2010 to 2015 | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Extreme poverty Phnom Penh

November 11, 2015 by David Herd

On display at the Foreign Correspondents Club.

Extreme poverty Phnom Penh

Extreme poverty Phnom Penh & in fact throughout Cambodia, is everywhere you look. There is a huge gap between rich & poor. Apart from this I found the people to be some of the nicest I have met anywhere in Asia.

My recent journey in May 2010 from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville was delayed because I was enjoying myself so much in the city I found it hard to leave.

I returned in October 2017 & couldn’t believe the changes, mainly due to Chinese investments.

The Foreign Correspondents Club

I was so surprised by the number of quality restaurants and bars, excellent food, good service and nice decor. On the other side of the coin is the poverty, Cambodia is certainly a third world country struggling to drag itself into the 21st century. Like most poor countries the gap between rich and poor is immense.

The foreign correspondents club.

Relaxing most days in the Foreign Correspondents Club overlooking the Mekong River is like being transported 60 years back in time. Sipping a gin & tonic in the big comfortable leather chairs makes you feel like you are in an Oliver Stone movie covering the Vietnam war.

Shutters on the windows

Letting in the breeze.

Extreme poverty Phnom Penh

Here is a lovely family playing cards under a tree on a public footpath seemingly without a care in the world.

Happy face selling sunglasses

A lasting memory for me is how nice the people are, sure many of them will try to sell you something, however they do it with a smile on their face and without the persistence and aggression of their counterparts in Vietnam and Indonesia.

Taxi

A huge bonus in Phnom Penh which is out of character with every other Asian city I have ever visited, is how slow the Motorcycle taxis travel, there is no stress or haste, you sit back, relax and enjoy the ride, plus as you can see the seats are very comfortable.

Monkeys

This photo was opposite our hotel, notice the wire grill on one of the upstairs homes. A simple explanation, it is there to stop the dozens of noisy monkeys from entering the home. Every day they scamper along the rooftops and balconies making one hell of a racket, quite funny really.

Malis Restaurant at 136 Norodom Boulevard, Phnom Penh

The Mali restaurant was an excellent example of the high quality restaurants in Phnom Penh, great food and fabulous decor. There is another bonus you can buy bags of Cambodian pepper to take home with you, many people, myself included, believe Cambodian pepper is the best in the world.

Malis Restaurant

Travel tips. Have dinner at the Mali restaurant and buy some pepper to take home, please click here.

Le Grand Palais Phnom Penh

For a very good discount just book through THIS LINK.

Good low cost hotel. The Pickled Parrot is a budget hotel run by an Australian, rooms are fine and there is a good bar & restaurant on the ground floor, the location is excellent. The best hotel booking site is Agoda, you have a choice whether to pay now or later when you check out of your hotel.

Good Phnom Penh information site. Please click here.

Please click on Google + to help my page ranking.

Long tail boat

The mighty Mekong river.

A terrible cruel sight, dying in the heat.

Heartbreaking to see these poor birds suffer in 35 degree heat.

Hot truck probably owned by a government official.

Many expats in Cambodia tell me a lot of government officials spend foreign aid money on expensive cars etc for their own benefit, while continuing poverty Phnom Penh prevails.

Pickled Parrot

A bunch of Aussies, next to me is Roger Gaffney who now lives in Saigon, then old mate Tony Murphy with his camera locked and loaded. Can’t remember the other 2 guys.

A great way to relax in the heat of the day.

Life generally is fairly lay-back in Cambodia.

The mighty Mekong River

Mekong River Phnom Penh Cambodia is certainly changing rapidly, not necessarily for the good I’m afraid. However there are still many wonderful experiences to enjoy in this fascinating country.

I have been lucky enough to visit some of the worlds great rivers as well as the Mekong, the Nile, the Amazon, the Mississippi and the Yangtze. And of course in Australia the Murry and the Darling.

Pretty face at the market

And I certainly don’t mean Murphy. 🙂

Riverside restaurant

A great place to sit & watch the mighty Mekong roll by.

Thanks for visiting Extreme poverty Phnom Penh post

Thanks for visiting my Extreme poverty Phnom Penh photo blog. Great hotel discounts here.

Plantation Urban Resort and Spa

Just book through THIS LINK for a very good discount.

