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Pipa Beach North Brazil

December 4, 2014 by David Herd

Pipa Beach brazil

Pipa Beach North Coast Brazil

Travelled Natal Recife via Pipa

Pipa Beach North Coast Brazil, I remember sitting in a bar in Rio Di Janeiro with two friends Dave Wylie & Doug Roarke, (RIP) and when I asked what was their favorite place in Brazil, Doug briefly considered the question before saying “Praia de Pipa”. Until that moment I had never heard of the place, but on Doug’s recommendation I planned my trip. Pipa Beach Brazil quickly became one of my favorite places in the world.

Simone Cristina Oliveira

Pipa Beach North Brazil

 

I traveled 300 kilometers by taxi from with my friend Simone from Natal to Recife, we stopped in Pipa for a few days along the way.

Low tide in Pipa

Pipa Beach North Brazil

I’m sitting on the dock of the bay……..

 landua pousada Praia da Pipa

Pipa Beach North Coast Brazil

Only 30 meters to the water, in fact the photo at the top is right in front of the hotel.

View from landua pousada

Pipa Beach North Brazil

A wonderful location in this beach paradise.

Great bar close to our hotel

Pipa Beach North Brazil

Bar, what bar? I don’t see a bar. 🙂

The ice cream man.

Pipa Beach North BrazilSorry, I prefer a cold beer. 🙂

 

Eye candy at Pipa beach

Pipa Beach North BrazilA little eye candy never goes astray. 🙂

Don’t walk away Jose

Pipa Beach North Brazil

Great beach view here, this guy is certainly punching above his weight. 🙂

What! No water…..

Pipa Beach North BrazilBut who cares?

Low tide at Pipa

Pipa Beach North Brazil No fishing for these guys until the tide comes in.

Very low tide at Pipa

Pipa Beach North BrazilWho cares about the tide? 🙂

Enjoying low tide at Pipa

Pipa Beach North Brazil Back it comes.

Pipa Beach North Coast Brazil

Pipa Beach North BrazilA great day for a swim before lunch on the beach.

Look closely you may see some fish.

Pipa Beach North Brazil

Fish, what fish? I don’t see any fish.

Fresh for dinner tonight

Pipa Beach North BrazilI’m looking forward to dinner.

 

Fresh fish for dinner

Pipa Beach North Brazil Huge servings in Brazil.

 Caipirinha before dinner

Pipa Beach North BrazilIt’s got a kick like a mule. 🙂

 

Lovely Simone, what magnificent skin colour.

Pipa Beach North BrazilPlus she is one of the nicest ladies I have eve known.

Surfs up

Pipa Beach North Brazil

Very small waves here I’m afraid. 🙂

Local artist

Pipa Beach North Brazil Lot’s of colour here.

Didgeridoo

Pipa Beach North Brazil

Half a world away from Australia we came across these Scandinavian guys playing Didgeridoos, amazing.

Where does that tattoo end?

Pipa Beach North Brazil Would be a lot of fun finding out. 🙂

A perfect day.

Pipa Beach North Brazil Most days in Pipa are perfect. 🙂

 

Sand hills all along the coast

Pipa Beach North Brazil The sand hills stretch for miles.

Thanks for visiting my Pipa Beach brazil post

Pipa Beach North Brazil

Brazilians don’t need a visa to visit Thailand. Please check out my webcam.      

Pattaya Beach live webcam

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

At the bottom of the page there are many more posts to check out.

 
 
Here are some more posts to check out 

       Zagreb Croatia                      Rio de Janeiro                  Brisbane River 

Zagreb Croatia bars restaurants        a7ff7566-9628-434d-a2b1-8c6e8b9a9021       IMG_0100

       

     Koh Samui                                   Korea                                  London

32780a6c-baf6-428a-bd71-68b1bed30b4c         Changdeokgung Palace (2)        IMG_7042

         Bangkok                                   Osaka                                     Pattaya

Soi Cowboy (25)          Osaka 1st night (17)       Walking St Pattaya is wild & sexy 

                                     

             Chiang Mai                      Pattaya                      Chao Phraya river

Chiang Mai with Tone        9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)   191de3bb-38fc-45cd-bce7-ef24081c554b

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great photo blogs.

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Three Thailand trips 2009

December 1, 2014 by David Herd

Is Thailand fun? You bet it is. 🙂

Three Thailand trips

Three Thailand trips

 Three Thailand trips in February April and July. The best was certainly in July when my good friend Phil Thomson arrived with his 21 yo son Michael to introduce him to life in Thailand. Michael’s mother is Japanese and he speaks the language fluently. Being a young good looking guy the girls in the bar made quite a fuss of him.

The two girls above are Anne & Jaeb from the Cherry Bar.

This post focuses on the July trip with Phil & Michael Thomson.

Michael, Jan & Phil

Three Thailand trips

I think Dad is having more fun than Michael. 🙂

Yes here is proof Michael’s dad is a party animal

Three Thailand trips

Of course Dad had no fun at all. 🙂

Anne and Michael

Three Thailand trips

Anne was so pleased to find some young fresh meat she latched on for a few days.

Nana Plaza and everyone is happy.

Three Thailand trips

We found Muk in “The Office” off Soi 33.

Pizza in Soi 33

Three Thailand trips

Good Italian food here, about 200 meters along Soi 33 on the right.

I met this lovely lady in Soi 33

Three Thailand trips

Her name is Muk and she now works in the country at a 7 11 shop, we sometimes chat on Facebook.

Nana Plaza, game on.

Three Thailand trips

 

Michael is very happy to be introduced to Nana Plaza.

A rainy night in Soi 33

Three Thailand trips

 

Nice Ferrari outside the Office.

This cheeky lady is named Ice.

Three Thailand trips

I met Ice a couple of years ago when she was dancing in a club  in Nana Plaza, I try to catch up with her each time I come to Thailand.

Herbie and the Thomsons at the Mantra

Three Thailand trips

Herbie Pastor is a very interesting guy from Las Vegas who now lives in Pattaya. He has some terrific stories from his days of owning a casino there as well as a well known New Orleans strip club.

The Honey Pot in Soi 2

Three Thailand trips

This was one of my favorite drinking holes, air conditioned and great music. Sadly now in 2014 along with all the other Soi bars it has closed.

Another reason I liked the Honey Pot.

Three Thailand trips

I rest my case.

 While we are on the subject

Three Thailand trips

  I can never show too much of Jan, in my eyes she was the most gorgeous Thai girl I knew.

Did I hear you say you wanted more of Jan?

Three Thailand trips

Well so did I, more & more. 🙂

Near the Dusit hotel

Three Thailand trips

 

Now in 2016 the footpath around the rock wall has totally collapsed.

Dusit at North Pattaya

Three Thailand trips

  You can see the Cove under construction behind the Dusit Hotel

 The Grand Palace in Bangkok

Three Thailand trips

 

A must for anybody visiting Bangkok.

Manhattan’s steakhouse with Trevor.

Three Thailand trips

This was one of Pattaya’s best restaurants, sadly it closed it’s doors in 2014.

 

Cherry bar with Pothole and Greg Clee

Three Thailand trips

Greg Clee is a partner in a go go bar in Walking St Pattaya, Pothole aka John Martin is I a guy I have know for many years. 🙂 Three Thailand trips in 2009 was a lead up to me moving there from Australia in October 2011.                     

                  Here are some more posts to check out

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47        6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa          d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             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              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 That’s all folks
1g Duck

Check out these great posts

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Thailand Brazil England Gold Coast

November 26, 2014 by David Herd

This is not part of my travel blog just my personal photographic history.

Thailand Brazil England

Thailand Brazil England

Thailand Brazil England 2009 are not included in this post, they are trips I made through this year, as well as visiting Sydney in November. Brazil was another great experience which included a fascinating tour through Rocinha Favella. My England trip included Lands End, as well as St Ives & the nice seaside village of Lime Regis. 

So although Thailand Brazil England are not included in this post you can access them by clicking on the above links.

Seaway with Labrador in the background.

Thailand Brazil England

If I had the money this is the type of boat I would like to own.

Gold Coast Turf Club

Thailand Brazil England

It’s Melbourne cup day and my good friend Phil Thomson & I join the happy crowd which is a long way from Thailand Brazil England. 🙂

At the races with good friend Phil Thomson

Thailand Brazil England

The guy lurking in the background is Norm Jenks who is originally from Melbourne.

Carolyn Clarke, an old girlfriend from 1994.

Thailand Brazil England

Carolyn is a super girl with a great personality.

Semi trailer that turns into a bar.

Thailand Brazil England

The VB semi trailer is at the track.

My nieces Laura and Elyssa.

Thailand Brazil England

Here we are on Chevron eating fish and chips at Frank’s seafood shop.


 

Jim Bell pretending to be an important executive.

Thailand Brazil England

  Jimmy was a border at my home for 15 years from 1994 to 2009. He tends to take himself rather seriously at times. 🙂  

Dani Tobin, a real wild child.

Thailand Brazil England

I clearly remember one night Dani trying to climb through a gap at the top of my front gate and getting jammed. Her screams could be heard for miles. 

Super high tide at home

Thailand Brazil England

A tide like this only happened two or three times a year, always at however.  

Phil Thomson and I had the same model Lexus.

Thailand Brazil England

Mine was the white one, even though it was only a 1998 model it is best value car $ for $ I have ever owned.

One of my lovely Japanese borders

Thailand Brazil England

Tall and beautiful.

Old friend from the 80s.

Thailand Brazil England

The shortest lady in the black top is Teresa Hamilton-Smith who was one of my girlfriends in Sydney in 1982, that’s her daughter on the right & on the far left is her sister Lexi Hamilton-Smith. Terry is married to an English guy & now lives in the U.K.

Flashback to Teresa in 1982

Thailand Brazil England

At my home in Drummoyne with Helen Burke.

For some great 1982 memories just follow THIS LINK.

Huge storm at my home.

Thailand Brazil England

  We really get some spectacular storms on the Gold Coast, this one was a beauty.  

Here is my Brother Ian & family

Thailand Brazil England

    Adam, Shane and Ian Herd with grandfather Laurie Poulton.  

Tony Murphy & I have coffee

Thailand Brazil England

Tony & I have been friends since the early 80s, of course I now live in Thailand but when I visit the Gold Coast Tony & his wife Nikki always find a bed for me in their lovely home.

Melbas on the Park

Thailand Brazil England

   Drinks at Melbas with old friend Lloyd Ross. 

For a good hotel is a great location on the Gold Coast use THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.

My brother Warren with his good friend Lenny

Thailand Brazil England

 Sadly in 2016 we lost our good friend Lenny Schorsy after his brief battle with cancer, RIP.

I’m sorry if I misled you with the title Thailand Brazil England, it really is about my life in 2009.                          

         Here are some more posts to check out

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47        6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa          d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             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              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
 That’s all folks
Surfers Paradise Party Animals
 
Pattaya live webcam 
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1) 
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

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

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

Australian adventures

 
Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Flying high fifty years old

November 17, 2014 by David Herd

This is not a travel blog, it is part of my personal photo history . 

Flying high fifty years old

Flying high fifty years old

Flying high fifty years old living in Surfers Paradise, working for Metway bank & living life to the max. A great trip to Berlin & Prague with a stopover in Bangkok on the way home. Helen & Helenka are in the photo having Birthday drinks at Broadbeach tavern, can’t remember the name of the girl on the left. 

I’m also getting a great buzz re-visiting some of my fantastic years. Some of the photos contain nudity & certain comments may offend the narrow minded, so if you are in this category it’s probably best to close the page & move on.

flying high

Flying high fifty years old with my great old friend Harley Bradstreet

Flying high fifty

Harley and I have been friends since about 1968.

Female bouncer at Cocos.

Flying high fifty years old

This well built is the only female bouncer I have seen working in a nightclub. As you can see she took no nonsense from Harley. Then again Harley could talk underwater with a mouth-full of marbles so she may have just been trying to shut him up. 🙂


Stacy at Rio’s in Orchard Avenue

Flying high fifty

Stacey was absolutely gorgeous.

Georgie, Sonya & Dave Hamilton.

Flying high fifty years old

Dave was the owner of the club, a wild Scotsman who was always getting himself into trouble, mainly street fighting. Sonya was a Kiwi who was as mad as a snake. Georgie was a gorgeous blonde singer from Perth.

Steve Jones (RIP) & Dave Barnes (RIP)

Flying high fifty years old

Sadly both these lads have passed away, Dave in early 2016 and Steve about 10 years prior to this.

Beautiful Kelly Davis

Flying high fifty

For a few months in 1993 I was lucky enough to be taking out this gorgeous lady. This is proof that I was flying high in 1993.

Kelly Davis

Flying high fifty years old

Say no more.

Japanese for dinner

Flying high fifty years old

Great dinner opposite the casino at Broadbeach with Kelly Davis, Sandy Ansell & Helen Burke. Kelly & I went home by boat, I dropped anchor in a quiet part of the river & enjoyed one of the most memorable hours I have had with any woman in my life. 🙂

Happy friends at Marina Mirage

Flying high fifty years old

On the left is an American guy called Henry Geller, 2nd from the right is Tony Sweurs a guy I knew in Sydney who is now living in Belo Horizonte in Brazil.

Jill McCrossan with Tony Sweurs & Lorana from Brazil

Flying high fifty years old

What time can we start having fun?

Andre Buzek on Chevron Island

Flying high fifty years old

Andre was one of my best friends and a total party animal. He told everyone, especially the cute girls he was French when in fact he was from Prague in Czechoslovakia, sounded more sophisticated I guess. 🙂 Sadly within a years of this photo being taken he lost his life in a car accident in Cuba.

Andrea from Rio de Janeiro & Andre Buzek

Flying high fifty years old

One two occasions when Andre traveled to Rio de Janeiro he bought back to Australia an exotic Brazilian girl for a holiday. Andrea was fairly calm compared to the one he bought out the following year who was younger and wilder.

Flying high fifty years old with Andrea from Rio.

Flying high fifty years old

Here is a funny story, I had a day scheduled to visit Metway bank branches in Lismore & Ballina so I generously took Andrea with me to see some of the Australian country. We stopped for lunch in Byron Bay and were hitting it off famously. Knowing the reputation of many Brazilian girls I made sure we arrived back at my home a couple of hours before Andre finished work. Well it took no more than 10 minutes for this gorgeous tall Brazilian to shed her clothes & drag me into the bedroom. By the time Andre arrived to take her home we were composed and innocently awaiting his arrival. 🙂

Coral Knowles, Andre Buzek & Helen Burke.

Flying high fifty years old

One of my favorite photos, Andre’s eyes always lit up around attractive females. Also around some that were not so attractive, it never mattered to Andre as long as they were female & breathing. 🙂

Eddy Bonaventure , Jill Mc Crossan & Andre Buzek

Flying high fifty years old

WOW! Did we have some fun in those days? Yes we did, you better believe it. 🙂

Flying high with the Melbourne girls

Flying high fifty years old

The parties & barbecues seemed to never stop all through the fabulous 1990s.

 Another Sunday lunch at home

Flying high fifty years old

A typical lunch at Upton St.

Two beautiful Koreans

Flying high fifty years old

I feel like a rose between 2 thorns. 🙂

The big guy is Graham LaRoche aka Biff.

Flying high fifty years old

Harley & Biff are with another one of the lovely Korean girls who enjoyed out parties. There is a terrific story about these two guys on my 1982 post called New Year’s Eve 1981, the Great Escape.


Another Sunday lunch at my home.

Flying high fifty years old

You will notice how Harley always like to dress up in his army fatigues.

My favourite song from 1993

Winnie Andre & Harley.

Flying high fifty years old

Winnie was from South Africa, she loved a party. Andre of course was always in the thick of the action. Harley in this photo looks a lot like Col Gaddafi.

Eugine Korin has company at Kooralbyn

Flying high fifty years old

Kooralbyn was a great gold course which sadly has shut down in the last few years.

Two Tonys Murphy & Bonner

Flying high fifty years old

This was Coffs Harbour where Murphy was working & Tony Bonner was in a motorbike rally.

Family Xmas at my home on the Gold Coast

Flying high fifty years old

Of course this was Xmas 1993, many of my nephews & nieces now have children of there own. Here is a Xmas gathering in 2006.

Family dinner NYE 1993 at Marinas Cove

Flying high fifty years old

It was so good catching up with all the family.

Catherine Bonetti NYE 1993

Flying high fifty years old

So many women and such little time.


Roberta Aitchison still runs the meter maids

Flying high fifty years old

Roberta was originally a meter maid herself, she still runs the company today in 2021.

Crazy Sonya

Flying high fifty years old

Sonya was a Kiwi with very few inhibitions, check out the photo below if you want to see her in her birthday suit. However please remember my warning at the start of this post, in case you have forgotten……

Flying high

Sonia in all her glory

Flying high fifty years old

Andre is also going nuts on the slideshow, check it out before they censor it. 🙂

I told you he was crazy

Flying high fifty years old

I will never forget you old mate.

Sexy Suzie is on the slide show as well.

Flying high fifty years old

She was as cheeky as they come. 🙂

Why wait, here she is. 🙂

Flying high fifty years old

Just like little apples.

Sexy Jill Mcrossan

Flying high fifty years old

Jill was a lovely sexy lady who was always fun to be with. She now lives in Sydney and I  bumped into her at Manly about 3 years ago.

Patpong Road Bangkok

Flying high fifty years old

On my way home from Prague & Berlin I stopped in Bangkok to meet my dear mother who was on holidays there with a friend. Naturally I had to visit Patpong for some R & R.

At Coolum with Robert Allemby

Flying high fifty years old

May as well finish where I started, playing a round at Coolum with Robert Allemby, is that like 15 minutes of fame. 🙂

Henry from California & Kelly David

Flying high fifty years old

Lunch with nice people.

Once again, so many women & such little time. 🙂

Flying high fifty years old

Flying high fifty years old    Flying high fifty years old

    Oh well, a mans gotta do what a mans gotta do. 🙂    

Here are some more posts to check out

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

Flying high fifty years old        Flying high fifty years old          Flying high fifty years old

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

Flying high fifty years old          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        Flying high fifty years old

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             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              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
 That’s all folks
1g Duck
Pattaya live webcam 
 
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1) 
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

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

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 

Jump forward 21 years and I’m still flying high, click here.

 

Before you go have a look at 1997 in Bali.

 

Australian adventures

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

November 9, 2014 by David Herd

Chevron Renaissance Surfers Paradise

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular, semi tropical climate, 25 kilometers of beautiful beaches, an amazing skyline and lots of good restaurants & bars.

Tall building is Soul & the Hilton

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

Soul is a 243 m (797 ft) tall residential tower local on the corner of Cavill Avenue and The Esplanade in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It has overtaken Circle on Cavill as the second tallest building on the Gold Coast, behind Q1. The building was approved by the Gold Coast City Council in October 2004 and finished construction in 2012 along with the next stage of the Gold Coast renovation project. Use THIS LINK to book a great rate at the Hilton.

Soul on Australian Gold Coast

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

Use this link for great deals on Gold Coast hotels

Surfers Paradise beach

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

The tall blue building is Q1 a skyscraper in Surfers Paradise, on the Gold Coast, Queensland. It lost its title as the world’s tallest residential tower to the 348 metre building The Marina Torch in Dubai on 29 April 2011.Wikipedia

Surfboat Australian Gold Coast

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

A surfboat is an oar-driven boat designed to enter the ocean from the beach in heavy surf or severe waves. It is often used in lifesaving or rescue missions where the most expedient access to victims is directly from the beach.

 Circle on Cavill

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

Circle on Cavill offers great ocean views and is a good location to spend your holidays, use this link for an excellent room rate.

 Light rail on the Gold Coast

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

 Fast, efficient & hard to buy a ticket. 🙂

Cavill Avenue Surfers Paradise

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

Lots of action here at night.

The Oracle at Broadbeach

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

The twin towers of Oracle are a new addition to the Broadbeach skyline.

Melbourne Cup day at Moo Moo in Broadbeach.

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

Moo Moo restaurant is a great place to “people watch”, not bad for a steak as well.

Melbourne Cup day at Melbas on the Park.

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

Melbas has been my favourite Gold Coast bar since 1981. It was owned by the late Paul Allen one of the coasts most colourful characters.

Circle on Cavil on the Nerang River.

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

Thank you for visiting my Australian Gold Coast post, it was great to catch up with old friends & family.

My home

Australian Gold Coast is spectacular

I can’t visit the Gold Coast without thinking of my beautiful home I built in 1990 and lived there for 21 years before moving to Thailand.

                     Here are some more posts on my wild wicked ways. :)       

 Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47        6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa          d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             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              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
 That’s all folks
1g Duck
 
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Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Home extension budget blowout

October 15, 2014 by David Herd

Doubling the size of my home

Home extension budget blowout

Home extension budget blowout

Home extension budget blowout  was due to the many changes I made to my original plan. I wasn’t satisfied with just adding a 2nd floor. The photo above was taken just after my home was built in 1990.

Day one the job begins

Home extension budget blowout

From here on nothing will ever be the same.

Laying the slab

Home extension budget blowout

My builder Ari is the guy with the shovel, one of the hardest working guys I have ever seen.

Dad’s army take a coffee break

Home extension budget blowout

Ari and his guys were the hardest working tradesmen I have ever seen.

Seeing some progress with home extension

Home extension budget blowout

Starting to see some progress with my home extension, these guys really work fast.

Now we are getting somewhere.

Home extension budget blowout

I really wanted to give the home “street appeal” something it didn’t have in its original form.

Brickwork & a fancy door.

Home extension budget blowout

Painting the door was one of my jobs. 🙂

The tree has gotta go

Home extension budget blowout

It was like losing a friend, I had planted it 14 years ago.

Timberrrrrr!!!!!

Home extension budget blowout

There goes my beautiful tree.

Starting to look terrific

Home extension budget blowout

This is the point it’s all starting to look fantastic.

 Laying the floor

Home extension budget blowout

There is no job these guys can’t handle.

The kitchen takes shape

Home extension budget blowout

It’s easy to be wise after the event, on the original plans a stairway was supposed to lead from that wall to the main house downstairs, for some reason we left it out which later proved to be a mistake.

Laying Terracotta tiles

Home extension budget blowout

The finishing touches.

The downstairs studio $250 pw.

Home extension budget blowout

The jewel in this home extension is this fabulous little studio completely self contained with a private entrance.

Beautiful private courtyard for the studio apartment

Home extension budget blowout

Quite a beautiful peaceful area for the granny flat.

Upstairs lounge & kitchen

Home extension budget blowout

When I look at this home extension which cost me double the original quote of $120,000  I feel it was all worth it. Uptairs consists of 3 bedrooms & two bathrooms and downstairs a separate private studio apartment.

Bedroom & en-suite

Home extension budget blowout

OK, so the chair should really have been dumped.

Beautiful courtyard

Home extension budget blowout

Quite spectacular at night.

Courtyard & front entrance

Home extension budget blowout

I was very happy with the entrance to my new home.

I really love the front gate & entrance

Home extension budget blowout

Now how good does that look?

The fabulous finished product

Home extension budget blowout

One of main main goals with this home extension other than creating rooms I could rent to students was to give my home more “street appeal” to help when the time came to sell. I think I certainly achieved that.

My dream home

Home extension budget blowout

The finished product was wonderful however I made some big mistakes in my overall scheme of things. I did not do enough research on council regulations regarding student rental, secondly I never anticipated the reaction from my feral neighbours who were always complaining to council about anything & everything. These people the Ryan family at 108 Upton proved to be cowardly & malicious. I often wondered why until a policeman friend of mine pointed out the increase in complaints from neighbours always increased after major renovations due to their uncontrollable jealousy.

Finally my biggest mistake was building such a large home which made it very difficult to finally sell. It was just far too big for the average family, without realizing it I had placed myself in a small range of under 10% of buyers. Apart from all that I was very proud &  thrilled with the final product, it also gave me a great sense of achievement to design & create my dream home.

 
 
 

Click here for a flashback to my home in 1991.

 

Jump forward to 2007 just click here.

 

 Here are some more posts on my wild wicked ways. :)

A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

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

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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  Please check out these fabulous posts
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Bangkok Bars                         TokyoCape 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
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

Pattaya live webcam
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Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Home Gold Coast 1990

October 10, 2014 by David Herd

Part of my personal online photo albums, as opposed to my FiveStarVagabond travel blog.

Home Gold Coast 1990

Building dream home Gold Coast 1990

Home Gold Coast 1990 was a great thrill for me, I also completely designed the layout & drove the builder crazy by checking the progress every day. The address is 106 Upton St Bundall, QLD Australia 4217.

This post also features many of the terrific people I crossed paths with in 1990. Apologies for the poor quality photos, it was very early day for digital cameras.

Dream home 1990 & a new boat

home Gold Coast 1990

I was working for Metway Bank & took out a loan to build the house, the interest rate was 12.5%, can you believe it? I also still owned my previous home in Claymore Crescent Sorrento.

Followed by  new girl. 🙂

home Gold Coast 1990

 Karen Greenwood was a Kiwi & we spent the next 12 months or so together.

My favourite song from 1990

Madison & my car fleet completed the set. 🙂

home Gold Coast 1990

My best friend Madison & my Mini Moke came with me in January 1987 when we moved from Newport Beach in Sydney to Surfers Paradise.

At Coolum with Ross Radford & John Sprouster.

home Gold Coast 1990

These two great guys were my bosses, John was GM at Macdougals Ltd at 58 Clarence St Sydney which was my first selling job in office equipment. Ross owned Sanyo Office Machines & sent me to Adelaide in 1972 then Melbourne in 1974.

Helen Burke at Coolum golf resort

home Gold Coast 1990

This lovely lady really knew how to have fun., + she had a fabulous pair of Bazookas.

Bryan Dart, Greg Hughes & Wayne Jones

Building dream home Gold Coast 1990

We often played golf as I was a member at Sanctuary Cove, Greg forever the village joker took my putter and had it shortened by 4 inches. Next time we played I couldn’t understand why they seemed to be laughing & giggling each time it was my turn to putt. Being a fairly average golfer I never noticed the difference. 🙂

Amanda Kathy & Christy

Building dream home Gold Coast 1990

Three beautiful Surfers Paradise princesses.

Boating to Sanctuary Cove

home Gold Coast 1990

Taking Kathy Amanda & Christy to a party in Sanctuary Cove at Peter Hesky’s waterfront villa.

 Dave Alen at Melbas

Building dream home Gold Coast 1990

Dave is the son of Paul Alan the owner of Melbas nightclub & restaurant.

NYE at Melbas with gorgeous Simone.

home Gold Coast 1990

Another great year is almost over.

New Years Eve 1990

home Gold Coast 1990

Narrelle one of the gorgeous girls working at Melbas and my old friend Harley Bradstreet.

Tony Fasio & Steve Jones, RIP.

Building dream home Gold Coast 1990

Tony was the manager at Melbas & big Steve one of the bouncers, Steve sadly passed away far too young in the late 90s.

Surrounded my lovely ladies on New Years Eve.

home Gold Coast 1990

Life is hard in Surfers Paradise but someone has to do it. 🙂

Happy group at my home for dinner

home Gold Coast 1990

Tony & Narrelle & the other names I can’t recall.

Derek Pugh & I in Sydney

home Gold Coast 1990

Derek & I worked for MacDougalls in the late 60s.

Paul Slaughter with Clode & Ian Rich.

home Gold Coast 1990

Xmas day in Sydney with my brothers.

home Gold Coast 1990

Ian, Bryan & Warren, the only one missing as usual was Neale.

The Herd clan at Kihilla Rd Auburn for Xmas.

home Gold Coast 1990

Most of them now in 2014 have children of their own.

A rose between two thorns.

Building dream home Gold Coast 1990

More like a thorn between two roses. 🙂

Tony Murphy & Graham Hughes

home Gold Coast 1990

Cold beers at my home in 36 Ckaymore Crescent Sorrento  just before moving into my new home.

The end of another exciting year.

home Gold Coast 1990

Thanks for visiting my Building dream home Gold Coast 1990 photo blog.

After building my dream home 1990 I lived happily there until October 2011 & then moved to Thailand.

   Here are some more posts to check out

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

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  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             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              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
 That’s all folks
1g Duck
Pattaya live webcam 
 
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A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

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

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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This gallery contains 2 photos

Herd family Sydney 2006

October 3, 2014 by David Herd

Rebecca & Victor tie the knot

Herd family Sydney

Herd family Sydney

David Herd family Sydney  in 2006, my niece Rebecca married Victor Mendonca a very nice fellow from the Archipelago of the Azores, nine volcanic islands situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about 1,360 km (850 mi) west of continental Portugal.

The in-laws & the happy couple.

Herd family Sydney

Terrific family photo.

Great photo of brother Bryan & Lynne.

Herd family Sydney

A very happy day for the parents.

Mr & Mrs Mendonca

Herd family Sydney

Vic & Bec have a fabulous fitness center & gym in North Richmond, it is open 24/7 and you can join for only $13 a week. There are millions of idiots in Australia who spend $13 on one packet of cigarettes that are slowly killing them. I must say Victor is a great addition to the Herd family.

Herd family Sydney

Herd family Sydney

And there certainly was a big Herd, the annual Xmas gathering was at cousin Deb’s lovely home in Balgowlah, I have only ever attended 4 or 5 Xmas gatherings since the days when my parents were alive & entertaining the Herd family at 58 Kihilla Rd Auburn.

Great photo of cousin Deb with her parents Colin & Margaret, Colin is the youngest of Dad’d clan of 4 girls & 3 boys.

All my gorgeous Aunties.

Herd family Sydney

My father’s four sisters from left to right Elsie, Thelma, Dorothy & Norma. This one in 2006 is one of my favourites especially seeing all Dad’s 4 sisters there & in good health.

A flashback to 1929

Herd family Sydney

Elsie, Arthur, Allan & baby Thelma on 27-1-1929, what a beautiful looking young girl Elsie was.

Two uncles & one cousin.

Herd family Sydney

Ray Pilgrim on the left Colin Herd & cousin Greg McMillan.

Lovely photo, Dot is the happiest of all the Herd family.

Herd family Sydney

Jeff Bousefield with ????? The rest of the names are coming soon. 🙂

The Lowe family.

Herd family Sydney

Here is Robyn & her lovely family, my apologies for not knowing everyone’s name, I’ll track them down soon.

 The cat is ignoring me.

Herd family Sydney

Little miss Bousfield seems to be having a spat with the cat. 🙂

 Another flashback to 1954

Herd family Sydney

One of our best Herd family photos is Thelma’s wedding in 1954 with all of the clan.

Herds & Bousefields

Herd family Sydney

It’s now 2016 and I’m hoping I can catch up with the family at Xmas this year.

Robyn Greg & Thelma.

Herd family Sydney

It was a really nice Xmas with the family, thanks for visiting my Herd family Sydney photo blog.

Sydney hotels are so expensive now, here is a reasonably priced one in Chinatown, just book through THIS LINK.

 

 Here are some more posts to check out

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

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  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             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              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
 That’s all folks
Surfers Paradise Party Animals
 
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

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

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 

Australian adventures

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Friends family Surfers Paradise

September 29, 2014 by David Herd

Breakfast at Main Beach

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Friends family Surfers Paradise starting with my brother Warren his lovely daughter Laura & his friend we call Mumbles. Another incredibly busy year for travel including Belem at the mouth of the mighty Amazon , Fortaleza on the north coast of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Buzios, Cabo Frio & another great trip to Tuscany & Portofino.

Two trips to Sydney including a terrific family Xmas & one trip to Melbourne for an AFL weekend. Yes, 2006 was another great year.

This is not a travel blog just a personal photo collection from 2006.

Lovely Laura

Friends family Surfers Paradise

My niece Laura is a terrific singer & dancer trying to break into the big time. She won a scholarship to preform in New York which like myself she has fallen in love with the city.

My beautiful home at 106 Upton St Bundall, 4217

Friends family Surfers Paradise

I designed & had my beautiful waterfront home built in 1990, I made a huge mistake in 2004 when I added a 2nd floor, it made it difficult to sell because it was too big for the average family, 500 M2 with seven bedrooms & five bathrooms. Oh well, it’s not the first major mistake in my life and it won’t be the last.

Lunch with Rossco at Omeros Brothers.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Good friend Ross Kennedy & I at Omeros Brothers, one of the best restaurants on the Gold Coast.

Lobster Morney with Rossco at Omeros Bros.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

The food here is always excellent.

Dave & Janice Hoskot

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Drinks on my jetty with the Hoskots, Janice is an Australian girl & Dave is American, for a number of years he was a back up drummer for Bob Dylan.

A rose between two thorns.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Asuka on the left was a lovely Japanese girl from Osaka who was studying on the Gold Coast and renting a room in my home.

Robin & Les Scheffer, Janice Hoskot & Randy Fuse.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

The Scheffer’s & I were good friends for many years, but in 2013 they placed my firmly on their blacklist for various infractions, you will see some others they have also placed on the list in following photos, it’s nice to have company. 🙂

Here is a classic “black list” photo.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

That’s Robin at the front & four of the other six people including myself have been banished to her & Les Scheffer’s blacklist for quite a long time, as I said before it is nice to have company. 🙂 This particular day was a happy one, I have a small tradition where for many years on Good Friday I invite friends over for lunch.

Even though I was high on Les’s black list I’m sorry to say he passed away in March 2019, RIP.

Here is our Good Friday feast.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

  Beautiful Gold Coast fresh seafood & leg ham, salad & freshly baked bread.  

Birthday lunch for Noel Smith.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

  At Carmody’s restaurant at the Southport Sharks club to celebrate Noel Smith’s birthday.

Sadly we have lost Noel Smith. Les Scheffer, Ian Fraser-Smith, John Woods and Ron Collier, RIP. 

Xmas lunch at Melbas with the usual suspects

Friends family Surfers Paradise

  Greg Craig, Mike Nidrie & Noel Smith (RIP) are all regular drinking buddies of mine at Melbas.  

Beautiful smile at Melbas

Friends family Surfers Paradise

    Melbas always hires gorgeous girls.

Xmas lunch, the tradition continues

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Xmas lunch at Melbas with Lars Shitterer & Dave Hoskot, I first started drinking at Melbas on January 1st 1982 when some friends & I flew from Sydney after a huge NYE on Sydney Harbour when my boat was peppered with falling sky rockets because I stupidly  anchored in the drop zone.

Red wine at Melbas

Friends family Surfers Paradise

  Sudzi was one of the Melbas managers, in January 2008 we met up in Brazil for Carnival.  

Dave Allen at Melbas.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

  Dave is a terrific fellow & is the son of the owner & founder of Melbas Paul Alan.  

Melbas in Cavil Avenue

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Follow THIS LINK for lots of memories on Melbas.

Jim Bell & Dave Allen

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Jim Bell rented a room in my home for 13 years, that’s what I call a long term tenant.

Breakfast on Chevron Island with Brian Rawnsley.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Brian is a Brisbane guy I met in Thailand, here we are at Tigerlilly on Chevron Island one of my breakfast haunts.


 

The girls in our footy tipping club.

4661ef0b-58a3-4960-9dd1-15e5af5b127e (1)

I ran a AFL tipping competition for 10 years, here we are at the end of year dinner.

And the winner is……..

Friends family Surfers Paradise

My great friend Ross Kennedy aka “Shoeless Joe Jackson”.

My brother Ian’s 50th birthday.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Friends family gathered for Ian’s 50th birthday, here is Bryan another brother given one of his famous speeches.

 Family breakfast on Chevron Island.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Two of my Brothers Bryan & Warren, Bryan’s wife Lynn & daughter-in-law Maisie.

This is Elliot, another little Herd.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Maisie’s cute little kid.

Les & Robin Scheffer marry at Saks restaurant.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

A great venue for a wedding on the Broadwater at Marina Mirage.

Wedding guests at Saks.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Niggle Stopsgiving standing next to me is now firmly on the Les Scheffer‘s black list, his lady of 10 years beautiful Randy Fuse on the far right and he sadly are still doing battle. The name  Geoff Pilkington’s wife eludes me & ?????

Sadly Les Passed away in May 2020, RIP.

I met these two lovely Japanese girls at Broadbeach.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Their names were Nemo & Nami, naturally I took them home to my house for lunch. 🙂

Vannessa & I at Tamborine Mountain.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

It was not the fact she was excited to see me, it was very cold in the mountains. 🙂

 Melbourne Cup day drinks at Melbas

Friends family Surfers Paradise

David Robertson & Phil Thomson at Melbas on Melbourne Cup day watching all the gorgeous fillies getting flyblown. 🙂

Harley Bradstreet, one of my oldest friends.

Friends family Surfers Paradise

Harley was preparing to leave Brisbane after a another disastrous business experience. When describing Harley, Larry Wilson a mutual friend once said “anyone can have a bad decade”. Which fitted Harley to a tee, over the many years I have known him this nice harmless fellow seemed to stumble from one disaster to another. On my boat on our eventful NYE in 1981 when rockets were falling from the sky, who was the first guy to get hit by one? Harley Bradstreet of course. 🙂 Thanks for visiting  my friends family & others from 2006, check out the slideshow.

For a great hotel rate on the Gold Coast just book through THIS LINK.

Thanks for visiting my Friends family Surfers Paradise photo blog.

 Here are some more posts on my wild wicked ways. :)    

 

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47        6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa          d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             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              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
 That’s all folks
Surfers Paradise Party Animals
 
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

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

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Gold Coast Australia

September 27, 2014 by David Herd

Gold Coast Australia

Gold Coast Australia

Gold Coast Australia was my home for 25 years from 1986 to 2011. Here are photos & comments on some of my wonderful memories.

This post focuses on 2008 which was another frenetic year of travel. Starting with 6 weeks in Brazil over Xmas & Carnival, with a fabulous week in New York on my way home. My Brazil trip included Rio de janeiro, Curitiba, Paraty, Belneario Camboriu & Florianopolis.

Three trips to Thailand in April, September & November, then throw in Bali, Singapore & Kuala Lumpur,  so as you can see I hardly had time to unpack my suitcase. I nearly forgot a hectic couple of weeks in Sydney as well.

This is not a travel blog just a personal photo collection from 2008.

Qantas 1st class NYC to L.A.

Gold Coast Australia

I just had to include this photo flying 1st class thanks to my cousin Deb who is a Qantas flight attendant.

The old & the new opposite each other.

Gold Coast Australia

During my 25 years living here the changes were extraordinary, not all for the best I might add. The first 15 years were wonderful, however after that in my eyes, the overall atmosphere of the Gold Coast started to lose its shine, it no longer had the friendly village feel to it. I guess in my final 10 years there it just got too big and modern.

My home at 106 Upton St Bundall, 4217

Gold Coast Australia

In 1990 I designed & built a beautiful home on the waterfront with my own sandy beach & jetty for my boat, life was good. I sold the house in 2011 for over a million dollars, but this was $250k less than I was offered twice in 2007, the big drop in price was due to the Global Financial crisis, c’est la vie.

Gold Coast Australia, drinks at Melbas

Gold Coast Australia

Melbas bar & nightclub in Surfers Paradise Australia was my main drinking spot for most of my 25 years on the coast. Here are some of the fellows I would sometimes drink with.


Melbas always had sexy waitresses

Gold Coast Australia

  One of the main reasons I made this my local watering hole.  

Ian Rich was a friend for 45 years.

Surfers Paradise Australia

In 2008 Ian was living in a fabulous sub penthouse in Surfers Paradise Australia, the next few photos taken from his apartment are wonderful examples of Australia’s Gold Coast.

Ian’s beautiful apartment

Gold Coast Australia

A great view but very windy on the balcony.

Looking south at Surfers Paradise Australia

Gold Coast Australia

Absolutely breathtaking. 

Looking north towards the seaway

Gold Coast Australia

Magnificent coastline in Surfers Paradise Australia Gold Coast.

Good Friday lunch at Chevron Island fish & chip shop.

Gold Coast Australia

One of my favourite eating spots in Surfers Paradise, great food at cheap prices & Frank the owner is an Australian football fanatic similar to myself. The couple on the left Les Scheffer & his wife Robyn & I used to be good friends, however in July 2013 they placed me firmly on their black list where I still reside today. 🙂

I’m sad to say Les passed away in March 2020 after a long battle with Cancer, RIP.

The boys in the fish & chip shop

Gold Coast Australia

A good bunch of guys.

Bjorn, Alisha, Brad, my nephew Michael & Matty.

Gold Coast Australia

Michael was in charge of cocktails as he was a barman at the Sheraton in Sydney as well as some other top venues.

Brad, Elisha & Matty.

Gold Coast Australia

I have a couple of internet hotspots in Surfers Paradise which earn me a few bucks, Brad owns the IT business which looks after them. Elisha is his lovely wife & Matty one of his technicians.

Here is Kayoko my friend from Tokyo.

Gold Coast Australia

Lots of cocktails were consumed at my home this night, there were a few sore heads in the morning.

 Margarita time.

Gold Coast Australia

I’ll let Jimmy describe this fabulous cocktail.

Gold Coast Australia Michael & Bjorn

Gold Coast Australia

  The happy couple are living in Berlin which is Bjorn’s home town.   2016 Update; sadly earlier this year Bjorn lost his long battle with cancer, he will always be remembered as a wonderful friend, RIP.

Surfers Paradise meter maids

Gold Coast Australia

These lovely girls in the gold bikinis put coins in the expired parking meters, plus they look terrific.

Surfers Paradise Meter Maids

Gold Coast Australia

Are these babes cute or what?

Other side please

Gold Coast Australia

They look great from any angle.

Men At Work - Down Under (Official HD Video)

At Trevor’s apartment Broadbeach

Gold Coast Australia

Trevor Loresch is very much a self made man, lives in a beautiful Pattaya waterfront apartment along with this luxury holiday getaway in Broadbeach on the Gold Coast.

Birthday drinks with Ross Kennedy & Phil Thomson

Gold Coast Australia

Two of my best friends on the Gold Coast. Last year Phil & his lovely Japanese wife showed me how to get around the great city of Tokyo which has become one of my favorite cities. In 1996 Rossco & I jumped in my Porsche & did one of my all time great road trips to the Hunter Valley, Sydney, Falls Creek & Melbourne.

Birthday lunch at Melbas

Gold Coast Australia

You know you are getting older when you look at some group photos and a couple of guys you have known for decades are not with us anymore. Ron Collier on the left in the black & Noel with the glasses on the right, RIP.

Good friends Wayne Jones & Bryan Dart.

Gold Coast Australia

I have known these guys for over 20 years.

Happy birthday DH.

Gold Coast Australia

A great day with a lot of good friends.

This would be a perfect birthday present. 🙂

Gold Coast AustraliaPromise I’ll give her back in the morning. 🙂

St Kilda play North Melbourne at Carrara.

Surfers Paradise Australia

  Rossco & I jump into the wine & food at the St Kilda’s dinner at Carrara stadium.  

Drinks at Melbas for our AFL tipping Competition.

Surfers Paradise Australia

I ran a AFL tipping competition for nearly 10 years, here are some of the happy crew enjoying our mid year drinks at Melbas.

My great mate Phil Thomson.

Gold Coast Australia

  We are at Southport Sharks for our end of year AFL tipping competition.  

Dennis Perry, a rose between 2 thorns

Gold Coast Australia

Running the tipping competition was a lot of fun, when I moved to Thailand in 2011 Dennis & his crew took it over.  

Gold Coast Australia New Years Eve 2008

Gold Coast Australia

After a frantic year I spent a very quiet NYE with friends reflecting on another super year of travel & living in Gold Coast Australia. Thanks for visiting my Surfers Paradise Australia photo blog. 

         Here are some more posts to check out

         Life 2015                     Family history                   Life 1982

2835141a-02cf-4cda-a909-2a8408a99f47        6a173a01-9744-404a-a45f-87a975ec90fa          d5436828-abbc-4da1-a638-7f90436c6417

  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

417091_10150704751043594_62315468_n          Susies home Newport 1 (1)        April24FreewayHotel-33 (1)

Thailand 2008                Gold Coast Babes               World trip 2003

Fun in Pattaya-116         92bfa275-a122-4078-9970-1e24188a5917        CopacabanabeachNov2003-124

             Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
                              Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks
Surfers Paradise Party Animals
 
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

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

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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Perhaps you would like to see my terrific year in 2007?

 

Gold Coast in 2014

 

Australian Outback in 2003

 

Check out these great photo blogs.


Counter only started June 16 2020.

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