Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Welcome to 700 travel blogs, to access a full index on your mobile please scroll to the bottom & choose from 700 locations. Email is [email protected]

Pattaya Parasailing every day

October 2, 2016 by David Herd

Every morning

Pattaya Parasailing every day

  Pattaya Parasailing every day except for the few occasions the weather is so bad they have to cancel. Most of these tourists are from China, they pay for their holiday before leaving so a fair bit of the money never makes it to Thailand.

Organised chaos

 

Pattaya Parasailing every day

They buzz around like mosquitoes, personally I would not do this because I just don’t trust the Thai boat drivers.

 Coming in to land

Pattaya Parasailing every day

 

There are 4 or 5 of these barges located on the bay,  non-parasailers can also come out to the pontoon to watch the fun for a small cost.

One of the overpowered speed boats.

Pattaya Parasailing every day

About 750 HP is a ridiculous waste of money, I’m guessing they are just showing off to their competitors. When I lived in Australia I had one Yamaha 200 HP powering my boat, that used to cost me about $25 aud per hour in fuel. So these guys are obviously making plenty to be able to justify these three huge engines.

Stuck on the sand.

Speedboat stuck on sandbar

Every which way but loose

Pattaya Parasailing every day

 

This was the name of the 1978 Clint Eastwood movie, the phrase reminds me of the speed boats in this photo, it seems to be total chaos. 🙂

Check out the crowd on the barge

Pattaya Parasailing every day

All waiting for their turn to fly.

Flying high

Pattaya Parasailing every day

The most popular attraction for tourists.

Chaotic & crazy Parasailing in Pattaya

Chaotic & crazy Parasailing in Pattaya

 A storm is looming

Pattaya Parasailing every day

The black clouds are coming across the bay but the tourists don’t seem to care.

More boats stuck on the sand.

Pattaya boats stuck on the sand

Here it comes

Pattaya Parasailing every day

There is no better sight than watching a storm roll in over Pattaya bay.

A beautiful rainbow over the bay

Pattaya Parasailing every day

After the rain in Pattaya there a beautiful day always follows.

Pattaya Parasailing every day

Pattaya Parasailing every day

Quite a walk for the tourists to get to the boats when the tide is out.

Finally another busy day on the bay

Triathlon coming to Pattaya Thailand

Thanks for visiting my Pattaya Parasailing every day photo blog. Bookmark THIS LINK to access my webcam and check out Pattaya bay any time you wish.

 

Thanks for visiting my Pattaya Parasailing every day photo blog.

     

https://www.facebook.com/david.herd/videos/10157810530543594/

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.

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. 

More great posts here;

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

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

1g Duck

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

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

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

September 21, 2016 by David Herd

Pattaya Beach 1980

Many wonderful boats Pattaya Bay

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

 Many wonderful boats Pattaya Bay, lets start with the old clunkers, funnily enough some of these boats from 1980 are still being used today.

Here is a perfect example in 2016

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

I guarantee this classic has been working in the bay for 60  or more years. I would definitely recommend a life jacket. 🙂

Protection from the burning sun?

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

No way José , just sit there & fry.

At least the captain has shade in this one.

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

Forget the passengers the captain is ok. 🙂

This old bucket has just had a paint job.

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

Looks pretty good with the new paint job.

One extreme to another

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

Here is one of the hundreds of speed boats that take tourists, mainly Chinese, to Koh Larn & Para-sailing. This one is grossly overpowered with almost 700 HP to push it along.

Even all that power doesn’t always do the job.

Speedboat stuck on sandbar

These Thai drivers are not very skillful I’m afraid.

Every morning in Pattaya

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

The boats start gathering on Pattaya beach from 6.30 every morning.

Here come the Chinese tourists

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

Every day thousands flock to Pattaya to board the boats.


And now for something different

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

A nice catamaran pulls into the beach.

 Koh Larn ferry

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

The 40 minute ferry ride to Koh Larn will set you back B30, or 86 U.S. cents.