Here are some more posts to check out

A-One hotel on Beach Road

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

Brazil Hotels

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Please check out these fabulous posts

Gold Coast Pattaya Cinque Terre

Rio de Janeiro Singapore Eastern Europe

Bangkok Bars Tokyo Cape Town Safari

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

Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

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

Before we move on to Sihanoukville please watch the Phnom Penh slide show.

Without a doubt AGODA is the best online Hotel booking site.

Click on the photo below to see another great post.

Post by Travel blogger Fivestarvagabond.com”.

Before you go check out the LadyBoy show in Pattaya

Post by Travel blogger Fivestarvagabond.com”.

Check out these great posts

Fabulous Soi 11 Bangkok

French village Breil Sur Roya

Breil Sur Roya devastated

Hong Kong 2014

Bradford on Avon

Coogee Beach Australia

Pattaya Thailand 2013

Amazing Iguazu Falls

New York City

Buddhist Temple Asakusa Tokyo

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Bangkok City Building Boom

November 4, 2015 by David Herd

River City

Bangkok City Building Boom

Bangkok City Building Boom, it never ceases to amaze me, each time I visit there are new skyscrapers reaching for the clouds. Above is River City shopping mall beside the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel on the Chao Phraya River.

Sathorn Nakorn Tower

A modern Salom office building located at 100 Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Rd., Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500.

Check out my photo blog for some iconic buildings along the river.

Bangkok City Building Boom State Tower

Built in 2001, it is the largest building in South-east Asia, on the roof is Sirocco, one of the best roof top bars in the world. I often stay close by at Centre Point hotel, in fact I took this photo from my hotel window. Use this link for an excellent room rate. However if you prefer to stay in this magnificent tower book into the upmarket Lebua hotel through this link.

Sirocco at the top of the State Tower

In my opinion this is the World’s best sky bar.

Centre Point Hotel & Robinson shopping mall

The hotel is connected to the shopping mall and only a 5 minute walk to the sky train and river ferries. Use this link for an excellent room rate.

Bangkok City Building Boom Nana station

A new tower is under construction on the left and the vacant block is screaming out for development.

Q Sukhumvit is a 42 floor building with 273 residential properties.

Adjacent to Nana BTS, in the left of the previous photo you will see the exact location.

Beside Nana station

As in many countries buildings beside the railways stations tend to bring the highest rent for obvious reasons.

Bangkok City Building Boom Ploenchit station

Not sure of this buildings name however I will find out on my next visit.

Beside Ploenchit station Bangkok building boom continues

The Bangkok building boom continues.

Bangkok City Building Boom Terminal 21 Asoke

Located next to the BTS Skytrain and MRT underground rail networks.

Marriott Marquis Queens Park Hotel

This well known hotel in Soi 22 has 2000 rooms and is being totally renovated. It opened in 2017 as an addition to the Marriott chain.

EmQuartier

Opened in March 2015 and I never thought I would say it but Bangkok now rivals Tokyo with the highest quality food presentation in the world.

Baiyoke Tower

The Baiyoke tower is 85 stories and is the tallest building in Bangkok, it includes the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia and the seventh-tallest all-hotel structure in the world.

Game changer

MahaNakhon is a luxury mixed-use skyscraper currently under construction in the Silom/Sathon central business area of Bangkok. Designed to fit into the Thai landscape with a unique pixelated facade, it will have the unconventional appearance of a glass curtain walled square tower with a cuboid-surfaced spiral cut into the side of the building. Upon its estimated completion in 2015, it will become the tallest building in Bangkok at 314 metres (1,030 ft), with 77 floors. Featuring hotel, retail and residences, 200 units of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Bangkok inside the building are priced between around US$1,100,000 to US$17,000,000, making it one of the most expensive condominiums in Bangkok. From Wikipedia.

South Sathorn Road

Just opposite the Australian Embassy in Sathorn Road. The embassy has now moved to 181 Wireless Rd, Khwaeng Lumphini, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330.

From Cloud 47 in Sathorn

A great view of the city from Cloud 47.

Bangkok’s tallest buildings

Great design the Park Hyatt

Another wonderful design the hotel is expected to open late 2016. Central Embassy will be hoping they will bring potential customers as their traffic since opening has been disappointing.

The River condominium.

The south tower is the tall building and is right opposite the Shangri-La hotel.

Hotel Peninsula

Hotel Peninsula on the right and the River Condos on the left. Use this link for a great room rate.

Under construction

There are some amazing buildings under construction as of June 2016, check out THIS LINK.

Wonderful looking condominiums in Asoke.

I’m guessing they are swimming pools on the roof.

Resting after a busy shopping day

Thanks for visiting my Bangkok City Building Boom post, I have highlighted about 2% of Bangkok’s fabulous skyline. Use this link to get a terrific room rate at the Dynasty Grand in Nana.

Since writing this blog I have found a lower price hotel option. Now 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, + you can pay later & have the option to cancel free of charge.

Excellent value here.

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

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

Holiday Inn

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

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

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

Soapy Massage Pattaya Bangkok

Spectacular Bangkok Sky Bars

Fresh seafood Bangkok

Pattaya live webcam

Hawker Chan Hollys Coffee

Le Bordeaux Pattaya Restaurant

Atlantic Bar North Pattaya

Art of desert Pattaya

Breakfast Bake n’ Brew

Food review Pattaya 2020

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Sukhumvit Soi 11 Bangkok

November 3, 2015 by David Herd

Soi 11 one of the great streets

Restaurants bars Sukhumvit Soi 11 Bangkok

Restaurants bars Sukhumvit Soi 11 Bangkok is my favourite street in Nana, so many good bars, restaurants & hotels. Only a short stroll to Nana station and much cleaner & more interesting than Soi 4.

Mobile shop

One of the things that make Thailand a fascination country are the street vendors.

Aussie bar in Soi 11.

This was Saturday October 31st 2015, a double reason to hit the bars, Halloween and the rugby world cup.

Mulligans at Citadines hotel.

The Irish bar at Citadines hotel which is open 24 hours per day.

View of Soi 11 from Mulligans

Citadines hotel is a great location to stay in Bangkok, right in the middle of the action.

Citadines

The rooms are compact and nicely laid out including a kitchen if you like to prepare some food.

Old German Beerhouse

Another very popular bar in Soi 11, good low cost food and a happy atmosphere.

Old German Beerhouse

Bratwurst sausages and potato salad, what else are you going to eat at the Beerhouse? 🙂

Oskars bar and restaurant

Next door to Citadines hotel is Oskars, a very popular bar restaurant with good food and always single Thai girls looking for a date.

Pasta at Oskars

The food was very good however it is more bar than restaurant, the later it gets the noisier it gets.

Cheap Charlies at Super Sukhumvit Soi 11

An iconic Bangkok bar in a small alley off Soi 11. A great spot to have a pre dinner drink before choosing one of the many restaurants in this great little back street Bangkok lane.

Sadly Charlies is no longer there, the area is being re-developed, so at the end of May 2017 we said bye bye Charlie.

Soi 11 near Sukhumvit

Just 200 meters to Nana station, and 40 meters from Cheap Charlie’s.

Ambassador Hotel

I have stayed at the Ambassador a few times, make sure you get a room in the tower. Use this link for an excellent room rate.

Dim Sum at the Ambassador

Excellent quality food and never crowded.

au bon pain

I used to have breakfast in the Pattaya branch of this chain before it closed late 2016, good bacon & egg croissants & coffee. This Soi 11 branch on the ground floor is part of the Ambassador hotel. There is an Italian restaurant above.

Plenty of street food on Soi 11

You will never go hungry on Soi 11.

But wait, there’s more

The choices of street food in Bangkok is endless.

Just a few meters from Nana station is an excellent small hotel tucked away in a lane off Soi 11. If you use this link you will get a room for around B1100.

Next door to i-Check Inn is Yuma

Quite an authentic Japanese restaurant, however I was disappointed in the skewers, but the salmon Roe was excellent. I’m probably hard to please after just returning from a fabulous trip to Japan.

Salmon Roe & cold Asahi at Yuma

A sensational taste.

Restaurants bars Sukhumvit Soi 11 Bangkok Halloween

Just another pretty face.

Happy Halloween Sports Bar in Soi 13.

Citadines to Nana Plaza

A five minute walk from Citadines to Nana station and a 10 minute walk to the infamous Nana Plaza.

Goodbye Charlie

Cheap Charlie’s and a handful of other popular bars and restaurants on Sukhumvit Soi 11, will be closed to make room for real estate development. The owner of Cheap Charlie’s has revealed that the one-rai parcel of land, where the bar has sat for 34 years, has been sold and the bar will be closed as of March 2017.

