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Sydney 2011 farewell Australia

March 4, 2016 by David Herd

This is not a travel blog just my personal photo collection

Sydney 2011 farewell Australia

Sydney 2011 farewell Australia is about my life changing event when on October 18 I left my home, friends, relatives and country to live in Thailand. I had two trips to Sydney in September & October and stayed with my cousin Debbie at her home in Balgowlah before jumping on a plane to Bangkok on October 18.

Dinner at Manly

I had many friends to farewell including Paul Slaughter and his lady Clode who was a flight attendant for Air Canada.

Richard aka 003 1/4

Richard & I have been friends since 1976 and had many great times together over the years. Obsessed with luxury cars and women on a scale far higher than I.

Richard’s latest jigger

From memory he also had a beautiful restored red E-Type jag at his Gold Coast home and a 911 turbo Porsche at his Sydney apartment. The Porsche he has owned since new in about 1977, it was fitted with some unusual modifications similar to some sort of secret agent. 🙂

1999

My home in 1999 and our two toys, Rick’s E-Type and my Mercedes Sports.

My brother Bryan

Lunch at Mosman with Bryan & Rick a couple of days before flying to Bangkok.

Old friend Peter Hesky

Another friend from 1976, (WOW! 40 bloody years) Sadly I don’t hear from Peter anymore, from what I’m told he has turned into quite a recluse and rarely ventures out of his home in Castle Cove.

Some well built lads here

Holly, Bolt & Al and not sure of the ladies name. We are at a very good Japanese restaurant opposite the Oaks Hotel.

Talking about the Oaks, here it is.

One of Australia’s great pubs, was my local for many years from 1977 to 1987.

My gorgeous niece’s

Drinks at my favourite pub with my favourite two girls, Elyssa & Laura.

Sydney Swans V Brisbane Lions.

Australian football aka AFL at the Sydney Cricket Ground, watching the game from Peter Hesky’s private box.

Dinner with friends

Fortuna Court Chinese restaurant in Crows Nest has been a favourite restaurant for over 30 years, & I must say it has not changed one bit in that time. The guy I’m about to put to the sword is Warwick Robinson who I have known for over 30 years. He never did pay the ransom to me for not taking his life. 🙂

Sydney 2011 farewell Australia

Leaving Australia was a huge decision, two major factors came into play when making the decision. First was purely financial, I had not worked since 1997 instead I travelled the world like a man possessed. Consequently I spent a huge amount of money in the process and I always knew it had to come to an end. My only regret was the timing of the Global Financial Crisis in 2007/8 which coincided with me needing to sell my home to pay off the huge mortgage created by my travels. My home took me 3 years to sell, had I have sold in 2006 I would have realized around $250K more than I finally got in 2011. Oh well them’s the breaks and I have no regrets because those years of travel were wonderful and irreplaceable.

The second reason for my decision to move to Thailand was triggered by the first. I found myself in a position where I could no longer live at the same level in Australia that I was accustomed to. However I could live to that level in Thailand which was only around 1/3 the cost of living in Australia.

It is now 2017 my 6th year living in Thailand and the move has turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. I plan to stay another 5 years before moving back to Australia to live out my final days. At the moment that’s the plan but plans can change. 🙂

Here is my view in Pattaya

There are many people around the world who regularly criticize Pattaya, my message to them is simple, stay where you are because we don’t want you here. Our stress free Pattaya life has no time to waste on the knockers and whiners, having said that thanks for visiting my Sydney 2011 farewell Australia photo blog.

I’ll leave it to the late great Glenn Frey to explain how I feel right now.

Here are some more posts to check out

Life 2015 Family history Life 1982

Adelaide 1972 Iron Bar Freddy Sydney 2006

Thailand 2008 Gold Coast Babes World trip 2003

Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Free Cancellation.

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

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

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

That’s all folks

Australian adventures

Great Ocean Road

Melbourne

Port Macquarie

Sydney landmarks

Australian seafood

Mr Wong

Remembering Melbas

Coober Pedy Opal Mine

Brisbane

My life in 2003

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Relocate Sydney Gold Coast

January 15, 2016 by David Herd

Part of my personal online photo albums, as opposed to my FiveStarVagabond travel blog. The story starts in 1986.

Relocate Sydney Gold Coast

Relocate Sydney Gold Coast took place in January 1987, but lets go back a couple of months to when I was living at Newport Beach in Sydney. I had just broken up with my fiancée, beautiful Karen Smith, we were engaged and living together in a wonderful old home in Newport overlooking the Royal Motor Yacht Club. To add to my woes I had also just been sacked from a high paying job as National Sales Manager for Ricoh facsimile machines.

For the past few years I was a regular visitor to the Gold Coast so at the time moving there permanently seemed to be the right thing to do. I had many friends living in Surfers Paradise including Graham Edwards aka “Crazy” who you see in the photo above. The gorgeous girls in the photo are Sandy Palmer & Joanne Bernhardt.

My ex fiancée Karen Smith

Karen was a beautiful lady and a lovely human being, but looking back I finally realised by the mid 90s I was not cut out for “long term relationships”, and the older I get the less I need the company of others.

Paul Slaughter and Tony Murphy

Two close friends in December 1986 were helping me celebrate the move north. Tony was living in Avalon at the time and now in 2021 resides on the Gold Coast.

Not part of my travel blog just a huge chapter in my life.

Bryan Millard

Bryan lived close to me at Newport and we were regular drinkers at the Newport Arms Hotel.

Now here is a strange coincidence, one week after I posted Brian’s photo here he was convicted in Noosa for various infringements. Here is the full story.

Big Tim Bristow & Sue Ellis

Another neighbour the notorious Big Tim Bristow, read more about him here.

Now when I visit Sydney I book my hotel through this link for great room rates.

Ok, bye bye Sydney, Gold Coast here I come.

I had to return my company car so my transport consisted of my little red Moke. Do you like my impersonation of the “White Knight” at the Watson’s Bay Hotel?

Di Parkinson & Madison

Di Parkinson was my beautiful ex girlfriend from the 70s, Madison was my beautiful German Shepherd. For the first 3 months I rented a house at Carrara from my good friend Peter Lewis before buying a house at Sorrento.

Jim Cox & Larry Wilson

Jim was a friend of mine in Adelaide when I lived there in the 70s, Larry was a solicitor in Southport and was responsible for me taking up golf, I have never totally forgiven him. 🙂

Relocate Sydney Gold Coast to my Sorrento home

I bought a house at 36 Claymore Crescent and it soon became party central.

Naturally I bought a boat

A very pretty little runabout with a 150 HP Suzuki on the back.

Allison and Winnie

The girls came with me to Byron Bay to pick up my new toy. I had been taking Winnie out occasionally until she introduced me to her 18 year old girlfriend Allison, well I’m guessing you know what happened next. 🙂

Then I had to build a jetty.

Here we are christening the jetty even before it is finished, apologies for the poor photo quality.

The finished product

What a beauty it was, big enough to have a party on, and we did very often indeed.

Afternoon drinks on the Jetty

My new girlfriend on the left was Tanya Rigley, oh my didn’t she cause me some stress. On the far right is George Hoult aka the “Angry Ant”, I bumped into him outside my condo in Pattaya in December 2015. Sitting next to him is Malcolm Pearce, Mick Cottrell is standing and the little guy in the middle is my old mate Harley Bradstreet.

Jetty! What jetty, I don’t see a jetty.

It does often rain a little on the Gold Coast, and the canal my house was on was a long way from the main river. Consequently it would take quite a while for the water to subside after a heavy storm.

Fancy dress party

My great mate Bob Martin threw a party at his home near Carrara, I forget the theme, something to do with camels or Lawrence of Arabia I think. On the right is Don Wenham who sadly passed away in 2016 after a long battle with cancer.

Harley is locked & loaded

This great mate of mine loved to dress up in his combat gear, it didn’t have to be a fancy dress party, he sometimes strolled into a Surfers Paradise bar dressed like this.

Here is Marco

A Croatian friend from Sydney who had more moves than a Swiss watch, Marco always had some sort of scheme on the go, designed of course to relieve somebody of their precious savings.

Such a beautiful girl

This was one of my many parties at Claymore Crescent, sadly a few months after this photo was taken this gorgeous lost her life in a traffic accident, RIP.

Cold beers on the Broadwater

Mike Hughes was an English guy who eventually moved to Sydney. Boating was a big part of my life in my early days on the Gold Coast.

A couple of hot European ladies

Another day on the Broadwater, on the right is Tova.

Adelaide 1988

Jim Stanbury & Suzie in Adelaide, I was there for the Formula one in 1988, Jim used to work for me in Melbourne in 1970.

Come fly with me

I was in Adelaide again in 1989, Jim took me for a spin to Victor Harbour and I actually took the controls for a while.

Talking about Melbourne

This is Dion Ormond who was a successful car dealer living at Box Hill.

This id Dion’s back yard.

How many people do you now with a DC3 in their backyard? 🙂

Allison Schroeder

I clearly remember flying to Brisbane from Adelaide after the Formula one and being met at the airport by this beautiful 18 year old princess. We checked in to a hotel for 2 nights, ordered room service the first night then saw Billy Joel perform at Brisbane entertainment centre the following night November 17.

