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Starbucks Pattaya every morning

July 28, 2019 by David Herd

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

Starbucks Pattaya every morning is a perfect start to my day. Not just the excellent coffee, the friendly smiling staff always put me in a positive mood. Above is the branch at The Bay on Beach Road Pattaya between Soi 5 & Soi 6.

The Bay Beach Road

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

 Let’s go to Starbucks & stare at our phones. 🙂

Opening day at the Bay

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

 September 22 2015.

My breakfast of choice.

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

Ham & cheese croissant with a tall latte. B240 or $7.8 USD

There are two Starbucks at Central Festival

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

That makes 4 within 10 minutes walk from my condo.

Inside Central Festival branch

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

 Quite an attractive fit out.

A birthday candle for me. 🙂

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

 As I mentioned earlier the smiles on girls are a really nice start for the day.

Sometimes they run out of croissants.

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

So I settle for a sandwich. 🙂

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

 Every 12 coffee is free if you have a Starbucks card so I often take one home for later. Also they often have a two for one offer.

Almond croissant

Tough times Thailand

 A nice alternative to the ham & cheese.

Mr Donuts

Central Festival food hall

Starbucks change B115 for a latte, here at Mr Donuts I paid B93 for what you see.

Xmas day 2021

Starbucks Pattaya every morning

Two of the lovely girls who look after me every day. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Starbucks Pattaya every morning photo blog.

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     Koh Samui                                   Korea                                  London

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         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 Tone9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)191de3bb-38fc-45cd-bce7-ef24081c554b

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great posts

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Vientiane excellent coffee shops

April 18, 2019 by David Herd

Vientiane excellent coffee shops

Good restaurants Vientiane Laos

Vientiane excellent coffee shops were right around the corner from our hotel. They were every bit as good or better than I expected. The shot above is the cafe next door to Le Trio, I believe it is either part of the same business, or simply a shop who they sell their coffee to.

LE TRIO COFFEE

Vientiane excellent coffee shops The first ’boutique roaster’ in Vientiane, they source ethical beans from local Lao producers and use only Robusta and Arabica beans, using a magnificent German roasting machine to make their coffee.

There are only 2 stools to sit at here.

Vientiane excellent coffee shopsI guess that’s why they send you next door. 🙂

Vientiane excellent coffee shops

Vientiane excellent coffee shopsCoffee does not get any better than this.

Many other coffee shops in Laos buy coffee beans from Le Trio to make their own coffee, showing just how powerful their blend is.

JOMA BAKERY CAFÉ

Vientiane excellent coffee shops Joma is very popular among expats and travellers & has two locations in Vientiane. As well as their drinks, they serve great sandwiches, pastries, quiche, muesli, bagels and fruit shakes. It’s an excellent place to go to if you seek the taste of Western food. The mango pudding in the photo was absolutely magnificent.

Joma

Vientiane excellent coffee shops Joma was founded by Canadians in Laos and now has 12 stores in three countries, including Cambodia and Vietnam. I must say it was very similar to a Starbucks.

We stayed at the Bloom Boutique Hotel.

Bloom Boutique Hotel VientianeThese great coffee shops were only about 50 metres from our hotel. I would certainly recommend the Bloom Boutique Hotel, excellent rooms, friendly staff & a great breakfast. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good discount.

Sinouk Coffee Night Market

Vientiane excellent coffee shopsSmall restaurant/bar at the corner of the street, you can watch the crowds pass by at night on the way to the night market.

Thanks for visiting my Vientiane excellent coffee shops photo blog. We took a taxi for an hour ($10 USD) to check out the city, follow THIS LINK to see some of the sights.

 Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)     The Walkie Talkie (5)  

Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837      IMG_7425      Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

      Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)   Vung Tau statue (6)

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great food photo blogs.

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Taxi tour discovering Vientiane

April 16, 2019 by David Herd

Taxi tour discovering Vientiane

Taxi tour discovering Vientiane

Taxi tour discovering Vientiane in Laos only cost us $10 USD for an hour of sightseeing. This is the capital city with a population of only 783,000 in a country of 6.858 million.

