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Bangkok Weekend December 2015

December 23, 2015 by David Herd

The Big Mango Bangkok December 2015

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

 Bangkok Weekend December 2015 was a two day break from Pattaya, we discovered some great new bars and restaurants. In particular the Red Sky Bar, Above 11 and the Pirate Chambre. Xmas decorations were everywhere, the photo above is at Central shopping mall at Chidlom.

Hooters is here

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

Due to open in Soi 4 Nana on December 23rd, sadly I believe it is destined to fail, wrong location, local “Cheap Charlies” will never pay extra for their drinks. They will sit opposite where the drinks are cheaper and the bar girls are available for extra activities.

Big Dogs Nana Plaza

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

Diagonally across the road is the infamous Nana Plaza with dozens of beer bars s and Go Go bars. Here I am with my friend Hamish from Pattaya, I’ll bail out around 10 pm and Hamish will kick on to dawn. 🙂

The view from Big Dogs Bar

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

Hooters two days before the opening on December 23 2015.

 CentralWorld Bangkok

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

 CentralWorld is a shopping plaza and complex in Bangkok. It is the sixth largest shopping complex in the world. The complex, which includes a hotel and office tower, is owned by Central Pattana. The Red Sky Bar has an impressive 360-degree panoramic view from its 55th floor. Check out my photo blog here.

CentralWorld

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

Elephant display at CentralWorld.

CentralWorld

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

There are many wonderful shopping malls in Bangkok, at the moment my favourite is EmQuartier opposite the Emporium.

One of the amazing cars in Bangkok

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

You see so many wonderful luxury vehicles in Bangkok, starting with Bentley Continental the magic green Lotus, the Aston Martin Vanquish, & the Bentley Continental. If you want to see more check out my Siam Paragon photo blog.

Terrific new restaurant.

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

Terrific new Bangkok restaurant, the Pirate Chambre at Chidlom. Hard to find but worth the effort. The fabulous lamb shank was only B480.

Enjoying a red wine at Pirate Chambre

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

Put this excellent restaurant on your bucket list.

Cheap Charlies Soi 11. 
(NOW CLOSED)

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

A Bangkok icon hidden in a small alley off Soi 11.  RIP Charlie, the good news is they will try to relocate elsewhere.

Snapper in Soi 11 (NOW CLOSED)

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

Almost opposite Cheap Charlie’s is this rather interesting restaurant. I can’t comment too much as all I tried was the seafood chowder, which was rather good.

Soi 11 restaurant

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

One of the many restaurants in the small alley off Soi 11.

Soi 13 Sukhumvit Rd

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

In Bangkok the building never stops, another skyscraper is coming out of the ground on Sukhumvit between Soi 11 & 13. Here is my photo blog on Bangkok’s building boom.

 Eggs Benedict at the JW Marriott

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

Normally breakfast here is excellent, not so today. It took 40 minutes to arrive and was not up to the usual excellent Marriott standard, perhaps they were having an off day. Plus even after using my Griffin card which gives me a 20% discount, the price with a Latte was 387 Baht or $15 aud. Cheap by Australian standards but a little expensive for Thailand. I’m probably only complaining because the food quality was less than it normally is + I don’t like hash browns or cooked tomato. 🙂

River cruise to Chinatown

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

I took a river ferry to Chinatown for a B40 fare, a great way to see some of Bangkok’s most iconic buildings.

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

Thanks for visiting my Bangkok Weekend December 2015 photo blog, I’ll finish with this shot from Rainbow 3 at Nana Plaza, this waitress remembered me from the Honey Pot in Pattaya in 2008.                          

Late night snack

Bangkok Weekend December 2015

 

I really love this photo, it sums up a typical 5am Bangkok morning. Photo credit Stickboy.

Thanks for visiting my Bangkok Weekend December 2015 photo blog, check out Bangkok’s newest shopping mall here.

                   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.

Bangkok Budget Sukhumvit Hotels

 

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

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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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

 

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

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Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand

November 27, 2015 by David Herd

Float a basket

Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand

Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand

 Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand means “float a basket”, it’s a beautiful Thai ceremony held every November coinciding with the full moon. The baskets are constructed from banana leaves and flowers, some are small and some are large and elaborate.

Hard at work for Loy Krathong Thailand

Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand

From 7 am these ladies are busy constructing the Krathongs.

 Small Krathongs

Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand

The idea is you place a little money in the Krathong then send it out to float and it will take your bad luck with it.

Extra large Krathongs

Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand

As you can imagine a lot of work goes into making these fabulous Krathongs.