In case you are wondering how a 44 year old guy could wind up with such a young babe, quite simple really, I promised her the world and bought her an atlas. 🙂

Relaxing on the broadwater

The decision to Relocate Sydney Gold Coast was indeed a major event in my life, I would spend the next 25 years there before selling all my possessions and moving to Thailand in October 2011.

Here are some more posts to check out

Life 2015 Family history Life 1982

Adelaide 1972 Iron Bar Freddy Sydney 2006

Thailand 2008 Gold Coast Babes World trip 2003

Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Free Cancellation.

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

A-One hotel on Beach Road

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

Brazil Hotels

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Australian adventures

Great Ocean Road

Melbourne

Port Macquarie

Sydney landmarks

Australian seafood

Mr Wong

Remembering Melbas

Coober Pedy Opal Mine

Brisbane

My life in 2003

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Chao Phraya river ferry

December 25, 2015 by David Herd

Up a lazy river

Chao Phraya river ferry

Chao Phraya river ferry which takes you up the lazy river for only B150 for the whole day. It is a great way to see many of Bangkok’s wonderful landmarks. A ticket to Chinatown is only B40, get off at pier number 5 at Ratchawong and walk 10 minutes up the road.In the photo above you have The Peninsula Hotel on the left and the Shangri-La Hotel on the right.

Sing it for me Bobby

BOBBY DARIN "UP A LAZY RIVER" (Hoagy Carmichael, Sidney Arodin) BEST HD QUALITY

Watch this video on YouTube

The flags are flying on the Taksin bridge

The Thai flag and the Royal Standard which is the King’s flag.

Chao Phraya river ferry

B40 to get to Chinatown from the Sathorn pier is a bargain.

Bankok’s famous Long-tail boat

The long-tail boat, known as Ruea Hang Yao is a type of watercraft native to Southeast Asia, which uses a common automotive engine as a readily available and maintainable power-plant. A craft designed to carry passengers on a river may include a lightweight long canoe hull, up to 30 meters, and a canopy. There is much variation among these boats, some have evolved from traditional craft types, while others have a more improvised look. The sole defining characteristic is a second-hand car or truck engine.

Just left of the bridge

This is where our journey begins, the Chao Phraya river is an exciting waterway. Check out my photo blog here.

Another boat arrives

There is a lot of traffic on the river, here is another of my photos blogs featuring a long-tail boat canal cruise.

Chao Phraya river ferry

The boat is certainly not in the luxury class however it is cheap and efficient. Announcements are made to give you warning that your stop in next.

The River Condominium

The River comprises of 2 buildings with 74 and 42 floors with 838 units.

The River condominium.

The south tower is the tall building and is right opposite the Shangri-La hotel.

Hotel Peninsula

Hotel Peninsula on the right and the River Condos on the left. Use this link for a great room rate.

Millennium Hilton Hotel

Another one of the great Bangkok hotels on the Chao Phraya river.

Millenium Hilton

The enclosed 360° rooftop lounge on the 32nd floor of the Millennium Hotel provides some of the best views over Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River. The atmosphere is relaxed and romantic. A great venue for cocktails with the accompaniment of some mellow jazz music in the background.

Baan Chaopraya Condo

Completed in 1994 the condominium comprises of a single building with 31 floors and 478 units. A 66 square meter apartment on the 34th floor is currently for rent at B25,000 per month.

Condominium

Another majestic riverside condominium.

Chao Phraya river ferry

Don’t forget a ticket from Taksin bridge to Chinatown is only B40, get off at pier number 5 at Ratchawong and walk 10 minutes up the road.

Cold beer in Chinatown

The Bangkok river ferry got me to Chinatown along the mighty Chao Phraya river which is known as the River of Kings. It is the life blood of Bangkok, around 50,000 people use its ferries each day. Slow barges bearing cargo coast upstream, kids still frolic in the brown water. Wooden shacks, mottled by the elements, still hang over the water. Check out my photo blog here.

Soaring hotels and condominiums hem in solemn temples, churches and civic buildings that look 19th century European, while close by the odd wooden sampan sells noodle soup or dried squid to hungry river workers. It is this juxtaposition of calm and chaotic, modern and traditional, religious and secular, ugly and sublime, foreign and indigenous that makes the Chao Phraya so evocative. My thanks to Bangkok.com for their wonderful description of the River of Kings.

Not everybody is happy on the river

A Vietnamese cargo ship ploughed into riverside houses along the Chao Phraya River in Phra Pradaeng district yesterday April 5t 2017, damaging three homes.

Residents fled to the streets in panic as the cargo ship loomed over them. Three houses were damaged, one badly, but nobody was injured.

iCheck Inn Soi 11

When I’m in Bangkok I like to stay in Sukhumvit Soi 11, here is an excellent budget hotel, if you USE THIS LINK you will get a great rate of around B1100 per night, or $30 USD.

Thanks for visiting my Chao Phraya river ferry photo blog.

Here is another of my photo blogs on this mighty river.

Zagreb Croatia Rio de Janeiro Brisbane River Koh Samui Korea London Bangkok Osaka Pattaya

Chiang Mai Pattaya Chao Phraya river

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

Amazing shopping mall

Chinatown Bangkok

Notorious Nana Plaza

The fabulous Commons

Patpong red light district

Canal cruise long-tail boat

Spectacular Bangkok Sky Bars

Mahanakhon Sky Walk Bangkok

Jim Thompson Bangkok Museum

Soi Cowboy Bangkok

Pattaya live webcam

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Victor Harbor South Australia

November 19, 2015 by David Herd

Built in 1866

Victor Harbor South Australia

Victor Harbor South Australia is a city on the coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula, about 80 km south of Adelaide. The city is the largest population centre on the peninsula, with an economy based upon agriculture, fisheries and various industries. It is also a highly popular tourist destination, with the city’s population greatly expanded during the summer holidays.

One of the main activities

Let the games begin in Victor Harbor. I’m guessing this may well be the main sporting activity in this South Australian town. 🙂

Victor Harbor South Australia

Some lovely old stone buildings in Victor Harbor.

Victor Harbor South Australia The Anchorage

A rather typical South Australian hotel.

Victor Harbor South Australia

Quite a pleasant 80 kilometer drive south of Adelaide.

Norfolk Pines

All around this part of the coast from here to Adelaide you will find Norfolk pines.

Aldinga Beach

On my way to Victor Harbor I drove along the coast to Cape Jervis via Aldinger Beach.

Roadside cafe & hotel

Stopped here for coffee about an hour south of Adelaide. I certainly would recommend a road trip around this coastal area.

Cape Jervis

These are the only shops in this desolate South Australian town, why anybody would live here is beyond me.

What a monstosity

Clearly the builder never employed an architect, good luck trying to sell it.

The Kangaroo Island ferry at Cape Jervis

Thinking back I wish I had taken the time to travel to Kangaroo Island. Oh well, perhaps I’ll return one day however I doubt it. One thing I know it’s not a place I would like to be in winter.

Kangaroo Island fires January 2020

Almost half of Kangaroo Island has been scorched as damage assessments continue into the devastating bushfires still burning on the South Australian island.

Smoke on Kangaroo Island

Overnight, many residents and tourists evacuated to Kingscote where they spent a sleepless night on the town’s oval and close to the jetty. Evacuees and residents have been stranded with many road closures still in place.

Back to civilization

I enjoyed my short road trip, in 24 hours I will visit Hahndorf on my way to Phillip Island via the Great Ocean Road. Thanks for visiting my Victor Harbor South Australia photo blog.

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

Istanbul Budapest London

Mostar Dubrobnik Split

Saigon Zagreb Vung tau

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

Check out these great photo blogs.

Rio beach babes

Florianopolis Brazil

Bangkok river ferry

Fabulous HCMC

Amazing World Food

Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

Hiroshima Japan

Sydney Harbour

Lake Como Lake Garda Italy

Pattaya live webcam

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Bondi Beach Eastern Suburbs Sydney

September 2, 2015 by David Herd

World famous beach

Bondi Beach Eastern Suburbs Sydney

Bondi Beach Eastern Suburbs Sydney is an iconic landmark known throughout the world & synonymous with the Australian lifestyle. Having said all that to me it’s rather overrated. This great photo was taken by my old friend Barry Madden from Newcastle north of Sydney.

Looking south

I think there are many nicer beaches and beach-side suburbs along the Sydney & NSW coast. I certainly prefer Manly on the northside of the harbour.

North end of the beach

Bondi Beach was a working class suburb all through the twentieth century, migrants from New Zealand were the majority of the population. After World War II, Bondi Beach and the Eastern Suburbs became home for Jewish migrants from Poland, Russia, Hungary, Czechoslovakia and Germany. A stream of Jewish immigration continued into the 21st century and the area has a number of synagogues and a kosher butcher. The area today is very multicultural with a lot of new wealthy Asian families and Samoans. The multicultural migration funded and drove the growth of the suburb throughout the 90’s into the turn of the century, moving it steadily from its working class roots towards upper/middle class enclave similar to its neighbours of Rose Bay and Bellevue Hill which was listed as the most expensive postcode in the country in 2003, 2004, 2005.

Coffee at Bondi Beach Sydney

While my English friend the intrepid Bill Austin went for a swim, Joan & I enjoyed coffee & cake and watched the passing parade.

Bill at Bondi Beach Sydney 24-2-2010

Bill works for Trowbridge council in Wiltshire.

Bondi Beach Eastern Suburbs Sydney

Bondi beach is world famous however I do prefer Manly on the northside of the harbour.

Raining in Bondi

The orange building Hotel Bondi is a landmark on Campbell Parade. It was built from 1915-1920s and was designed by E.Lindsay Thompson. It combines Italianate, Federation and Free Classical elements and has been described as an “important landmark building in the Bondi Beach townscape.” and has a state heritage listing.

Use this link for a great deal on Bondi hotel rates.

Super storm

My apologies I don’t know who to credit for this amazing photo of a huge storm closing in over Bondi Beach Sydney.

Photos by Dale Atkins

The next 5 photos are Dales.

Looking south

That’s Bondi Icebergs club overlooking the beach.

Bondi Icebergs

Located at the southern end of Bondi Beach, Bondi Icebergs Club is an international landmark.

Great pool

Bondi Icebergs has been the home of Winter swimming since 1929 and our famous pool is open to visitors all year round.

What a great year for travel in 2015

Zagreb Croatia Rio de Janeiro Brisbane River

Koh Samui Korea London

Bangkok Osaka Pattaya

Chiang Mai Pattaya Chao Phraya river

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

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Food Friends Family Sydney

August 30, 2015 by David Herd

Bill Austin & Joan Baptiste

Food Friends Family Sydney

Food Friends Family Sydney, in 2010 the reason for my visit was to show Joan & Bill, my friends from Wiltshire in the UK, my wonderful home town with the best harbour in the world.

This is not a travel blog just a personal photo collection from 2010.

Overnight at Port Macquarie

We stay at Port Macquarie at my brother’s home on the way to Sydney, there was a vintage car rally with some terrific examples.

On top of the world.

You may be wondering why I didn’t make the climb, well that can be easily narrowed down to one word, FEAR!

Food Friends Family Sydney

Dinner with friends at French’s Forest in Sydney.

Peter Hobbs & Peter Hesky.

A couple of friends I have known since the 70s, Peter Hobbs occasionally visits Pattaya but Peter Hesky never makes contact anymore.

Warwick Robinson, David Herd & Michael Saleh.

It’s always good to catch up with old friends when I’m in Sydney.

Peter Hobbs drinking the good stuff.

Sparkling French Champagne to wash down the pasta. 🙂

Warwick loves his food

However it caught up with him in 2013, he underwent a triple heart bypass, so much for over indulgence. 🙂 Now here is quite a coincidence, his heart surgeon was Dr Alan Farnsworth, he was captain of our rugby team at Homebush High school in Sydney & I was vice captain. From memory he was dux of the school & I struggled to pass my intermediate, however we were both pretty good footballers.

While I’m on the nostalgia kick I fondly remember our football coach Peter Philpott, an Australian leg spinner & a terrific guy.

Manly Wharf Hotel with old friend Paul Slaughter

Paul & I spent a lot of time together over the years.

Manly Lodge Boutique Hotel

Nice small hotel in a good location, for a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Manly Wharf Hotel

Always lots of eye candy Sunday afternoon at Manly.

Drinks & Dinner at the Oaks

Dinner with Bill & Joan and my lovely niece Elyssa.

Herd family Xmas at cousin Deb’s house.

What a feast, cousin Deb really knows how to entertain.

My other nice Elyssa Xmas 2010

Fast forward to 2018 and Elyssa is the proud mother of a gorgeous little girl.

Main St Auburn NSW

The street really has not changed much in 50 years.

I grew up here at 58 Kihilla Rd Auburn

I took a sentimental journey to Auburn, the Sydney suburb I grew up in. The main st had not changed much except for the Vietnamese & Muslim establishments. My real shock came when I drove past our family home at 58 Kihilla Rd, it was now totally run down, a very heartbreaking sight for me.

Thanks for visiting my Food Friends Family Home Town Sydney photo blog.

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

Life 2015 Family history Life 1982

Adelaide 1972 Iron Bar Freddy Sydney 2006

Thailand 2008 Gold Coast Babes World trip 2003

Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Free Cancellation.

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Australian adventures

Great Ocean Road

Melbourne

Port Macquarie

Sydney landmarks

Australian seafood

Mr Wong

Remembering Melbas

Coober Pedy Opal Mine

Brisbane

My life in 2003

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Lake Como northern Italy

August 17, 2015 by David Herd

Lake Como northern Italy

Lake Como northern Italy has been a popular retreat for aristocrats and wealthy people since Roman times, it’s a very popular tourist attraction with many artistic and cultural gems. It has many villas and palaces such as Villa Olmo, Villa Serbelloni, and Villa Carlotta.

Fabulous Lake Como home

Lake Como weather is generally mild. It is known for its Mediterranean-like climate where sub-tropical plants can grow year-round, Average daily temperatures range from about 2 °C (36 °F) in January to 30 °C (86 °F) in July.

Bellagio on Lake Como northern Italy

Bellagio is a wonderful upmarket village on Lake Como, certainly a place that attracts the wealthy. Bellagio & Lake Como are both beautiful and famous, however I do prefer the larger Lake Garda which is a couple of hours east. I found it more “user friendly” in so much as there were many more places you could actually access the lake itself. The wealthy and the snobbish will always pick Como because that’s what they read about in the fashion magazines and gossip columns, but the experienced traveller I believe would choose Lake Garda as the more interesting location.

My little road rocket

This little car really covered a lot of miles in the coming weeks, all the way to Saint Tropez, Cinque Terre, Menton, Breil Sur Roya, Verona, Pejo, St Moritz and Salzburg.

Lake Como northern Italy

Taking the shortcut across Lake Como northern Italy.

West side Lake Como

It is a rather short trip on the ferry.

For whom the bell tolls

Pardon me quoting the title of Ernest Hemingway’s 1940 novel, however I’m sure he would have sometime in his life sipped his double daiquiris on the shore of Lake Como. 🙂

Hemingway did enjoy a drink

What a fabulous old photo.

San Giacomo Church, Ossuccio

This Romanesque church is situated along the shore at Spurano, Ossuccio. It was built between the 10th and 12th centuries. The sail bell tower on the outside wasn’t built until after the 14th century. The double arched apse is typical of the local architecture and inside the church you can see visible traces of original frescoes.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Dining outside on the terrace overlooking the lake with the lights of Bellagio twinkling is a magical experience.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Way above my pay grade I’m afraid. 🙂

Como Cathedral

No, I didn’t go inside. 🙂

Como

Como is a city and comune in Lombardy, Italy. It is the administrative capital of the Province of Como. Its proximity to Lake Como and to the Alps has made Como a popular tourist destination and the city contains numerous works of art, churches, gardens, museums, theatres, parks and palaces.

Veal Scallopini

One of my favourite meals is veal scallopini and this dish I had in Como at the restaurant shown below was perhaps the best I have ever experienced.

Main square opposite Cathedral

The food here was fantastic.

Restaurant on the square

A beautiful summer day in Como.

Como by the lake

As you can see the weather was absolutely perfect at the end of June.

Garage for the boat

I would be very happy living here, 🙂

I’m enjoying a coffee in Bellagio.

Thanks for visiting my Dramatic scenery Lake Como northern Italy photo blog, lots more links below.

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

Zagreb Croatia Rio de Janeiro Brisbane River

Koh Samui Korea London

Bangkok Osaka Pattaya

Chiang Mai Pattaya Chao Phraya river

Pattaya live webcam

That’s all folks

Europe before Covid-19 & mass immigration.

Brussels for mussels

Upmarket Portofino

Barcelona

Prague way back in 93

Amsterdam

Sarajevo

Beautiful Budapest

Fabulous Dubrovnik

Ancient Lisbon

Summer in St Moritz

Pattaya live webcam

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Manly Sydney beach-side suburb

June 24, 2015 by David Herd

Arriving at Manly

Manly Sydney beach-side suburb

Manly Sydney beach-side suburb is one of my favourite places in Australia. Most visitors arrive by ferry from Circular Quay, a 30 minute journey which showcases the best harbour in the world.

Manly Sea life Sanctuary

Just to west of Manly wharf is the Sea life Sanctuary.

Manly Sydney beach-side suburb

Manly wharf has many cafes and bars, a great place for lunch.

Opposite Manly wharf

It is a 5 minute walk from the wharf to the beach.

Manly Corso

These shops in Manly have not changes in decades.

Relaxing on the Corso

I think Manly is far nicer than Bondi, the world famous beach on the south side of the harbour.

Beautiful Manly Sydney beach-side suburb

Manly beach and Shelly beach in the distance. Shelly Beach is the only west facing beach on the eastern coast of Australia.

Manly Wharf Hotel

A great place for drinks, food and lots of eye candy.

Cold beer beside the harbour

Sunday afternoon is a busy time at the Manly wharf hotel.

Old friend Paul Slaughter

We have enjoyed many Sunday afternoons drinking cold beer and watching the young girls pass by. Both of us fully realise at our age we are totally invisible to them. Ah! I’m so happy to be living in Pattaya. 🙂

Fish & chips at Manly beach

I was showing my friend Sue from Shanghai the delights of manly, so naturally we had to sample the famous fish & chips. 🙂

Manly Lodge Boutique Hotel

Nice small hotel in a good location, for a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

West of Manly towards Balgowlah.

A tranquil swimming pool with a million dollar view.

West of Manly

How peaceful is this scene? 🙂

Dee Why beach

Just a few miles north of Manly is Dee Why beach, more peaceful than Manly and some very good cafes & restaurants.

Fabulous breakfast at Dee Why

One of the few things I miss living in Thailand are the fabulous Australian breakfasts.

Bumped into an old friend

Here is Jill, an old girlfriend from the Gold Coast. We really had some fun back in the 90s.

Thanks for visiting my Manly Sydney beach-side suburb photo blog.

Jump forward to 2014 and check out my life in Thailand.

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Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

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Rio de Janeiro Singapore Eastern Europe

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Sydney Circular Quay Manly Ferry

June 24, 2015 by David Herd

Our journey starts here

Sydney Circular Quay Manly Ferry

Sydney Circular Quay Manly Ferry is one of the most famous trips in this great city. I remember a slogan from when I was a child, “7 miles from Sydney & 1000 miles from care”. This was the slogan used by the Port Jackson & Manly Steamship Company in 1940 to describe Manly “Australia’s Premier Seaside Resort”.

Sydney Circular Quay Manly Ferry

The best way to travel to Manly is take a ferry from Circular Quay which will give you a view of the world’s best harbour.

Sydney Circular Quay Manly Ferry

The Quay apartment tower is one of the most expensive in Australia, what an incredible location and view.

The view from the Quay apartments

A million $$$$ view if I ever saw one.

Sydney Harbour Bridge.

As you leave the Quay the famous bridge is on your left & the Opera House on your right.

Sydney Opera House

One of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks.

Busy harbour

There is always a hive of activity around Circular Quay.

From the top of the Harbour Bridge

Bill Austin my friend from Wiltshire in England did the Bridge walk.

Many spectacular sights along to way.

Sydney skyline is quite breathtaking.

Cruise ship

The Sun Princess arrives in Sydney.

Many different boats of the harbour

Now here is a yacht with real character.

Darling Point

One of the most expensive harbour side suburbs in Sydney.

Point Piper

Probably the most expensive suburb in Sydney, and in fact Australia.

Watsons Bay

Is where you will find the famous Doyle’s restaurant.

Arriving at Manly

The “Queenscliff” arrives from Circular Quay.

Manly Lodge Boutique Hotel

Nice small hotel in a good location, for a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Docked at Manly wharf.

You can sit here and watch the ships roll in.

Lunch at Manly

Sue & I eating traditional fish & chips at Manly beach, and they said in the 40s, “7 miles from Sydney & 1000 miles from care”. 🙂 Thanks for visiting my Sydney Circular Quay Manly Ferry photo blog.

Here are some more posts to check out

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Please check out these fabulous posts

Gold Coast Pattaya Cinque Terre

Rio de Janeiro Singapore Eastern Europe

Bangkok Bars Tokyo Cape Town Safari

Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book

through these links below. Book now & pay later.

Free Cancellation.

Bangkok Hotels Pattaya Hotels

Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

Counter only started February 16 2020.

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Sydney Melbourne Hunter Valley

June 10, 2015 by David Herd

Please note, this is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s part of my personal history.

Tyrrel’s Hunter Valley

Sydney Melbourne Hunter Valley

Sydney Melbourne Hunter Valley in 1996 started on the Gold Coast where I was living life to the max. The highlight was a great road trip in my Porsche 928 with good friend Ross Kennedy to the Hunter Valley, Sydney, Falls Creek & Melbourne. Also caught up with an old friend from the Gold Coast Jill McCrossan, one very sexy lady.

Talking about sexy ladies

Well Emily certainly was in that category.

Please note, this is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s part of my personal history, check it out if you wish, also note this post contains nudity, so if you are bothered by naked humans please leave now.

Drinks at Saks

Drinks at Saks before going to the Ray White ball at the Sheraton Mirage. From the left we have a girl whose name I forget, then Phil (Swifty) Gregory, Claudia Scrupin, Duncan McGuiness, Emily and yours truly David Herd.

Little did they realise at the time but Swifty and Emily would marry and have a couple of kids.

Great photo, if I say so myself. 🙂

Such a beautiful big smile.

Saks was our main haunt

Saks was a great bar at Main Beach owned by Duncan McGuiness and Steve Solomon. Their main business was building upmarket housing estates. A couple of very nice guys who sadly went broke around 2011 and their company Solmac went into liquidation.

Saks with Eugene and Debbie.

Saks with Eugene and Debbie. This was a memorable night at Saks, I watched as Plugger Lockhart kicked a famous point to put the Swans into the Grand Final.

One of the hottest babes in 1996

I met Donna Turner in Sydney when she was 18 yo, even after various husbands and 3 or 4 children she still looks as hot as ever, especially in my kitchen. 🙂

Hot Hot Hot in Sydney Melbourne Hunter Valley

It is now 20 years later in 2016 and Donna is still a hot chick.

My favourite song from 1996

The technicolour team

Duncan McGuiness, Jim Bell, Ross Kennedy and David Herd.

At the polo

These two gorgeous babes were known as Lushy and Mushy, can’t remember their real names. 🙂

Ami and Alan Pearson.

Alan was a friend of mine when I lived in Adelaide in the 70s, he now earns his living as a musician in Airlie Beach.

Mami & Mariko

Two gorgeous Japanese girls who often called into my home in Upton St for drinks and fun.

I did mention fun didn’t I? 🙂 🙂 🙂

Everybody loves Tim Tams.

Billy James & Allison Schroeder

Billy was a well known Gold Coast real estate identity and Allison one of the sexiest chicks in town.

Allison 18 yo in in 1987

I was lucky enough to take Allison out a few times in 1987 my first year living on the Gold Coast. Although I was about 25 years older than her I used the “tried & true” technique, I promised her the world and bought her an atlas. 🙂

Visiting Tim in Sydney

Ross Kennedy and I took a road trip in my Porsche to Falls Creek for some skiing, stopping on the way at the Hunter Valley & Sydney. I knew about Rossco’s fascination with gangsters and the underworld so naturally I took him to meet Big Tim Bristow at his home in Newport.

Tim’s beast

We were there an hour or two listening to some of Tim’s stories most of which I had heard before many times. As usual Tim’s phone never stopped ringing, but there was one call Ross & I will never forget. Roger Rogerson was in many ways more notorious than Tim, he was known for being a ruthless crooked cop who shot first and asked questions later, the most famous case being where he shot and killed Warren Lanfranchi in a back alley in Chippendale.

Oaks Hotel with old friends

Derek Pugh, Ian Rich & Paul Slaughter, Pauls sister on the left and his girlfriend Clode on the right.

Falls creek, let the games begin.

We had a terrific few days, drinking too much and having some of the most spectacular falls ever seen at Fall’s Creek. Little did I realise after this 1996 adventure I would never ski again.

Melbourne

Drinks with Rossco’s friends in South Yarra, from the left Ross Kennedy aka “Shoeless Joe Jackson, David Herd aka “The Cincinnati Kid”, Craig Belcher and Johnny Mac.

Yum Cha in Chinatown

This gorgeous girl Jaqui O’Brien actually lived in my house for a few months in 1987, she then worked with me for a short time in 1998. A lovely lady until she had one drink too many, she then turned into a nightmare. Rossco came up with a classic name for her, “Jacqui Petrol”. 🙂

Rossco & DH

The high rollers have hit town. 🙂

On the subject of gorgeous girls

Meet Jill McCrossan, another super hot chick I was lucky enough to be involved with.

Felling no pain

I’m too sexy for my shirt. 🙂

A day at the beach in Coffs Harbour

We had a great couple of days at Tony Murphy’s apartment, the spa was excellent. 🙂

Both sides look great

A great view from every direction.

Meanwhile back on the Gold Coast

Natalina from the coast and Rodney Rosenfeld from Melbourne.

John Sinclair & John Cece

Both these guys moved from Adelaide to the Gold Coast, they were good friends and now mortal enemies. 🙂

Great fun in Manila

Here I am with Simone and Doug Ritchie in some club in Makati. 🙂

Pascal, Junko and Rene

Pascal was gorgeous girl, 1/2 French & 1/2 Vietnamese, Junko is the Japanese wife of my good friend Phil Thomson and Rene was a rather sexy Australian girl. 🙂

And the beat goes on

This is a rather significant photo, on the left is Larry Krausz, a good friend to all of us. It’s now 2017 and he is fighting a huge battle in Robina hospital on the Gold Coast. Larry suffered a major stroke on October 28th in Pattaya where he had been living large for almost a year. Our best wishes are with Larry, hopefully he will recover enough to lead a comfortable life.