Needs a little work

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

One owner, & open to all reasonable offers.

Here is one being done up

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

Still a little work to be done but starting to look good.

There are some luxury boats here as well.

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

Just wander around some of the marinas along the coast and you will finds some very nice boats. However please don’t expect the “French Riviera”. 🙂

Ocean Marina yacht club

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

I could happily live aboard this baby. 🙂 If you would like to enjoy a little luxury for around $50 usd per night just book through THIS LINK.

Yacht club

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

Not too bad at all. 🙂

One of these would do me

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

This would be a great little runabout.

Here is a classic

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

Don’t know if it’s a yacht, a ketch, a sloop or none of these, but it is a beautiful boat. 🙂

High & dry in Pattaya

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

Low tide as I’m sure you have already guessed. 🙂

For sale?

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

One owner, needs a little work. 🙂


Many wonderful boats Pattaya Bay

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

Here is a guy hoping to catch some fish.

Dive boat

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

Dive boat loaded & ready to go.

Fishing boat near Koh Larn

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

I wonder how many years & how many fish this old clunker has seen. 🙂

The question has to be asked

Many wonderful boats PattayaIs it safe?

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

Check out BIG DADDY with 750 HP waiting to suck fuel like 50 thirsty camels at an oasis in the Sahara desert. 🙂

For a discounted hotel rate in Pattaya or anywhere in the world, just book through THIS LINK

Boat show 2016

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

I can’t imagine how much this one would cost. 🙂

Pattaya City

Many wonderful boats Pattaya

Thanks for visiting my Many wonderful boats Pattaya Bay photo blog.

https://www.facebook.com/david.herd/videos/10157810530543594/

 Please check out some of the most popular photo blogs below.

   

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

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.

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

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

1g Duck

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

Check out these great photo blogs;

Rio beach babes

Florianopolis Brazil 

Bangkok river ferry

Fabulous HCMC

Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

Hiroshima Japan

Sydney Harbour

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 4 photos

Brisbane-Bangkok-Thai-flight-Cancelled

August 25, 2016
by David Herd
Comments Off on Bangkok Thai flight Cancelled

Bangkok Thai flight Cancelled

Brisbane airport railway station Bangkok Thai flight Cancelled  Bangkok Thai flight Cancelled, I have flown thousands of times throughout my life and this was the first time I ever experienced a cancelled flight. As Newton would say “For every action, … Continue reading

Loving Pattaya life 2016 (B)

August 3, 2016 by David Herd

This is not a travel blog just my personal photo collection from the 2nd half of 2016.

Another birthday rolls around July 7.

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 Loving Pattaya life 2016 has seen me spend all year here, the quietest travel year I have had this century. I over spent in the last 2 or 3 years so I thought I should pull my horns in. 🙂

I spent 5 days in Koh Samui in June, 2 weeks in Australia in August and a great trip to Japan in October.

Some of the usual suspects

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Greg, Hamish & John helped me celebrate at the Mantra.

A year living in Pattaya seems like about 6 months, time just seems to fly.

Great beach shot August 4th at 7am

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 

All the boats are waiting for the hordes of Chinese tourists.

And here they come in their thousands

Loving Pattaya life 2016

The buses roll into Beach Road of a morning and the tourists flock to the boats.

Tony & Nikki Murphy at Signature Steak & Seafood.

Loving Pattaya life 2016

The Murphy’s spent a week in Pattaya then 3 nights in Mae Pim before flying back to Australia.

Visitors from San Diego

Loving Pattaya life 2016

It was great to catch up with Paul, Eileen, Parker & Elle in Pattaya as part of their 9 week Asian holiday with included Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Koh Samet & Danang. 

Seagulls in Pattaya?

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 

Here is a sculpture on Beach Rd showing a flock of seagulls, yet to this day I have never seen a seagull in Pattaya. 🙂

Here comes the rain

Loving Pattaya life 2016

I love seeing the black clouds roll in over Pattaya.

