hạ Long area.  Its three large chambers contain large numerous stalactites and stalagmites. There are two bigger islands, Tuần Châu and Cat Ba, that have people permanently living there, there are tourist facilities as well as hotels and beaches.  

Our guide on Ha Long Bay.

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

The guide was more of a deck hand. 🙂

A lonely rower on Ha Long Bay Vietnam

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

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David Herd on Ha Long Bay Vietnam

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

Living aboard

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

It’s obviously washing day.

 

Life on Ha Long bay is fascinating.

Thien Cung grotto

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

Thien Cung Grotto is at the height of 25 meters above the sea level. Visiting the grotto, tourists will feel like visiting an art museum with variety of sophisticated statues and reliefs. In the center of the grotto, there are four big pillars propping against the roof.

The grotto has been recently  discovered  by explorers. Thien Cung Grotto is considered to be one of the most beautiful caves on Ha Long Bay.

You can find some great hotel deals on Agoda

Old fishing boat

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

A typical Halong Bay community.

A great looking little boat

 Ha Long Bay Vietnam

So many fascinating boats on Ha Long Bay.

Roadside Tombs

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

These are graves on the roadside on the way to Hanoi, they are raised to avoid flooding.

Rice paddies between Hanoi & Ha Long Bay.

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

 Such a beautiful vivid green.

Thanks for visiting my Ha Long Bay Vietnam photo blog.

Here is a link for some very interesting things and photos of Vietnam.

 

         

                           Please check out these fabulous posts
 
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          Tokyo                        Rio De Janeiro                        Budapest
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           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
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            Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you            
 book through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                                                 Plus free cancellation .
                                               Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

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Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam

September 19, 2013 by David Herd

Ho Chi Minh City is Honda heaven.

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam 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. 😆

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City

As we all know Asia is the place to buy all sorts of copy & fake items, from watches to levis etc. Did you realise however in Vietnam quite a % of the Honda motorbikes are also copies of the real thing? They cost about 50% of the retail price and look identical, although the locals can tell the difference at a glance.  😆

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam Cyclo driver

Ho Chi Minh City

A word of warning, these Cyclo drivers know every trick in the book when it comes to relieving you of your hard earned cash. Always establish the price & terms before you hire them. Even when you do there will usually be an argument at the end of the ride anyhow.  👿

 HCMC is fascinating.

Ho Chi Minh City

 

Street vendors find a place to sit on the road.

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Narrow buildings in HCMC.

 

Ho Chi Minh City

Many of the buildings here are tall and narrow, I believe it is because they are taxed on the width of the property. It can be a little confusing wondering whether to refer to the city as Ho Chi Minh City Saigon, most Americans, French & Australians have the name Saigon burned into their brains.

War Remnants Museum

Ho Chi Minh City

Once known as the Museum of Chinese and American War Crimes, the War Remnants Museum is consistently the most popular museum in HCMC with Western tourists. Many of the atrocities documented here were well publicized in the West, but rarely do Westerners have the opportunity to hear the victims of US military action tell their own stories. Watching the films and studying the photos had a profound effect on me, I believed then & I still believe today the Vietnam war was one of the darkest periods of Australia & America’s history.

The pain & suffering we inflicted on these wonderful people should never be forgotten. Strangely enough all the people I met seemed to hold no grudge against us, they refer to it not as the Vietnam war but the American war. I remember it as a shocking blight on our history, and I applaud this small country for being able to withstand the might of the most powerful military machine in the world and come out victors.

Two very old relics

Ho Chi Minh City

These two very old relics date back to WW2, quite surprising they are still functioning. 🙂

Mekong river tour

Ho Chi Minh City

A half day trip that is really worth taking.

Beautiful face in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City

This beautiful little girl sang a song for us on our Mekong Delta tour.

One of the many tours you can take from HCMC is the Mekong River tour which is well worth the time. However my favorite tour was to the Cu Chi tunnels where you can actually crawl through the narrow underground tunnels and experience the terror of being trapped in a small dark place. I like many people suffer from Claustrophobia however I forced myself to face my demons and entered the dreaded tunnels. I crawled about 25 meters then made my escape at the first available exit, with a huge sigh of relief and a feeling of achievement.

The saddest face in Saigon.

Ho Chi Minh City

 

This poor little girl was begging for money with her mother watching from 5 meters away, instead of cash we gave her food, I’ll never forget this beautiful sad face.

Another beautiful face in HCMC.

Ho Chi Minh City

A beautiful face in Ho Chi Minh Cty Saigon.

AK 47 at Cu Chi

Ho Chi Minh City

As they said in the movie Jackie Brown, AK-47, The very best there is. When you absolutely, positively got to kill every motherfxxckxr in the room, accept no substitutes.

M16 at the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Ho Chi Minh City

There is a range at the Cu Chi tunnels where you can fire all the lethal weapons used in the Vietnam war, quite an incredible experience.

Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica

 Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, built in the late 1880s by French colonists, is one of the few remaining strongholds of Catholicism in the largely Buddhist Vietnam. Located in Paris Square, the name Notre Dame was given after the installation of the statue ‘Peaceful Notre Dame’ in 1959.

Saigon Apartments

Ho Chi Minh City

 

Great value and a good location in District 3. Only $68 per night if you book through this AGODA link. Both bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms and there is an excellent kitchen and large lounge room with a balcony.

So it really doesn’t matter whether you call the city Ho Chi Minh City Saigon or not, either way it is a fascinating place.

 

Here is a link for some very interesting things and photos of Vietnam.

Here is a short video of me firing an M60, my crazy friend with the camera got such a fright with the noise and the shells ejecting he lost control of the camera. Is it any wonder his nickname is Pothole?  😆

Firing an M60 in Vietnam.

 
 
Thanks for visiting my Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam photo blog.

Needless to say I thought the Vietnam war was a terrible shocking mistake.

Click here for a look at Ha Long Bay.

 

Here are some more posts to check out 

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1g Duck

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