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Ginza Tokyo Shopping Entertainment

June 13, 2018 by David Herd

You gotta love the Ginza

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Entertainment

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Entertainment

Ginza Tokyo Shopping  Entertainment, a square meter of land in the district’s center is worth over ten million yen, making it one of the most expensive real estate in Japan.

Ladies in traditional dress.

Ginza Tokyo Shopping EntertainmentIf you want to see more people wearing a Kimono just visit the shrine in Asakusa.

Lunch at Shabusen

Ginza Tokyo Shopping EntertainmentShabusen has a very high TripAdvisor rating, #96 of 7,835 Restaurants in Chuo.

From one extreme to the other.

Ginza Tokyo Shopping EntertainmentCalled 300BAR 8 it is one of 3 bars in Ginza serving all drinks for 300 Yen + tax.

Quite small but great value.

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Dining EntertainmentThe Margaritas were a bit on the small side but still very good value.

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Dining Entertainment & Super cars.

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Entertainment

A fabulous Nissan concept car.

One more look at the beast.

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Entertainment

The Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo vehicle on display at Nissan Crossing showroom in the Ginza.

New shopping mall Ginza 6

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Entertainment

There are a number of luxury shopping malls in the Ginza, this one seems to be much the same with all the luxury labels.

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Dining Entertainment

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Dining Entertainment

Ultra modern concept as you would expect.

If you want a great Sushi restaurant look no further than Sushizanmai

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Entertainment

Fifteen minutes walk south near where the old fish market was.

Dinner with my friend Claibourne Jones.

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Entertainment

Our chef in the background recognised me from previous years.

My YouTube clip has been viewed 62,000 times.

Fantastic chaotic Sushi restaurant in Tokyo.

This gives you a sample of the chaotic atmosphere at Sushizanmai. Thanks for visiting my Ginza Tokyo Shopping Entertainment photo blog.

kabuki theatre tokyo

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Entertainment

The building was destroyed on October 30, 1921. Since it burned down from an electrical fire, the second building was designed to “be fireproof, yet carry traditional Japanese architectural styles”, and at the same time using Western building materials such as lighting equipment. The reconstruction commenced in 1922, and was uncompleted when the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake struck and caused it to burn down. It was rebuilt in a baroque Japanese revivalist style, meant to evoke the architectural details of Japanese castles, as well as temples of pre-Edo period. The theater again burned down in the Allied bombing during World War II. It was restored in 1950  preserving the style of 1924 reconstruction, and was until recently one of Tokyo’s more dramatic and traditional buildings.

Tawaramachi Station

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo

This trip 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. Tawaramachi Station is on the Ginza line so it’s direct to the Ginza in 23 minutes.

Book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.

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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.               

 
 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

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Sendai Japan Founded 1600

June 13, 2018 by David Herd

Very nice city just north ease of Tokyo.

Sendai Japan Founded 1600

Sendai Japan Founded 1600

Sendai Japan Founded 1600, located northeast of Tokyo. My first impression was the city seemed a little bland & boring, it turned out I was totally wrong, the city has an exciting nightlife area called Kokubuncho. As you can see above elevated walkways spread out from the station to surrounding buildings.

Tokyo to Sendai on the Shinkansen.

Sendai Japan Founded 1600

Only one hour twenty minutes & very few passengers if you don’t travel in peak hour.

Lunch at the ANA Holiday Inn.

Sendai Japan Founded 1600Very good food & only a short walk from the station. 

ANA Holiday Inn

Sendai Japan Founded 1600

For an excellent room rate with free cancellation just book through THIS LINK.

Lots of modern glass skyscrapers.

Sendai Japan Founded 1600Quite a typical modern Japanese city.

Long covered shopping arcade

Sendai Japan Founded 1600These arcades are found in many Japanese cities. 

At night the action is in Kokubuncho

Sendai Japan Founded 1600 Nearly 3,000 restaurants and bars crowd within a fairly small area. People flood this area until very late each night, especially at weekends. 

Lots of restaurants large & small.

Sendai Japan Founded 1600The only problem is deciding where to eat. 🙂

Seafood is very popular all over Japan.

Sendai Japan Founded 1600Good sushi eaten in Japan is hard to beat.

Ostra de Ole is at the beginning Kokubuncho.

Sendai Japan Founded 1600Huge delicious oysters, follow THIS LINK for more photos.

Highly ranked Thai restaurant near my hotel.

Sendai Japan Founded 1600Called in on my way to the hotel for a couple of glasses of red wine.

The owner & his wife were very nice friendly people.

Sendai Japan Founded 1600Of course most people in Japan are. TripAdvisor have Ranked them # 319 of 5996 restaurants in Sendai.

The Hotel Hokke Club was my hotel in a very good location, 10 minutes walk from the station & 10 minutes to Kokubuncho. For an excellent room rate & free cancellation just book through THIS LINK.

Lucy & Glutton, a very good Italian restaurant

Sendai Japan Founded 1600It’s Ranked 690 out of 5996 restaurants in Sendai

A very good pasta dish at Lucy & Glutton.

Sendai Japan Founded 1600 Sendai Japan Founded 1600 has so many restaurant choices it will make your head spin. 🙂

The Koyo Grand Hotel.

Sendai Japan Founded 1600Very upmarket hotel, however book through THIS LINK for a heavily discounted room rate.

Farewell to Sendai, next stop Sapporo.

Sendai Japan Founded 1600Thanks for visiting my Sendai Japan Founded 1600 photo blog, what a surprise packet this city turned out to be.

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            Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you            
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                                                                 Plus free cancellation .
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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.               

 
 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

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Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo

June 12, 2018 by David Herd

Sensoji Temple

Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo

Ancient 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.

30 million visitors means it’s always busy here.

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo 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.

The purification process.

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo 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. 

 Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo incense burner.

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa TokyoMany people believe that touching the smoke with injured parts of the body may have a healing effect.

I’ll have one of those please…..

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa TokyoAs you can see food is sold within the temple grounds.

Let’s dress up as a Geisha

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa TokyoA delightful tradition, many ladies & gorgeous young girls hire a Kimono to feel more in the moment at the Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo.

Don’t they look wonderful and happy?

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo It really is a joy to see their happy smiling faces.

Of course everyone wants a selfie with the girls. 🙂

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo And why not? They really look fabulous.

Lining up to see inside the temple.

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa TokyoThere certainly is lots of gold inside the temple.

lets have a closer look.

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa TokyoBuddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo is rather spectacular don’t you think?

Kaminarimon or outer gate.

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo This fabulous gate has been destroyed & rebuilt many times throughout the ages.

Hashimoto Yakusi-do Temple

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo The temple houses a seating figure of Yakushi Nyorai (Physician of Souls).

Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa TokyoIn every nook & cranny there is something special to see at the amazing Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo.

Another beautiful setting.

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa TokyoAround every corner awaits a surprise.

A shopping arcade at the temple entrance.

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo As you can imagine there are lots of temple souvenirs here.

Finally the old & the new.

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa TokyoThat’s the famous Tokyo Skytree, check out MY PHOTO BLOG from a previous trip.

One last shot of the gorgeous girls.

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo Thanks for visiting my Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo photo blog. Many more photo blogs below.

Tawaramachi Station

Ancient Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo

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.

   Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

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Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

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The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located 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.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Oyster bar Sendai Japan

June 12, 2018 by David Herd

A Fabulous Feast in Sendai

Oyster bar Sendai Japan

Oyster bar Sendai Japan

Oyster bar Sendai Japan provided a terrific feast of delicious large natural oysters. Here is the reason these oysters are so good; “A cold current that contains nutrient-rich water travels down the coast from north to south. The two currents collide at around the Sanriku area, which includes the coast of Miyagi Prefecture.” The mixing of these currents leads to plankton blooms, which attract migrating fish. “This same nutrient- and plankton-rich water makes Matsushima Bay oysters delicious,” these wild oysters were first discovered as a culinary delight and harvested from Matsushima Bay back in the 17th century.

These oysters are rather huge.

Oyster bar Sendai Japan I was lucky the night to find this great little restaurant Ostra de Ole  the oysters were half price so I ordered 10. 

A ll of a sudden I thought I was in heaven. 🙂

Oyster bar Sendai Japan It seemed that I was in heaven, sitting in a great little oyster bar drinking ice cold beer, listening to Abba singing Dancing Queen & waiting on my 10 oysters to arrive. And as I said, tonight they were half price, B300 or $12 AUD, priceless. 

My night just kept getting better.

Oyster bar Sendai Japan

My waiter Ryuichiro Yamamoto a nice young university student who was studying Space Engineering, rolled up with a bonus 3 oysters on the house. 

Oyster bar Sendai Japan

Oyster bar Sendai Japan

Cold beer, huge oysters & great music, it does not get any better than this in an Oyster bar Sendai Japan. 🙂

First bar as you enter Kokubuncho

Oyster bar Sendai Japan kokubunchô is the largest entertainment district throughout Tohoku and is located in the center of Sendai, in Miyagi Prefecture. About 3000 restaurants and bars are located there. Many people flock to this area every day, specifically during the weekend after a long week of work. The area is composed of various restaurants, Izakaya (Japanese style pubs), bars, nightclubs, etc . If you are looking to party, you came to the right place.🤗

Many thanks to Ostra de Ole &  Ryuichiro Yamamoto .

Oyster bar Sendai JapanAnd thanks to you for visiting my Oyster bar Sendai Japan photo blog. My hotel Hokke Club was in an excellent location. Only 15 minutes walk from the station & 10 minutes to Kokubuncho where all the action is. Book through THIS LINK for a very good room rate with free cancellation.

I have eaten oysters all over the world, please check out THIS LINK.

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

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

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

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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

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Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

36555237616_da3ed73d6a_o

The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposite the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

Check out these great food photo blogs.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple Kyoto

June 11, 2018 by David Herd

A long climb to reach the Temple

Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple

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.

More steps when you get to the Temple.

Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple

I assure you going back down from Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple is much easier. 🙂

Always crowds to contend with in the high season.

Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple

There are many advantages travelling in low season, less crowds, cheaper flights & hotels.

Coming down is much easier. 🙂

Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple

Lots of students even though it’s a Saturday.

Photo opportunity

Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple

Such a lovely Kimono on this very pretty lady.

Lets try another pose.

Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple

If you go to all the trouble to hire a kimono & dress up then you need to take plenty of photos.

Everybody loves the traditional dress 

Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple

It’s so nice to see everyone dressed up.

A very busy ice-cream shop

Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple

On a hot day such as this soft serve ice cream really hits the spot.

Small parking spot.

Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple

A tight squeeze here but at least it’s off the road. These little boxy cars are very popular in Japan.

Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple

Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple

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.

A-One hotel on Beach Road

Kiyomizu-dera buddhist temple

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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Free Cancellation. 
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1g Duck

 

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Kyoto’s entertainment district

June 11, 2018 by David Herd

You Gotta Love Kyoto

Kyoto’s entertainment district

Kyoto’s entertainment district

Kyoto’s entertainment district is the perfect place to stay when visiting this great city. At one end of the street you cross the river & at the other end is Yasaka Shrine.

Yasaka Shrine.

Gion Kyoto’s entertainment districtYasaka Shrine is also known as Gion Shrine, one of the most famous shrines in Kyoto. Founded over 1350 years ago, the shrine is located between the popular Gion District and Higashiyama District, and you can simply walk between the two districts.

Locals & tourists like the dress up as Geishas.

Kyoto’s entertainment district

There are many shops all over Kyoto when you can hire the traditional dress.

One of the larger hire shops.

Kyoto’s traditional entertainment districtIt really is nice seeing all the ladies dressed in traditional outfits.

Blending in with the atmosphere.

Kyoto’s entertainment districtGion Kyoto’s traditional entertainment district is one of Japan’s most popular destinations.

Mercedes-AMG GT C

Gion Kyoto’s entertainment districtYou should have heard the magnificent sound coming from this fabulous vehicle. The awning you can see on the right is the APA Hotel where I stayed, 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.

APA Hotel.

Kyoto’s traditional entertainment districtA good size room for Japan.

If you are travelling from Kyoto station to Gion forget the train just take either bus 100 or 110 from the station.

A small shrine in the main street.

Kyoto’s entertainment districtSomething to see around every corner.

Gion Kyoto’s traditional entertainment district Yakitori is one of the cuisines.

Kyoto’s entertainment districtWhat amazing food is on offer in this wonderful country.

So many fascinating old buildings.

Kyoto’s entertainment districtThere is so much to see in this great city.

Another great looking restaurant

Kyoto’s traditional entertainment district The most difficult thing is deciding where to eat. 🙂

Drinking with the locals.

Kyoto’s entertainment districtI enjoyed a nice hour or 2 drinking with the locals in a tiny side street bar.

One of the many bars in close by Pontocho.

Pontocho Entertainment District KyotoFor many more bars & restaurants just follow THIS LINK.

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Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

This gallery contains 3 photos

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto

June 11, 2018 by David Herd

                                                       Kyoto                      

                                                           Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto comes alive after sunset. Lots of interesting bars & restaurants in this rather compact area adjacent to Gion. My first visit to Kyoto was in 2007 & sadly I never knew Pontocho existed.

At sunset people sit along the river bank, I’m guessing it is some sort of tradition they are following because the view is fairly average as you can clearly see below. 🙂

  A fairly average view.

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto   I guess they meet for the company rather than the view.

  Now this is a better photograph. 🙂

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto Late afternoon in Kyoto.

     Strike up the band

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto  These guys were playing very nice music.

   Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto as the sun goes down.

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto  It’s time for an ice cold Asahi Super Dry.

  The Sisha Bar

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto  This was where I started with a couple of beers.

 Next door was Zaza Pub

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto  Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto gives you lots of choices of bars & restaurants.

    Sumika basement restaurant

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto   Sumika was an excellent Yakitori restaurant.

  Beef heart & chicken washed down with hot sake. Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto

    Six skewers & 3 bottles of sake for 2000 Yen or $24 AUD.

     The happy chefs.

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto   They love having their photo taken. 🙂

 Pizza & Tapas

Pontocho Entertainment District KyotoSo many restaurants & such little time.

  Luca Yakitori bar

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto  How good does this look?

 Hot sake & a Shitake mushroom.

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto  Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto offers very good food at a reasonable price.

  Another terrific Tapas bar.

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto   Red wine at 500 Yen or $6 AUD a glass.

       Spanish cured ham.

Pontocho Entertainment District KyotoThe finest is called jamón ibérico de bellota (acorn). This ham is from free-range pigs that roam oak forests (called dehesas) along the border between Spain and Portugal, and eat only acorns during this last period. It is also known as jamón ibérico de Montanera.

  The crowd gathers

Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto    Obviously a popular venue. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Pontocho Entertainment District Kyoto photo blog, Japan truly is a fascinating country.

The APA Hotel was where I stayed, 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.

 Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
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               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

This gallery contains 2 photos

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

May 8, 2018 by David Herd

So much seafood & such little time.

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018 Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018 was a noisy affair as usual. There is a bandstand on the beach which blasts very ordinary music until the early hours of the morning. My condo is on the 20th floor 400 meters away & the sound hits me full blast even with the door closed. 🙂

Beach Road Pattaya

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

 One of the bigger kitchens along Beach Road.

Prawns, crab & shell fish

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

A good variety & freshly cooked.

 Big variety of meat including crocodile. 🙂

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

I’m surprised there is no snake or buffalo. 🙂

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

One of the many stalls lined along Beach Road.

Here is my favourite shot

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

A typical spontaneous Thai smile, no wonder we love living here.

Time for a mango shake

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

Another huge benefit of living in Thailand, the mangoes are wonderful.

OK, I’m confused…..

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

I have no idea what these bamboo tubes are for.

Busy ladies here on Beach Road

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

The festival runs for 5 nights and really draws the crowds.

I dined at the same place last year.

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

In 2017 the food here was great so I decided to give it another whirl.

 Small but tasty

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

 I chose 2 dishes from their signature menu, the one above was fine at B159 or $5 USD.

 This one not so good.

Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018

The calamari was as tough as an old boot & the filling was very average indeed. I would have been better off at one of the smaller stalls.

Thanks for visiting my Pattaya Seafood Festival 2018 photo blog.

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

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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  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
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               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

 

This gallery contains 5 photos

Happy Trails Volume Two

April 29, 2018 by David Herd

As Satchmo would say, what a wonderful world.

 

Happy Trails Volume Two

Happy Trails Volume Two

Happy Trails Volume Two is a photo records of some wonderful locations I have been fortunate enough to visit. Producing these photos blogs allows me to re-live many great experiences that I have enjoyed during my long happy life.

The first photo in Volume one was taken in New York so as it’s my favourite city I start again with the Big Apple.

North Coast of Brazil

Happy Trails Volume Two

You have probably never heard of Canoa Quebrada, it’s 164 kilometers from Fortaleza. We travelled along the beautiful long beaches and wandered through the amazing coloured sands.

Balneário Camboriú 

Been There Done That

  Balneário Camboriú is a major beach resort in the Brazilian southern state of Santa Catarina.

Where are those places?

Happy Trails Volume Two

Here is a map to show you where they are. 🙂

Tiananmen Square Beijing

Been There Done That

Beijing is a fascinating city full of history and wonderful breathtaking palaces, parks and buildings, and the food, well the food, Peking or should I say Beijing duck is to die for. Not to mention all of the other wonderful cuisines available, even though half the time you don’t know what you are eating. Having said that I must admit the best Peking duck I have ever eaten was the previous week in Shanghai, but that’s another story.

Happy Trails Volume Two include Sofitel Hotel Bangkok

Loved Every Minute

  L’Appart restaurant at the recently opened Sofitel is a delightful multi-faceted venue occupying the entire 32nd top floor of the hotel tower.

 Nha Trang in Vietnam

Loved Every Minute

All the fishing boats are painted blue, they really look terrific, then again I really like boats. I even found some boat yards where they were repairing and refurbishing some older boats. Constructed from solid timber and designed to handle the rough seas in the monsoon season. 

Café A Brasileira in Lisbon

Been There Done That

 The A Brasileira was opened by Adriano Telles on 19 November 1905 at No.122 (an old shirt shop), to sell “genuine Brazilian coffee” from the State of Minas Gerais, a product generally unappreciated in homes of Lisboetas of that period.

Now I wonder where this is? 🙂

Been There Done That

The Tower Bridge is certainly one of the most recognizable structures in the world.

Happy Trails Volume Two includes the girl from Ipanema

Been There Done That

I’m at the Garrota de Ipanema restaurant where the song was written. It was inspired by Heloísa Eneida Menezes Paes Pinto (now known as Helô Pinheiro), a seventeen-year-old girl living on Montenegro Street in Ipanema. Daily, she would stroll past the Veloso bar-café, not just to the beach (“each day when she walks to the sea”), but in the everyday course of her life. She would sometimes enter the bar to buy cigarettes for her mother and leave to the sound of wolf-whistles. In the winter of 1962, the composers saw the girl pass by the bar. 

Here she is.

Happy Trails Volume Two

The song became so popular, she  became a celebrity.

Iguazu Falls Brazil

Been There Done That

I’m on the Brazilian side, a walkway along the canyon has an extension to the lower base of Devil’s Throat. 

Big crowd at Harajuku Tokyo

Happy Trails Volume Two

It’s Sunday morning & the crowds are huge, Harajuku is renowned for its colorful street art and fashion scene, with quirky vintage clothing stores and cosplay shops along Takeshita Street,

Many come to see the Harajuku girls.

Happy Trails Volume Two

Harajuku girls the term used to describe Japanese youth culture who cos-play or ‘costume play’ on Sundays in the district of Harajuku. Seen as rebels to conformity, Harajuku is a popular place for them to show off their own creations and usually pose for others. Styles include Gothic, Lolita, anime/manga based or futuristic. 

 Small creek leading to the Mekong River in Vietnam.

Loved Every Minute

You are probably wondering why I don’t wear the rather stylish hat more often, I tend to save it till I’m on Safari. 🙂

Somewhere in the Simpson desert in Australia.

Loved Every Minute

It can get lonely out here, luckily I was with 3 delightful Japanese girls who I took on an epic road trip.

Istanbul Turkey

Loved Every Minute

Great fish meal beside the mighty Bosphorus river.

Thanks for visiting my Happy Trails Volume Two photo blog. Check out volume one on THIS LINK.

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
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bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
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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
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Been There Loved Every Minute

April 18, 2018 by David Herd

What a Wonderful World

Loved Every Minute, starting with “The Big Apple”.

Loved Every Minute

Loved Every Minute photo blog simply shows some of the many wonderful places I have been fortunate enough to visit. Most travellers have their own bucket list & I’m pleased to say I have ticked 98% of my long list.

Last time I was there it was freezing.

Loved Every Minute

It was mid February & I had arrived from Rio de Janeiro where the temperature was in the high 30s.

Talking about Rio…..

Loved Every Minute

Here I am on Sugarloaf mountain with Copacabana in the background.

 In case you were wondering about the featured Photo

Loved Every Minute

Well, it’s Madonna di Campiglio 8,500 feet high in The Dolomites in Northern Italy.

 This needs no explanation. 🙂

Loved Every Minute

The Great Wall of China is an ancient series of walls and fortifications, totaling more than 13000 miles in length, located in northern China. Construction began in the third century B.C. as a means of preventing nomadic barbarians from invading the Chinese Empire. 

Majestic Table Mountain

Loved Every Minute

Cape Town is certainly one of the most stunning location on Earth.

Loved Every Minute of the Italian Riviera

Loved Every Minute

Camogli is a fishing village and tourist resort located on the west side of the peninsula of Portofino.

Loved Every Minute of Budapest on the River Danube

Loved Every Minute

The Hungarian Parliament Building, also known as the Parliament of Budapest a notable landmark of Hungary.

Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Loved Every Minute

What a surprise packet, Mostar is a city in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, straddling the Neretva River. It’s known for the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), a reconstructed medieval arched bridge.

Ankor Wat Cambodia

Loved Every Minute

An amazing experience.

You gotta love the Ginza.

Loved Every Minute

Tokyo, what an incredible city in an amazing country.

Dubrovnik

Loved Every Minute

The best advice I can give you when you visit this amazing city is to go in the quiet season otherwise it will be like an ant’s nest.

On the ferry to Koh Chang.

Loved Every Minute

Thailand’s 2nd largest island after Phuket.

Rice paddies near Ubud

Loved Every Minute

Bali is a wonderful tropical island, just a pity so many out of control Aussie pests travel there.

The Great Ocean Road on the south coast of Australia

Loved Every Minute

Behind me is “London Bridge”, The span closer to the shoreline collapsed unexpectedly on 15 January 1990 leaving two tourists (Kelli Harrison and David Darrington) stranded on the outer span before being rescued by police helicopter.

Trafalgar Square London

Been There Done That

I have lost count of the number of times I have visited this great city.

Ha Long Bay Vietnam

Loved Every Minute

Northeast Vietnam, it’s famous for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rain-forests. 

Behind me is the most expensive building in the world.

Been There Done That

US$ 5.7 billion, including the cost of the prime land. Marina Bay Sands Resort in Singapore is in a class of it’s own, click on THIS LINK for a closer look.

Thanks for visiting my Loved Every Minute photo blog. Here is Volume 2. 🙂

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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  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Check out these great photo blogs.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos