2021 | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Clouds sunsets restaurants rain

December 27, 2021 by David Herd

Clouds sunsets restaurants rain

Clouds sunsets restaurants rain are probably my four favourite things while living in Thailand & enjoying life as much as I can. I live in the perfect spot on Beach Road Pattaya where I can enjoy the magnificent view every day.

Clouds rolling in across the bay

In fact the wet season is my favourite time of the year.

And down it comes

Sometimes all you can see is a wall of rain moving across the bay.

Houston, we have a problem.

Pattaya bay rarely gets this rough.

Clouds sunsets restaurants rain & a great view of the city

Pattaya is home to aroung 100,000 residents.

Xmas eve at Peaky Blinders

A long lunch to celebrate Xmas. See more of Peaky HERE.

Food at Peaky Blinders

Part of the interesting Tapas food on Xmas Eve.

Fine de clare No 2

Fresh oysters from France at the Pullman Hotel Beach Club. On special every Tuesday evening. I have eaten oysters all over the world, please check out THIS LINK.

After the oysters

Satay chicken or pork, another favourite of mine.

The boys are growing very quickly

Tiger & Tyrone, sons of Pothole, aka John Martin.

Pedicure & foot massage

During the Covid crisis in Soi Buakhow many of the salons are offering 1/2 price specials of B100, or $4 AUD.

Fresh crab from Naklua fish market

Five minutes to cook & absolutely delicious. Check out the market HERE.

Fresh from the market

Lots of delicious crab here for B450, or $18 AUD.

Magnificent sunset

I think Pattaya has sunsets as spectacular as anywhere else in the world. This was taken from my balcony, how lucky am I?

An iconic Thai delicacy

Mango & sticky rice for B80, or $3 AUD.

Holiday Inn special

Served with wasabi sauce, very tasty indeed. 🙂 For more at the Holiday Inn please go to THIS LINK.

Waiting for my Covid jab with Ron Sievers & Daryl Evans.

Even though Covid has thrown the world into turmoil I have not been overly effected, the worst problem for me has been the lack of travel.

Waiting for food handouts

Many Thai people have been suffering the side effects of the Covid virus, here they are waiting for help near Bali Hai in Pattaya.

Clouds sunsets restaurants rain

Pattaya Beach after a storm.

Too many clouds are never enough. 🙂

Absolutely beautiful from my balcony. For my collection of fabulous clouds just CLICK HERE.

Lobster soup

If you like the look of this go straight to the Longhorn Steakhouse.

Talking about soup

The Hungry Hippo has to be the best value in Pattaya.

That’s all folks my last post for 2021.

Thanks for visiting my Clouds sunsets restaurants rain photo blog.

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Counter only started December 28 2021.

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Pepper & Salt Pattaya

December 15, 2021 by David Herd

Pepper & Salt Pattaya

Pepper & Salt Pattaya is a family owned restaurant offering very good quality food and service. They have also opened a Wine Shop and you can browse their selection on-line or choose from their wine-cabinet.

Staff are very good

Helpful & polite they look after your every need. In fact this restaurant functions at a very high level, I really suggest you put it on your list of places to go.

Wine cabinet

Make your choice. 🙂

An excellent lamb shank

My friend John Martin, aka Pothole, had words of praise for this dish, he said “it’s better than Patrick’s”. 🙂

Pothole at work

This man likes his food & loves his wine, for more about this crazy character just follow THIS LINK.

Pork Schnitzel

Quite large & very tender, in fact I took home half of it. 🙂 The vegetables were also very good.

Outdoor section

The verandah runs the lenght of the building & can seat quite a large number of people.

Easy to find

The address is 69/19-20 Moo 10 Khao Talo, Pattaya, & phone number 095 559 8262.

At Pepper & Salt they do not only talk about helping the environment, they actively work on this every day, taking continuing efforts to reduce their Carbon Footprint as they source more products from local organic farmers.

Pepper & Salt Pattaya location

Located in an area with lot’s of housing estates to draw customers from.

Many thanks for checking out my Pepper & Salt Pattaya photo blog, do yourself a favour and put it on your list. In fact I would certainly rate this restaurant in Pattaya’s top 20.

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Counter only started December 15 2021

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Pothole fashion icon Pattaya

December 12, 2021 by David Herd

Pothole fashion icon Pattaya

Pothole fashion icon Pattaya, Pothole Bin Ladin, aka John David Martin is the leading fashion icon in Pattaya, & perhaps the whole of south east Asia. His “kavorka” which is Latvian meaning “the lure of the animal,” is like a magnet for the Pattaya LadyBoys who constantly chase after him on his daily strolls when he is looking for company down Soi 6/1. Here are more shots of high fashion in Pattaya. There is no doubt he became a much happier person after he abandoned all hope.

He favours bright orange outfits

When he walks down Beach Rd Aussie expats often greet him as “The Jaffa”.

Pothole’s Brazilian outfit

Is it any wonder the girls all scream “HANDSOME MAN” when he walks by?

Surf & Turf

Dining with a bunch of Aussies. I must point out the two guys on the left are well know for being total tightwads, in fact years ago I named the one in the black shirt “Stingy”. 🙂

I must say Pothole is definately not a tightwad.

In fact this shot would have cost him plenty in Soi 6.

Flashback to 50th birthday

It was 2001 & I had a couple of days in Sydney before flying to Brazil. That’s our old friend paul Slaughter & Kathy who was Pothole’s girlfriend at the time.

Talking about Brazil…

Here is Pothole trying to make a good impression with the mother, on the beach at Salvador on the north east coast of Brazil in December 1999.

Dinner at Toscana in Beach Rd Pattaya, June 20 2020.

These are Pothole’s two sons, Tyrone & Tiger. For some weird reason the names of all his all offspring must begin with the letter T.

Talking about wierd…

Here he is, the Dancing Queen. 🙂

Pothole the chameleon

He makes a point to blend in with his surroundings. 🙂

Flashback to 2008

Lunch in Sydney at Bar Reggio at Crown St, Darlinghurst.

Pothole fashion icon Pattaya

If you are going to impress the ladies, serve champagne & dress accordingly. 🙂

Pretty in pink

Could this trophy be for winning the best dressed man in Pattaya prize?

Three faces of Pothole

Angry, disappointed & tattooed. 🙂

The hairstyle is rather fetching

In front of his apartment in Crows Nest in Sydney in May 2003.

Pattaya 2003

Pothole lives by the rule “dress to impress”.

April 27 2019

A fun day with family & friends & ex missus Dah.

Way back when love was in full bloom

Nothing lasts forever. 🙂

Sometimes he drinks to forget…

Most of the time he just drinks. 🙂

Pothole fashion icon Pattaya

Who could argue with this statement?

March 18th 2019

At the Beach Club with the family.

Flashback to the mid 70s

Pothole fashion icon in the 70s. 🙂

What a classic, Pothole’s 21st.

A fabulous photo from 50 years ago.

Ladyboy, what ladyboy?

I don’t see a ladyboy. 🙂

Too much booze in Soi 6

Pothole never knows when to stop.

October 12 2021

Tiger is as tall as his Dad & Tyrone never shuts up. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Pothole fashion icon Pattaya photo blog.

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MK restaurants great value

December 6, 2021 by David Herd

MK restaurants great value

MK restaurants great value at a very reasonable price. You will find them in most shopping malls, in fact there are 3 within 6 minutes walk from my condo on Beach Rd Pattaya. The one I visit most is at Central Marina.

My favourite soup

Prawn dumplings, noodles & BBQ pork, delicious.

Terrific Dim Sum

It’s December 2021 & I have eaten the same 3 dishes twice in the last 4 days at Central Marina. Shumei, prawn dumplings & BBQ pork buns.

Another of my favourite selections

Braised beef & vegetables.

MK restaurants great value with low cost food

There is an excellent range of Dim Sum & prices are very low as you can clearly see. 🙂 Even with the low prices the food quality is very high, as is the service.

Promotion

There always seems to be a promotion, I find it hard to believe all of the above is only B210, or $8 AUD.

Another look at the soup

It really is delicious, from memory it costs about B106 or $4 AUD. I’m getting hungry just looking at it. 🙂

Another triple treat

Cost for these 3 is about $7 AUD or B 180. It’s hard to find a restaurant in Pattaya which is better value than MK restaurant.

These are favourites

Prawn dumplings & crab shumei, a perfect pair, even the carrot they sit on is very tasty. 🙂 The good news is, you will find an MK restaurant in nearly every major shopping mall in Thailand.

Thanks for visiting my MK restaurants great value photo blog, as you have probably gathered most of my blogs are all about food. 🙂

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Sky Gallery Pratumnak Hill

November 22, 2021 by David Herd

Sky Gallery Pratumnak Hill

Sky Gallery Pratumnak Hill Pattaya is a terrific venue for food & an ocean view in a very lay back enviroment. TripAdvisor rating is #91 of 1,099 Restaurants in Pattaya.

Ocean view

Looking west to Koh Larn.

Relax & enjoy the view

This is one of the best places in Pattaya to enjoy food with a view.

Excellent bar

Relax and choose your poison. There are many different places here to eat & drink with your friends.

Sky Gallery Pratumnak Hill with koh Larn in the distance

A wonderful sopt to enjoy Pattaya’s magnificent sunsets.

Scallops & garlic

Very tasty indeed although I left most of the garlic cloves. 🙂

My friend John Martin

More commonly known as Pothole Bin Ladin the Mouse of Markland.

Fried rice with crab meat

We both agree this was one of the best examples of this popular dish we have ever tasted, it was absolutely perfect.

Nice air conditioned section

Most people tend to eat outside & enjoy the view, my preference is always the aircon. 🙂

Mango juice

Served in a small ice bucket, it’s a well known fact that I’m a sucker for mango.

Pothole ordered fish

In my opinion it didn’t look to attractive but apparantly it tasted fine. 🙂

Another section

As you can see there are quite a few choices of where you can sit in this rather large establishment.

Semi outdoor setting

It’s been abut two years since I visited this excellent restaurant, I certainly won’t leave it that long to visit again.

Thanks for visiting my Sky Gallery Pratumnak Hill photo blog, for reservations please call +66 92 821 8588.

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Low cost Pattaya restaurants

November 21, 2021 by David Herd

Great value at Foodland

Low cost Pattaya restaurants, there are hundreds of them. Lets start with Foodland, a well known supermarket chain in Thailand, in each store you will find an excellent fast food counter. The quality is excellent, the food is always fresh because of the turnover, (it is always crowded) and the price is so cheap, for instance breakfast is about $2, and lunch under $3.

Central Festival food hall

Located in the basement of Pattaya’s most luxurious shopping mall is the food hall. A very cheap fast selection of good food. Always crowded because of the excellent value.

Mango & sticky rice

The food hall at Central Festival shopping mall has a great selection of deserts including a Thai specialty, mango & sticky rice. Yesterday I ordered this after my roast duck with vegetables & steamed rice, including a clear soup for a total cost of 280 Baht or $2.50.

KFC at Central Festival.

I would not normally mention a fast food outlet in my post, however there are exceptions. KFC without a doubt have one of the best views in Pattaya, so while the kids devour their chicken nuggets etc, sit there and soak up the view.

Beer Garden near Walking St

The Beer Garden offers good low cost food with a wonderful view of Pattaya Bay, a great spot to dine before hitting the bright lights of Walking Street. To find the entrance you must walk past all the bars near the kick boxing. Like most Thai restaurants the menu is a huge selection of western or Thai food.

Dining in a car park.

Great value Thai food here, average cost for dinner or lunch 200 Baht or $6. Next to theAlcazar carpark in 2nd road North Pattaya, opposite Soi 4, if you see a tall beautiful Thai woman here I can guarantee it is a ladyboy.

Agoda is a great place to book your Pattaya hotel.

Oishi Ramen low cost Japanese.

Oishi Ramen is another chain of very low cost Japanese & Thai food, I have lunch at least twice a week at the Big C mall on 2nd road north Pattaya. The Salmon and salad shown above with bottomless Green Tea costs 220 Baht or $7 usd, great value. More information about Oishi click here.

Oishi Japanese Buffet Restaurant

The buffet is excellent value at around 400 Baht or $14, eat as much as you want. I don’t rate the food as highly as Fuji however you can’t beat the value.

Mae Sri Ruen

Mae Sri Ruen is right next door to Central Festival on Beach Rd and serves good fresh Thai food at very low prices. The BBQ pork & dumpling soup is one of my favorites, add spring rolls and the price is 120 Baht or a touch over $4.

Queen Victoria Pub

Located on Soi 6 featuring an excellent breakfast at B99, or $4 AUD.

Hungry Hippo best value in Pattaya

The chowder was so good I had it home delivered. Check out THIS LINK.

Lunch September 4 2021

I ordered this ice-cream sunday & was suprised when the waitress said, “today it is on special at B39”.

The avocado is my favourite at Mathilda in 2nd Rd.

Last time I had lunch there sadly there was was no avocado.

Leckerle is a German Restaurant

Prawns & bacon on German bread, delicious.

L’Auberge French Restaurant

Great value at B390 or $12.50 USD.

Thanks for visiting my Low cost Pattaya restaurants photo blog.

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Two days Bangkok

November 6, 2021 by David Herd

Two days Bangkok

Two days Bangkok seemed like a week because of all the walking I did, over 20,000 steps in 48 hours. By the time I got home to Pattaya I was desperate for a foot & leg massage. 🙂 My hotel was in a graet location, only 50 meters to Chit Lom sky train.

Nice room

Great value at a low cost of B1100 pn, or $45 AUD.

An added bonus

A very nice view from my room. For a terrific room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Chit Lom station

Taken from the Golden House hotel, a terrific location. Only 5 minutes walk to Central Embassy shopping mall.

Looking in the oposite direction

One of the many fantastic Bangkok buildings.

But wait, there is more….

Always someting to look at in this great city.

A shot from Chit Lom BTS.

And always something to photograph. 🙂

My favourite bangkok restaurant

This is one of 3 El Mercado branches, for more photos please follow THIS LINK.

Oysters from France

Here is the main reason I love to dine at El Mercado. Beautiful Fine de Clare No 3 at B886 or $36 AUD, quite a good price for Bangkok, although I get them for $23 at L’Auberge in Pattaya. These were Fine de Clare No 3.

The Fines de Claires Oysters are exclusively produced in the Marennes-Oléron basin in France. They have an elongated shell which makes them easily recognizable.

The Fines de Claires Oysters are less fleshy than normal oysters and have a softer-coloured flesh. The Fines de Claires Oysters are rich in water and have a stronger, slightly sweeter taste thanks to the « affinage” made in ponds connected to seawater during the last weeks of the farming.

JW Marriott on Sukhumvit

For many years I have been enjoying breakfast here.

And here it is

Poached eggs, avocado & crispy bacon.

Late night snack

Only the lonely. 🙂

Golden House location

A great location in Bangkok.

Thanks for visiting my Two days Bangkok photo blog, there is no doubt this is one of the world’s great cities.

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Low cost food Bangkok

November 5, 2021 by David Herd

Low cost food Bangkok

Low cost food Bangkok is very easy to find, just stick to Sukhumvit Road & you can’t go wrong. I was staying in a small hotel just 40 meters from Chit Lom station which I consider the centre of this great city. I had a very nice room for only B1100, or $45 AUD. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

New York Bagel

I don’t get too exited about bagels, somrtimes I find to rolls far too tough. This shop is at 3 Phloen Chit Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan District, Bangkok 10330.

Good price for oysters from France.

B886 or $36 AUD, quite a good price for Bangkok, although I get them for $23 at L’Auberge in Pattaya. These were Fine de Clare No 3.

El Mercado Calle 35

El Mercado has 2 or 3 branches in Bangkok, this one is at M Tower, 15/8 Sukhumvit Soi 35, Bangkok.

Near Chit Lom BTS.

I am a sucker for avocado. 🙂

Starbucks at Chit Lom

I am at a Starbucks cafe at least once every day.

Good coffee

Plus a great place to “people watch” in Bangkok.

Breakfast at JW Marriott

Whenever I’m in Bangkok I always visit their excellent cafe. Check out THIS LINK.

Always very quiet & peaceful

Service is very good as well.

MBK food court

Good low cost food here.

Roast pork & rice

Only B70.

MBK food court

MBK is always busy, however some floors were deserted due to Covid.

MBK, an empty floor

Sadly no business is fafe from the effects of Covid.

I can’t remember which cafe.

I do however rember it was delicious. 🙂

Mango & sticky rice

The quintessential Thai desert, absolutely delicious. In fact I am back home in Pattaya & I’m intending to just have a serve of this for dinner.

Thanks for visiting my Low cost food Bangkok photo blog.

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Counter only started November 5 2021.

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Queen Victoria pub Pattaya

October 24, 2021 by David Herd

Queen Victoria pub Pattaya

Queen Victoria pub Pattaya is one of my favourite breakfast venues. Great value at 99 Baht or $4 AUD. It’s only a five or six minute walk from my condo which is an added bonus.

Excellent breakfast

Soi 6 is one of the seediest streets in Pattaya, and does not look the best in the early morning. If you can get past this image make sure you sample this excellent English breakfast for 99 Baht including tea or coffee. I usually request no tomato. 🙂

Fried egges if you prefer

Whatever floats your boat. 🙂 Currently they serve 2 sausages & my only critisism is one piece of toast is not enough.

No tomato thank you…

For some strange reason I have never liked eating cooked tomato.

Soi 6 before Covid

Prior to the virus Soi 6 was one of Pattaya’s busiest streets day or night. Reasonably quite during the daylight hours this famous street comes to life after dark. To see more of life before Covid on Soi 6, please follow THIS LINK.

Always something to see

My friend Hamish & I would often grab a roadside seat & watch the passing parade.

Soi 6 is never boring

Check out these great smiles. 🙂 I can spot at least two LadyBoys here which would appeal to my friend John Martin, aka Pothole. 🙂

Back to the food

A very good banana split, and no, it was not ordered for breakfast. 🙂

Soi 6 is probably Pattaya’s 2nd most famous Street after Walking St.

Thanks for visiting my Queen Victoria pub Pattaya photo blog, for lots of other great breakfast venues, just follow THIS LINK.

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Food review Pattaya 2021

September 28, 2021 by David Herd

Food review Pattaya 2021

Food review Pattaya 2021 is simply a record of many of the great dishes I have enjoyed in these uncertain time due to the Coronavirus. Above is a healthy dish at Flow Cafe at the Holiday Inn. Comes with a hot Wasabi sauce. 🙂