These girls will work for hours

Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand

Sitting on the Beach Road footpath for hours is no problem for these industrious ladies.

Fast asleep

Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand

It’s all too much for this young guy, it’s 7’30 am and he is taking a nap.


All hands on deck

Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand

Even the kids are recruited to help out granny. 🙂

Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand early evening

Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand

Beach Road come alive when the sun goes down. This guy certainly has a lot of stock to sell.

Opposite the A-One hotel.

Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand

It’s 8.30 pm and where are the crowds?

The lanterns are the star of the show

Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand

  Lanterns are a wonderful sight floating high in the  sky. Thai people believe if you make a wish prior to take off, and if the lantern is still alight when it goes out of sight, your wish will come true.

Houston, we have a problem

Loy Krathong Pattaya

These guys initially had a problem with lift-off, however perseverance won out in the end.


The crowd in 2014

Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand

 

The beach was packed last year for Loy Krathong Thailand 2014.

Loy Krathong Thailand 2015

Loy Krathong Celebration Thailand

This year I estimate the crowd was only about 10% compared with last year.

Many thanks for visiting my Loy Krathong Thailand photo blog.                       

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. 

 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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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

 

Pattaya live webcam
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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.

Here are some more posts to check out 

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

Pattaya live webcam
 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Check out these great food photo blogs.

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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.

                              Please check out these fabulous posts
 

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          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

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

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great food photo blogs.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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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

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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.

                                    Here are some more posts to check out
 

            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)

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

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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Victor Harbor South Australia

November 19, 2015 by David Herd

Built in 1866

Victor Harbor South Australia

Victor Harbor South Australia

Victor Harbor South Australia is a city on the coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula, about 80 km south of Adelaide. The city is the largest population centre on the peninsula, with an economy based upon agriculture, fisheries and various industries. It is also a highly popular tourist destination, with the city’s population greatly expanded during the summer holidays.

One of the main activities

Victor Harbor South Australia

Let the games begin in Victor Harbor. I’m guessing this may well be the main sporting activity in this South Australian town. 🙂

Victor Harbor South Australia

Victor Harbor South Australia

Some lovely old stone buildings in Victor Harbor.

Victor Harbor South Australia The Anchorage

Victor Harbor South Australia

A rather typical South Australian hotel.

Victor Harbor South Australia

 

Victor Harbor South Australia

Quite a pleasant 80 kilometer drive south of Adelaide.

Norfolk Pines

Victor Harbor South Australia

All around this part of the coast from here to Adelaide you will find Norfolk pines.

Aldinga Beach

Victor Harbor South Australia

On my way to Victor Harbor I drove along the coast to Cape Jervis via Aldinger Beach.

Roadside cafe & hotel

Victor Harbor South Australia

Stopped here for coffee about an hour south of Adelaide. I certainly would recommend a road trip around this coastal area.

Cape Jervis

Victor Harbor South Australia

These are the only shops in this desolate South Australian town, why anybody would live here is beyond me.

What a monstosity

Victor Harbor South Australia

Clearly the builder never employed an architect, good luck trying to sell it.

The Kangaroo Island ferry at Cape Jervis

Victor Harbor South Australia

Thinking back I wish I had taken the time to travel to Kangaroo Island. Oh well, perhaps I’ll return one day however I doubt it. One thing I know it’s not a place I would like to be in winter.

Kangaroo Island fires January 2020

Australia burns Xmas 2019Almost half of Kangaroo Island has been scorched as damage assessments continue into the devastating bushfires still burning on the South Australian island.

Smoke on Kangaroo Island

Australia burns Xmas 2019

Overnight, many residents and tourists evacuated to Kingscote where they spent a sleepless night on the town’s oval and close to the jetty. Evacuees and residents have been stranded with many road closures still in place.

 Back to civilization

Victor Harbor South Australia

I enjoyed my short road trip, in 24 hours I will visit Hahndorf on my way to Phillip Island via the Great Ocean Road. Thanks for visiting my Victor Harbor South Australia photo blog.

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

     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)

 
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great 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

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Pattaya storm water pipe

November 16, 2015 by David Herd

In comes the storm

Pattaya storm water pipe

Pattaya storm water pipe

 Pattaya storm water pipe is planned to be the solution to Beach Road flooding after every storm. The problem is they need to replicate what they are building opposite Soi 6 in at least 4 other locations.

So the problem begins as you see above when the storm rolls in.

Beach Road floods

Pattaya storm water pipe

When the storm hits within a matter of minutes Beach Road disappears.

The footpath disappears as well

Pattaya storm water pipe

The volume of water is too much for any drain of gutter to handle.

Beach Rd Pattaya flooded, more water than Songkran.

 The solution stage one

Pattaya storm water pipe

This was how it all started by digging up the footpath opposite Soi 6. Naturally at this stage we had no idea what was happening.

The channel

Pattaya storm water pipe

We still were not sure what the plan was.

Progress

Pattaya storm water pipe

The work was progressing 4/7.

Lots of equipment in play

Pattaya storm water pipe

It must be costing a fortune with all this equipment in play.

Opposite Soi 6

 Pattaya storm water pipe

Those buildings you can see are on the corner of Soi 6.

To add to their problems

Pattaya storm water pipe

 A storm arrived and wrecked part of the footpath and work site.

Sandbags to keep the water out

Pattaya storm water pipe

On the right you can see the damaged footpath, meanwhile lets hope the sandbags are effective.

The pump station

Pattaya storm water pipe

I’m guessing this will be where the pump will be located.

Pattaya storm water pipe

Pattaya storm water pipe

As you can clearly see it is a frenzy of activity.

Ooops!

Pattaya storm water pipe

Not everything goes to plan here in Thailand.

Houston we have a problem

Pattaya storm water pipe

I have a feeling the boss is not going to be happy.

 It’s not a pipedream

Pattaya storm water pipe

After 4 months of continuous work the first length of pipe is installed.


Then  mid November a large barge arrives

Pattaya storm water pipe

Getting ready for the 2nd length of pipe.

 Here comes the pipe.

Pattaya storm water pipe

Three pipes of this length were joined together.

Para-sailors in the background.

Pattaya storm water pipe

Life goes on as usual in Pattaya, the para-sailors are here every day.

A short video

Pipeline off Pattaya Beach

Thanks for visiting my Pattaya storm water pipe photo blog, I will post more as it happens.

Here is a quote from The Pattaya Mail. a local newspaper on June 17 2016. “In the past year, Pattaya spent 170 million baht to install three huge drainage pipes at the Dusit Curve, Soi 6, and near Walking Street. But even short rainstorms since their completion have shown the pricey pipes are unable to solve Beach Road’s chronic flooding problem.”

If you are visiting Pattaya here are some excellent hotels, book through this link.


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

         

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.

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. 

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
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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

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

More interesting photo blogs here.;

Rio beach babes

Florianopolis Brazil 

Bangkok river ferry

Fabulous HCMC

Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

Hiroshima Japan

Sydney Harbour

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Thailand horrific road carnage

November 16, 2015 by David Herd

He actually survived

Thailand horrific road carnage, Update May 7th 2020 at end of blog.

Thailand horrific road carnage

Thailand horrific road carnage is a frightening statistic, in 2015 they were rated the 2nd worst country in the world, only war torn Libya had a worse record. The taxi driver in this photo must be the luckiest guy in the world, sitting quietly in traffic then a truck roars up and squashes his vehicle under the bus.

2nd deadliest in the world

Thailand horrific road carnage

There is no doubt Thais are terrible drivers, add to the mix their habit of driving intoxicated it is no wonder they have earned this terrible statistic.

Rammed from behind

Thailand horrific road carnage

Sadly two woman and a 2 year old child died when their taxi was rammed from behind by a speeding truck.

How to mess up your Ferrari

Thailand horrific road carnage

During the four years I have held a Thai drivers licence I have never got behind the wheel of a car, I prefer to hire a driver and always sit in the back seat to increase my chance of survival.

47 poles brought down

Thailand horrific road carnage

Sadly they are serious Daffy.

Thailand horrific road carnage

Thailand horrific road carnage

Surely you can’t be serious? On August 1st a 22-wheel tractor-trailer struck a power pole in Bang Phli district, setting off a chain reaction that brought down 46 other poles, damaging 37 passing vehicles.

Part of the reason

Thailand horrific road carnage

Virtually every day you see an overloaded vehicle with workers or children jammed together without seatbelts, what could possibly go wrong you may well ask?

From the Bangkok Post October 20 2015

The lack of standards is particularly noticeable in Thailand, which lacks a child-restraint law, performs no safety audits for new road-construction projects, carries out no regular inspections of road…

Thailand road carnage

Thailand horrific road carnage

I am still astounded how the taxi driver escaped with minor injuries.

Shocking accident claims 8 lives

Thailand horrific road carnage

A Nissan Navara pickup which was reportedly carrying five men and one woman lost control as it travelled along the Ratana Wapi-Pak Khad Road in Nong Phai at around 1.40am.
A Suzuki Carry truck which was also travelling along the same stretch of road is thought not to have seen the Nissan Navara and crashed into the wreckage at high speed, killing the two men inside. The five men, who were electricians and all from the same village, and the woman had just left a nearby karaoke bar.
The stretch of road where the accident happened is currently being expanded and because of this there were no road lights working at the time of the accident.

Sadly 4 killed and 8 injured

Thailand horrific road carnage

Four people were killed and six others injured when their van struck a roadside tree and burst into flames in Prachin Buri on Monday afternoon April 11 2016. Credit to Bangkok Post.

Bangkok Post February 29 2016.

Thailand horrific road carnage

Does this story define irony? Thailand is the 2nd worst country in the world after Libya for road deaths, yet here they are complaining about Chinese drivers. I’m certainly not defending the crazy Chinese drivers but Thailand really should start working on their shocking road toll.

Is this the worst you have seen?

Thailand horrific road carnage

January 2nd 2016 25 people perished in one of the worst road accidents you will ever see.

Most were burnt to death

 Thailand horrific road carnage

The driver of the van involved in a horrific crash in Chon Buri which left 25 dead on Monday was likely to have dozed off behind the wheel as he had made five round trips within 31 hours, according to officials.

The van, which was heading from Chanthaburi to Bangkok, a distance of 250km, when it swerved out of its lane and crashed into a pickup truck travelling in the opposite direction on the highway in Chon Buri’s Ban Bung district. From Bangkok Post.

Seven dangerous days 2016/17 

 Thailand horrific road carnage

Between Dec 29 and Jan 4, 380 deaths were recorded with 3,505 people injured. The fatality rate marked an 11.4% increase over last year. Thailand’s “seven dangerous days” have come to a close with 11% more people killed than last year, almost 3,800 accidents and nearly 4,700 vehicles impounded.

Please explain this to me .

  Thailand horrific road carnage

You are driving a school bus in light rain & slippery conditions, so you decide to overtake another vehicle with a semi trailer coming at you from the opposite direction. You die & 12 kids are injured, could have been so much worse. Once again in Thailand the vehicle is not at fault it’s the damn drivers.

ระทึก! พ่วง 18 ล้อแซงไม่พ้นเสียหลักตัวลูกเหวี่ยงกระแทกบัสรับส่งนักเรียนเจ็บระนาว คนขับเสียชีวิต

A miracle

Thailand horrific road carnage

Somehow Justin a 4 year old child & his father survived this horrific crash at  Bang Phra area of Sri Racha on January 31st 2017.

Thailand horrific road carnage

Thailand horrific road carnageTwo people were killed and another was seriously injured when two pickups collided head-on in Thung Song district on Monday night July 20 2020.

January 2018

Thailand horrific road carnageThailand horrific road carnage continues, here are some figures that will shock you;

1,452 road deaths in Jan. 2018

ROAD death toll remains alarmingly high with unofficial figures collected by the Don’t Drive Drunk Foundation showing that 1,452 people died at the site of the accident in just the first month of this year, INN News reported today (Feb. 2. 2018). 

Not included in the figure are does who die later in hospital.

The foundation’s secretary-general Dr Thaejing Siripanic also revealed last year’s statistics as follows:

January 2017:  947 road deaths, or an average of 30 a day;

February 2017: 850 road deaths, or average 30 a day;

March 2017:  1,281 road deaths, or an average 41 a day

April 2017: 1,382 road deaths;

May 2017: 1,124 road deaths;

June 2017:  1,128 road deaths.

The total for the first half of 2017 reached 6,712 road fatalities which is an increase from 5,308 recorded in the same period of 2016.

The situation did not improve in the second half of 2017 because today there are people dying on the road all 365 days.

Statistics available for the second of 2017 are as follows:

July 2017: 1,021 road deaths:

September 2017:  1,110 road deaths;

October 2017: 1,161 road deaths;

November 2017: 1,301 road deaths;

December 2017: 1,327 road deaths.

Feburary 2018, this will really shock you!

By some miracle the poor girl survived.

Miracle escape

Thailand horrific road carnageA 22 wheel truck trailer had a tire blowout and the driver seeking to avoid other vehicles at the red light swerved and overturned.  The Mercedes driver was unconscious with a broken left leg. His wife accompanying him suffered only superficial injuries. 

Update May 7th 2020

Thailand horrific road carnageThe national alcohol ban was lifted in all 76 of Thailand’s provinces, plus Bangkok, last Sunday. The sale and transport of alcohol was banned as part of the national state of emergency in order to stop people drinking and socialising during the Covid-19 crisis.

Now, after about three weeks, the ban has been lifted. Unsurprisingly, there has been a massive jump in the number of road deaths, rising yesterday to 63, 8 more people than the total number of people that have died from the coronavirus since the outbreak started in Thailand in late January.

Thailand’s roads are notoriously dangerous and are among the deadliest in the world, ranked 9th by the World Health Organisation with an average of 22,000 deaths per year and over 1 million people injured. In 2019, the majority of traffic-related deaths and injuries were motorcyclists, who accounted for 92% of fatal crashes. Specifically, younger male motorcyclists who were driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.

SOURCE:  Richard Barow In Thailand aka “The Wheel.”

Thanks for visiting my Thailand horrific road carnage photo blog.

Sabai Wing Soi 1 North Pattaya

Thailand horrific road carnage

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.

 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.               

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
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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

Pattaya live webcam
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Amari Hotel Beach Road

November 11, 2015 by David Herd

Looking north to Wongamat

Amari Hotel Beach Road Pattaya

Amari Hotel Beach Road Pattaya

Amari Hotel Beach Road Pattaya Ocean Tower has fabulous ocean views and beautiful grounds around the pool area. Add the wonderful Mantra to the mix and you will wonder why you would ever stay anywhere else.

It is May 2017 & a huge renovation is underway, the Garden section is being totally demolished & a new tower will be constructed in its place. Tavern by the sea on Beach Rd has been demolished.

Naklua Road

Amari Hotel Beach Road

Naklua Road has lots of good restaurants and beer bars. Travel about 5 kilometers along and you come to the fish market, well worth a visit.

It is May 2017 & a huge renovation is underway, the Garden section (the grey buildings) is being totally demolished & a new tower will be constructed in its place. Tavern by the sea on Beach Rd will also be demolished.

Relax at the pool bar.

Amari Hotel Beach Road

A beautiful setting swim up to the bar and order a cocktail.

Lap pool, I don’t think so.

Amari Hotel Beach Road

I would struggle to swim one lap, I’ll stick to the other pool where I can order a Bloody Mary. 🙂

Amari Hotel Beach Road

One moment sir while I check for vacancies

Amari Hotel Beach Road

Friends of mine who are regular Amari customers always comment on the excellent staff, they certainly give their guests the five star treatment.

For a great rate use this link to book the Ocean Tower.

Here is the link to book the lower price Garden section.

Four of my favourite people

Amari Hotel Beach Road

My brother Warren and his two beautiful daughters Elyssa & Laura plus my friend Bill Austin from Wiltshire in the U.K, we had just finished Sunday lunch at the Mantra and were feeling no pain at all. 🙂

Talking about the Mantra

Amari Hotel Beach Road

Alaskan crab, Oysters from France washed down with cold sake. Sunday lunch lets you sample food from seven different kitchens.

Here is a video showing the seven kitchens

The fabulous Mantra restaurant, Amari hotel in Pattaya Thailand.

View from the rooms at the front

Amari Hotel Beach Road

How good is this view? Every morning you can watch the para-sailors buzzing around like mosquitoes.

Amari Hotel Beach Road Pattaya

Amari Hotel Beach Road

The Dusit Hotel is in the foreground with Cape Dara hotel the tall modern building behind.

Pattaya low cost Hotels

Amari Hotel Beach Road Pattaya

The Amari executive club.

Garden section

Amari Hotel Beach Road

Room prices are quite a bit lower in the Garden section but you still have full access to the beautiful grounds. They also have an excellent property at Koh Chang which is around 4 hours drive from Pattaya.

It is May 2017 & a huge renovation is underway, the Garden section is being totally demolished & a new tower will be constructed in its place. Tavern by the sea on Beach Rd will also be demolished.

The beautiful garden area

Amari Hotel Pattaya

Tavern By the Sea

Amari Hotel Beach Road

It is May 2017 & a huge renovation is underway, the Garden section is being totally demolished & a new tower will be constructed in its place. Tavern by the sea on Beach Rd has also been demolished.

Amari Hotel Beach Road     Amari Hotel Beach Road

Thanks for visiting my Amari Hotel Beach Road Pattaya photo blog.

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

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 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

 
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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

 

Pattaya live webcam
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