The photo above is Pha That Luang, a gold-covered large Buddhist stupa in the centre of the city of Vientiane. Initially established in the 3rd century, the stupa has undergone several reconstructions, as recently as the 1930s due to foreign invasions of the area. Wikipedia

Temple near our hotel

Taxi tour discovering VientianeIn fact it was virtually in the same street as the Bloom Boutique Hotel, we would walk through it to get to the riverside.

Lets take a closer view.

Taxi tour discovering Vientiane Like many cities in Thailand there seems to be temples everywhere.

We did not spend too much time in the temples.

Taxi tour discovering Vientiane Our focus was more on the bars & restaurants. 🙂

I would like to recommend the Bloom Boutique Hotel, excellent rooms, friendly staff & a great breakfast. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good discount.

Patuxai is a war monument

Taxi tour discovering Vientiane Built between 1957 and 1968. The Patuxai was dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France. In romanising the name from the Laotian language, it is variously translated as Patuxai, Patuxay, Patousai and Patusai. Wikipedia

Meet the jolly jumbo

Taxi tour discovering Vientiane Made out of porcelain plates, saucers, cups etc. I have no idea what it stands for. 🙂

Rather spectacular.

Taxi tour discovering Vientiane It really is a fantastic monument.

Thai bank in Vientiane

Taxi tour discovering Vientiane I actually have an account at Kasikorn Bank.

This is what you need for a road trip. 🙂

Taxi tour discovering Vientiane Gotta be the most famous bike in the world.

King Anouvong Statue

Taxi tour discovering Vientiane Chao Anouvong (1767-1829), or Chao Anou for short, was the last king of the former Lao kingdom of Lane Xang. He ruled from 1805 to 1828 in Vientiane and came to power after his brother’s death.  Chao Anouvong had long been an ally of the Thai monarchs against Burmese invaders but unfortunately his accomplishments and support of the Thai kingdom was not well recognized. From 1826 to 1828 Chao Anouvong rebelled against Siam in an attempt to gain independence from Siam.

Thanks for visiting my Taxi tour discovering Vientiane photo blog.

 Zagreb Croatia                      Rio de Janeiro                  Brisbane River 

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

       

     Koh Samui                                   Korea                                  London

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         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

Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Lots more photo blogs here;

Rio beach babes

Florianopolis Brazil 

Bangkok river ferry

Fabulous HCMC

Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

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Sydney Harbour

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Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya

August 31, 2018 by David Herd

Opened September 1st 2018

Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya

Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya

Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya has just opened at Markland which just happens to be where I live on the 20th floor. As you can see they have a perfect spot overlooking Pattaya Beach.

This business only lasted a year or a little less before closing permanently. It is now January 2022 & a new restaurant is about to open on this site. 

Perfect for solo diners like myself. 🙂

Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya

The first store opened on 2 November 1989 at Eagle Street Pier in Brisbane then on 1 July 1994 The Coffee Club became a franchise.

More outdoor seating

Coffee Club Beach Road PattayaThe smokers are well catered for which is a good reason to sit inside & enjoy the air conditioning.

Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya

Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya A staff meeting the day before opening.

Here I am with the friendly staff at The Coffee Club.

Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya I am going to enjoy a daily visit here. 🙂

My welcome coffee

Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya

My first coffee here & the opening is not until tomorrow. 🙂

Very nice decor & friendly staff

Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya Add excellent coffee & food & it adds up to a fabulous venue at Markland condo.

Where will we meet you?

Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya The Coffee Club of course. 🙂

Let’s take a look at the food.

Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya Their breakfast specialty is Eggs Benedict.

So what is the verdict you may well ask?

Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya Here is my opinion after only one breakfast, I’ll revise it when I try some different dishes. Location 10/10, staff excellent 10/10, decor is very impressive, Eggs Benedict had a slight vinegar taste 7/10, coffee 8/10 & finally in my opinion far to expensive for Thailand.

Baht 476 or $20 AUD or $14.50 USD.

Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya

Once again this is only my opinion, similar coffee at Starbucks is B31 cheaper at B115 with every 12th one free when using their debit card.  Their price of B146 or $6.20 AUD is way over the top. Even a medium flat white is B124 or $5.27 AUD as you can see above.

Let’s compare it to Bon Cafe

Best Pattaya breakfast coffee service

  Bon Cafe is a very good breakfast spot. Just under $8 AUD or 185 Baht you get this excellent meal including coffee & orange juice, 668/17-21 Pattaya-Naklua. As you can see there is a huge price difference, $8 or $20 AUD, the choice is yours.

Phad Thai & prawn

Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya This dish was ok, & priced at B200 or $10 AUD. 

When it comes to coffee I prefer Starbucks or the Holiday Inn.

Thanks for visiting my Coffee Club Beach Road Pattaya photo blog. 

Holiday Inn

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Fabulous views, excellent restaurants & a very good room rate if you book through THIS LINK.

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

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The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate. 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
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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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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

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Surfers Paradise Party Animals 1992

January 15, 2018 by David Herd

This is not a travel blog, it is part of my personal photo history. It seemed like Groundhog day. 🙂

Surfers Paradise Party Animals

Surfers Paradise Party Animals

Surfers Paradise Party Animals, 1992 was just another year of fun & games on the beautiful Gold Coast. I was certainly among the main party hosts, I had a great home for entertaining & I loved have lots of beautiful girls around. 

Some of the usual suspects.

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsNaturally when there were pretty girls around the competition between the guys was fierce. 🙂

A rose between two thorns, I don’t think so. 🙂

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsI guess there is no need to say I was enjoying life to the max.

Occasionally some of the girls would relax in the spa.

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsNaturally I always had my camera ready.

These girls loved nature

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsAnd Dr Evil was always there with the camera. 🙂

Roslyn & Jill looking good

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsI remember spending some “quality time” with both these lovely ladies.

 Jill & Sharon

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsAnother “daily double” I’m happy to say, (that just means I bonked them both. 🙂 )we saw a show that night at Jupiters casino, I think it was Barry Humphries.

Andre Buzek dentist extraordinaire, (I don’t think so)

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsSadly my great mate lost his life soon after in a car crash in Cuba.

Girl of the year Kelly Davis

Surfers Paradise Party Animals I was lucky enough to spend a few months on & off with this lovely lady.

Here we are on New Years Eve

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsNaturally Harley is locked & loaded once again. 🙂

My favoute song from 1992

Big Steve Bristow (son of Tim) & Greg Johnston.

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsNow in 2018 Greg lives in Pattaya & runs a bar on the dark side, & Steve still lives on the Gold Coast.

 Birthday drinks at Melbas 7-7-92

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsOur local drinking hole was Melbas on the Park.

Mister Melbas himself.

PaulAllen1992 (1)

The late great Paul Allen, a Surfers Paradise icon.

Talking about icons…………

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsDaryl Beattie is a former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, those bikes however all belonged to  Mick Doohan the living legend who won five consecutive 500 cc World Championships. The guy in the middle is a legend in his own lunch time, my good mate Ross Kennedy aka “Shoeless Joe”.

 Talking about legends…

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsHere I am giving my boat a good wash. 🙂

A good looking bunch of babes

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsIt was Xmas day 1992 and we all had a great lunch at my home in 106 Upton St Bundall.  My main squeeze at the time was Kelly 2nd from the right, & my occasional squeeze was Jill standing beside her. 🙂

Another night another dinner at Upton St

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsHarley & his gay flatmate naturally came dressed in their army outfits. 🙂 Tat’s Kandice on the left & Nicola on the right.

That night produced one of my favourite photos

Surfers Paradise lifeThis is a true classic.

Another classic from 1992

Surfers Paradise Party AnimalsLyn Goss & Roslyn provided the glamour & Tony Murphy & I contributed with a truck load of style. 🙂

Can’t remember the other guys name.

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  Adelaide 1972                 Iron Bar Freddy               Sydney 2006

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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
                         d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037              01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 
 That’s all folks
Surfers Paradise Party Animals
 
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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Check out these great posts

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Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

April 18, 2017 by David Herd

Driving south from Gosford to Sydney.

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour were all waiting for me after my leisurely drive down the east coast from Surfers Paradise in QLD. 

It was a great drive down from from Surfers Paradise  to Sydney stopping at Kingscliff, Yamba, Port Macquarie, Forster-Tuncurry, Gosford & Coogee. Also dropped into Maroubra which is a place I have not seen for over 50 years. Just click on the links to see my photo blogs.

The historic Roseville Cinema

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

 On the road between Hornsby & Sydney is The historic Roseville Cinema on the Pacific Highway, noted for its art deco facade. It became Traynor’s Picture Palace in 1919, but did not become a full-scale cinema until 1936. Roseville Cinema was renovated & updated to two screens in 1995.

Approaching the Harbour Bridge

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

Not too much traffic on a Sunday morning.

World famous Sydney Opera House.

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

A fabulous iconic Sydney landmark.

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

Huge ships dock at Circular Quay because they are too tall to go under the Harbour Bridge.

Naturally Bill had to climb it. ?

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

 Being an ex Para Military man who has made over 500 parachute jumps my friend Bill Austin naturally had to climb to the top of the bridge, and what an amazing view he had from there.

Sydney Harbour Ferry

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

Circular Quay ferry terminal.

The famous Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

Opened in 1933 it is certainly Australia’s best known landmark.

 Holiday Inn Old Sydney

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

For a very good room rate at the Holiday Inn walking distance to Circular Quay just book through THIS LINK.

From the Manly ferry

Sydney World's Best Harbour

After leaving Circular Quay we pass the Opera House on the way to Manly.

Rose Bay 

Sydney City Boats Beaches Harbour

These boats are moored at the Royal Motor Yacht Club of NSW.

The Sydney Harbour foreshore.

Sydney City Boats Beaches Harbour

Sydney harbour is quite amazing, certainly the best in the world.

Arriving at Manly

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

About a 45 minute journey across the wonderful harbour.

My lovely friend Sue from Shanghai

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

A beautiful summers day at Manly.

A little further north.

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

Dee Why beach is about 7 kms north of Manly.

For a good place to stay 1/2 way between Manly & Dee Why just book through THIS LINK.

Lets jump to the South side of the harbour

Sydney City Boats Beaches Harbour

Here is the city skyline from Watsons Bay.

Doyles on the Beach

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

 On this the original site, Doyles opened Australia’s first seafood restaurant in 1885.

Catalina Restaurant Rose Bay

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

 Family-owned waterfront restaurant known for its upmarket seafood dishes and open veranda bar.

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour Bondi Junction

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

The junction is very quite indeed of a Sunday. 

 Maroubra Beach

Sydney City Boats Beaches Harbour

This trip I skipped Bondi Beach & went further south straight to Maroubra. For lots more photos just follow THIS LINK.

Back a little north to Coogee

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

More photos HERE.

 Ronin Hood Hotel Waveley

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

ORIGINALLY BUILT BY TOOTH & CO. IN 1938 & RECENTLY RESTORED TO ITS ART-DECO GLORY, THE ROBIN HOOD HOTEL IS LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF BRONTE AND CARRINGTON ROADS IN WAVERLEY (CHARING CROSS).

Wonderful antique pub signs

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

When I was growing up I remember these great signs were on most Australian pubs. 

Typical old Australian home in Waverley.

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

I would hate to think what it’s worth today, Sydney prices are outragious. 

House prices in Waverley

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

As you can see you need plenty of money to live in Sydney. 🙂 

My road trip from QLD has ended

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

My Honda rental car never missed a beat, time to head to the airport.

Apex Car rental

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

It’s worth checking their promotional prices, ofter you can get a terrific rate to relocate one of their vehicles. In my case I rented for 6 days at $19 aud per day. Picked it up at Surfers Paradise & dropped it off at Sydney airport.

A great trip down the coast.

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

Certainly one of the world’s great coastlines.

A Qantas kerosene canary

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

However I’m flying Singapore Air which leaves Qantas for dead.

Novatel Brighton Beach

Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour

As we taxi out you can see the Novatel at Brighton, so if you want to stay near the airport just book through THIS LINK for an excellent rate.

Siam Sunset

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An hour away from Bangkok we have a beautiful sunset. Thanks for visiting my Sydney Boats Beaches Harbour photo blog.

                     Here are some more posts to check out
 

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     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

Click here to check out Beach Rd Pattaya.

Australian adventures


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Road Trip South Australia

April 13, 2017 by David Herd

Road trip with Japanese students.

Road Trip South Australia

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Road Trip South Australia reminds me of the last frontier and the road trip I took in 2003. Three Japanese students, Yukako, Megumi & Noriko & I travelled from the Gold Coast in Queensland, through Broken Hill  NSW to Coober Pedy in South Australia, a fascinating opal mining town where most of the population live in underground houses, then on to Ayers Rock and back home to the Gold Coast via Hervey Bay where we went whale watching. On our marathon journey all through the Australian Outback we traveled 7,300 kilometers  which was around 82 hours behind the wheel. 

The above photo is at Tenterfield on the New England Highway.

Peter Allen Motor Inn

a87c5f32-93ed-48a3-9ce7-e1a600c5c54f (1)

This famous Australian singer son writer was born in Tenterfield. For a discounted room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Listen to Peter sing one of his famous songs about the Tenterfield sadler.

The first stage

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Across  NSW to South Australia.

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Our first day on the road, we will overnight in Broken Hill.

Trades Hall in Broken Hill.

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

 The Trades Hall is Broken Hill’s most historically important building. 

Broken Hill in outback NSW.

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Broken Hill over 1,100 km (680 mi) west of Sydney and  surrounded by semi-desert.

For a very good discount on a Broken Hill hotel just book through THIS LINK.

Typical outback building

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

 In the 19th and early 20th century Broken Hill was home to a community of Afghans. Afghans worked as camel drivers in parts of outback Australia, and they made a significant contribution to economic growth when transport options were limited. The camel drivers formed the first sizeable Muslim communities in Australia, and in Broken Hill they left their mark in the form of the first mosque in NSW (1891).

Wilmington South Australia

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

 Wilmington is a farming community, known for sheep, wheat and barley, but more recently for the planting of olive groves.

Road Trip South Australia, the general store

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Wilmington is 305 kilometres north of the state capital, Adelaide.

This was at Byron Bay near the start of our journey.

Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia

Such lovely young girls,  Noriko Megumi & Yukako. Thanks for visiting my Surfers Paradise Road Trip South Australia photo blog. Next stop is Coober Pedy.

 Lots more posts here;

   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 Tone9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)191de3bb-38fc-45cd-bce7-ef24081c554b

Bangkok Hotels        Pattaya Hotels
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
Pattaya live webcam
9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

March 28, 2017 by David Herd

Chevron Island Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

 Surfers Paradise Sydney  Trip seeing lots of friends & in particular caught up with Karen Greenwood an old girlfriend from 1991, 26 years ago. As you can see see still looks fantastic. 🙂 So many great memories came flooding back, it was certainly wonderful week Surfers Paradise. We are at Franks seafood cafe on Chevron Island.

Here we are 26 years ago.

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

I couldn’t resist posting this photo from 1991. 

Melbas on the Park

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

I first visited this iconic bar on New Years Day 1982, 35 years ago. The reason I am so sure of the date is it was the day after my unforgettable NYE on Sydney harbour with my overloaded boat being showered by sky rockets.

First stop Kingscliff only a 40 minute drive.

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Just a quick stop for a very good breakfast and some photos.

Breakfast at Kingscliff

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

The name of the cafe was Kettles On & the breakfast was excellent.

Miles of deserted beach at Kingscliff

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Certainly an idealic place to live.

Kingscliff to Yamba

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

About a 2 hour drive to Yamba on the Clarence river, this is my first visit to this pleasant little coastal town.

The sea was angry that day my friends….

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Many thanks to George Castanza. 🙂

Discounted room rates at Yamba through THIS LINK.

 Mexican

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Strangely Mexican food has never been on my list of favourites.

Mexican! That’s not a Mexican, this is a Mexican.

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

My apologies Pablo.

Yamba to Port Macquarie

Surfers Paradise Sydney Road Trip

A 3.5 hour drive with a stop at Grafton for a Maccas.

Old habits die hard…

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Over the years I think I have stopped here at Grafton 20 times for a strawberry shake.

 

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip, Port Macquarie.

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

The mouth of the Hastings River in Port Macquarie.

Centre of town

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Port has quite a large shopping centre & a population of 80,00 & growing rapidly.

Expected growth

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

A very popular area with a good climate and about a 4’5 hour drive to Sydney.

Port Macquarie to Gosford.

 

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

With a brief stop at Newcastle to say hi to my old mate Barry Madden.

Barry Madden

Surfers Paradise Sydney Road Trip

Barry & I worked together in the mid 90s with NRMA as financial planners. 

The Settlers Tavern Gosford

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

A terrific T Bone at Settlers Tavern at 2 Hely Street, West Gosford. They have a great menu for a local pub, check it out on THIS LINK.

Early morning workout

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

It was a perfect Sunday morning for a workout for these rowers.

Gosford to Sydney 

Surfers Paradise Sydney Road Trip

The final leg of my Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip.

Maroubra Beach

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

One of Sydney’s famous southern beaches.

Chaotic Coogee Beach.

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

Late afternoon & most people have gone home or to the pub. 🙂

For a great room rate in Coogee or anywhere in the world just book through THIS LINK.

Classic Australian pub picture

Surfers Paradise Sydney Trip

This is the Robin Hood hotel at Waverly, however years ago these fabulous pictures were found on most Aussie pubs.

It was a great drive down from from Surfers Paradise  to Sydney stopping at Kingscliff, Yamba, Port Macquarie, Forster-Tuncurry, Gosford & Coogee. Also dropped into Maroubra which is a place I have not seen for over 50 years. Just click on the links to see my photo blogs.

Thanks for visiting my Surfers Paradise Sydney  Trip photo blog. 

           

                    Here are some more posts to check out 

         Sydney                               Paris                                   Bangkok           
 497d0b6e-c0bd-4ba2-86be-c02100f050a8        65470622-d17a-4b90-bf97-2574df4c412d        1a2160c1-41f7-465a-954c-631e083eb229
          Tokyo                        Rio De Janeiro                        Budapest
f59e958e-8eaf-48b4-8e96-c291a0c13d1a        f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4        a6a948cd-f30a-49ea-a905-82be4d202cc9
           London                            Beijing                            Capetown
2246c6cf-5fa6-4fbe-ac30-b569253ad2a6        f65d714b-f44c-4b2e-9505-3511ebecbb80        4e82052a-24d0-41e1-ab84-10e8f27634d1
 
            Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you            
                book through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
                                                                 Plus free cancellation .
                                               Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
                                            d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037            01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f
 

Slide show here.

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great photo blogs.

  • Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach

March 26, 2017 by David Herd

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

 Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney where on a sunny weekend thousands of people head for the pubs & restaurants as well as the famous beach. 

Beach or the pool

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Decisions decisions, the answer is whatever you prefer. 🙂

The pool & surf club are an iconic landmark

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

What a fabulous setting, absolutely breathtaking. Located right beside the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club.

The main attraction is the beautiful beach.

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

This is around 5pm so most of the crowd have gone home or to the pub.

Rock pool at northern end of Coogee Beach.

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Late afternoon as the sun sinks in the west. 

Copacabana or Coogee

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Seeing the beach volley ball always reminds me of Copacabana where I have been lucky enough to visit 8 times between 1999 & 2010.

This is what brings the crowds

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Magnificent Coogee Beach.

Wonderful views from these homes.

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Can you imagine how much it would cost to live here?

The average Coogee home price is $2,627,000 for a house & $1,o39,500 for a condo. However these overlooking the ocean & beach would be double that.

 Here are serviced apartments for rent.

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Amazing location overlooking the beach, ideal for a long stay. Use THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.

Would you prefer to stay in a Dive?

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Don’t be fooled by the name, the location is fantastic overlooking Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney. Book the Dive Hotel through THIS LINK.

Picnic in the park

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Check out the seagulls waiting for some scraps. 🙂

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach BBQ

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Cooking facilities are available here.

 Coogee Bay Road

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Lots of restaurants, cafes & flash cars.

Lots of sidewalk cafes

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Plenty of places to eat in Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney.

Coogee Bay Road

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

 Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney.

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

 

As you can see the traffic is bumper to bumper & finding a car park is like winning the lottery.

 Coogee Bay Hotel

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

One of the most famous hotels in Sydney and possibly the busiest.

Sunday afternoon session

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Noisy and busy at the Coogee Bay Hotel.

Coogee Pavilion

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

  Coogee Pavilion is a multi-storey dining destination created by Sydney hotel baron Justin Hemmes.

 Surf club entrance at southern end of the beach

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

What a perfect day for taking photos.

Southern end of Coogee

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Grand Pacific accommodation & the Barzura Cafe.

Coogee Crown Plaza

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Sunday session at the Crown Plaza.

Crown Plaza is a great location 

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Great views over the beach from this excellent hotel, Use THIS LINK for a terrific discount on a room with a view.

The older side of Coogee

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Many parts of Coogee are quite ancient as you can see, probably worth several million as a development site here in Arden Street.

This one is certainly worth preserving.

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

Not sure if it will be kept as a private residence or a guest house.

Overlooking Coogee Bay

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

As you can see Coogee is quite hilly.

Important safety message

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney

 When on the beach in Australia make sure you always use sun block-out, wear a hat & swim between the flags.

In recent years I have had many skin cancers removed, doctors tell me the damage was done many years ago before I turned 16 years of age. In those days we NEVER wore hats or used sun protection.

Things looked a little different in 1936

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach

It was called Belmore Rd in 1930

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach

 Fabulous old photos.

How about 1905?

Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach

It certainly wasn’t Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach then. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Busy Chaotic Coogee Beach Sydney photo blog, before you leave please check out Maroubra Beach which is a few kms south of Coogee.         

 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.


Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Gosford Central Coast NSW

March 24, 2017 by David Herd

Brisbane Water

Gosford Central Coast NSW

 Gosford Central Coast NSW is located on Brisbane Water just 80 km north of Sydney. Growing up in Sydney this area was where our family would spend our annual holidays.

Breakfast at Tommys Cafe at Gosford

Gosford Central Coast NSW

Before driving to Coogee in Sydney I decided I needed a good breakfast.

Scrambled eggs & avocado

Gosford Central Coast NSW

On Turkish toast of course. 🙂 TripAdvisor rate #6 of 101 Restaurants in Gosford.

A delightful spot in Gosford Central Coast NSW

Gosford Central Coast NSW

I wish I could find Turkish bread in Thailand.

Perfect sunday morning in Gosford

Gosford Central Coast near Sydney

From Gosford it’s just a short cruise to the magnificent Hawksbury River, 

Starship Cruises

Gosford Central Coast NSW

The “Lady Kendall” will take you on a 2.5 hour cruise for $37.

 Gosford Sailing Club Club

Gosford Central Coast NSW

 Located on the foreshore of Brisbane Water. Check it out through THIS LINK.

Shooting some photos

Gosford Central Coast NSW

I never go anywhere without my Canon. 🙂 

A perfect place for a row.

Gosford Central Coast NSW

Opposite the Leagues club.

Gosford Central Coast NSW Central Coast Stadium

Gosford Central Coast NSW

 The stadium has picturesque views over the Brisbane water.

Quality Inn the Willows

Gosford Central Coast NSW

Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent discount.

The Settlers Tavern

Gosford Central Coast NSW

A terrific T Bone have Settlers Tavern at 2 Hely Street, West Gosford. They have a great menu for a local pub, check it out on THIS LINK.

All the meals were excellent

Gosford Central Coast NSW

My friend Geoff had the pasta & his ex fiance Nana ordered a huge meal of steak & seafood. Geoff is a regular visitor to Thailand, follow THIS LINK to see his 50th birthday party.

Time to head south to Sydney.

Gosford Central Coast NSW

The last leg of my road trip is just a short drive south to Sydney along the Pacific Highway. 

And here I am approaching the bridge.

Gosford Central Coast NSW

It’s been a great drive down from from Surfers Paradise  to Sydney stopping at Kingscliff, Yamba, Port Macquarie, Forster-Tuncurry, Gosford & Coogee. Also dropped into Maroubra which is a place I have not seen for over 50 years. Just click on the links to see my photo blogs.

Thanks for visiting my Gosford Central Coast NSW photo blog.

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

     Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

Fascinating Istanbul Asia Meets Europe     Hungarian Parliament Building (2)       The Walkie Talkie (5)    

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837        IMG_7425    Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                     

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

Ho Chi Minh City South Vietnam       Main Square (3)     Vung Tau statue (6)

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great photo blogs.

  • Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos