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Lots of good restaurants in Koh Samui

June 25, 2016 by David Herd

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand.

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand have improved out of sight since I was last there in 2007. There are so many great choices now, here are a few I have no hesitation in recommending. We hit the jackpot on our first evening when we dined at Il Duomo which is rated 3 out of 154 by TripAdvisor.

Pothole & I at Duomo

The food prices were very reasonable, a bottle of red from Sanama Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile B1100. My Aussie friends can buy it at Petersham Liquor Mart for $10.

Sanama

Very smooth, a bit like myself. 🙂

Tell them my dear.

The owner comes from Milano.

A very interesting guy who enjoyed having a chat. There was one very nice touch, we ordered a main course each and asked for extra plates as we wanted to share the meals. We were pleasantly surprised when they actually served us both half portions separately, we didn’t need to do it ourselves, very classy indeed. Apart from that the food was exceptional.

Prego Italian Restaurant

Located at the Amari hotel TripAdvisor only rate it 13 out of 154 restaurants in Chaweng. Al I can say if there are 12 better restaurants then Samui dining is in great shape. Lovely decor, great food and excellent service. Once again the price was reasonable and they also had a red wine from Chile on special.

Pothole pulverizes pizza

My ravioli was superb as was Pothole’s pizza.

Ravioli was superb

Put Prego on you list of must do restaurants in Samui. The Amari has been totally renovated and rates very highly among Samui hotels, for a very good room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Wine Connection

My favourite, they also have several in Bangkok although the Silom branch is the only one I have been to. The best garlic prawns I have had in 20 years, I have had them both at Samui & Bangkok & they are perfect.

Wine Connection at Central Festival Samui

We only spent 4 nights in Samui and chose to eat here twice.

Low cost wine

They offer a wonderful selection of wine from all over the world at liquor store prices. Our red wine from Chile was a bargain B650.

The chain I’m told is owned by a French group, I only wish they would open a branch in Pattaya.

Lamb shank at the Wine Connection.

The food choices are extensive, lots of terrines a a big range of pasta.

Coffee club

I saw two Coffee club restaurants, one in Central Festival and one in the main street opposite the Ark Bar. Very good eggs Benedict and coffee.

Eggs Benedict

Absolutely delicious.

Bar Baguette

Located at Bophut beach this was really a good little cafe for lunch, the avocado & bacon baguette was perfect and the staff were really friendly.

For more good restaurants in Bophut just follow THIS LINK.

Lots of choices on the main street.

There are many restaurants offering fresh seafood and lots of sports bars offering good pub food. Sadly we only had four days to sample the Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand, however I guarantee I shall return.

Lots of fresh seafood

In the nine years since I was in Samui I can’t believe the incredible improvement in the restaurant scene, the choices are endless.

Thanks for visiting my Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand photo blog. Book through THIS LINK for a discount on your hotel room.

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Big Buddha Koh Samui

June 24, 2016 by David Herd

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

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

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

One of two statues guarding the Big Buddha

Located as you enter the square below Big Buddha.

Here is a short video

Big Buddha Koh Samui

Watch this video on YouTube

Looking back towards Chaweng

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

Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks

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

A very popular tourist stop

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

Lamai Beach

The next beach around the coast from Chaweng.

Lamai beach bar & restaurant

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

Next stop Guan Yu Chinese shrine.

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

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

Elephants on Koh Samui

What magnificent beasts they are.

Here is a little guy with Mum.

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.

Watch this video on YouTube

He certainly was a happy little jumbo.

Some banana for the little dancing jumbo

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

The popular waterfall was just a trickle.

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

Please be careful

In 2019 2 people have died here. Check out THIS LINK for details.

Time for a cool drink

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

Nathon pier

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

Bophut beach

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

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

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

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.

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Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

June 24, 2016 by David Herd

Sensational Samui

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

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

The hotel grounds are a little like a rain forest.

Massage on Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

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

Some nice scenery in front of our hotel.

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

The Ark Bar

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

What great views they will have overlooking Chaweng beach.

So many hotel choices on Chaweng Beach

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

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

White sand blue sky what more do you need?

Maybe you need a tattoo?

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

She looks better here

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

Breakfast with a view.

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

Watch this video on YouTube

Peppina on Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

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

A typical Samui scene

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

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

Flashback to December 1999

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.

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Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

June 14, 2016 by David Herd

Beautiful-cloud-Pattaya-beach-bikini-Thailand

Nature at it’s best

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nearly every day there is another interesting cloud to photograph.

An interesting story

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

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

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

So many clouds to photograph and such little time. 🙂

Rain over Koh Larn

This was July 29 2016 at 6.15 pm.

Clouds & shadows August 30 2016

Every day something new.

Absolutely breathtaking

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

Same same but different

Always a different beautiful shape.

Clouds on fire

One of the best Thai sunsets I have ever seen.

June 28 2017

And the beat goes on. 🙂

Storm on the way

I love watching the tropical storms in Pattaya.

The sky was angry today my friends.

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

A cloud with the “WOW” factor.

That’s Koh Larn on the left.

May 17 2018

A perfect Pattaya morning.

A very angry sky

Black clouds in October 2018.

Amazing colour

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

Beach Road

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

Super cloud February 3 2021

They don’t get much better than this. 🙂

June 16 2022

Taken from The Bay in Beach Road.

Lets finish with a beautiful sunset.

Absolutely breathtaking.

Sabai Wing Soi 1 North Pattaya

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.

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New Years Eve Sydney 2012

June 4, 2016 by David Herd

January 1st 2013, please note, this is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s my personal history, check it out if you wish.

New Years Eve Sydney 2012 at Drummoyne

New Years Eve Sydney 2012 from 72 Wrights Road Drummoyne where I lived for six years from 1979 to 1984. This is late afternoon and everybody is getting ready for the fireworks, there are two spectacular shows, one at 9 pm for the children (and me) and one of course at midnight.

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

The apartments you see are in St Georges Crescent where I also owned another 3 bedroom waterfront apartment at Brackley Gardens, this was for investment & rental purposes I never lived there. It is interesting to look at prices way back in the 70s, I purchased Brackley Gardens for $48,000 in 1977 then sold 5 years later for $98,000.

I sold Wrights road for a profit of $100,000 in 1986, I rate this in the top 3 mistakes I have ever made in my life.

Warwick Robinson

I have known Warwick for about 35 years, a nice fellow with a great sense of humour. He and his lovely wife Ady have lived in Cherrybrook for many years. I like standing beside him, he makes me look thin. 🙂

Peter Hesky

I have known Peter for a similar amount of time as Warwick, we enjoyed many great time together in the 70s & 80s. He is a great host and organized some terrific dinners at his Freeway Hotel in Artarmon.

Peter & I both love Mud Crabs and have polished off many back in the days I lived at Drummoyne, I must say however the best I have ever had have been in Singapore, follow THIS LINK to see what I mean.

In fact here is an example

These monsters are certainly not cheap, from memory this one set me back about $120. It’s from Sri Lanka and at 3.3 kilo the biggest I have ever eaten.

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

The 9 pm fireworks show at New Years Eve Sydney 2012 gets under way. I must confess I have seen so many fireworks displays over the years they have lost a little of their appeal for me. Certainly the best I have ever seen was in the 80s when I would anchor my boat in the Harbour beside the opera House and be in the middle of the action. Equally as exciting and maybe more so was Rio de Janeiro on NYE 2007 when 2 million people converged on Copacabana beach, just follow THIS LINK to see what I mean.

And the beat goes on

I have another confession I was in bed trying to get to sleep at 11 pm. 🙂

I was more impressed by the food

Our hosts Peter Hobbs and his lovely Thai girlfriend Pring put on a great spread.

And here she is 🙂

All I can say is Peter is punching way above his weight. 🙂

Peter & I the next morning on New Years Day.

Wrights Road in these apartments was my home for 6 years from 1979, some of the best years of my life. In fact check out my 1982 photo blog and see for yourself.

72 Wrights Rd

The smaller block in the middle was my home, I was in unit 12 on the top floor, Peter is on the ground floor on the left. Talking about property values again, I purchased in 1979 for $65,000 then sold in 1985 for $165,000. I believe now in 2016 they sell for over a million.

Flashback to 1982

One of the greatest eras in my life was living in Drummoyne in the 80s, looking back it was a mistake to move to Newport with my new fiancée thinking I was ready to settle down. How wrong can a man be?

Not too attractive from the street

However it was a great location to live with my white Mercedes Sports in the garage and my Bertram 25 moored right outside.

Robbie Bonnet

Robbie live here when I did in the 80s and he is still here now 35 years later. He owns a Bob Jane T-Marts in Drummoyne however I believe it recently closed and he is moving to a new location.

Farewell to Wrights Road

The memories certainly came flooding back after spending New Years Eve Sydney 2012 at my old home in Drummoyne. It was great to catch up with lots of old friends, who say nostalgia is a thing of the past?

Talking about old friends

When I left Drummoyne on the morning of January 1st to drive to Port Macquarie I stopped in Dee Why for a coffee with another old friend Paul Slaughter.

Thanks for visiting my New Years Eve Sydney 2012 photo blog.

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through these links below. Book now & pay later.

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Sydney Gold Coast 2013

May 12, 2016 by David Herd

January 1st 2013, please note, Sydney Gold Coast 2013 is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s my personal history, check it out if you wish.

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Sydney Gold Coast 2013 was a trip I did starting from 72 Wrights Road Drummoyne on January 1st after spending a couple of weeks at my cousin’s home in Balgowlah. I spent News Years Eve with Peter Hobbs & friends, left early the next day to meet friends for coffee at Dee Why before calling in to see Sue at Newport. From there I drove to my brothers home in Port Macquarie and finally onto the Gold Coast before flying back home to Thailand.

Over a period of 3 or 4 years I was lucky enough to stay at Deb’s lovely home for which I’m forever grateful. Sadly in the end she kicked me out because I left the house unlocked for an hour when I went for coffee. Us aging geriatrics do become forgetful. 🙂

Xmas Eve at Deb’s house

a few days before I was banished, sadly it seems all good things come to an end.

With Peter Hobbs

Wrights Road in these apartments was my home for 6 years from 1979, some of the best years of my life. In fact check out my 1982 photo blog and see for yourself.

Middle building, top floor, right side.

Unit 12 was my home for six very happy years.

Home sweet home 1979 to 1985.

Watch this video on YouTube

New Years Eve with Warwick Robinson

A friend for over 30 years.

Robbie Bonett

A long time resident of 72 Wrights Rd, way back to when I lived there in the late 70s. He has since married a Russian babe & moved to the Eastern suburbs.

Peter Hesky

Another longtime friend from the 70s. We used to be in regular contact but I have not heard from him for 5 or 6 years. Maybe he put me on the “black list” in support of cousin Deb. 🙂

Aussie seafood on NYE.

I really miss the Aussie seafood living in Thailand.

Drinks with John Loch

At the famous Oaks Hotel in Neutral Bay, John live 5 minutes walk away.

Iconic Oaks hotel

It could be Australia’s best pub.

Jill McCrossan

I bumped into Jill at Manly, we had lots of great times when we both lived on the Gold Coast. If you want to see Jilly taking a bath in 1992 just follow THIS LINK.

Lunch at Mr Wongs

Upmarket Chinese restaurant off Bridge St Sydney. More photos on THIS LINK.

Chinatown

Yum Cha with Hesco & Al Chiswick.

Coffee at Dee Why, Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Old friend Paul Slaughter and I enjoying coffee before heading to Newport to see Sue Ellis.

Sue’s home in Crescent Ave Newport

Tim Bristow’s lovely home in Newport, Tim passed away aged 72 about 10 years ago. His long time (& long suffering) partner Sue still lives here.

I played tennis here many times in the 80s.

Sue Ellis was and still is a terrific tennis player, we played many times and to my dismay I never won a single set. Sue just turned 60 this year and is ranked number 7 in the over 60 Tennis Seniors Australia Rankings in Womens Singles.

January 1st 2013

After many years I was happy to visit Sue, the home is still as picture perfect as when Big Tim used fuss around keeping everything neat & tidy.

Portrait of the big fellow

I wonder if it was ever hung or stored in the basement. 🙂

Next stop Port Macquarie

Breakfast with Chris Lockwood & my brother Warren.

Kerry, Lynn and Bryan

Kerry, Lynn & Bryan, another one of the Herd brothers having dinner at the Great Wall of China restaurant in Port Macquarie.

Chris Lockwood aka Dr Evil.

Chris is a close friend of my brother Warren, they regularly travel the world together.

The Gold Coast

Here I am with three good friends in Surfers Paradise. Craig Sulzberger aka Sudzi, Ross Kennedy & Greg “Noodles” Craig.

Sydney Gold Coast 2013

Bob Martin & I have been friends for over 40 years. We had some great times together in Sydney in the 70s with our other great mate Peter Lewis. Here we are having coffee on Chevron Island.

Last but not least in Sydney Gold Coast 2013

My great mate Phil Thomson from Runaway Bay. Phil was to blame for getting me hooked on Japan, he and his wife Junko showed me the ropes in Tokyo in 2007.

Thanks for visiting my Sydney Gold Coast 2013 photo blog.

Here are some more posts to check out

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Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

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Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

May 10, 2016 by David Herd

View point Pratumnak Hill

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand is a city two hours south of Bangkok. My first visit was 37 years ago in 1980 and after many trips over the years since then I decided to move here from Australia in October 2011. Without a doubt it was the right decision given how expensive the cost of living in Australia has become. Don’t get me wrong, I still love Australia with a passion, however at my age Thailand offers a better lifestyle at an affordable price.

The following photos and video were taken from the naval base on Pratumnak Hill beside the communication tower you can see in the centre of the above photo.

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

A perfect view of Pattaya Bay stretching all the way to Wongamat which is the next beach to the north.

Waterfront condo

Construction was halted in 2014 due to alleged anomalies in the building specifications and planning permits. Nobody seems to have any idea if and when work will re-commence.

In late 2016 it was reported they have to now remove the top 8 floors of the building.

Bali Hai pier

Just below the view point is Bali Hai pier where for B30 you can take a ferry to Koh Larn where there are some excellent beaches and clean water.

A closer look at the pier.

The ferries to Koh Larn run about every 39 minutes from 10 am.

Admiral HRH Prince of Chumphon

Admiral HRH Prince of Chumphon(also written as ‘Jumborn‘) is the man who is referred to as the ‘Father of the Royal Thai Navy’.

Pattaya city

The city behind Pattaya Bay Beach Resort.

View to the south

As you can see there is a lot of construction under way in Pratamnak.

A building boom

Well if it’s not a building boom I’m not sure how you would describe it in May 2016.

Sunset over Pattaya Bay.

The sunsets in Pattaya Bay Beach Resort are as spectacular as anything I have seen in this world, as are the tropical storms.

Tropical storm

During the wet season which is May to November these fierce storms roll in over the bay often causing severe damage to the beach. Follow this link to see the aftermath of Vamco in 2015.

Para-Sailors in Pattaya bay.

Great vision of Parasailing in Pattaya, Thailand

Here is a short video.

Pattaya view point.

Pattaya Bay

A great view of the city.

Webcam Pattaya Bay Beach Resort

Check out Pattaya Bay Beach Resort any time you wish, just bookmark this link.

Strange event

This was June 12th 2017 & at first I thought itr was sand stirred up by the speedboats. Then a suggestion was made it could be the result of some sort of plankton bloom.

Thanks for stopping by.

I hope you enjoyed my Pattaya Bay Beach Resort photo blog.

Sabai Wing Soi 1 North Pattaya

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.

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

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

Please check out these fabulous posts

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Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Free Cancellation.

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Brazil Hotels

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Copacabana Rio de Janeiro

April 17, 2016 by David Herd

Copacabana-Brazil-babes-bikinis-Rio de Janeiro

View from my apartment

Copacabana Rio de Janeiro

Copacabana Rio de Janeiro is one of the world’s great beaches. This is my sixth visit to this fabulous city, my rented apartment is right across the road from the beach.

Copacabana Beach Rio de Janeiro, say no more.

These two look like they mean business.

Alan Austin and his wife Renata

Alan & I met in Rio and became very good friends, unfortunately the following year he ran into some problems with the English authorities and I now he lives in England.

It’s now 2018 & after 11.5 years as a guest of Her Majesty Alan will be a free man in August.

Shenanigans Ipanema

Monday nights here there are lots of specials and the place gets really crowded. The guy in the red shirt is Alan’s Las Vegas friend Jay.

Two dozen oysters = two days food poisoning

I was totally out of it for 48 hours after eating these oysters on the beach.

The Evil eye

The look on his face should have warned me about eating his oysters. He even had madman printed on his cap. 🙂

The girl from Copacabana

I was relaxing on the beach when this vision appeared in front of me. I have never been one to let a golden opportunity pass so I brushed up on my social skills and introduced myself. Her name was Mel and she came from neighbouring Niteroi. Lo & behold within an hour we were in my apartment making mad passionate love. This certainly was one on the best days of my trip. ?

Mel from Niteroi

Mel is around 6′ tall with amazing green eyes, a total knock out. It is 2015 and I still have her photo on a shelf in my condo. ?

How about those fabulous eyes?

I have to admit the fact that Mel spoke no English did not bother me at all. 🙂

John, an Aussie guy who owned “The Office” restaurant.

John was an Aussie guy from Sydney and we swapped many stories about people we knew and knew of, mainly well known Sydney gangsters. ? The following year John in fact was abducted by Brazilian gangsters who forced him to go to his home in Angra Dos Rios and pen his safe which they cleaned out.

Copacabana eye candy

One of the best locations on Earth for gorgeous females.

Late afternoon at Copacabana

Looking down from my apartment you can see the shadows staring to creep across the beach.

Kiosks on Copacabana

Every 50 meters along the beach there is a kiosk where you can buy a beer or a hamburger and watch the passing parade.

Copacabana Rio de Janeiro

Copacabana beach babes are among the sexiest girls in the world. My photo blogs with the most visits involve Brazilian babes so I thought I would add to the collection with samples from my 2 months in Rio from December 2007 to February 2008.

Making a splash

There is no better place in the world to see beautiful beach babes than Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro.

Nice hat

Hat, what hat, I don’t see a hat?

Now can you see a hat?

Is this a trick question? Who looks at hats on Copacabana beach?

The sea was angry that day my friends.

You don’t often see big waves at Copacabana but this particular day the surf was quite rough. In fact it was new years eve 2007 and Copacabana was preparing for a crowd of 2 million people.

Smile for the camera

Brazilians absolutely love the beach, check out my most popular blog here.

Ah! The colours of Brazil.

Are you aware Brazil’s Primary colours are green and yellow? Just saying…………

Time for a lunch break

The prawns are very good however I was laid low for 48 hours after eating 2 dozen oysters on the beach. ?

Two pretty girls

All you need is a camera on Copacabana because the talent is unlimited. ?

Look closely you may see a tattoo

Tattoo? I don’t see a tattoo.

No tattoos here

A fabulous body like this does not need any tattoos.

Copacabana Rio de Janeiro

All my friends who know and love Rio will remember the wonderful times we had at “HELP” nightclub on Avenue Atlantica. Many thanks for visiting my Copacabana Rio de Janeiro photo blog, without any doubt in the world “you gotta love Rio”.

Rio was part of a fabulous world trip starting in Sydney and finishing in Bangkok.

Here are some more posts to check out

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

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

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra

April 15, 2016 by David Herd

Australian lamb, delicious.

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra in Pattaya Klang. Thai beef & lamb leaves a lot to be desired compared to Australia & New Zealand, and here at Big C they offer great quality imported meat at similar prices to what you would pay in Australia. Perhaps the price may be 10 or 15% more however I am happy to pay a premium to get the beat product.

Great choice of quality meat

I don’t eat a lot of steak these days preferring to focus on lamb cutlets, chops and the huge lamb shanks here at Big C Extra.

A lot can change in 5 years

It’s now 2021 & Aussie lamb prices have gone through the roof. Currently B1,590 a kilo, up from B950 in 2016.

Thankfully the cost of living in Pattaya has not risen too much, for some examples just follow THIS LINK.

Lamb Shanks

These two shanks weigh 1.2 kilo for B550 or $20 aud. I either roast them or use a slow cooker, either way they are delicious. The good news is they are so large I get two meals out of each shank, I always bake extra vegetables so the following day lunch is cold roast lamb with bubble and squeak, life does not get much better than that. 🙂

Friends arrive for dinner

Here are my friends Larry Krausz and Hamish Elton enjoying roast lamb shanks with vegetables & washed down with red wine from Australia.

Sadly we lost Larry in January 2016 after he suffered a major stroke, RIP buddy.

A slow cooked shank with a view

The view from my condo on the 20th floor of Markland in Beach Road Pattaya. After slow cooking for around 5 hours the meat just falls off the bone.

Perhaps you prefer baked

Roast lamb shank & vegetables with Gravox and red wine.

Chops and Shanks from Best Pattaya butcher

My standard order which gives me six great meals for B800 or $32 aud. The chops are so thick I only need to cook two with some vegetables and gravy.

Buy Australian lamb in Pattya

Lamb cutlets with a view

Cutlets & baked vegetables with loads of gravy.

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

Coffee at Big C Extra

Always after visiting the Best Pattaya butcher I enjoy a B50 hot latte at this little coffee shop right in front of the super market.

Thanks for visiting my Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra photo blog, please don’t tell anybody about this wonderful butcher, the last thing I need is them running out of product.

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

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.

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

Soapy Massage Pattaya Bangkok

Spectacular Bangkok Sky Bars

Fresh seafood Bangkok

Pattaya live webcam

Hawker Chan Hollys Coffee

Le Bordeaux Pattaya Restaurant

Flashback Sydenham Cellars

Art of desert Pattaya

Breakfast Bake n’ Brew

Food review Pattaya 2020

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya

April 14, 2016 by David Herd

Mezzo is now closed, replaced with The Coffee Club.

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya has become a favourite place for me to get away from my computer. I live on the 17th floor of Markland and often spend too much time banging on the keyboard producing new photo FiveStarVagabond blogs. So when I need a break I head down for coffee and to chat and have fun with the lovely young girls who work there.

Always smiling

The girls are always happy and smiling, it is a pleasure to walk in and share some jokes with them. The coffee and the cakes are very good also. 🙂

Ham & salad croissant

They offer quite a variety of snacks, Mezzo is a Thai group of shops, there is another branch at the rear of Mike shopping mall.

The cakes are my downfall

Sadly I find it hard to resist the selection of cakes and cookies, oh well I guess I have to maintain my 110 kilograms.

Blueberry cheesecake

I try to limit myself to a cake every 2nd visit, I don’t always succeed. 🙂

How lucky am I?

Here is the view from my condo on the 20th floor, I never tire of looking at this wonderful vista. However as I said before when I want a break from the computer I slip down to Mezzo for a coffee and cake.

The building next door shaped like a boat is the very popular A1 hotel, use this link for a great room rate. If you want to see more here is my A1 photo blog.

Any time you want to see this view live just follow this link for my webcam.

Friends at Mezzo

This is Pothole aka John Martin with his sons Tyrone, Tiger & Tate, & Kayo from Tokyo.

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya

Thanks for visiting my Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya photo blog, I can honestly say out of all the great places I have lived and owned in Australia, I find this current home is the most spectacular view I have ever experienced. I feel sorry for the many people in this world who are not moved by great views such as Pattaya Bay.

More of the smiling faces

The staff is always pleased to see you.

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

This gallery contains 2 photos

Pothole & I at Duomo

Sanama

Pothole pulverizes pizza

Ravioli was superb

Wine Connection at Central Festival Samui

Coffee club

Eggs Benedict

Bar Baguette

Lots of choices on the main street.

Lots of fresh seafood

Beautiful bougainvillea

Big Buddha & slightly smaller Buddha

One of two statues guarding the Big Buddha

Looking back towards Chaweng

A very popular tourist stop

Lamai Beach

Lamai beach bar & restaurant

Next stop Guan Yu Chinese shrine.

He looks rather fierce

Elephants on Koh Samui

Here is a little guy with Mum.

Here is a video of a dancing elephant

Some banana for the little dancing jumbo

The popular waterfall was just a trickle.

Time for a cool drink

Nathon pier

Bophut beach

Beach bar

Bar Baguette

Taxi ride around Koh Samui

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That’s all folks

Sensational Samui

Hotel pool

Massage on Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

Some nice scenery in front of our hotel.

Hillside homes being built

So many hotel choices on Chaweng Beach

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

Maybe you need a tattoo?

She looks better here

Breakfast with a view.

Peppina on Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

A typical Samui scene

Here is the beach massage price list

Flashback to December 1999

That’s all folks

Nature at it’s best

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Looking north to Wongamat

Fascinating Pattaya clouds over Koh Larn

Pattaya bay

Looking south

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

June 29 2017

Angry clouds

Looking south from my apartment

Another awesome cloud formation

Rain over Koh Larn

Clouds & shadows August 30 2016

Absolutely breathtaking

Same same but different

Clouds on fire

June 28 2017

Storm on the way

The sky was angry today my friends.

A cloud with the “WOW” factor.

May 17 2018

A very angry sky

Amazing colour

Beach Road

Super cloud February 3 2021

June 16 2022

Lets finish with a beautiful sunset.

January 1st 2013, please note, this is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s my personal history, check it out if you wish.

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

Peter Hesky

In fact here is an example

New Years Eve Sydney 2012

And the beat goes on