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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.

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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
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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. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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1g Duck

Pattaya live webcam
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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

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

 

This gallery contains 2 photos

Bangkok Pattaya Samui 2001

October 9, 2014 by David Herd

The usual suspects + one

Bangkok Pattaya

Bangkok Pattaya Samui 2001 combined with an around the world trip including Cuba, Spain, Venezuela, Los Angeles & finally one trip to Sydney. From the left we have Tony Murphy, Mike Dowd, John Sinclair, Rung and yours truly.

Nana Plaza

Bangkok Pattaya

Her name is Phung but to me she will always be Cleopatra, after meeting in 2001 I would hook up with her each time I came to Bangkok over the next 6 or 7 years.

Phung aka Cleopatra

Bangkok Pattaya

I believe she now lives with a guy in Switzerland, one of the best Thai ladies I ever knew.

Nana Plaza

Bangkok Pattaya

Not much has changed in Nana Plaza over the years, except now in 2016 there are a lot more LadyBoys which does not suit me at all. 🙂

Nana Plaza

Bangkok Pattaya

John Sinclair aka Secrets & John Martin at Nana Plaza, these days Martin is called Pothole he is such a pest he needs to be avoided at all costs. 🙂

Bangkok Pattaya always a lovely Thai smile.

Bangkok Pattaya

Her name is Beer, you gotta love that. 🙂

Girl from the Busstop Soi 4 Nana

Bangkok Pattaya

Come to bed eyes, so I did. 🙂

Beautiful Thai smile

Bangkok Pattaya

December in Koh Samui, what a pretty lady.

Koh Samui bungalows

Bangkok Pattaya

I have fond memories of these bungalows.

Relaxing at Koh Samui

Bangkok Pattaya

A very sweet lady with Pothole in the background.

Chaweng beach Koh Samui

Bangkok Koh Samui sexy babes

As you can see the photo quality is not so good in the early days of digital cameras. See the difference in the photo below which was scanned from a print.

Dining on Chaweng beach Koh Samui

Bangkok Pattaya

One of the great pleasures of staying on Chaweng beach is having dinner on the beach and watching the sunset.

Nice butt in Koh Samui

Bangkok Pattaya

Jump forward to 2016 and see how Samui has changed.

Two more nice Thai girls

   Bangkok Pattaya   Bangkok Pattaya

Thailand certainly is a paradise for men.

New Years Eve in Pattaya

Bangkok Pattaya

We left Koh Samui & headed to Pattaya for some New Years Eve action, here I am with Pothole the village idiot. 🙂 Bangkok Pattaya continued to be a regular destination for me right up until October 2011 when I finally left Australia & retired in Thailand.                           

   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
 
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

 

Check out Koh Chang which is the 2nd largest Thai island after Phuket.

 

You may like to see my post on Krabi as well.

 

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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

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

 

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
                         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

 
 

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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Sydney Harbour magnificent city

September 25, 2014 by David Herd

Beautiful day on Sydney Harbour.

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

Sydney Harbour magnificent city with the best harbour in the world. We spell it harbour & Americans spell it harbour, wonderful if you have a good boat.

City of Sydney

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

Such a breathtaking skyline from the harbour.

 Mr Stingy

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

I have know Richard for over 30 years & I’m pleased to say I gave him his nickname when we were in Thailand in 2004. He is quite a character & loves to brag about how much money he is worth, which is considerable. He lives in a beautiful home in one of Sydney’s premier harbour front suburbs, Point Piper.  Richard had the unfortunate habit of drinking & eating twice as much as his friends then splitting the bill equally.

When travelling with his buddy Ken Shelly in Thailand he would show off & buy countless drinks for the girls in the bar then expect poor Ken to share equally when the bill came. Sitting on the beach at Koh Samui one day a Thai lady was reading his palm, she looked him in the eye & said “Oh I see you have a lot of money, but sadly you are very stingy”. Well that was perfect I thought so from that day one I Christened  him “Mr Stingy”.

Ken & I on Stingy’s boat

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

Stingy’s long suffering friend Ken Shelly & I enjoying a few cold beers at Darling Harbour.

Stingy’s boat

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

A terrific boat for exploring Sydney Harbour, lots of room and very stable if seas are rough.

 Centrepoint tower from Darling Harbour

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

In my book Sydney certainly ranks in the top 10 cities in the world.

Western Sydney skyline

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

That’s Centre-point tower dominating the skyline.

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

A great view of Sydney Harbour magnificent city, if you don’t have the luxury of a boat just catch the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly for an amazing view of this great city.

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the facility formally opened on 20 October 1973  after a gestation beginning with Utzon’s 1957 selection as winner of an international design competition. The NSW Government, led by Premier Joseph Cahill, authorised work to begin in 1958, with Utzon directing construction. The government’s decision to build Utzon’s design is often overshadowed by circumstances that followed, including cost and scheduling overruns as well as the architect’s ultimate resignation.

View from the front

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

Though its name suggests a single venue, the project comprises multiple performance venues which together are among the busiest performing arts centres in the world — hosting over 1,500 performances each year attended by some 1.2 million people.

Point Piper apartments

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

What a perfect place foe an apartment.

Royal Motor Yacht Club Point Piper.

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

You can just see a corner of Stingy’s home on the left of the club.

Stingy’s $6 million home

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

Richard designed & built his lovely home, he is an experienced builder who made most of his fortune by building most of the Red Rooster outlets in Australia.

The incredible view from Stingy’s home

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

A sensational view of Rose Bay.

Luna Park at Milsons Point north of the harbour

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

The park was constructed at the foot of the Sydney Harbour Bridge during 1935, and ran for nine-month seasons until 1972, when it was opened year-round. Luna Park was closed in mid-1979, immediately following the Ghost Train fire, which killed six children and one adult. Most of the park was demolished, and a new amusement park was constructed; this originally operated under the name of Harbourside Amusement Park before resuming the Luna Park name. The park was closed again in 1988 as an independent engineering inspection determined that several rides needed urgent repair. The owners failed to repair and reopen the park before a New South Wales government deadline, and ownership was passed to a new body. Reopening in 1995, Luna Park closed again after thirteen months because of the Big Dipper roller coaster noise pollution complaints from residents on the clifftop above the park caused the ride’s operating hours to be heavily restricted, and the drop in attendance made the park unprofitable. After another redevelopment, Luna Park reopened in 2004 and has continued operating since.

Richard, Ken Shelly & Peter Hobbs.

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

Here we are at Bar Reggio in Crown St Darlinghurst, a very popular Italian restaurant.

My new second hand Lexus.

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

I have Stingy to thank for finding my beautiful Lexus, I have owned many luxury vehicles including Jaguars, Mercedes & Porsche’s but $ for $ this is the best car I have ever driven.  Japanese technology at its best.

Watching Australian Football

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

Watching my team the Sydney Swans at the SCG in Peter Hesky’s private box.

Old friend Rob Symonds & son visit from Hobart.

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

Rob and I first met in Adelaide in 1972.

Anne Lacey & Ruth Vincent with our host Peter Hesky

Sydney Harbour magnificent city

Sydney City has a special place in my heart, I was born & grew up in the western suburbs. There is no doubt the harbour is the best in the world & each time I fly in my excitement & anticipation is electric.

Thanks for visiting my Sydney Harbour magnificent city photo blog.


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.               

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

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

More Sydney photos from 2009 in the slideshow as well as some from the Gold Coast.

Check out these great photo blogs.


Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Samba Schools street parades

September 22, 2014 by David Herd

Carnival parade on Avenue Atlantica

Samba Schools street parades

Samba Schools street parades

Samba Schools street parades are called blocos in Rio, Carnival time in 2005 was just one huge non stop party. The excitement generated is absolutely electric.

Blocos are the street bands and groups

Samba Schools street parades
Blocos are the street bands and groups that are the main popular expression in Carnival of Pernambuco in Brazil. These celebrations are mixed under the term “street carnival”, a term that still includes the bandstands and parades at streets of Olinda and Recife, and happen during a period of about two months (beginning before and finishing after Carnival).

The biggest bloco is the Galo da Madrugada that attracts more than 2,000,000 people to downtown Recife.

Bloco on Avenue Atlantica Copacabana

Samba Schools street parades

The biggest bloco in Brazil is the Galo da Madrugada that attracts more than 2,000,000 people to downtown Recife.

Bloco truck in Copacabana

Samba Schools street parades

Never a dull moment in Copacabana.

Samba Schools street parades

Samba Schools street parades

You really almost need earplugs the music is so load. 🙂

Check out the speakers in the truck below

Samba Schools street parades

Since 2004, the blocos have exploded and now there are now nearly 300 blocos with over 40 new ones appearing for the 2007 Carnaval.  The first blocos started only a little over ten years ago. This is the heart of the “Street Carnival” which includes the greater likelihood of locals playing percussion instruments with their friends at their favorite hangout as well as  the Bandstands and the many Parades of downtown’s Rio Branco Avenue.

These events are inclusive and practice for the musicians begins months before the Carnaval and the parades do not end until Sunday of the following weekend.

Same corner later that night

Samba Schools street parades

My apologies for the out of focus photo.

Full house on Copacabana beach

Samba Schools street parades

Of course it is almost shoulder to shoulder on the beach.

Samba Schools street parades Avenue Atlantica Copacabana

Samba Schools street parades

The noise, the people, the music is fantastic.

Samba vs Marchinhas

“If they have brass, they’ll usually call themselves a “banda”. Either way, they’ll rehearse for a month or two, or maybe not rehearse at all, and then they rent a sound truck for the singers and guitarists to ride on, and have a big parade. It’s sort of a “Let’s have a party!” down-home approach to Carnaval. It’s actually the way the escolas-de-samba used to be, way back in the old days…… Most blocos play samba or, if they have a brass band, they might play marchinhas, the peppy European polka-type music of old-school Carnaval. Carnaval music used to all be marchinhas, back in the 30’s, before samba was brought to Rio by immigrants from Bahia.”

Bloco in Copacabana

Samba Schools street parades

Carnival time in Rio is something everybody should try to experience at least once in their life.

One of the Blocos in Rio

Samba Schools street parades

The crowd at Copacabana is building.

Dancing in the street

Samba Schools street parades

The Rio de Janeiro street carnival begins in November. The street carnival are structured in groups named: bloco, cordon, band or rancho but they are really about simple fun with others. If you wander in the zona sul districts of Gávea, Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana and Botafogo during the Carnaval you will often find them hanging out prior to parading. This is known as the period of Concentration.

 

Most bands also have official T-shirts for sale on the spot for about US$10, to help with the costs. They make great souvenirs, as they are sold only on Rio Carnival days.
Samba Schools street parades dancing with chairs

Samba Schools street parades

Not too sure why the chairs play a part, tradition I guess.

This is Dave Sommer & his girlfriend

Samba Schools street parades

Dave lived & worked in Sao Paulo in the insurance industry, he & his girl both danced in the parade at the Sambadrome. I was lucky to have them take me to their Samba school to see everyone preparing the costumes & the instruments.

Sadly Dave was brutally murdered in Sao Paula January 29 2015, RIP buddy.

Trying on her Samba hat.

Samba Schools street parades

With some help from her excited Mum. 🙂

Here I am with mother & daughter.

Samba Schools street parades

What a lovely two Brazilian ladies, it was such a pleasure being invited into their home.

And here she is in the parade

Samba Schools street parades

Can you imagine my joy & happiness when I spotted my friend in the parade and was able to get this great shot. Before I left Rio I had it framed as a present for her. Sambadrome is the name given to an exhibition place for the Samba Schools in Brazil. It generally consists of spectator viewing areas surrounding a long alley for the schools to parade down.

Here is the Mocidade Samba school

Samba Schools street parades

The Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel Samba School, commonly known as Mocidade, formed out of a local football (soccer) club from the favela of Padre Miguel in Vila Vintém, a neighborhood located on the western side of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Known for its unique and unparalleled style of dance and its excellence in teaching its members the steps of the samba, Mocidade competed in its first Rio Carnival parade in 1955. 

Competing in Group B, by 1958 Mocidade won its first Group title, which bumped the Samba School up to the higher tiered Access Group. In 1976, Mocidade placed fifth in the Special Group and were the Rio Carnival runners-up in 1976. Finally, in 1979 the Mocidade Samba School won its first overall Rio Carnival title with a spectacular interpretation of its theme, “The Discovery of Brazil”.

Ever since, Mocidade has been known for the the unity and synchronicity in its performances, tying together the various aspects of plot with an innovative use of dance, music, costumes and floats. Known for its futuristic design concepts, Mocidade shocked the audience, judges, and other parading Samba Schools with a miraculous flying parader — a first in Rio Carnival history!

Mocidade Samba School

Samba Schools street parades

Do you hear the drums Fernando?

Dave has got his hat & instructions.

Samba Schools street parades

I think Dave had to pay the school about $400 to participate in the parade. Dave Sommer lived & worked in Sao Paulo,  Sadly he was brutally murdered on January 11 2015. 

It all leads up to Carnival, the greatest show on Earth.

Samba Schools street parades

Many thanks for visiting my Samba Schools street parades photo blog.
For a discounted hotel room rate just book through THIS LINK.
 
 
Please check out these fabulous posts

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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Magnificent Brazilian girls dancing Samba in Parity.

 

 

 

Sexy Brazilian blond dancing the Samba

 

 

A little further north is a real surprise

 

They speak the same language in Portugal

 

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Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

September 20, 2014 by David Herd

Cocacabana beach

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes on Copacabana beach in 2003. This was my 4th trip to Rio in 4 years, there is no place on Earth with sexier bikini clad Brazilian babes than Copacabana & Ipanema.

Not part of my travel blog, just my photographic memories of my trip in  2003.

Carla, what a girl.

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

I have never seen a more beautiful skin color in the world. Check out the guy in the background.

That’s what I call a tan.

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

The Rio girls love the beach, many of them live in the Favelas and use the beach as their perfect playground.

Sandcastles & Sugarloaf Mountain.

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

Sugarloaf mountain dominates the Copacabana skyline. The mountain is only one of several monolithic granite and quartz mountains that rise straight from the water’s edge around Rio De Janeiro.  A glass-walled cablecar (in popular Portuguese, bondinho – more properly called teleférico), capable of holding 65 passengers, runs along a 1400-meter route between the peaks of Pão de Açúcar and Morro da Urca every 20 minutes. The original cable car line was built in 1912 and rebuilt around 1972/1973 and in 2008. The cable car leaves a ground station located at the base of the Babilônia hill, to the Urca hill and then to the Pão de Açúcar.

Copacabana beach

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

Of all the hundreds of photos I have taken of Copacabana beach this is one of my favourites, along with the header on this post which was actually New Years Eve in 2007.

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

This gorgeous girl is about to go through the popular routine of applying suntan cream, it is a pleasure to sit back and watch.

Step one

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes 

Their skin colour is absolutely perfect.

Step two

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes 

It’s a pleasure to watch these beautiful girls prepare for a day in the sun.

Step three

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

  I caught you taking my photo. 🙂  

This really is a typical Brazilian butt.

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

Close to perfect. 🙂

 

What do you think of her sunglasses?

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

  Sunglasses, what bloody sunglasses? I don’t see any sunglasses. 🙂  

So you really think I should go on a diet?

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

I have not seen Mr Wobbly for many years, or my feet for that matter. 🙂  

Marcelli & Tatiane, what a beautiful pair.

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

  Two lovely Brazilian babes who I managed to spend a fair bit of time with.  

The happy crowd at Copacabana.

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

  A great shot of my friends in Copacabana.  Sadly the two guys on the left have both passed away, RIP.

Doug lost his long battle with cancer and Dave was brutally murdered in Sao Paulo.

OK, back to Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

Brown skin, blue sky, white sand, what a combination. 🙂 

Cold beer & a beautiful lady, what more could you want?

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

In my opinion it’s the perfect package.

Dinner with two gorgeous Swedish girls

  Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

Cost me a bloody fortune but I would do it again in a flash.

Lunch with Jackie

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

  I met Jackie on the internet, she has two children & speaks 3 languages, English, Italian & Portuguese.  

Meia Pataca

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

Restaurant on Avenue Atlantica beside the Rio Orthon hotel. A very popular spot for the local girls looking for the guys & vice versa.

Lunch at Miea Pataca

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

  Good food here and always lots of girls hanging around.  

Copacabana shower.

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

No doubt this is the best beach in the world for eye candy. 🙂

A great way to cool down, a spray of cool water.

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

No where else in the world have I seen this great idea. Simply press the button to release a spray of cool misty water.

Dinner with Jackie

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

  Nice dinner at a seafood restaurant in Lemme.  

Her name was Sayonara

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

Great name for a sensational lady.

A Japanese name for a very sexy Brazilian girl

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

The look says it all. 🙂

Rio Orthon a perfect location.

 

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For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK, book now & pay later, includes free cancellation.

Beach bar Copacabana

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

These terrific beach bars are located every 40 meters or so along Copacabana. Beer, whisky, hamburgers you name it, this kid of service is unknown in Australia or America.

Here is a webcam focused on Copacabana.

I was staying on the 3rd floor

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

  My apartment was on Avenue Atlantica right above Sindicato do Chopp restaurant.  

By popular demand here is Carla again.

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

I have never in my life seen better colour skin than Carla’s, my favourite of all Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes.

Big smile at the Balcony restaurant & bar.

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

My friend Jonathan Whiting tells me the Balcony is now closed and Mabs is the go.

Another night another romance

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

Somebody has to do it so eat your heart out. 🙂

For a great hotel room rate in RIO just book through THIS LINK.

Great Copacabana character

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

The tin man doing his thing.

The famous Belmond Copacabana Palace hotel

Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes

Way above my pay grade, however use THIS LINK to book and get a very good discount.

Thanks for visiting my Beautiful brown skin Brazilian babes photo blog.

Magnificent Brazilian girls dancing Samba in Parity.

 

                 

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Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 7 photos