Bank | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Secret cities worth visiting

January 29, 2018 by David Herd

Interesting travel suggestions

Secret cities worth visiting

Secret cities worth visiting, well actually they are not all cities & not all secret, but they are all worth visiting. These are places mostly off the beaten track, places that many people may not have heard of.

Above is The lovely French village of Breil-sur-Roya which is particularly known for trout fishing. The Roya river runs through town and is open to trout anglers from March to September. Located in the mountains near the Italian border just north of the French Riviera.

Breil-sur-Roya

French and Italian rail lines run through Breil so it is very easy to travel anywhere. There is a great market every Friday at Ventimiglia on the border 30 minutes drive or 20 minutes by train from Breil.

Talking about Italy

In the Middle Ages and Renaissance era, San Gimignano was a stopping point for Catholic pilgrims on their way to Rome and the Vatican, as it sits on the medieval Via Francigena. The city’s development was also improved by the trade of agricultural products from the fertile neighbouring hills, in particular saffron, used in both cooking and dyeing cloth and Vernaccia wine, said to inspire popes and poets.

Secret cities worth visiting include San Gimignano

San Gimignano is famous for its Medieval village architecture, unique in the preservation of about a dozen of its tower houses, which, with its hilltop setting and encircling walls form “an unforgettable skyline”

Have you ever heard of Florianopolis?

Most people outside of South America have not heard of this fabulous city which currently has an estimated population of 420,000 people. The Greater Florianopolis Metro area is home to about 1 million people. Florianopolis is a wonderful Brazilian city which should go on the bucket list for anyone intending to visit this wonderful country.

Friendly people who love to party.

January 11, 2009. Newsweek placed Florianópolis in the “Ten most dynamic cities of the world” list in 2006. Veja magazine, a Brazilian publication, named the city as “the best place to live in Brazil.

Kagoshima Japan

Active Volcano Kagoshima Japan Sakurajima had been peaceful since 2013 until July 2016, then suddenly plumes of smoke, cracks of lighting and a flow of lava came bellowing out of Japan’s Mount Sakruajima in July 2016. Located in a scenic bay on the southern island of Kyushu, this 1,117 meter high volcano has been a sleeping giant for the past three years prior to this fiery spectacle. The incident took place at 12:02 am on Tuesday at the mountain’s Showa crater, which resulted in a 5,000 meter high column of ash – but officials say no fatalities have been reported. Credit to STACY LIBERATORE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Read about it here.

Fabulous food

One of the many reasons I visit Japan often is the fabulous food. A village near the railway station is called Kagomma Furusato Yataimura. There are about 25 small restaurants that seat only 8 or 10 people.

Forster Tuncurry east coast Australia

A population of over 18,000 people it is a holiday destination for many Sydney people who are only a 4 hour drive away.

A great area for fishing & boating.

At the Northern tip of the Great Lakes, these twin towns are where Wallis Lake meets the ocean. The twin townships are surrounded by National Parks and feature majestic headlands and long secluded beaches. Boating, fishing, diving, paddling, cruises, whale watching and coastal walks combine with galleries, unique shopping and award-winning restaurants to create an experience rich coastal destination.

Mae Pim Gulf of Thailand

Thailand Beach Resort Mae Pim on the gulf of Thailand is only ninety minutes by car east of Pattaya, and 2 hours south of Bangkok. Beautiful white sand and clean water, and so quiet and peaceful.

Secret cities worth visiting

Lots of great Thai food & seafood in Mae Pim.

Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina

It’s known for the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), a reconstructed medieval arched bridge. The nearby alleys are full of shops and market stalls, and the Old Bridge Museum explores the bridge’s long history. More on THIS LINK.

Cevapcici, the best I have ever had.

Cevapi, or Cevapcici, are homemade sausages traditional of the Balkans area.

Thanks for checking out my Secret cities worth visiting photo blog, drop me a line if you need any information.

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)

Check out these great photo blogs.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Brisbane City South Bank

August 29, 2016 by David Herd

Brisbane City Hall

Brisbane City South Bank

Brisbane City River South Bank was a pleasant surprise for me, it had been many years since I last visited and the changes were many. Way back in the 90s when I worked for Metway Bank and the NRMA I would travel there regularly for the endless tedious meetings banks & insurance companies were famous for. This trip was purely for pleasure after spending 10 days on the Gold Coast.

Uniting Church Albert St

Across the road from City Hall stands this delightful old church which was originally built in 1888.

From the old to the new

Infinity tower is the magnificent tall building (81 floors) on the left and the monster on the far right is 1 William Street which will house only government departments. The photo was taken from the William Jolly Bridge.

The William Jolly Bridge

The art deco design bride was built during the depression and opened in March 1932.

Sunday Suitcase sale August 21st 2016

The majority seemed to be backpackers selling their old clothes.

Treasury Casino

Treasury Casino was formerly the Lands Administration Building until it became a casino in 1995.

Many cranes on the skyline

There is no doubt Brisbane is in the middle of a building boom, just count the cranes on this small part of the city.

CityHopper is free

The CityHopper lets you travel the Brisbane river for free, the ferries run every 30 minutes between 6am and midnight, seven days a week. Follow the link below for all the information.

Simply hop on and hop off and enjoy all the Brisbane River and city sights.

City Cat

Another great way to see Brisbane’s city and suburbs. Check out THIS LINK for my photo blog.

A sunny Sunday afternoon at South Bank.

Lots of people cross the river to visit South Bank with its many attractions.

South Bank tranquil garden

The garden has a genuine rain forest feel.

A beautiful pagoda.

This Nepalese Pagoda was originally brought to Brisbane for Expo 88, in fact I actually remember seeing it back then. Incredibly this is one of only three Nepalese peace pagodas in the world to be located outside of Nepal.

As you can see from my Brisbane City South Bank photo blog there is so much to see in this great city.

The Wheel of Brisbane

Nowhere near as large as London or Tokyo but it certainly looks very nice at night. ?

Approaching Equilibrium

A rather interesting sculpture

Brisbane City South Bank

This sculpture in front of the Queensland Art Gallery is named “Approaching Equilibrium”, I guess people with more understanding of art than I possess will appreciate it. In my opinion a better name would be “Big Black Mosquito”. 🙂

The heart of Brisbane

The Queen Street Mall is certainly the heart of Brisbane, no traffic, lots of shops & restaurants.

Relax in the Mall

A great “people watching” place where you can enjoy dinner & a glass of wine.

Lots of colour, lots of shops

Day or night the mall is a hive of activity.

Eagle Street pier

Eagle Street is Brisbane’s business hub, jump on a City Cat and cruise along the river past many of the cities landmarks.

Huge towers beside Eagle Street wharf.

Lots of offices and lots of good bars & restaurants to capture the workers for lunch and dinner.

Brisbane City South Bank

Cruise past the wheel on your way to lunch at The Regatta Hotel, you won’t be disappointed. 🙂

The Regatta Hotel

The perfect spot for lunch or dinner, great steaks and good service. Check out my photo blog here.

Regatta Hotel

Thanks for visiting my Brisbane City South Bank photo blog, this city has improved out of sight in the last 20 years.

Here are some other Brisbane photo blogs to check out.

City Cat cruise Hotels Restaurants

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

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.

Check out these great photo blogs.

Rio beach babes

Florianopolis Brazil

Bangkok river ferry

Fabulous HCMC

Amazing World Food

Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

Hiroshima Japan

Sydney Harbour

Lake Como Lake Garda Italy

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Sospel village near Monte Carlo

August 17, 2015 by David Herd

North of Monte Carlo

Sospel village near Monte Carlo

Sospel village near Monte Carlo is a small town situated about 15km inland from the coastal resort of Menton & close to the French border with Italy. We were based in Breil Sur Roya just a short drive through the mountains.

Briel Sur Roya to Sospel & Monte Carlo

A short drive to the coast.

Medieval town

This small medieval town feels almost Italian in character, maybe because it was part of Italy until 1860.

Relaxing in the town square

Sospel became prosperous in the 13th century when an important salt trading route between Nice and Turin passed through the town and those using the route paid tolls to use the bridge across the Bévéra river.

Houses along the riverbanks

The streets of the old town contain numerous attractive medieval houses, many with decorative painted facades.

Toll Bridge

The tower in the centre of the fortified bridge was originally the toll gate for the mules using the trade route. A bridge has stood here since at least the 13th century, although it is likely the original version was built of wood. In 1522 the wooden bridge was replaced by a stone version, much as we see it today.

Viaduct beside the village

You can spend many days exploring the beautiful part of France.

Coffee with Deborah

Thanks for sharing my Sospel village near Monte Carlo photo blog, lots more links below.

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

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

Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

Brussels for mussels

Upmarket Portofino

Barcelona

Prague way back in 93

Amsterdam

Sarajevo

Beautiful Budapest

Fabulous Dubrovnick

Ancient Lisbon

Summer in St Moritz

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

La Brigue ancient French village

August 16, 2015 by David Herd

La Brigue

La Brigue ancient French village

La Brigue ancient French village north of Menton was originally part of Italy, the village was annexed to France as part of the Treaty of Paris in 1947.

Donjon tower

The village is both pretty and interesting, with colourful buildings, ancient churches, arcades, vaulted passages, streets to explore, and the pleasure of a fast-flowing river that’s joined by a mountain stream in the centre. The stream is called “Rio Sec”, or dry river, but was full of spring water when we were there. Many of the buildings are of natural stone and many are nicely renovated with pastel facades and green doorways and steps. The 14th-c medieval Chateau des Lascaris perched above the village is in ruins, with only some walls and a tall, round donjon tower remaining. Partial reconstruction, however, has been started, and the castle is used for medieval festival weekends. Reconstruction will be followed by archaeological digs on the site.

Medieval stone structures

La Brigue is very attractive with steep rocky hills rising either side, also there are several important monuments.

ANCIENT STONE FOUNTAIN

This fountain is dated 1741.

The water tastes so pure & cold

This water is worth bottling.

Homes in La Brigue

Wonderful ancient stone buildings.

La Brigue French village

As you can imagine there are not too many hotels in La Brigue, Hotel Le Terminus is a good choice, excellent rates if you book through this link.

St Martin collegiate church

I rarely enter a church however in La Brique I made an exception.

St Martin collegiate church

A great shot of the local church.

Ancient buildings & narrow lanes

One of the fascinating cobblestone lanes.

La Brigue ancient French village

La Brique is a great example of a typical French mountain village.

La Brigue is on the Roya river

Perched on the banks of the Sur Roya.

Looks like it will last 1000 years

I’m guessing it has been there 1000 years already.

Deborah Holliday & Jodie ONiell

These lovely ladies from the Gold Coast were my travelling companions. We were based at Breil Sur Roya between Saorge & Airole.

David Herd at La Brigue

Thanks for joining me at my La Brigue ancient French village photo blog. Lots more photo links below.

Please check out these fabulous posts

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

World is my oyster

Tokyo fabulous food

Upmarket Chinese Food Sydney

Food review Pattaya Thailand

Good English restaurants

Amazing World Food

Fresh seafood Bangkok

Steakhouse New York

Korea restaurants Itaewon

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Saorge beautiful French village

August 15, 2015 by David Herd

This village is spectacular

Saorge beautiful French village

Saorge beautiful French village was classed as one of the “40 most beautiful villages of France”. The main village streets traverse narrowly between the buildings at very different levels, with smaller streets and steps leading up and down between them. The view from anywhere in the village is spectacular, looking outward to snow-capped mountains in the middle distance (into May and June) and the deep gorge and rushing white-water river below.

Road to Saorge

The region belonged to the old County of Nice. From 1388 to 1860 Saorge was part of Sardinia-Piedmont when it was ceded to France. In June 1793 the armies of the First French Republic and Sardinia clashed here. In the Battle of Saorgio on 24–28 April 1794, the French wrested the town from the Piedmontese. The town was returned to Sardinia-Piedmont after the overthrow of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Saorge beautiful French village

Saorge is 11 km north of Breil Sur Roya where we were based. There are so many interesting French & Italian villages in this particular area, you can spend weeks exploring these fabulous part of Europe.

Bath house or wash house?

Whichever one it is or was I can guarantee it is old, very old. 🙂

Saorge homes

The tall solid stone houses date from the 15th-17th centuries and line the narrow steep cobbled street that climb up through the village.

Narrow streets & Alleys

Exploring the village is straightforward as the village mostly follows one long street that climbs the hill through Saorge, with lots of smaller alleys climbing the hill to either side.

My travel buddies

Deborah Holliday and Jodie ONiell from the Gold Coast in Australia spent a couple of weeks with me exploring the French & Italian villages, French Riviera & the Cinque Terre. My best travel tip for this area is to base yourself in the central village of Breil Sur Roya, from here you can easily reach all the wonderful surrounding villages similar to Saorge.

Thanks for visiting my Saorge beautiful French village photo blog.

Please check out these fabulous posts

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

Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

Brussels for mussels

Upmarket Portofino

Barcelona

Prague way back in 93

Amsterdam

Sarajevo

Beautiful Budapest

Fabulous Dubrovnick

Ancient Lisbon

Summer in St Moritz

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Antibes Mediterranean resort

August 11, 2015 by David Herd

Spanish Paella in Antibes

Antibes Mediterranean resort

Antibes Mediterranean resort is on the Côte d’Azur between Cannes and Nice. I enjoyed a nice Spanish Paella for lunch followed by a few hours exploring this delightful seaside resort town.

After the disintegration of the Western Roman Empire, various barbarian tribes seized Antibes. This resulted in destruction and a long period of instability. In the 10th century, Antibes found a protector in Seigneur Rodoart, who built extensive fortified walls around the town and a castle in which to live. For the next 200 years, the town experienced a period of renewal. Prosperity was short-lived, as the whole region fell into disarray for several centuries. The inhabitants of Antibes stayed behind their strong city walls as a succession of wars and epidemics ravaged the countryside. In the 1244, Antibes’s bishop moved his see to Grasse. By the end of the 15th century, the region was under the protection and control of King Louis XI of France. Relative stability returned, but the small port of Antibes fell into obscurity.

From around the middle of the 19th century the Antibes area regained its popularity, as wealthy people from around Europe discovered its natural beauty and built many luxurious homes here.

Stones instead of sand

Like the majority of Mediterranean beaches you have to tolerate rocks instead of sand unless you are somewhere like Nice where they import sand for some of the private beach areas where you have to pay for the luxury.

This does not look comfortable

However I would be very happy lying beside her, I would gladly put up with the pain from the pebbles.

Warm sun & calm cool water

No sandcastles here. 🙂

Toys for the boys.

There are so many beautiful boats on the Riviera all along the coast from St Tropez to Menton. There is only one problem facing many of the owners, no matter how big your boat is soon somebody will arrive with a bigger one, see below. 🙂

The Sultan arrives, chopper on-board of course. 🙂

Some of the wealth on display is astonishing.

An Aussie in Antibes

Good name for a boat. 🙂

Antibes Mediterranean resort there is No Compromise

All you need is money, a lot of money. 🙂

Fort Carré d’Antibes

The Romans probably built the first fortifications at Antibes. In 1553, a tower called la tour Saint-Florent was built around a preexisting chapel. Henry III had four bastions added in 1565, whereupon it became Fort Carré (the squared fort).

My two lovely travelling companions

Deborah Holiday & Jodie ONeill from the Gold Coast in Australia travelled with me through the French & Italian Riviera. We were based in Breil Sur Roya a delightful French village north of Monte Carlo.

Thanks for visiting my Antibes Mediterranean resort photo blog. Hotel Ibis Styles is a reasonable price, just book through THIS LINK.

Please check out these fabulous posts

Istanbul Budapest London

Mostar Dubrobnik Split

Saigon Zagreb Vung tau

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

Brussels for mussels

Upmarket Portofino

Barcelona

Prague way back in 93

Amsterdam

Sarajevo

Beautiful Budapest

Fabulous Dubrovnik

Ancient Lisbon

Summer in St Moritz

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Spanish Coast Ibiza Madrid

June 8, 2015 by David Herd

Ibiza

Spanish Coast Ibiza Madrid

Spanish Coast Ibiza Madrid was a shock to me when I returned after 36 years since my last visit. I couldn’t believe the number of condominiums along the Costa Brava.

Please forgive the photo quality, my 1.2 mega pixel Canon was my first ancient digital camera.

Ibiza beach

It was the off season in April so the people were few and far between, consequently I thought Ibiza was fairly overrated.

Valencia

This trip was part of an around the world journey starting in Bangkok before moving to Spain then on to Venezuela, Cuba and Los Angeles.

David herd in Valencia

Valencia was founded as a Roman colony in 138 BC. The city is situated on the banks of the Turia, on the east coast of the Iberian Peninsula, fronting the Gulf of Valencia on the Mediterranean Sea. Its historic centre is one of the largest in Spain.

Better shot of the same place.

Found this on my friends Jean-Paul Facebook page.

Benidorm, we hated it. 🙂

I think the average age of the English and German tourists was mid 70s, there were walking frames everywhere. We went to a couple of bars and restaurants that were copies of similar places in Blackpool.

Cold beers in Benidorm

I was travelling with Les who was a friend from the Gold Coast.

El Campella near Alicante

Revisiting this seaside village was full of nostalgia for me. I had great memories from way back in the late 60s when I was travelling around Europe in a VW Kombi with 2 Kiwi guys. Campella was one of our favourite places where we ate Paellas and washed them down with gallons of Sangria. In those days the men would go fishing off the African coast and the women would sit on the beach making and repairing the huge fishing nets. It was a different world then.

This was 1965

This was Rosemary & Mary, two American girls we met in Campella all those years ago. 🙂

Here are the 2 kiwi guys

Keith Wagstaff & Dick, the photo was taker in Konstanz in Switzerland.

Deja vu

So here I am again 36 years later eating Paella and drinking red wine, the more things change the more they stay the same.

La Manga

We stayed one night in La Manga, who knows why? Certainly nothing to write about here.

On to Madrid for a little history

It was nice to leave behind the walking frames and pommies (Englishmen) drinking pints and singing songs from WW2.

Madrid

I really need to visit Madrid again one day.

Palace Hotel

Thanks for visiting my very ordinary post on Spanish Coast Ibiza Madrid with poor quality photos, please have a look at some better efforts in the section below.

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

Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

Brussels for mussels

Upmarket Portofino

Barcelona

Prague way back in 93

Amsterdam

Sarajevo

Beautiful Budapest

Fabulous Dubrovnik

Ancient Lisbon

Summer in St Moritz

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Prague capital Czech Republic

May 17, 2015 by David Herd

Buskers

Prague capital Czech Republic

Prague capital Czech Republic, in 1993 I travelled by train through unspoiled mountainous landscape from Berlin to this fascinating eastern European city.

Wenceslas Square

Many historical events occurred there, and it is a traditional setting for demonstrations, celebrations, and other public gatherings. I borrowed this photo from Wikipedia, there was no blue sky when I was there. 🙂

It was very cold

It was February or March and very cold, here I am outside Outside St. Vitus Cathedral.

Vaclev at the Clock Tower of Loreta

At the Prague railway station I was approached by a well dressed elderly man asking if I had accommodation. He took me to his home where he and his wife rented a couple of rooms. It was a lucky break for me, the room was comfortable and cheap ($23 aud) with an excellent breakfast. Vaclev was a university professor and told me a lot about the history of Prague. On his day off he kindly gave me a tour of this wonderful city which was extremely kind of him.

Castle entrance

Apologies for the quality of the photos.

Castle guards

Seems like a very boring job. 🙂

Vaclev’s home

Here is where I stayed about 3 stations from the centre of Prague.

Cold night in Prague

Freezing actually. 🙂

Crossing the Charles Bridge

The historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century.

Lunch with Oliver

Oliver is a good friend of Andre Buzek (the crazy dentist) who was also from Prague. We spent some time together drinking beer and discussing Andre’s crazy antics. 🙂

Here’s cheers Oliver, nice to meet you.

Sadly our friend Andre lost his life in a car accident in Cub a, RIP.

Prague capital Czech Republic

Prague 1993 and McDonald’s had already arrived.

A lasting memory

It was quite late one evening and I was the only one in the Old Town square. Suddenly I was hearing trumpets playing in the deserted snow covered square in the heart of Prague. It was a fantastic mystical moment I will never forget. I borrowed the above photo from Wikipedia.

In the fourteenth century the city built around the Prague Castle expanded to the right bank. The history of the square goes back even further: as early as in 1091 a market existed at the site of the Old Town Square.

I hope to visit again one day.

My apologies for the quality of the photos, they will certainly improve on my next visit.

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

Check out these great photo blogs.

Rio beach babes

Florianopolis Brazil

Bangkok river ferry

Fabulous HCMC

Amazing World Food

Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

Hiroshima Japan

Sydney Harbour

Lake Como Lake Garda Italy

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Surfers Paradise life 1991

June 15, 2014 by David Herd

1991-Surfers-Paradise-Metway-Bank-Bay-of-islands

This photos defines 1991, this post is part of my personal online photo albums, as opposed to my FiveStarVagabond travel blog.

Surfers Paradise life 1991

Surfers Paradise life 1991 was as good as it gets, a new house, a nice car, a good job and a gorgeous girlfriend, a kiwi named Karen Greenwood. Karen was the main interest in my life for over a year. The relationship could safely be described as reasonably volatile. 🙂 It took me 2 or 3 more relationships over the next 4 or 5 years before I finally realised I was just not good at them. Consequently here I am happily alone 37 years later living in Thailand.

Above is one of my all time favourite photos, one of the many dinners parties at my new home at 106 Upton St Bundall, Surfers Paradise. My great buddy Harley Bradstreet used to love dressing up in his military gear, the other guy on the left was Harley’s gay flatmate. If Harley wore his Military gear he would do the same. The girls from the left were Leanne Sanderson, Mary Simpson, Kandice Aldington & Nicola Botica.

Kandice & Nicola wash the dishes.

These two lovely girls were always a great asset to any dinner party, an example of Surfers Paradise life 1991.

Another night another party with the usual suspects.

And the beat goes on, I think Kandice was feeling no pain on this particular evening. 🙂

Kandice was feeling no pain at all.

As I said before, another night another party with the usual suspects.

Here is another great kitchen shot. 🙂

I think Jill is about to cook breakfast, or pour us another drink perhaps. 🙂

New fence at 106 Upton St

I moved into my new home July 1st 1990 but my huge fence was not built until early 1991.

Harly & Madison guarding the house

Before I had the fence I needed an armed guard to keep my screaming fans at bay. 🙂 OK, I am joking, it is only my old buddy Harley dressing up again.

Roger Williams surrounded by special forces.

On the right is my old friend Harley Bradstreet who loved dressing up in his military outfit, he had a gay flatmate the guy on the left. This particular night they came to my home for dinner & you could have knocked me over with a feather when the flatmate was also dressed in military fashion. 🙂

Old friend Ian Rich

Ian was from Newport in Sydney, we met around 1968.

Please click on Google + to help my page ranking.

Claudia Scrupin & Tony Murphy

Another old friend is Tony Murphy who I see regularly when he visits Thailand, plus I often stay at his home on the Gold Coast when I am there every 18 months or so.

Robyn Aylwood & Tony Murphy at Palm Meadows.

Robyn was a lovely lady who was the PR girl at Gold Coast international hotel, she moved to Melbourne Married & sadly passed away October 2010, RIP. Strangely enough her husband David Austin also passed away shortly after in July 2011.

A rose between two thorns

I don’t think so, two lovely ladies Kim English & Sharon Lee at Mariners Cove.

Dianne Bryce & Larry Wilson.

Larry was a terrific humour, he is the on coin coined the phrase about our mutual friend Harley Bradstreet “ANYONE CAN HAVE A BAD DECADE”. I often told people “if you need a good solicitor on the Gold Coast avoid Larry.” (only joking) Dianne was a fun lady who I took out a few times in the previous year or two. Ah Surfers Paradise life 1991 was very good indeed.

Two more old friends

I used to have regular drinks at the Avenue in Orchard Avenue with Len Jones & David Robertson. This was Surfers Paradise life 1991 and the Avenue is still there now in 2018 but it moved across the road.

Porsche, what Porsche? I can’t see a Porsche.

Two lovey ladies posing outside my home. Sharon Lee is on the right, I forget her girlfriend’s name.

Beautiful Karen Greenwood.

I had such a good year with Karen however I have no allusions why she stuck around for so long. She was surviving on a pension raising a young child so money was very tight. The week before we met her car gave up the ghost which obviously curtailed her ability to get around. Along comes the white knight, aka David Herd who just happened to have a spare car which he generously provided as her much needed transport. During our time together each time there was a major disagreement I would repossess the vehicle & poor Karen was grounded. Upon making up the car would be returned and things would be back to normal, so folks therein lies the major reason this super hot babe stuck around for so long. 🙂

Xmas day in Auckland

We spent Xmas & New Year in Auckland with Karen’s parents, towards the end of the holiday we were desperate for some time away from each other.

In the Bay of Islands

A gorgeous lady who smoked like a burning brake drum. 🙂

Happy times in Port Douglas

A nice trip to Port Douglas & Airlie Beach, little did we know (well I didn’t) there was only a week or so left in our volatile relationship. 🙂

Whitehaven Beach Whitsundays

Is that the definition of sexy or what?

Perhaps one of the sexiest girlfriends I ever had

I took this photo 5 minutes after making love to this sexy lady.

This will amaze you…..

This was taken 26 years later in March 2017, she still looks fantastic.

Alan Pearson in Airlie Beach

I have known Alan for nearly 20 years, we knocked around in the same group when I lived in Adelaide in the 70s.

Mum & Dad’s 50th wedding anniversary.

My wonderful Mum & Dad celebrated their 50th with close friends at my brother Bryan’s Home in Leppington south west of Sydney.

Roberta at the Gold Coast Indy.

Roberta Aitchison in her sexy Meter Maid outfit at the Gold Coast Indy. Shortly after she took over the Meter Maid company and still runs it today. Another example of my Surfers Paradise life 1991′

Surfers Paradise life 1991 & here is Harley laying it on thick,

Yes ladies, I am a well known chick magnet.

Susan Hutton & her niece

Susan was a friend from Brisbane who would come to the coast and spend the weekend with me.

Another great photo to finish which shows Surfers Paradise life 1991

Surfers Paradise life 1991 as you can see was fantastic mainly due to some very interesting people.

Life was just one big party in the 90s, thanks for visiting my post.

My favourite song from 1991.

To receive my latest posts please follow me on TwitterFollow @David_Herd

Here are some more posts to check out

Life 2015 Family history Life 1982

Adelaide 1972 Iron Bar Freddy Sydney 2006

Thailand 2008 Gold Coast Babes World trip 2003

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

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

Just click on the photo for a flashback to 1982

Here are some of my most popular posts.

Pattaya live webcam

Beautiful Brazilian beach babes

Copacabana beautiful beach babes

Nana Plaza Bangkok sex sin sleaze

Florianopolis Brazilian Island

Tim Bristow Iron-Bar Freddy Tropical Joe

Sexy Soi Cowboy Bangkok

Beautiful Budapest

Australian seafood

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 8 photos

Wealthy Play St Tropez

May 2, 2014 by David Herd

Let the games begin.

Wealthy play St Tropez

Wealthy Play St Tropez, a place for sheer opulence, people watching, & great restaurants and bars. Please remember to take your money with you. 🙂

Boules-type games are traditional and popular in France, Italy and Croatia, and are also popular in some former French colonies. In those countries, boules games are often played in open spaces (town squares and parks) in villages and towns. Dedicated playing areas for boules-type games are typically large, level, rectangular courts made of flattened earth, gravel, or crushed stone, enclosed in wooden rails or back boards.

Paella anyone?

The huge place des Lices Market is a kaleidoscope of everything from fruit and veg to antique mirrors and slippers. It’s truly legendary and It is studded with plane trees, cafés and (when the market’s not on) pétanque players.

Saturday is market day in St Tropez

The seaside resort town Saint Tropez is still very popular with the tourists, although the jetset and the in-crowd have long since left it behind. Set on the lovely blue water of the Bay of Saint-Tropez, this modern version of a medieval town is most popular for the line of yachts along the quay, and the facing line of terrace cafés, divided by a parade of strolling tourists.

Look at me, look at me. 🙂

Naturally all the chairs face the footpath so customers can ogle & gawk at the people passing, while pretending not too. 🙂

The famous Cafe de Paris.

There is of course another famous Cafe de Paris in Monte Carlo.

So many restaurants & so little time. 🙂

I guess I’m stating the obvious however you can get far better value for your money by visiting the restaurants a couple of blocks away from the sea front.

The old part of town is quite fascinating.

Behind the cafés, the small streets and old buildings are picturesque, but they’re more popular for the multitude of shops and restaurants than historical significance.

The back streets are interesting

Very interesting back streets of ST Tropez.

Wealthy Play St Tropez

There are always luxury yachts cruising in the area.

Narrow lanes & arches

I’m sure this arch has not changed for hundreds of years.

L’Olive St Tropez

Very good food at L’Olive at 9 Rue Aire du Chemin, 83990 Saint-Tropez.

A very brassy lady

Surely this can’t be Bridgette Bardot. 🙂

Could this be a Trojan Horse?

I really like this sculpture near St Tropez wharf.

Deborah Holliday & Jodie ONeill

Mt travelling companions Deb and Jodie heading for a night out, some guys bought them drinks and Deb in return shouted a round, 110 Euros later, some smelling salts were required for her to recover and fight another day.