buildings | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Buildings Chao Phraya River

July 17, 2017 by David Herd

Up the lazy river

Buildings Chao Phraya River

Buildings Chao Phraya River Bangkok are one of the many interesting sights in this great city. Take the Sky Train to Saphan Taksin station or grab a taxi. The river ferries leave from just below the station.

Above is the free shuttle to Asiatique an excellent night market 10 minutes away. Lots of terrific restaurants, be careful if you want to take a taxi home from there, they will quote B400 for an B80 ride, the Bangkok taxi Mafia is in full operation here.

Sathorn Unique Tower

Planned as a high-rise condominium complex, construction of the building was halted during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, when it was about 80 percent complete. It’s now the most prominent of Bangkok’s many derelict buildings, and has become a destination for urban explorers.

One of the many skyscrapers.

Bangkok is really going through a building boom, particularly along the mighty Chao Praya river.

One of the very tall buildings.

Check out my Bangkok building photo blog on THIS LINK.

Sunset on the river

There are many ferries large & small taking people on a cruise along the mighty Chao Phraya river, follow THIS LINK for another of my photo blogs.

The golden dome

Sirocco Sky Bar is the world’s highest open-air bar on the 64th floor of the State Tower located on Silom Road, Bang Rak business district, Bangkok, Thailand, the second tallest building in Thailand.

Centre Point Hotel Silom

Centre Point Hotel Silom is the white building close to the State Tower, excellent 45 M2 rooms, for a discounted room rate just book through THIS LINK.

All shapes & sizes

So many interesting boats on the river.

Buildings Chao Phraya River Bangkok

How would you ever find a life-jacket if there was a problem with the ferry?

Thanks for visiting my Buildings Chao Phraya River Bangkok photo blog, follow THIS LINK for the Asiatique market.

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Bruges Medieval Buildings Cobblestone Streets

June 6, 2017 by David Herd

Bruges is really worth a visit.

Bruges Medieval Buildings Cobblestone Streets

Bruges Medieval Buildings Cobblestone Streets, in fact I knew very little of this great place until I saw the 2008 movie called “In Bruges” with Colin Farrell, then I knew I just had to visit, I had the same feeling about Versailles after seeing the Woody Allen movie “Midnight in Paris,” so actually this European trip was planned around both those fascinating destinations. I was not disappointed the city is quite special, expensive but really special. 😆

Bruges waterfront homes.

Definitely a city that should be on your bucket list.

Without a doubt AGODA is the best online Hotel booking site.

Belgium Chocolates, yum!

Now we all know how famous Belgium is for its chocolates however I am willing to bet you don’t always get a warm smile from a lady when you give her some of these.

Coffee in the sunshine

Here are my two English friends Bill Austin & Dave Catchpole not looking too happy, maybe it was something they ate. 🙄

In fact they were grumpy most of the trip which caused us to split up once we got back to Brighton on the south coast of England.

Outdoor Cafe in Bruges beautiful Belgium city

I have no hesitation in recommending this beautiful place for you to visit, remember to book your hotel before arriving. Check the weather forecast as well, it is so much nicer walking around the village taking photos with a beautiful blue sky.

Thai Festival

What a coincidence, I’m living in Thailand & here when I visit Bruge there is a Thai festival happening. 🙂

Bruge Plaza

Interesting sculptures and fountains.

Waterside dining

A beautiful sky & French food by the water, what more could you want?

Nice restaurant

So many restaurants & such little time. 🙂

Wonderful terrine

Always on my list in Belgium or France.

Cruise the canals

One of the popular canal tours.

Or take a horse & buggy if you prefer

Personally I prefer to walk the city.

Bruges Medieval Buildings Cobblestone Streets

Lots of shops & restaurants to keep you busy.

The Park hotel is in a perfect location across the road from the above square.

There are many good restaurants and bars to choose from, however if I visit again it will be during the week as the weekends are so busy in summer most of the hotels are full. We paid 200 Euros for room at the Park Hotel with 4 single beds. For a good discount on rooms just book through THIS LINK.

Waterfront restaurant.

An interesting restaurant beside this wonderful tree.

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Catch fish from your window.

Picture postcard perfect in Bruges beautiful Belgium city.

Red wine & desert.

As you would expect there are many nice restaurants in Bruges.

Bruges beautiful Belgium city

Bruge was a wonderful experience.

Thanks for visiting my Bruges Medieval Buildings Cobblestone Streets photo blog.

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A-One hotel on Beach Road

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Thanks for visiting my blog on Bruges, and thanks to the movie “In Bruges” for inspiring me to visit this wonderful city. Please send the link to your friends https://fivestarvagabond.com/

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Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

August 17, 2016 by David Herd

Blue-Sky-white-sand-Surfers-Paradise-tall-bulidings

Nerang River

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Tall buildings Surfers Paradise where I lived for 25 years before moving to Thailand in October 2011. Personally I preferred the city in the 70s & 80s before the explosion of modern high rise hotels and apartments. Having said all that, it is quite a spectacular part of Australia.

Old motel for sale

I’m surprised this prime property adjacent to the Chevron Island bridge was not developed years ago.

Chevron Renaissance

One of three towers offering apartments and hotel rooms.

The Chevron Renaissance

Quite a spectacular skyline in the heart of Surfers Paradise. Book HERE for a discount.

Q1 and 50 Cavil Avenue

Two more well known Surfers Paradise buildings.

The beach

The beach stretches for miles, this view is looking south.

Lifeguard

These lifeguards do a great job protecting the public.

Surfers Paradise Australia

Watch this video on YouTube

Blue Sky tall buildings Surfers Paradise

Apartments occupy two of the 3 towers with the 3rd a hotel.

Surfers Paradise Hilton

The Hilton offers great views overlooking the beach, book HERE for a good discount.

Orchard Avenue night clubs

Here are three popular night clubs in the heart of Surfers Paradise.

Looking south at Q1

Q1 is an 80 story tower with an observation deck on the top floor. For a great discount book through THIS LINK.

Looking north

Featuring Soul tower with Peppers Hotel. Book through THIS LINK for a terrific room rate.

Soul, Blue Sky tall buildings Surfers Paradise

A magnificent 77 level tower with views of the beautiful Surfers paradise beach.

Looking south along Orchard Avenue

Orchard Avenue is Surfer Paradise’s main late night entertainment street. Be careful after midnight. 🙂

Gold Coast light rail

Transport has greatly improved since the introduction of the light rail system.

Light rail map

Current and future routes, stage 2 will link up with the heavy rail system at Helensvale to make travelling to Brisbane much easier.

Q1 80 story tower

Probably the most iconic Gold Coast building.

Skyline view from the racecourse

Surfers Paradise skyline

Watch this video on YouTube

Surfers Paradise

My home for 25 glorious years, this city provides me with so many wonderful memories.

Melbas on the Park

Finally drinks with good friends Phil Thomson and Greg Craig at Melbas. Thanks for visiting my Blue Sky tall buildings Surfers Paradise photo blog, before you go check out my Isle Of Capri and Bundall blogs.

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Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

May 24, 2015 by David Herd

Japanese Covered Bridge

Ancient Town Vietnam Coast

Ancient Town Vietnam Central Coast is Hoi-An featuring wonderful French colonial buildings including this beautiful Japanese covered bridge which dates back to the 18th century. Probably the most photographed place in Hoi-An.

Crossing the bridge

I’m not sure what the ladies are selling.

For a great hotel rate just book through THIS LINK.

This is my favourite photo.

The culture & heritage is mostly from the Cham people whose kingdom originally stretched from Hue South to Phan Thiet (South of Nha Trang) – the Champa’s most likely originally from Java. The original Cham political capital was Tra Kieu, the commercial capital was Hoi An and the spiritual capital was My Son (Hindu). The Cham people were Hindu, and by the 10th century the influence of Arab traders to Hoi An resulted in some converting to become Muslims.

The second major influence was from the Chinese, firstly from traders but especially the escaping Ming Dynasty armies who after settling in Hoi An for some years moved further south and created Saigon as a major trading port.

Beautiful faces

Hoi An is midway between Hanoi & HCMC, you can fly into Danang then take a taxi south, on the way make sure you visit Marble mountain where you can watch beautiful statues being made and perhaps even order one to be shipped home.

Here I am at Marble Mountain just north of Hoi-An.

Marble Mountain Vietnam where the statues are hand carved by certified and regulated stone mason artists. These artist begin a lifelong apprenticeship from a very young age and spend their life learning the trade.

Travel Tip. Hoi-An has the reputation as the place to go to have clothes made, I think one of the best strategies is to take some of your favourite items and have them copied at a fraction of the price you would pay at home.

Hoi-An French colonial buildings

One of the many Hoi-An French colonial buildings.

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Fu kien restaurant

A typical Hoi-Ann street scene.

Beautiful buildings

There are so many wonderful buildings.

Lanterns

There is a photo opportunity around every corner.

We asked where he was taking the duck?

He said I am taking it home to eat it.

Hoi Ann timber delivery

Firewood for cooking I imagine.

Ancient Town Vietnam Central Coast Hoi Ann market

Morning gossip at the market.

Banana anyone?

It is a hive of activity on the waterfront.

Happy faces

Non la (palm-leaf conical hat) is a traditional symbol of Vietnamese people.

Great looking kids in Hoi Ann.

Another couple of great Vietnamese smiles.

China Beach

During the war the Americans used the name China Beach to refer to the beautiful 30 km sweep of fine white sand that starts at Monkey Mountain and ends near Hoi An. Soldiers would be sent here for some R&R from bases all over the country.

Pothole shopping for art

Pothole aka John Martin shopping for some genuine reproductions. 🙂

For a great hotel rate just book through THIS LINK.

Hanoi to Bangkok

It was the start of the Sars problem.

Thanks for visiting my Hoi-An French colonial buildings photo blog, one of my favourite places in Vietnam, however the image that sticks in my mind most of all are the beautiful faces of the people and their children in this amazing country. Have a look at some of my other Vietnam posts.

For a great hotel rate in China Beach just book through THIS LINK.

Here are some more posts to check out

Sydney Paris Bangkok

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Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you

book through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Plus free cancellation .

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Slide show here.

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