March 31 2017 sadly Cheap Charlies is no more.

New bar in Soi 11 Nana.

Opening night Friday February 10 2017.

The drummers & the Golden Girls.

Luckily I was on the VIP list at “8 on Eleven” & enjoyed a couple of hours drinking Moscow Mules, a classy place that should succeed.

The Russian Golden Girls

These four girls looked rather spectacular.

Late night snack

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

RIP Charlie, the good news is they will try to relocate elsewhere.

Thanks for visiting my Restaurants bars Sukhumvit Soi 11 Bangkok 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.

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

Please check out some of the most popular below, and thank you for visiting.

Zagreb Croatia Rio de Janeiro Brisbane River

Koh Samui Korea London

Bangkok Osaka Pattaya

Chiang Mai Pattaya Chao Phraya river

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

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

Amazing shopping mall

Chinatown Bangkok

Notorious Nana Plaza

The fabulous Commons

Patpong red light district

Canal cruise long-tail boat

Spectacular Bangkok Sky Bars

Mahanakhon Sky Walk Bangkok

Jim Thompson Bangkok Museum

Soi Cowboy Bangkok

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

JW Marriott hotel Bangkok

November 2, 2015 by David Herd

Terrific Breakfast

JW Marriott hotel Bangkok

JW Marriott hotel Bangkok is at Soi 2 Sukhumvit, a short walk to both Ploenchit & Nana station. It’s a luxury five star hotel with some wonderful restaurants. My friend Tony Murphy and I enjoy a very good breakfast in the Bangkok Baking Company. There is another Marriott worth visiting in Soi 57 Sukhumvit, have a cocktail at the wonderful roof bar 48 floors above the ground.

Eggs Florentine

You can either order from the menu or nominate what you prefer and it will be prepared for you.

Executive chef

Michael Hogan looks after all the wonderful restaurants at the JW Marriott, he loves Bangkok and is an Aussie from Banora Point, which is at the southern end of Australia’s Gold Coast.

One of Michaels specialities

The bakery among many other delicacies has a range of delicious pies, I usually take a few back to Pattaya after visiting Bangkok.

You are guaranteed a great rate if you use this link to book your room.

Restaurants

Now if that selection is not enough for you then I can’t help you. 🙂

JW Marriott hotel Bangkok

Located halfway between Nana & Ploenchit stations, only a 5 minute walk to either one.

Dim Sum

All the usual suspects are available, service & quality is very good indeed.

Marriott pool

I remember years ago I would stay at a cheaper hotel in Soi 4 and sneak into the Marriott to uses their pool.

January 2000 with Barbara Manelli

I just had to throw in a blast from the past, here I am at the Marriott in January 2000 with one of my all time favourite girlfriends who was holidaying from Florence.

As you would expect the rooms are fabulous

If you use this link to book you are guaranteed a great room rate.

The foyer

Looking down on the huge foyer with comfortable lounges for you to relax before heading for the shops. My two favourite shopping centres are Siam Paragon & Siam Centre which are next door to each other, and the amazing EmQuartier, put them on your list of paces to go.

Bangkok Baking Company

Delicious snacks & coffee and a great place to relax and read the Bangkok Post.

Great Omelette

Another excellent breakfast choice.

Poached eggs, avocado & crispy bacon.

Absolutely perfect at the JW Marriott hotel Bangkok.

Another variation of poached eggs & avocado in October 2018.

Love the JW Marriott breakfast.

Thanks for visiting my JW Marriott hotel Bangkok photo blog, it really is one of Bangkok’s great hotels.

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

Pattaya Hilton

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Please check out these fabulous posts

Gold Coast Pattaya Cinque Terre

Rio de Janeiro Singapore Eastern Europe

Bangkok Bars Tokyo Cape Town Safari

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

Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

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

Amazing shopping mall

Chinatown Bangkok

Notorious Nana Plaza

The fabulous Commons

Patpong red light district

Canal cruise long-tail boat

Spectacular Bangkok Sky Bars

Mahanakhon Sky Walk Bangkok

Jim Thompson Bangkok Museum

Soi Cowboy Bangkok

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Octave Rooftop Lounge Bangkok

November 2, 2015 by David Herd

Sunset cocktails Octave Rooftop Lounge

Octave Rooftop Lounge Bangkok is where I decided to watch the sunset on Halloween night at Octave, which is the roof top bar at the Hotel on 2 Soi Sukhumvit 57. I actually started the day with breakfast at the JW Marriott at Soi 2 Sukhumvit just near Ploenchit station.

Panoramic view

If you want a front row seat you better arrive early.

Sunset at the Marriott

Of course everyone is waiting for sunset when the city lights come on turning the skyline into a fairyland.

Octave Rooftop Lounge Bangkok happy hour cocktails

The drinks are quite expensive at most roof top bars however here you get two for one cocktails at happy hour before 6pm.

On come the lights

There is nothing nicer than sipping a cocktail while watching the lights come on in this remarkable city of angels.

Sky turning bright blue

This time of the evening is a great time for photos, just turn off your flash and capture the moment. They call it “the blue hour” and the results are often spectacular.

Sukhumvit Road

Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok’s busiest roads so catch the sky train to Thong Lo station and walk 5 minutes.

It’s Halloween at Octave Rooftop Lounge Bangkok

Time to go up to the 48th floor for the Halloween party.

First a stop at 47.

Another great bar to relax with a cocktail or three.

Could this be the stairway to heaven?

Stairway to heaven?

What a great bar

The party hadn’t quite started when I arrived so I was able to take some nice photos before the crowd arrived.

Changing colours

The fabulous bar kept changing colours.

Octave Rooftop Lounge Bangkok

Setting up the decorations before the crowd arrives.

Time to check out my 2 minute movie.

Marriott Bangkok Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar

Watch this video on YouTube

Ok, so I’m no Steven Spielberg but not a bad job for an amateur. 🙂

Marriott foyer

Marriott hotel Bangkok is quite luxurious as you would expect from this well known world wide chain. They have purchased the Queens Park hotel in Soi 22 and are renovating the 2000 room hotel from top to bottom. They expect to open in 2017 which will certainly add to this chains Bangkok footprint.

For an excellent room rate here just use this link to book and you will be very happy with the result.

Marriott Executive Apartments Bangkok

Thanks for visiting my Octave Rooftop Lounge Bangkok photo blog.

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

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

Please check out some of the most popular below, and thank you for visiting.

Istanbul Budapest London

Mostar Dubrobnik Split

Saigon Zagreb Vung tau

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

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

Amazing shopping mall

Chinatown Bangkok

Notorious Nana Plaza

The fabulous Commons

Patpong red light district

Canal cruise long-tail boat

Spectacular Bangkok Sky Bars

Mahanakhon Sky Walk Bangkok

Jim Thompson Bangkok Museum

Soi Cowboy Bangkok

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

November 1, 2015 by David Herd

EmQuartier

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

Street Food Fair

Everything I saw was simply top quality.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall Bangkok food hall

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

au bon pain

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

Wonderful liquor store

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

Nice to see my favorite Australian wine here.

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

Jones the grocer

Quite a beautifully designed store.

Jones the grocer

So many choices at EmQuartier and so little time.

Harrods at Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

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

Inside Harrods

The choices of restaurants and coffee shops is mind boggling.

Wine I love you

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

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

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

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

Meerkats on guard

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

Did I mention the guard dog?

EmQuartier has its very own guard dog.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

It really is a pleasure exploring this wonderful new mall.

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

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

They have recently opened at Siam Paragon as well.

Entrée at Crab and Claw

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

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

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

Fabulous supermarket

Food is beautifully displayed in keeping with the entire complex.

Fresh fish

Beautifully presented fresh produce.

Here is an even new mall, Siam Discovery.

Diagonally opposite MBK.

Good budget hotel on Sukhumvit

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

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

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

Zagreb Croatia Rio de Janeiro Brisbane River

Koh Samui Korea London

Bangkok Osaka Pattaya

Chiang Mai Pattaya Chao Phraya river

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

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

Amazing shopping mall

Chinatown Bangkok

Notorious Nana Plaza

The fabulous Commons

Patpong red light district

Canal cruise long-tail boat

Spectacular Bangkok Sky Bars

Mahanakhon Sky Walk Bangkok

Jim Thompson Bangkok Museum

Soi Cowboy Bangkok

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Myeongdong Seoul South Korea

October 24, 2015 by David Herd

City Skyline Seoul South Korea

Myeongdong Seoul South Korea

Myeongdong Seoul South Korea in September 2015 was my first visit, in the three days I covered a lot of ground & convinced myself to return in the future to see more of the country.

One of 29 bridges in Seoul South Korea

One of 29 bridges between Incheon International airport and the city.

Myeongdong Seoul South Korea

I stayed at the Savoy Hotel in Myeongdong which is a very lively part of the city and one of Seoul’s main shopping and tourism districts.

Savoy Hotel

The Savoy is in the heart of the action, right outside the door are shops, restaurants and crowds of people day and night. The room was good and the location perfect, use this link for a very good room rate.

Love this sign at me room in the Savoy Hotel

I was on the 7th floor so I hope it is a long rope. 🙂

Savoy entrance

The hotel was a little hard to find so make sure you have the right directions.

Lots of hotels here with great room rates.

Kinnor Cafe Myeongdong Seoul South Korea

Not far from my hotel was this delightful cafe with a good breakfast and exceptional coffee. However you must visit Itaewon, one of the best restaurants streets I have ever been to in the wonderful world.

Cafe Kinnor

I quickly became a regular customer here.

Itaewon

The restaurant choices are simply mind boggling at Itaewon.

Choong Ang High School near Bukchon Hanok Village

A very attractive school building near Bukchon Hanock village.

Paris Baguette cafe

Probably the most expensive sandwich I have ever eaten. Halfway through I broke a front tooth (crown) and for the next 10 days had to endure rather unattractive photos whenever I smiled. 🙂

JD, my terrific taxi driver

I had a stroke of luck finding this friendly interesting taxi driver who spoke perfect English. He was a wealth of information regarding people and places in Seoul. Here are his phone numbers, from outside the country, 82 10 5396 8225 or within Seoul 010 5396 8225. Apart from being so helpful he has wi fi in his taxi, what a find.

Parliament house Seoul

We stopped on the way to the airport to take some photos.

What a monstrosity

This strange looking sculpture is near the airport, I had no idea what it represented when I first saw it. The JD my taxi driver explained it was a ballistic missile pointing at North Korea. He also added many females had quite a different explanation for it. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Myeongdong Seoul South Korea post

For a hotel in a great location just use this link for a very good room rate.

Here are some more posts to check out

Sydney Paris Bangkok

Tokyo Rio De Janeiro Budapest

London Beijing Capetown

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

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

Counter only started June16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Bukchon Hanok Village Seoul

October 24, 2015 by David Herd

Traditional Korea village

Bukchon Hanok Village Seoul

Bukchon Hanok Village Seoul with it’s narrow streets showcasing restored traditional homes from the 14th century. Originally the residential quarter for high-ranking government officials and nobility.

Very narrow streets

Th village is home to hundreds of traditional houses called ‘hanok’ which date back to the Joseon Dynasty. The name, ‘Bukchon,’ which translates to ‘northern village.

Wonderful old door

Many of these hanoks operate as cultural centres, guest-houses, restaurants and tea houses.

And another one

I have always had an attraction for interesting doors, perhaps a psychologist could explain the reason why?

Lots of hotels here with great room rates.

Another door & a beautiful roof line

Subway, Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3), Exit 2.
– Go straight for about 300m to arrive at Bukchon Hanok Village.

Bukchon Hanok Village Seoul

Distinctive Korean roof lines.

Local cafe

A short taxi ride from Bukchon Hanok Village takes you to Changdeokgung Palace, here is my photo blog link.

Nice coffee shop opposite village

Here is where I stopped for coffee before visiting the palace.

What a monstrosity

Bukchon Hanok Village Seoul, thanks for visiting.

The village is in the northern part of the city, I was staying at the Savoy hotel in the middle of all the action. Use this link for a very good rate.

What a great year for travel

Istanbul Budapest London

Mostar Dubrobnik Split

Saigon Zagreb Vung tau

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

Holiday Inn

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.

Counter only started June16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Changdeokgung Palace Seoul

October 23, 2015 by David Herd

Donhwamun Gate Changdeokgung Palace Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace Seoul

Changdeokgung Palace Seoul was built in 1405 and was completed in 1412. It was burnt to the ground during the Japanese invasion in 1592 when the royal family fled during the Japanese invasion of Korea, it was then reconstructed in 1609. What an incredible history of conflict these two countries have had over the centuries.

Changdeokgung Palace Seoul

The Palace has been treasured by Koreans for centuries, and was recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee in December of 1997. How lucky was I to have this beautiful blue sky to make my photos look so much better.

Chong-jon hall

Changdeokgung Palace was one of the places visited by the first ladies of the Seoul G20 summit during the G20 conference in Seoul in November 2010. It is one of the most historically significant attractions that represent the beauty of Korea.

Inside the hall

Lots of hotels here with great room rates.

The main Hall

It is fascinating to think these rooms have not changed for centuries. You can just imagine the pomp and ceremony.

A warm welcome

A warm welcome from two pretty ladies in traditional dress. Their outfits look absolutely fantastic. 🙂

Now listen carefully

School kids having a history at Changdeokgung Palace Seoul. What a terrific outfit and hat the teacher is wearing.

Outside the Palace

A very peaceful setting yet so close to the city. Seoul was a surprise packet for me, so many interesting places to enjoy.

First of two short videos

Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul

Watch this video on YouTube

My apologies for fouling up the pronunciation but languages have never been my strong point. 🙂

Second short video

Changdeokgung Palace part 2

Watch this video on YouTube

This is the main hall.

Thanks for visiting my Changdeokgung Palace Seoul photo blog. Follow THIS LINK to see my favourite part of Seoul, Itaewon, such a fantastic area for bars and restaurants.

What a great year for travel

Istanbul Budapest London

Mostar Dubrobnik Split

Saigon Zagreb Vung tau

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

Holiday Inn

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.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Kamakura seaside city

October 22, 2015 by David Herd

Kamakura

Kamakura seaside city is a little over an hours train ride south of Tokyo. My friends & I had a marvellous day out exploring the wonderful temples and shrines. The header for this post shows my friend Kayo from Tokyo who was our guide for the day, also featured taking a selfie is Hamish Elton my friend from Thailand who was visiting Japan for the first time.

Engaku-ji Temple Kamakura

Our first stop was Engakuji Temple which is the head of a branch school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. It is very close to Kita-Kamakura station and houses the largest bell in Kamakura. Sadly we never got to see the big bell as that area was closed off, we had to settle for this smaller one. Check out my Engaku-ji photo blog here.

Cross the tracks to Kencho-ji Temple

This was the start of a huge day of walking, Hamish measured our steps and distance walked during the day with an app on his phone. We covered about 17 kilometres which was around 22,000 steps.

Kencho-ji Temple

Kenchoji Temple built in 1253 and is the oldest Zen training monastery in Japan. It is a lot smaller than during its heyday, Kencho-ji still has a large number of temple buildings, and stretches from the entrance gate at the bottom of the valley far into the forested hills behind. Check out my photo blog here on this fascinating Temple.

By now I’m getting hungry

it’s 2’30 pm and I’m dying of hunger so we start looking for a suitable restaurant. Spanish? No after all we are in Japan.

Amish

An Amish restaurant, I didn’t even know they had there own style of food. I’m surprised Hamish didn’t want to try it merely because of the rhyme. 🙂

Finally Japanese cuisine

And it turned out to be excellent, perhaps not quite Tokyo standard but very good indeed.

I love Japanese food

After lunch I had the strength to carry on with our marathon walk.

Through the tunnel to the Great Buddha

Little did I realise we had only covered about 1/2 of the 17 kilometres.

Kayo and Hamish take selfies with the Great Buddha

My friends taking selfies with the Great Buddha.

Here comes the priest

We watched this guy come down the stairs and wondered what he was up to. When he got to the bottom he spoke to a family who were illegally parked in the temples private car park and asked them to move on.

Hard to refuse this guy

He obviously has Buddha on his side. 🙂

Coffee time before heading for Enoshima

After spending several hours in Kamakura exploring the wonderful temples we decided to take a 30 minute train ride to Enoshima to see where Japan will hold the sailing venue for the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Map of Kamakura seaside city

At the bottom left hand corner south of Tokyo is Kamakura.

The Villa Sacra gets very good reviews on Agoda, use this link for an excellent rate.

Lotus at the Kara-mon at Engaku-ji Temple

Thanks for visiting my Kamakura seaside city post, I’ll finish with this photo which is one of my favourites among many on this great day out in Kamakura.

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

Istanbul Budapest London

Mostar Dubrobnik Split

Saigon Zagreb Vung tau

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

This gallery contains 1 photo.