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Lots of good restaurants in Koh Samui

June 25, 2016 by David Herd

 

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand.

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand have improved out of sight since I was last there in 2007. There are so many great choices now, here are a few I have no hesitation in recommending. We hit the jackpot on our first evening when we dined at Il Duomo which is rated 3 out of 154 by TripAdvisor.

Pothole & I at Duomo

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

The food prices were very reasonable, a bottle of red from Sanama Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile B1100. My Aussie friends can buy it at Petersham Liquor Mart for $10.

Sanama

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

Very smooth, a bit like myself. 🙂

Tell them my dear.

The owner comes from Milano.

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

A very interesting guy who enjoyed having a chat. There was one very nice touch, we ordered a main course each and asked for extra plates as we wanted to share the meals. We were pleasantly surprised when they actually served us both half portions separately, we didn’t need to do it ourselves, very classy indeed. Apart from that the food was exceptional.

Prego Italian Restaurant

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

Located at the Amari hotel TripAdvisor only rate it 13 out of 154 restaurants in Chaweng. Al I can say if there are 12 better restaurants then Samui dining is in great shape. Lovely decor, great food and excellent service. Once again the price was reasonable and they also had a red wine from Chile on special.

Pothole pulverizes pizza

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

My ravioli was superb as was Pothole’s pizza.

Ravioli was superb

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

 Put Prego on you list of must do restaurants in Samui. The Amari has been totally renovated and rates very highly among Samui hotels, for a very good room rate just book through THIS LINK.

 Wine Connection

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

My favourite, they also have several in Bangkok although the Silom branch is the only one I have been to. The best garlic prawns I have had in 20 years, I have had them both at Samui & Bangkok & they are perfect.

Wine Connection at Central Festival Samui

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

 We only spent 4 nights in Samui and chose to eat here twice.

Low cost wine

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

They offer a wonderful selection of wine from all over the world at liquor store prices. Our red wine from Chile was a bargain B650.

The chain I’m told is owned by a French group, I only wish they would open a branch in Pattaya.

Lamb shank at the Wine Connection.

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

The food choices are extensive, lots of terrines a a big range of pasta.

Coffee club

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

I saw two Coffee club restaurants, one in Central Festival and one in the main street opposite the Ark Bar.  Very good eggs Benedict and coffee.

Eggs Benedict

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

Absolutely delicious.

Bar Baguette

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

Located at Bophut beach this was really a good little cafe for lunch, the avocado & bacon baguette was perfect and the staff were really friendly.

For more good restaurants in Bophut just follow THIS LINK.

Lots of choices on the main street.

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

There are many restaurants offering fresh seafood and lots of sports bars offering good pub food. Sadly we only had four days to sample the Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand, however I guarantee I shall return.

Lots of fresh seafood

Koh Samui busy main street

In the nine years since I was in Samui I can’t believe the incredible improvement in the restaurant scene, the choices are endless.

Thanks for visiting my Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand photo blog. Book through THIS LINK for a discount on your hotel room.

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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

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Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

November 23, 2015 by David Herd

Mantra Sunday lunch

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya has been my favourite restaurant since it opened about 10 years ago. Sunday brunch is amazing allowing you to sample food from seven different kitchens. My number one dish is Alaskan crab and oysters from France.

 Sashimi and Sushi

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

As I said there are seven kitchens to choose from, however I rarely get past the seafood, sashimi and dim sum. 🙂

Mantra Restaurant Amari Hotel Pattaya October 2012

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

I’m even stuck on the seafood in this photo blog. 🙂

 Dim Sum station

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

Dim Sum has always been one of my favourite cuisines, the Peking Duck rolls at the mantra are to die for.

Bring on the duck

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

Delicious.

Not everyone is happy with the duck

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

Leave us ducks alone. 

Dim Sum washed down with cold sake.

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

The Mantra is part of the fabulous Amari hotel and the food, service and décor is world class.

Benjamina Sitthi

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

This gorgeous lady is the public relations manager at the Mantra, she always makes sure we all have a wonderful dining experience. We always seem to spend Xmas and birthdays at this great restaurant.

From the Chinese kitchen

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

 Beef fillet steak with Cantonese onion sauce just melts in your mouth.

Mantra Restaurant Amari Hotel Pattaya Xmas day 2013

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

All the usual suspects celebrate Xmas at the Mantra.

Mantra Restaurant Amari Hotel Pattaya Xmas Day 2014

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

Here we are again celebrating Xmas. I’m with Brendan Daley who is GM at the Mantra, and a Sydney boy as well. Brendan has left the Amari & I have not met the new manager.          

 Looking towards the sushi & seafood

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

The décor is simply stunning, is it any wonder so many of my friends think this is the number one restaurant in Pattaya?

Beautiful presentation

Mantra Restaurant Amari Hotel Pattaya

The food at the Mantra is presented beautiful, we often take over three hours to enjoy the Sunday brunch.   

Wood fired Pizza

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

They even have a pizza oven. The à la carte servings are smaller at Sunday lunch, the idea is to encourage customers to sample many dishes on the menu. As you can see casual dress is acceptable on Sundays compared to dinner 7 nights per week when you are expected to dress a little more formally.


Mantra Restaurant Pattaya July 7 2015

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

Another birthday, another Mantra celebration.

Le cake

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

A cake and a hat, both birthday gifts from the Mantra.

Lets not forget the beautiful welcoming smile from Anusara songkarin

Mantra Restaurant Amari Hotel Pattaya

Like most Thai ladies she has a nickname we can pronounce, Beer.

January 2011

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

We have had some big groups at Sunday brunch over the years.

Birthday 2011

Mantra Restaurant Amari PattayaThere is no better place to celebrate with friends.

pièce de résistance

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

It has to be the wonderful seafood which I usually wash down with cold sake. The brunch (B.1,690) opens at 11 a.m. and operates until 3 p.m every Sunday, so take your time, wander through the stations, enjoy a glass of wine (the free flow wine buffet is B.1,490)

Of course those prices were in 2013, now in 2017 brunch is B1,990 & free flow wine is B1750.

Birthday for Hamish

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

July 21st 2014 and we celebrate Hamish turning 46.

A lovely lady

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

This is Katoon, these days I only see her on Facebook travelling the world. 🙂 

Farewell from David & Benjamina

Mantra Restaurant Amari Pattaya

Thank you for visiting my Mantra Restaurant Amari Hotel Pattaya photo blog, there is no better Sunday brunch on the planet.

For a discounted room rate at the Amari Ocean View just book through THIS LINK.

For the Amari Garden please use THIS LINK.

Sabai Wing Soi 1 North Pattaya

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Sabai Wing Soi 1, 3 swimming pools and nice rooms, 100 meters from BigC, great value at only $23 usd per night as of August 15. I live in the high-rise in the background, Markland. For a great room rate book here.

For a more upmarket hotel on Beach Rd

 

Just use THIS LINK for a terrific rate at the Wave Hotel.

5,300 people have seen this video, take a look

The fabulous Mantra restaurant, Amari hotel in Pattaya Thailand.

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

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Slide show here.

Pattaya live webcam
 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

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Leigh Street Adelaide Restaurants

November 20, 2015 by David Herd

Cos in Leigh St

Leigh Street Adelaide Restaurants

Leigh Street Adelaide Restaurants

Leigh Street Adelaide Restaurants and the neighbouring Peel St are two very trendy restaurant areas in the heart of Adelaide. The after work crowd flock here to spin their stories and pose for the crowd.

Terrific terrine at Cos

Leigh Street Adelaide Restaurants

This was an excellent entree at Cos restaurant in the city of Adelaide.

Leigh Street Adelaide Restaurants

Leigh Street Adelaide Restaurants

Very good food and a nice atmosphere at Cos in Leigh St.

Clever little Tailor

Adelaide South Australia October 2014

Clever little Tailor is the catchy name of this Peel St wine bar which seems to cater for the local trendies. :)

Clever little Tailor

Leigh Street Adelaide Restaurants

Certainly not dedicated followers of fashion here.

My red wine was $16 per glass which is quite a shock for a guy like me who lives in Thailand. That equates to about B400 which is more than a Five Star hotel would charge in Bangkok.

Leigh Street Adelaide Restaurants

Adelaide South Australia October 2014

Leigh St is next to Peel St & both have some very nice restaurants & bars.

Peel Street

Leigh Street Adelaide Restaurants

Old stone building in Peel St, both Peel & Leigh streets run between Hindley St Currie.

Leigh Street Adelaide Restaurants

Leigh Street Adelaide Restaurants

 Two things have contributed to the popularity of these two streets. The conversion of Leigh Street to a traffic-free al fresco dining area, with beautifully restored buildings and trendy new bars; plus the state government’s new small bar licence, which has fast-tracked licensing for bars with a capacity of under 120 people and made the process much, much cheaper.

This is not the Franklin Hotel

Leigh Street Adelaide Restaurants

 On the corner of  Leigh & Hindley Streets “The Little Pub” is only an eleven minute walk to the Franklin Hotel which offers very good accommodation. Book through this link for a great rate.

Thanks for visiting my Leigh Street Restaurants photo blog. In my opinion Adelaide is one of the most liveable cities in Australia.

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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great food photo blogs.

 

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Adelaide seaside suburb Glenelg

November 20, 2015 by David Herd

Glenelg

Adelaide seaside suburb Glenelg beach.

Adelaide South Australia October 2014

Adelaide seaside suburb Glenelg beach is where I decided to stay in October 2014. It is the oldest European settlement on mainland South Australia & was established in 1836.

Tram to the city

Adelaide South Australia October 2014

A pleasant way to travel to the heart of the city without any car parking problems.

Bay discovery centre

Adelaide seaside suburb Glenelg beach

This building on the left was the town hall until 1997 and is now the Bay discovery centre. The building on the right is the Five Star Stamford Grand which is the number one spot to stay in Glenelg & perhaps the whole of Adelaide, use this link for a great room rate.

Old Glenelg church

Adelaide seaside suburb Glenelg beach

  The name Glenelg is noteworthy for being a palindrome.

Adelaide seaside suburb Glenelg Marina

eb56f21a-a4f4-4522-b1a4-21f1ff0d2651

There a quite a selection of restaurants at the marina and car parking is available in the basement.  

Oyster Bar

Adelaide South Australia October 2014

Denis Young and I have been friends since I lived in Adelaide in 1973, strangely we have hardly changed at all. 🙂

Grind It

Adelaide seaside suburb Glenelg beach

 A very good place for breakfast, which is rated number 2 restaurant in Glenelg by TripAdvisor.

Adelaide seaside suburb Glenelg

Adelaide seaside suburb Glenelg beach

Parkland between the Marina and town centre.

Atlantic Tower Motor Inn is a reasonable priced motel in a good location, use this link for a discounted room rate.

Cardone’s Seafood and Grill

Adelaide seaside suburb Glenelg beach

Rated number one by TripAdvisor out of 135 restaurants in Glenelg, I had dinner there twice and it was excellent.

Stanford Grand Hotel Glenelg

Adelaide seaside suburb Glenelg beach

This has to be one of Adelaide’s prime locations.

Apartments overlooking the beach.

Adelaide South Australia October 2014

What a beautiful spot. 

Farewell from Adelaide.

Adelaide seaside suburb Glenelg beach

From here I drove the Great Ocean Road to Dromana in Victoria, via the car ferry across Port Phillip Bay.

Thanks for visiting my Adelaide seaside suburb Glenelg beach photo blog

Adelaide holds some wonderful memories for me, the 2 years I lived there in the 70s were as good as any in my life. Now to explain where I’m at and how I feel, I’ll leave it up to Glenn Frey.

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

 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck       

 
 
 
 

After Dromana I flew to the Gold Coast.

In March 2014 I had a terrific world trip.

Check out these great food photo blogs.

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Hahndorf Adelaide South Australia

November 19, 2015 by David Herd

Hahndorf Adelaide Hills

Hahndorf Adelaide Hills South Australia

 Hahndorf Adelaide South Australia is a short trip from Adelaide, The town was originally settled by Lutheran migrants. German influence is very apparent in Hahndorf and is seen physically in the traditional fachwerk architecture of the original surviving buildings. There are also many restaurants in the town serving German cuisine.

Hahndorf Adelaide South Australia

Hahndorf Adelaide Hills South Australia

Hahndorf is a small town in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia. Currently an important tourism spot, it has previously been a centre for farming and services.

German Arms Hotel

Hahndorf Adelaide Hills South Australia

Close to this pub is a hotel that rates very highly, use this link for a great room rate.

 Old sandstone homes

Hahndorf Adelaide Hills South Australia

This is a typical South Australian sandstone home. In 1973 my home in Adelaide was quite similar.

 Hahndorf Adelaide South Australia cafes & restaurants

Hahndorf Adelaide Hills South Australia

Hahndorf is on of Adelaide’s main tourist centres with lots of places to eat and drink. Famous of course for it’s wine making expertise as are other South Australian areas.

Beautiful old buildings

Hahndorf Adelaide Hills South Australia

Thanks for visiting my Hahndorf Adelaide post, make sure it is on your bucket list when visiting Adelaide.

It is now 2016 and I have lived in Thailand for 5 years, however if I had to move back to Australia I think I would choose Adelaide as my home. It would be a toss up between here or Port Macquarie in NSW, however Adelaide in my opinion is one of the most livable cities in Australia.

I have said it many times over the years but I still believe my two best years living in Australia was in Adelaide 1972 to 1974.                         

                             More posts for you to see

     Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

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

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425    Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                     

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

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

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Click here to see my post on the Great Ocean Road

Here is my trip to the Gold Coast November 2014

In 2003 I took 3 Japanese girls to the outback

 
Aoy visits
 

 

That’s all folks

1 (5)

 

Check out these great posts

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Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

November 1, 2015 by David Herd

EmQuartier

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall Bangkok opened in March 2015 & I’m blown away by the amazing food hall at this new shopping mall opposite the Emporium. I never thought I would say it but Bangkok now rivals Tokyo with the highest quality food presentation in the world.

Street Food Fair

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Everything I saw was simply top quality.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall Bangkok food hall

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

There are dozens of restaurants, offices, event halls and a nice atrium garden featuring a waterfall. There’s direct access from Phrom Phong BTS Skytrain and walkway to the original Emporium mall across the road.

au bon pain

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

One of my favourite coffee chains, I often have breakfast at the Pattaya branch, a bacon & egg croissant & a medium latte.

Wonderful liquor store

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Way back in the 80s I owned a liquor in Sydney, it looked nothing like this. 🙂

Nice to see my favorite Australian wine here.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Sadly Penfold’s wine is far too expensive in Thailand.

Jones the grocer

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Quite a beautifully designed store.

Jones the grocer

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall Bangkok

So many choices at EmQuartier and so little time.

Harrods at Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

No, we are not in London, we are in Bangkok.

Inside Harrods

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

The choices of restaurants and coffee shops is mind boggling.

Wine I love you

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

What a great name for a restaurant, as well as the indoor area there is a terrace that overlooks downtown Bangkok,  they offer Asian and Western choices for appetizers & mains, catering to a variety of tastes, all at very affordable prices.

I wanted to order the lamb shank but they were sold out, when I remarked “but it’s only 12.15,” the waitress informed me they only get 4 shanks each day and we have been opened since 10 am. When I think about it it probably ensures they always have fresh produce to serve.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

 Wine I love you at Amazing EmQuartier Bangkok is one of many restaurants with wonderful décor.

 Meerkats on guard

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Part of the nice garden area where people can relax and kids can play.

Did I mention the guard dog?

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

EmQuartier has its very own guard dog.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall Bangkok

It really is a pleasure exploring this wonderful new mall.

Oysters at Crab and Claw, 7th Floor Helix Building.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

  Lobsters, New England Clam Chowder and a good selection of oysters (Kumamoto, Calm Cove, Royal, etc…) and fresh home-made pasta.  Lots of choices at this popular establishment. The lobster roll is Crab & Claw’s signature dish, however it will set you back around B1000.

They have recently opened at Siam Paragon as well.

Entrée at Crab and Claw

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

An interesting dish featuring a crab with little black hamburger rolls and a crab filling. Although it was a little light on the crab, tasty but I would not order again. A very good selection of (expensive) Oysters from all over the world, average price between B500 & B600 for 3.

For a very good budget hotel in Soi 11 Sukhumvit you can’t beat Citadines.

If you want to go upmarket try the Marriot on Sukhumvit, great rate using this link.

Fabulous supermarket

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Food is beautifully displayed in keeping with the entire complex.

Fresh fish

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Beautifully presented fresh produce.

Directory

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Lots of choices at Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall.

Dean & Deluca

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Another great looking establishment.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

 

Thanks for visiting my Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall Bangkok photo blog, put it at the top of your bucket list.

Here is an even new mall, Siam Discovery.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Diagonally opposite MBK.


Good budget hotel on Sukhumvit  

       35981767253_ba59cec0f9_b        

When I’m in Bangkok I like to stay in Sukhumvit Soi 11, here is an excellent budget hotel, if you USE THIS LINK you will get a great rate of around B1100 per night, or $30 USD.

 

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

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

           

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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 Tone        9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)   191de3bb-38fc-45cd-bce7-ef24081c554b

 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

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

  • The fabulous Commons
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Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Sospel village near Monte Carlo

August 17, 2015 by David Herd

North of Monte Carlo

Sospel village near Monte Carlo

Sospel village near Monte Carlo

Sospel village near Monte Carlo is a small town situated about 15km inland from the coastal resort of Menton & close to the French border with Italy. We were based in Breil Sur Roya just a short drive through the mountains.

Briel Sur Roya to Sospel & Monte Carlo

Sospel village near Monte Carlo

A short drive to the coast.

Medieval town

Sospel village near Monte Carlo

This small medieval town feels almost Italian in character, maybe because it was part of Italy until 1860.


 

Relaxing in the town square

Sospel village near Monte Carlo

   Sospel became prosperous in the 13th century when an important salt trading route between Nice and Turin passed through the town and those using the route paid tolls to use the bridge across the Bévéra river.  

Houses along the riverbanks

Sospel village near Monte Carlo

    The streets of the old town contain numerous attractive medieval houses, many with decorative painted facades.  

Toll Bridge

Sospel village near Monte Carlo

The tower in the centre of the fortified bridge was originally the toll gate for the mules using the trade route. A bridge has stood here since at least the 13th century, although it is likely the original version was built of wood. In 1522 the wooden bridge was replaced by a stone version, much as we see it today.

Viaduct beside the village

Sospel village near Monte Carlo

You can spend many days exploring the beautiful part of France.

Coffee with Deborah

Sospel village near Monte Carlo

  Thanks for sharing my Sospel village near Monte Carlo photo blog, lots more links below.                  

  Checkout some more of my terrific blogs on the links below.
 
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

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

 

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               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
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Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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La Brigue ancient French village

August 16, 2015 by David Herd

La Brigue

La Brigue ancient French village

La Brigue ancient French village

La Brigue ancient French village north of Menton was originally part of Italy, the village was annexed to France as part of the Treaty of Paris in 1947.

Donjon tower

La Brigue ancient French village

 The village is both pretty and interesting, with colourful buildings, ancient churches, arcades, vaulted passages, streets to explore, and the pleasure of a fast-flowing river that’s joined by a mountain stream in the centre. The stream is called “Rio Sec”, or dry river, but was full of spring water when we were there. Many of the buildings are of natural stone and many are nicely renovated with pastel facades and green doorways and steps. The 14th-c medieval Chateau des Lascaris perched above the village is in ruins, with only some walls and a tall, round donjon tower remaining. Partial reconstruction, however, has been started, and the castle is used for medieval festival weekends. Reconstruction will be followed by archaeological digs on the site.

 Medieval stone structures

La Brigue ancient French village

 La Brigue is very attractive with steep rocky hills rising either side, also there are several important monuments.

ANCIENT STONE FOUNTAIN

La Brigue ancient French village

This fountain is dated 1741.

The water tastes so pure & cold

La Brigue ancient French village

This water is worth bottling.

Homes in La Brigue

La Brigue ancient French village

Wonderful ancient stone buildings.

La Brigue French village

La Brigue ancient French village
As you can imagine there are not too many hotels in La Brigue, Hotel Le Terminus is a good choice, excellent rates if you book through this link.

St Martin collegiate church

La Brigue ancient French village

I rarely enter a church however in La Brique I made an exception.

St Martin collegiate church

La Brigue ancient French village

A great shot of the local church.

Ancient buildings & narrow lanes

La Brigue ancient French village

One of the fascinating cobblestone lanes.

La Brigue ancient French village

La Brigue ancient French village

La Brique is a great example of a typical French mountain village.

La Brigue is on the Roya river

La Brigue ancient French village

Perched on the banks of the Sur Roya.

Looks like it will last 1000 years

La Brigue ancient French village

I’m guessing it has been there 1000 years already.

Deborah Holliday & Jodie ONiell

La Brigue ancient French village

These lovely ladies from the Gold Coast were my travelling companions. We were based at Breil Sur Roya between Saorge & Airole.

David Herd at La Brigue

La Brigue ancient French village

Thanks for joining me at my La Brigue ancient French village photo blog. Lots more photo links below.

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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

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Saorge beautiful French village

August 15, 2015 by David Herd

This village is spectacular

Saorge beautiful French village

Saorge beautiful French village

 Saorge beautiful French village was classed as one of the “40 most beautiful villages of France”. The main village streets traverse narrowly between the buildings at very different levels, with smaller streets and steps leading up and down between them. The view from anywhere in the village is spectacular, looking outward to snow-capped mountains in the middle distance (into May and June) and the deep gorge and rushing white-water river below.

Road to Saorge

Saorge beautiful French village

The region belonged to the old County of Nice. From 1388 to 1860 Saorge was part of Sardinia-Piedmont when it was ceded to France. In June 1793 the armies of the First French Republic and Sardinia clashed here. In the Battle of Saorgio on 24–28 April 1794, the French wrested the town from the Piedmontese. The town was returned to Sardinia-Piedmont after the overthrow of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Saorge beautiful French village

Saorge beautiful French village

 Saorge is 11 km north of Breil Sur Roya where we were based. There are so many interesting French & Italian villages in this particular area, you can spend weeks exploring these fabulous part of Europe.


Bath house or wash house?

Saorge beautiful French village

Whichever one it is or was I can guarantee it is old, very old. 🙂

Saorge homes

Saorge beautiful French village

The tall solid stone houses date from the 15th-17th centuries and line the narrow steep cobbled street that climb up through the village.

Narrow streets & Alleys

Saorge beautiful French village

 Exploring the village is straightforward as the village mostly follows one long street that climbs the hill through Saorge, with lots of smaller alleys climbing the hill to either side.

My travel buddies

Saorge beautiful French village

 Deborah Holliday and Jodie ONiell from the Gold Coast in Australia spent a couple of weeks with me exploring the French & Italian villages, French Riviera & the Cinque Terre. My best travel tip for this area is to base yourself in the central village of Breil Sur Roya, from here you can easily reach all the wonderful surrounding villages similar to Saorge.

Thanks for visiting my Saorge beautiful French village photo blog.

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

 

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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.
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Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Menton French Italian border

August 11, 2015 by David Herd

Menton shopping

Menton French Italian border

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 Menton French Italian border is certainly one of my favourite towns on the French Riviera, in fact I intend to make it my base the next time I visit this wonderful part of the world.

Side-walk restaurants & galleries

Menton French Italian border

Menton is certainly overlooked by many tourists & travellers, to me it is much nicer than many of the more popular Riviera locations.

Art gallery

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So many interesting shops & restaurants in Menton.

Beautiful restaurant setting

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Of course one of the main pastimes in France is food and there are many good restaurants to choose from here.

While we are on the subject of food

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  Wonderful French Oysters, even though I now live in Thailand I often enjoy these succulent molluscs which are regularly imported fresh from France.
What a magnificent combination of colours in this seafood pasta

Menton French Italian border

  It tasted every bit as good as it looks. 🙂

Creme Brulee to finish

Menton French Italian border

  Now that’s what I call a perfect lunch.

So many restaurants & so little time

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  This is where I enjoyed the wonderful food you see above.

The restaurant was next door to Le Nautic

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It’s very easy to get around Menton by car.

Bastion Museum

Menton French Italian border

    Jean Cocteau, painter and poet, became involved in the restoration and decoration of the Bastion, a small fort of the XVII century, in order to convert it into an exhibition place for his work.

One of the many beaches

Menton French Italian border

One of the most popular coastlines in the world.

Comfortable on the rocks?

Antibes Mediterranean resort

 Probably not too comfortable, however I would be very happy lying beside her, I would gladly put up with the pain from the pebbles. :)

Neil Diamond Love On The Rocks Subtitulado

High density living

Menton French Italian border

  On the left is the Basilique Saint Michel.

City view

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A great view overlooking the harbour and beach.

Harbour view

Menton French Italian border

Some of the thousands of boats on the French Riviera.

Crowded Marina

Menton French Italian border

Sun, sand & boats, however many of the Riviera beaches have pebbles instead of sand.

Breakwater

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It seems to be shaped like a large anchor.

The old cemetery

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  The previous photos have been taken from the Old Cemetery which is worth a visit. Great view of the old city and harbour.

Old Cemetery overlooking Menton

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Some very ancient grave stones here.

The old border checkpoint Menton French Italian border

Menton French Italian border

 Italy is just round the corner from the French Riviera… In fact, if you are in Menton, you can just walk across the border! The Italian town of Ventimiglia is located at the terminus of the coastal railway line that runs between Nice and Monaco. 

Menton is the perfect location

St Tropez to Cinque Terre 2

Menton is the perfect location to stay, 2 hours west to Saint Tropez, 3.5 hours east to the Cinque Terre and 45 minutes north to Breil Sur Roya one of my favourite villages.

                         Aussie girls

Menton French Italian border

Here are my 2 travelling companions from the Gold Coast in Australia, Jodie ONeill & Deborah Holliday. Many thanks for visiting my Menton French Italian border photo blog.

 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Sing it for me please Edith. 🙂

 

Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 5 photos