The “odd couple” Larry Krausz & Steven Reade

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Steve is a great mate of Larry’s from the Gold Coast. Terrific news for movie goers which vastly overshadows the recent Brangelina bullshit, the “odd couple” Larry Krausz & Steven Reade have been signed by BangBros, the largest porn studio in the world, to star in a remake of the 1988 movie Twins, which stared Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. See if you can pick who will play DeVito. 🙂

The more thigs change the more they stay the same

Loving Pattaya life 2016

After many years the Cherry bar on Soi 3 & 2nd Rd has been sold and is now Billabong 2.

When can we have some fun?

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Every night you go out in Pattaya the fun starts.

For a discounted hotel rate with free WiFi in Pattaya or anywhere in the world, just book through THIS LINK

Starbucks

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Opened in September at the “Bay” which is between Soi 5 & 6 on Beach Rd.

Good coffee & happy staff

Loving Pattaya life 2016

They are the first to open at the Bay, next will be McDonalds.

Stunning November sunset

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 

So many great sunsets from my balcony.  

My new home

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 On November 1st after 4.5 years I moved from the 17th floor in Markland to the 20th, does that mean I coming up in the world?

The usual suspects

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Jim’s Burgers is a great place for a casual dinner with friends, I’m with Hamish, Jonathon & Matt.

Delicious

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Lots of varieties & you can order small or large.

One of my massage girls

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Used to be a waitress in Chamiko in Soi 3, now she works at a massage parlour in Soi 3 & sometimes gives me a reasonable foot massage.

Spectacular clouds over Koh Larn

Loving Pattaya life 2016

These days I seem to be obsessed with taking photos of clouds & sunsets. 🙂

October in Japan

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 I m with my friend Kayo in a Spanish restaurant in Tokyo. I purchased a two week ticket on the Shinkansen or bullet train, then after 3 nights in Tokyo I travelled to 6 interesting Japanese cities, includung Kanazawa, Hiroshima, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Nagasaki & Fukuoka

I arrived back in Pattaya on Ocober 28th & the following day my good friend Larry Krausz was rushed to Bangkok Pattaya hospital after suffering a major stroke, now 5 weeks later on December 5th he is still in a serious condition in the intensive care ward.

Ross & Bryce arrive from Australia

Loving Pattaya life 2016

The boys came over for a few days to visit Larry. 

Centara Grand

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 

After a couple of cold beers at Centara Grand and a Pattaya cop working security wanted to throw us out. I lay the blame 100% on Pothole aka John David Martin who was dressed like a local bum & showing off his silly tattoos. 🙂

Pothole & sons + Kayo.

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Tate is Pothole’s eldest son, he arrived in Thailand from Australia to celebrate Xmas & to meet his 2 half brothers Tyrone & Tiger. Notice for some strange reason known only to Pothole, all his children including daughter Tamara have to have a first name starting with the letter T. Just another one of his many offbeat strange quirks. 🙂 The lovely Japanese girl in the photo is my friend Kayo from Tokyo.

Shopping for a dress in Soi 6

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Even though Soi 6 is one of the wildest streets in Pattaya there is still time for some quiet shopping. 🙂 

Soi Diana redhead.

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 

A very sweet girl from Area 51, no wonder I’m Loving Pattaya life 2016′

On the subject of Soi 6

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Here is Geoff from Australia, a fanatical Soi 6 supporter. We are at Leckerle in Soi 33 Naklua with his ex fiance Nana for a terrific meal & lots of wine.

Xmas Day with Geoff & Nana

Loving Pattaya life 2016

We started with a bottle of French Champagne on my balcony.

Lunch at Surf & Turf  & Loving Pattaya life 2016

Loving Pattaya life 2016

A great location on the beach at Wongamat. Kayo flew from Tokyo to spend 10 days in Thailand before heading to Australia.

Two nights in Bangkok

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 

December 29th took Pothole & Yogurt to Cheap Charles before checking out Brewski a new sky bar at the Radisson Blu.

New Years Eve in Pattaya

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Steve “Jumbo” Reade having a ball at the Atlantic Bar & Loving Pattaya life 2016.

 Atlantic girls

Loving Pattaya life 2016

They all looked terrific, dressed to kill. 🙂

Meet the gorgeous Katie.

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 A very happy lady from Billabong 2.

Here’s Pothole dressed in his Jaffa outfit.

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 Anything to attract attention. 🙂

Farewell to an old friend

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Larry Krausz, a friend for around 30 years suffered a major stroke on October 28. After 2 months in the Bangkok Pattaya hospital on life support he was transported to Australia by a hospital Leer jet, thanks to his Medibank travel insurance. After a month his life support was removed & he passed away peacefully.

It’s now 2017 and here is Glenn Frey to tell you exactly how I feel today.

For a discounted hotel rate with free WiFi in Pattaya or anywhere in the world, just book through THIS LINK

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

 Soi Cowboy (5)           e1274c0c-cf4d-4406-b5dc-d9e8071e382e            8993ef02-ccf3-46a7-8b6d-fc11af9d93ad
 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
  bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                       Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 7 photos

Amazing Bangkok buses

July 14, 2016 by David Herd

Amazing Bangkok buses

Amazing Bangkok busses

 Amazing Bangkok buses transporting tourists all over Thailand, many are decorated in bizarre colours often featuring Japanese cartoon & Disney characters. Eagles, serpents you name it they have got it. I have never seen anything like it anywhere in the world, take a bow Thailand for giving us so many great photo opportunities.

Bright & exciting colours

Amazing Bangkok busses

I have no idea how they produce these amazing creations, I’m guessing it’s all created on computer then automatically painted on the production line, then again how would I know? 🙂

There was a comment on Facebook that explained to process, it is a vinyl wrap, using the same machines that produce outdoor posters, then they just wrap them round the bus.

For a discounted hotel rate in Bangkok just book through THIS LINK

I see Johnny Walker at the front

Amazing Bangkok busses

I’m also guessing they didn’t get permission to use the Johnny Walker logo. 🙂

Back view

Amazing Bangkok buses

Six exhausts and speakers for sound.

This beast is one of my favourites

Amazing Bangkok buses

It was parked a few meters from where I live in Soi 1 Pattaya so I was able to have a close look.

Eight lethal exhaust pipes

Amazing Bangkok buses    Amazing Bangkok busses

Imagine if a motorbike crashed into the back of this bus, the exhaust pipes were on a 45 degree angle with sharp edges pointing upwards. Perfectly positioned to impale a human being. You gotta love Thailand.

 Beach Road Pattaya

Amazing Bangkok buses

Every morning hundreds of buses converge on Beach Road Pattaya bringing thousands Chinese tourists who board the boats to go para-sailing and visit Koh Larn island.

For a discounted hotel rate in Bangkok just book through THIS LINK.

This yellow one will get noticed.

Amazing Bangkok buses

There are so many amazing styles, this one looks like a huge yellow monster. 🙂

The Eagle has landed.

Amazing Bangkok buses

And the beat goes on, it must be a prestige thing the way some of these guys push it to the limit.

 You light up my life

Amazing Bangkok buses

Or so the song goes, I really want to ask a question, do you think this guy is trying just a little too hard?

Amazing Bangkok busses

36000 buses idle

Amazing Bangkok buses

Tour bus operators are in dire need of measures to cushion the impact of the coronavirus crisis, as an idle fleet of 36,000 buses countrywide has already missed out on 7 billion baht in income during the sluggish tourism period.

President of the Thai Transportation Operators Association, said that while tourism was at its peak, each bus could generate 50,000 baht a day from tour services.

The current lack of income has led operators to carry a cost burden of roughly 2 million baht from each bus leased, and they don’t have enough cash for installment payments.

Many thanks for visiting my Amazing Bangkok buses photo blog.

    Great hotel rates here, just book on THIS LINK.

                Please check out these fabulous posts
 

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

1g Duck

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Koh Samui sports bars

June 26, 2016 by David Herd

Henry’s Africa

Koh Samui sports bars

Koh Samui sports bars

Koh Samui sports bars have increased quite a bit since I was there in 2007. Most of the beer bars etc have numerous screens showing sport from all over the world. The header for this post show my friend John Martin aka Pothole & I on our first night in Chaweng at Henry’s Africa which seems to be the best bar in town.

Koh Samui sports bars

Koh Samui sports bars

 Henry’s Africa is a huge bar with lot’s of girls, some pool tables and TV screens. As you can see Pothole is enjoying himself. 🙂

Henry’s Africa

Koh Samui sports bars

Early in the evening they offer Chang beer at B79.

Best racks in town

Koh Samui sports bars

Or so they claim.

Opposite Henry’s

Koh Samui sports bars

There are a couple of small bars struggling to attract customers because of the low number of tourists in June 2016.

Green Mango

Koh Samui sports bars

This iconic bar nightclub is a little further along the street, it is arguably Chaweng’s most popular nightspot. It boasts of one of the largest dance floors on the  island, Green Mango is large, loud, & very busy from around 11 pm.

Green Mango

Koh Samui sports bars

A great effect with the green and orange decorations.

Happy Bar

Koh Samui sports bars

A little further around the corner from the Green Mango there are quite a few smaller bars.

Pothole finds another friend.

Koh Samui sports bars

Of course I’ll buy you a drink my dear. 🙂

Interesting bar

Koh Samui sports bars

It was a little early and there were no customers, most of the young tourists in Samui don’t go out until around 11 pm. Geriatrics like us are living in a different time zone. 🙂

Hard Rock Cafe

Koh Samui sports bars

Keep walking back to the main street and you will find the Hard Rock.

 Bondi Aussie Bar & Grill

Koh Samui sports bars

Another sports bar where the Aussies gather for obvious reasons. I was rather put off by the B210 price for a Jack Daniels. So I went to the bar next door to watch the State of Origin played on June 22nd, which QLD won.

The bar next door.

Koh Samui sports bars

A glass or red here was only B80.

The Islander

Koh Samui sports bars

200 meters down the road from the Aussie bar is the Islander where I watched the AFL, next door is Legends, another well known sports bar.

Tropical Murphy’s Irish Pub

Koh Samui sports bars

Quite a way up the road past Central Festival is Tropical Murphy’s another popular sports bar.

Tropical Murphy’s

Koh Samui sports bars

A fairly normal layout, however a funny thing happened as I took this photo, initially the Thai barman was standing towards the front of the bar, but as soon as I raised my camera he ran like a rabbit to get out of the shot. I’m guessing he is hiding from somebody. 🙂

 VW sidewalk bar

Koh Samui sports bars

There are lots of these great mobile bars where I live in Pattaya.

Bye from the Koh Samui sports bars

Koh Samui sports bars

Thanks for visiting my Koh Samui sports bars photo blog, check out the local restaurants and my road trip around the island.

Check out the webcam.

           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)

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Big Buddha Koh Samui

June 24, 2016 by David Herd

Taxi around Koh Samui

Taxi around Koh Samui

 Taxi  around Koh Samui starting at the Big Buddha then circling clockwise around the island. It took about 4 hours and the taxi cost was B2000 or $57 usd. Our hotel was on Chaweng beach about 15 minutes drive from the big Buddha. Our very nice lady drivers name is Ying and her mobile is 09 1128 3867.

Beautiful bougainvillea

Taxi around Koh Samui

This beautiful flower reminds me of my home in Newport Beach Australia where I lived in the 80s, I had many beautiful bougainvilleas on the property.

Big Buddha & slightly smaller Buddha

Taxi around Koh Samui

My 115 kilos certainly puts me in the Buddha category. 🙂

One of two statues guarding the Big Buddha

Taxi around Koh Samui

Located as you enter the square below Big Buddha.

Here is a short video

Big Buddha Koh Samui

Looking back towards Chaweng

Taxi around Koh Samui

We stopped at a popular lookouts to take in the wonderful view.

Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks

Taxi around Koh Samui

The rocks, known as Grandpa (Ta) and Grandma (Yai), look, just like male and female genitalia.

A very popular tourist stop

Taxi around Koh Samui

Located two kilometres south of central Lamai Beach and about 11 kilometres away from Chaweng Beach.

Lamai Beach

Taxi around Koh Samui

The next beach around the coast from Chaweng.

Lamai beach bar & restaurant

Taxi around Koh Samui

Lamai is like a mini version of Chaweng, nice beach and lots of bars and restaurants.

 Next stop Guan Yu Chinese shrine.

Taxi around Koh Samui

It quite a shock when you first see this fantastic huge statue, there are about 12 or more Chinese restaurants in the square. The Guan Yu shrine is the centre of the Chinese community on Samui island.

He looks rather fierce

Taxi around Koh Samui

He does not look like a happy camper at all. 🙂

 Elephants on Koh Samui

Taxi around Koh Samui

What magnificent beasts they are.

Here is a little guy with Mum.

Taxi around Koh Samui

I must admit I have mixed feelings about these beautiful animals being held captive, however that’s an argument for another day.

Here is a video of a dancing elephant

Thailand's dancing elephant.

He certainly was a happy little jumbo.

Some banana for the little dancing jumbo

Taxi ride around Koh Samui

They really enjoy bananas, this is my friend John Martin aka Pothole feeding the little guy.

The popular waterfall was just a trickle.

Taxi around Koh Samui

Many people visit this location but sadly there was not much water flowing.

Please be careful

Taxi around Koh SamuiIn 2019 2 people have died here. Check out THIS LINK for details.

Time for a cool drink

Taxi around Koh Samui

A pleasant place to sit under the shade from the tall trees before continuing our journey.

Nathon pier

Taxi around Koh Samui

Here is where you catch a ferry to the mainland, take your car if you wish.

Bophut beach

Taxi around Koh Samui

 Bophut beach  was the last stop in our Taxi  around Koh Samui road trip. Very close to a large new shopping mall called Fisherman’s village.

 Beach bar

Taxi ride around Koh Samui

Bophut is is near the Big Buddha & less than 10 minutes from the airport. The Ibis is a nice hotel opposite the beach, for an excellent room rate just book through THIS LINK. 

More peaceful and quieter than Chaweng yet only 15 minutes away from the action.

 Bar Baguette

Taxi around Koh Samui

This was really a good little cafe for lunch, the avocado & bacon baguette was perfect and the staff were really friendly.

Taxi ride around Koh Samui

Taxi around Koh Samui

Our taxi around Koh Samui was a great way to explore the delights of this wonderful tropical island, we had a very nice lady driver, her name in Ying and her mobile is 09 1128 3867.     

       Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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


            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)

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

June 24, 2016 by David Herd

Sensational Samui

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

 Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island is the busiest part of the island. However we were lucky in June 2016 the weather was beautiful and there were very few tourists so it was very peaceful indeed.

Baan Chaweng Hotel

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

I have stayed at this hotel 3 times before, the location is ideal, the rooms are good and the staff is friendly. I have noticed however the prices have certainly risen in the last 10 years. For an excellent rate just use THIS LINK to book.

Hotel pool

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

 

The hotel grounds are a little like a rain forest.

Massage on Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

In front of the hotel are four massage ladies, B300 for an hour.

Some nice scenery in front of our hotel.

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

 

A bright green bikini is always going to brighten up my day. 🙂

The Ark Bar

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

The Ark Bar is a huge hotel that’s very popular with the younger crowd, there is a big pool party every Wednesday and Friday. Older dinosaurs like myself are better off 100 meters further on at the quieter Baan Chaweng.

For an excellent room rate at the Ark Bar just book through THIS LINK.

Hillside homes being built

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

What great views they will have overlooking Chaweng beach.

So many hotel choices on Chaweng Beach

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

The hotel choices are endless, everything from ultra modern to traditional bungalows.

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

White sand blue sky what more do you need?

Maybe you need a tattoo?

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

 

I have to admit I am not a fan of heavily tattooed females, but to each his own I guess.

She looks better here

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

Much better because I can’t see her tattoos. 🙂

Breakfast with a view.

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

What a way to start the day, cornflakes and an omelette.

Here is a short video of Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

Beautiful Chaweng beach Koh Samui

Peppina  on Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

An unusual building on Chaweng Peppina has a reputation for making great pizzas.

A typical Samui scene

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

Chaweng beach is rather special to me, so many memories over the years. My first visit was 1998 followed by many over the following years including New Years Eve 1999.

Here is the beach massage price list

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

 

Price list, what price list? I don’t see a price list. 🙂

Flashback to December 1999

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

Had a short fling with this beautiful Italian girl from Florence. Her name was Barbara Manelli, I called her “The Gypsy:. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island photo blog, check out my other Koh Samui blogs. I think you will enjoy my road trip around the island. Here are my suggestions on some excellent restaurants.

                   

 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

Counter only started February 16 2020.

This gallery contains 4 photos

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

June 14, 2016 by David Herd

Nature at it’s best

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach are one of the many advantages of living on Beach Road Pattaya overlooking the bay. I regularly see some of the most incredible cloud formation my 17th floor apartment in Markland condo. The photo above on November 20th 2021 shows some beautiful cumulus clouds hovering above Koh Larn island.

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

oFascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Blue sky, white clouds on a sunny day, life does not get better than this. I spend a few hours each day on my computer producing my photo blogs, not sure if it’s a hobby or an obsession, however it gives me great satisfaction to glance over the top of my monitor which I do one hundred times a day, and see the clouds rolling across the bay.

 Looking north to Wongamat

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Wongamat is the next beach north of Pattaya, there are many beach side condos and hotels overlooking a nice sandy beach. The yellow building in the foreground is the Dusit Thani five star hotel.

Fascinating Pattaya clouds over Koh Larn

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Koh Larn is a B30 40 minute ferry ride from Bali Hi wharf, the crystal clear water is a huge improvement over Pattaya.

Pattaya bay

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Looking west at the Fascinating Pattaya clouds.

I’m sure you will all be pleased to hear I have just created a new profession, I am now a Cloudologist, who constantly participates in the art of Cloudology. Be impressed, be very impressed. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Looking south

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

The building under construction on the right is Centric Sea, it consists of two high rise and one low rise building containing 1000 condominiums. It in located in 2nd road and was completed early 2016.

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

The “Ripleys Believe it or not” hot air balloon is actually anchored by a cable so customers won’t go flying of in the wild blue yonder.

June 29 2017

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Nearly every day there is another interesting cloud to photograph.

An interesting story

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Work stopped on the high rise about 8 years ago because of questions about building approvals and specifications. Hundreds of people would have paid deposits & by now be wondering if they have lost their money.

UPDATE, the owners declared bankruptcy in January 2017, so who knows what will happen now.

Angry clouds

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Up to now I have featured the pretty clouds, now it’s time for some angry clouds. 🙂

John Fogerty has a question….

Looking south from my apartment

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

The building in the foreground is the A1 hotel which is shaped like a ship, the tall building is North Shore, the most upmarket condo block in central Pattaya.

Another awesome cloud formation

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

So many clouds to photograph and such little time. 🙂

Rain over Koh Larn

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

This was July 29 2016 at 6.15 pm.

Clouds & shadows August 30 2016

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Every day something new.

Absolutely breathtaking

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

This is the view I have every day from my apartment.

Same same but different

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Always a different beautiful shape.

Clouds on fire

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

One of the best Thai sunsets I have ever seen.

June 28 2017

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

And the beat goes on. 🙂

Storm on the way

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

I love watching the tropical storms in Pattaya.

The sky was angry today my friends.

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Well that’s how George Castanza would describe it. 🙂

A cloud with the “WOW” factor.

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

That’s Koh Larn on the left.

May 17 2018

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

A perfect Pattaya morning.

A very angry sky

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Black clouds in October 2018.

Amazing colour

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

 Tweaked by Google from a shot taken on June 1st 2020.

Beach Road

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Road works & a beautiful cloud from June 1st 2020.

Super cloud February 3 2021

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

They don’t get much better than this. 🙂

June 16 2022

Fascinating clouds Pattaya

Taken from The Bay in Beach Road.

Lets finish with a beautiful sunset.

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Absolutely breathtaking.

Sabai Wing Soi 1 North Pattaya

36555237616_da3ed73d6a_o

Sabai Wing Soi 1, 3 swimming pools and nice rooms, 100 meters from BigC, great value at only $30 usd per night as of 2017. I live in the high-rise in the background, Markland. For a great room rate book here.

For something a little more upmarket overlooking the beach book through THIS LINK.

If you like clouds you may like this Joni Mitchell song.

Thanks for visiting my Fascinating Pattaya clouds photo blog.

For a discounted hotel rate in Pattaya just book through THIS LINK

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

                          Please check out these fabulous posts    

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

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

1g Duck

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

Check out these great posts

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 5 photos

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

May 23, 2016 by David Herd

A super shopping mall

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

 Siam Paragon Shopping Mall Bangkok opened about 15 years ago in 2006, I remember how impressed I was with this amazing new shopping mall with it’s wide aisles and fabulous food court and supermarket.

Now of course there are many new super malls in Bangkok to compete with including Central Embassy and EmQuartier.

Shops on the 1st floor

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

 

Here is a guide to some of the shops.

Siam Paragon, Hanging fences

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

Another photo taken way back in 2006 of the Siam Paragon, Hanging fences, I’m not sure if they are still there or not.

 The Main floor

Siam P ground floor (1)

 

Strangely the level that is linked to the skywalk is called the Main Floor, despite it being one above the ground, and the floors above that are then the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, up to the 5th, which is taken up by the Cineplex and its 15 large size theatres. There is direct access to the centre from Siam BTS Skytrain station.

Siam Paragon is opposite MBK

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

Only 5 minutes walk on an elevated path from the well know MBK centre.

Busy Bangkok corner

BTS Skytrain

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

As I mentioned for Siam Paragon get of at Siam station, MBK is actually one stop further at National Stadium station.

Get a great discount at all the Hotels near Siam Paragon & MBK, just book through THIS LINK.

Met up with an old friend

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

Could this be my 15 minutes of fame? 🙂

Food food & more food.

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

One thing is for certain the Thai people love their food and there are plenty of options at Siam Paragon to keep them happy.

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.    

Decisions decisions

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

The hard part is trying to decide where to eat, they all look so inviting.

 Siam Center

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

Right next door to Siam Paragon is Siam Center another wonderful mall, check it out on THIS LINK.

Shopping for a car perhaps?

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

Follow THIS LINK for some amazing super cars at Siam Paragon Shopping Mall.

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall Bangkok Food court

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

There is really no type of food you can’t buy at the fabulous mall.

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

What a great idea to keep the kids amused while you are dining at the Siam Paragon Shopping Mall.


Thanks for visiting my Siam Paragon Shopping Mall Bangkok photo blog, check out some other stories below from all over the world.

                      Here are some more posts to check out 

       

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

1g Duck

 

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

 

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

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos