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Adelaide 1972 exciting life

June 9, 2014 by David Herd

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

Adelaide 1972 exciting life for me, it seemed all the planets were perfectly in line to produce perhaps two of the best years of my life.

Planet one, I was 29 years old and in my prime.

Planet two, I was sent there by Sanyo Office Equipment to be State manager on a Sydney wage package, which was around 50% better than an equivalent Adelaide salary.

Planet three, there was an excess number of gorgeous single women waiting to be swept off their feet, and most motivated talented young Adelaide businessmen had headed to the Eastern capital cities to work, because that’s where all the head offices were with most of the top work opportunities.

Mid 70s in Adelaide

All my planets were aligned in Adelaide 1972

So here I was, the new boy in town with loads of money, motivation and truck loads of confidence. It was a similar situation to my arrival in Melbourne four years earlier except I felt decades wiser and totally bulletproof.

I remember the drive from Sydney in my blue MGB, flashing along the highway with the number one tune at the time playing over and over, American Pie by Don McLean. In some way the lyrics seemed to me to symbolize a new beginning, I was excited by the thought of new horizons to conquer, new people to meet and of course new ladies to pursue.

A long, long time ago…
I can still remember
how that music used to make me smile.
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe, they’d be happy for a while.

Anzac Highway Plympton

The first thing I did was rent a luxury Penthouse on Anzac Highway Plymton in the most prestigious residential building in Adelaide, it was known as “the Spanish Flats” and before too long I turned my apartment into “Party Central”.

The only Adelaide people I knew were Joyce Weir and Vera Lukic, two fun girls I had met a couple of months before while they were holidaying in Sydney. They were both very social out and about types who happily introduced me to many of “the right’ people, party animals like myself.

Another early contact was Charlie Bradley, and neighbour on the ground floor, a good style of a guy who like myself dedicated most of his spare time pursuing the fairer sex. The following year Charlie banned everyone from using that name and insisted on being referred to as Charles, obviously much more refined.

Vera Lukic & Joyce Weir

Two great ladies, sadly Vera passed away around 2012, Joyce lives in Sydney and I still often see on Facebook.

Drinks with friends at Plympton

My circle of friends started to swell exponentially due to these early contacts, and soon ten minutes on the phone was all it took to arrange the next party at my Penthouse. Along came a host of new friends, Wolf Wottke, Graham & John Farquhar, Mike Poulter, Dave Brooker, Dick Wilkins, Ronny Walsh from Broken Hill, Steve Rado, Jan Seagars, Dianne Butson and many others, but more about them later.

Old friend Steve Rado

Steve was my flatmate in the Penthouse and was I think often quite shocked by the constant shenanigans. A great guy who now in 2015 lives on the Sunshine coast I think. We stay in touch on Facebook, this photo was from 1979 in Sydney.

I finally caught up with Steve again in Brisbane August 2016. We had a great lunch at the Regatta Hotel.

The big patch of plaster on my nose was the result of a skin cancer removal.

Graham & Flo Farquhar in Adelaide October 2014

How time flies when you are having fun, 41 years have past between the previous 2 photos.

This shot was actually in 1975

Taken at Dick Wilkins home in 1975, I thought it was worth including as all the people were close friends when I lived in Adelaide. Angella Savic, Hank Wottke, Di Parkinson & Trevor Beech.

Richard (Dick) Wilkins Adelaide 1972 life

Dick Wilkins was a terrific guy who lived one kilometre away on Cross road Edwardstown, probably the only guy I knew who threw more parties than I, (a lot more) so between the two of us it was nonstop hedonistic heaven.

Angella Savic & Wolf Wottke

Wolf became my best friend while I was living in Adelaide 1972, he eventually left Adelaide and moved into my apartment in Sydney around 1983. Angella also moved to Sydney and became a Qantas hostess, a job I believe she still does to this day. Wolf & Angie were an item for a few years then he hooked up with Jenny, another Greek girl in Sydney. They are still together today.

My favourite Adelaide girl Adelaide 1972 amazing life

Di Butson was a beautiful girl with a lovely nature, if I ever should have married a lady it would have been Di. However at that time of my life in Adelaide 1972 I was just too wild & committed to being single to change my status. Over the years however I sometimes think of Di & how different my life could have been.

Perhaps Glenn Frey can help me here

Dianne’s 21st birthday

Di was one of the nicest ladies I ever knew, I often wonder how life turned out for her.

Did I mention Di was a dancer?

Di was also a teacher with Arthur Murray dance studio in Adelaide.

Jan Seagars & Baxter

Here are three of my favourite memories from when I lived in Adelaide 1972, Jan Seagars, Baxter my red Doberman & my wonderful E-Type Jaguar. Baxter & the Jag came with me to Melbourne in 1974 then on to Sydney in 1976, sadly Jan did not. 🙂

My apartment block and the ones on either side became our own self contained fun park; I could write a book just based on the events that took place there. Six or seven of my friends all ended up living in the complex. One great looking 18 year old was living in the block next door, her name was Jan Seagars and her boyfriend was a well known Norwood football player named Des Flavel.

Jan & I had a nice arrangement going, Des would leave for work at 8 am, and if my bedroom blind was open 50%, it would mean I was alone and she was welcome to visit. Which she did on many occasions, this gave me just enough time for a “quickie” before opening the Sanyo office in Grote St at 9am. Jan had recently won the title of Miss South Australian Beach Girl and at 18 years of age was as close to perfect as a girl could get.

Here is Jan 40 years later in October 2014

Here we are at my friends Droama vineyard 40 years later. Now known as Jan Klain she is still the life of the party.

Check out the red outfit, what was I thinking?

Here I am at Darwin airport with Arch Wilkey & the Ansett hosties from my flight. On the right is Sue, Leah is in the middle & I forget the name of the blonde on the left. Arch was a well know footballer with North Adelaide. Now you can laugh all you want at my crazy red outfit, but I soon got rid of it as you will see in the next photo taken a couple of hours later. 🙂

R.I.P Arch

North Adelaide premiership player Arch Wilkey died on the 29 th September 2007 at the age of 61 after a long battle with an inoperable brain tumour. Arch played 73 games for North Adelaide between 1966 and 1974 and was a member of the 1971 premiership side. He was a mercurial footballer who epitomised the North Adelaide style of the late 1960s.

North were renowned as a high marking, long kicking side full of brilliant players and Arch fitted the mould perfectly. It is contended that Arch was the first player to make the number 23 as famous as it is today – being followed by the likes of Michael Jordan, Dermott Brereton, Shane Warne, David Wildy and Andrew McLeod. No doubt each was inspired by Arch’s brilliance as an athlete and chose to wear “his” number.

In his early career he played mainly at half forward but when Mike Patterson came to the club Arch played more as a defender. Injury curtailed his career. He missed the complete 1972 season with a knee injury, and after playing in the 1973 preliminary final missed the Grand Final with injury.

He retired in 1974 and moved to Darwin to live. As much as Arch was remembered as a brilliant player, he was also known as a wonderful and happy character. Soon after he moved to Darwin, Cyclone Tracey hit. When asked what it was like, Arch replied that it was almost as scary as playing Port at Alberton.

On the way to Manton Dam

Adelaide 1972 exciting life with Leah & Sue

Manton Dam 70 Kms south of Darwin

Leah & Sue at Manton dam

Lets see more of Leah 🙂

Those were the days my friend we thought they would never end.

Bob (Fatty) Francis

Another old friend of mine was well know DJ Bob Francis, he retired in 2013 after 57 years in Radio. This photo was from 1997, sadly I just received the news in November 2016 that Bob has passed away peacefully in his sleep, RIP old mate.

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Sydney 1982 flying high

June 7, 2014 by David Herd

Please note, this is not part of my Travel Blog. It’s part of my personal history, check it out if you wish.

Sydney 1982 flying high enjoying life, was a very good year for me, as were many others. I intend to publish posts on the years I remember most vividly, & there have been quite a few. The header shows the view I had from my apartment at 112 Wrights Rd Drummoyne in Sydney, where I lived from 1979 to 1984. With my white Mercedes Sports in the garage, my Bertram 25 moored out front, plus my very own liquor store in Sydenham, some good friends and a string of beautiful girlfriends, life was very close to perfect.

The boat

I had the perfect mooring right outside my apartment, we had so much fun on Sydney harbor visiting all the great beaches & restaurants.

The car

My beautiful Mercedes Sports was the ultimate chick magnet.

The babes

As I said earlier, my life was as close to perfect as you could get.

Lets begin on New Years Eve 1981

One of the best NYEs of my life, we overloaded my boat with 16 people and headed off to a seafood restaurant at “the Spit” for dinner before heading to the Opera House for the incredible fireworks. My girlfriend for the night was the gorgeous one in the middle, very unusual that I can’t remember her name.

New Year’s Eve 1981, the Great Escape.

It was like we were caught in a Beirut bomb zone with huge sky rockets peppering the overloaded boat, causing some of my friends to dive overboard in the middle of the harbor to escape the carnage.

Let’s backtrack to the start of our adventure, it was NYE 1981 and 15 of my friends boarded my Bertram 25 and headed for a seafood restaurant near the “Spit bridge” on Middle Harbor in Sydney. Onboard were some of my best friends, Wolf Wottke, Harley Bradstreet, George McEwan & Graham “Biff” LaRoche from Melbourne and 6 or 7 gorgeous girls. My boat was licensed to carry around 10 or 12 people however it was New Year’s Eve so who really cared?

We moored on the edge of the sand at the rear of the restaurant and at 8.30 pm sat down and ordered a feast. Here is where things started to go wrong, we hadn’t factored in the NYE crowd and the food was very slow to arrive, in fact it was after 11 pm by the time the waiter started to serve our meal. By then we were well along the road to intoxication as we had started drinking late afternoon at my apartment in Drummoyne.

As the Sydney fireworks were due to start at midnight we decided to pack up most of the food and head for the Sydney Opera house to watch the spectacular event.

We faced our second problem re-boarding the boat as the tide had come in and the boat was now floating 30 meters from the shore. Our only option was to wade out carrying the boxed up food in water almost up to our backside. The good news was our nice view of the girls hiking up their skirts waist high, which endorses the phrase that every cloud has a silver lining.

Now “Biff” was a huge man as the name implies, & Harley was almost a midget, sometimes we would cruelly refer to him as an ariel photograph of as human being. So with Harley clutching a cardboard box filled with oysters “Biff” tucked him under his arm and carried him towards the boat.

I’m not sure why “Biff” dropped him, when only 2 meters from the boat, perhaps Harley wriggled or maybe “Biff” was feeling the effects of too many beers. Anyhow Harley briefly disappeared underwater along with the box of precious oysters, which I’m please to say we did recover.

Harley was our own human disaster area, if something was going to go wrong he was usually at the center of things, in fact it was Harley who coined the memorable phrase “anyone can have a bad decade”.

By the time we all got on board it was around 11.30 pm and is was a good 30 minute journey to the Opera House so I gave the boat full throttle and sped toward the Harbour Bridge.

We arrived in record time about 11.55 and I was weaving through the 1500 or so boats like a drunken sailor, which of course I was, searching for a spot to anchor that was not too close to any of the hundreds of spectator craft. Hallelujah, what seemed to be a minor miracle unfolded before my eyes. A clear circle of water right in the middle of all the boats, so naturally I gave out a cheer and dropped the anchor just as the first fireworks explosion sounded right above us.

Elation quickly turned to fear as huge smoking wooden rods started raining down upon us. As I said at the start It was like we were caught in a Beirut bomb zone with huge sky rockets peppering the overloaded boat causing some of my friends, in particular Harley, to dive overboard in the middle of the harbor to escape the carnage. In the middle of the mayhem & panic it suddenly occurred to me we were smack bang in the middle of the fireworks “drop zone” which the water police had cleared in readiness for the show before retreating out of danger themselves.

I sprang into action like a drunken super hero and pulled up the anchor in record time, then fled the danger zone. No mean feat as my boat lacked an electric winch, so I had to manually pull the damn thing up by hand while standing on the bow.

We moored safely out of harm’s way and assessed the damage, naturally Harley was the most wounded, soaking wet with minor burns on his arm, plus a few small cuts from the smashed champagne bottle he was holding when hit by the first rocket.

Well we settled down and watched the rest of the fireworks reliving the experience that would be told many times over in the coming years, our own personal “great escape”.

Later we motored along the Parramatta River to Habberfield to drop off some passengers, and finally returned “drunk as skunks” to Drummoyne at dawn. Later that day George, Biff & I on impulse flew to the Gold Coast to continue our New Year celebrations.

The fabulous Opera House

One of the world’s great buildings.

New Years Eve 1982, the party continues…..

It seems 1982 was one continual never-ending party, here I am NYE in Sydney 1982 with Steve Bates, Helen Burke & Robyn Underwood.

Doyles restaurant & the Watson’s Bay hotel

Three or four times a week my boat & I would head for Doyles restaurant & the Watson’s Bay hotel at Watson’s Bay. This was our favourite destination for long drunken lunches.

Sydney 1982 flying high enjoying life with Helen Burke.

Helen & I spent most of 1982 together after bumping into each other (having not been in contact for several years) at Melbas nightclub in Surfers Paradise on the evening of January the 1st, the night after my epic “great escape” on Sydney Harbour.

I caught up with Helen again in 2014 at her home in Dromana where she produces excellent wine.

Grahame aka “Biff”, Kitty & Helen Burke.

January 1982 and the party continued on the Gold Coast. The new sexy girl in the photo was “Kitty” a totally uninhibited Dutch girl who I knew from Sydney, but that’s another story. 🙂

Kitty

Without a doubt one of the sexiest most uninhibited women I have ever known.

I rest my case

Biff is in heaven as you can see from the look on his face. 🙂

Lunch at Coolangatta

This was at Oscars on the beach with Graham La Roche and crazy Polly, I forget the other guys name.

A very difficult achievement

Here is Kitty, Di & Helen helping me achieve one of those very important difficult goals that I set myself during my younger years. Three ladies that I have bonked in one photo, that’s kind of like winning 3 Olympic gold medals, made more difficult when each of the three knew about the other two, priceless. 🙂

Kitty & her two sisters.

Three happy beautiful Dutch girls.

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Good friends at my home in Drummoyne Sydney 1982

Here is Graham LaRoche, George McEwan & Kitty’s two beautiful Dutch sisters in Sydney 1982.

Sydney 1982 flying high enjoying life with Helen & Teresa

Helen Burke from Melbourne & Teresa Hamilton-Smith from Adelaide, oh oh! How can I not include the lovely Kitty? Make that my three favourite girls. 🙂

Well ladies, I have an idea

Say no more. 🙂

OK, check out these beautiful girls in Sydney 1982

Sandy & Teresa Beautiful Jenny

The perfect day on the harbour with a boatload of beautiful ladies, Sydney 1982 flying high.

Here is a short video I took on NYE 2012 of the view from my condo at Drummoyne.

Home sweet home 1979 to 1985.

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David Herd & Vin Deveroux in Los Angeles.

My friend Vinny picked me up at the airport in a Roller, then we headed straight to La Cage de Folles to meet Christeen Rudas a friend from Australia.

Christine Rudas

Christine was a hostess at La Cage de Folles.

Gorgeous Blonde at La Cage de Folles

Apparently she was in a show called Hee Haw, the closest match I can find is Gunilla Hutton, the age would be about right but I’m not sure if that is really who she is.

La piece de resistance

So here is my 15 minutes of fame I guess, lucky enough to meet Liberace and get a photo with him.

Old friend Ian Rich in Huntington beach

For many years Ian ran a tennis ranch in Los Angeles, in fact I think he still does in 2016.

We stopped in Hawaii on the way home

I went to L.A. for 2 months with Steve Bates then Helen joined us for the final 4 weeks. We drove to Vegas, Mount Mammoth, Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and down the coat to L.A. Helen & I also flew down to Puerto Vallarta for a few days.

Every time I hear this song I’m transported back to the Californian coast

April 1982, guess where I am?

We drove from Vegas to SFC.

Dinner at Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf SFC.

Helen was never considered shy and introverted. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Thinking about my life in 1982 with all the babes, boats, gold chains & big hair, reminds me of another of my favourite songs from that year. Do yourself a favour & let Bertie take you back.

Bertie Higgins - "Key Largo" (Official Music Video)

Watch this video on YouTube

Madison & Emma Aboud

Emma was the daughter of my ex girlfriend Carol Aboud, here she is with my wonderful German Shepherd Madison.

Don Morris was CEO at Mojo Advertising

Don was another good friend from Sydney 1982, we did a lot of boating together & drank a few cold beers.

Captain Peter (Hollywood) Hobbs & Liz De Crossan

One thing I can say about Peter in Sydney 1982 he could always attract the good looking ladies. I’m probably being unkind, Liz as you can see was extremely beautiful.

Jenny Dale, another lovely lady

I was lucky enough to have a little fling with this gorgeous lady.

Yolande, the Macleans girl

Even in a poor quality photo she is still beautiful.

Check out the video.

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Denny Collins & Peter Hesky

Two good friends for the 70s & 80s.

Good friend Denny Collins, RIP.

Denny was a great fellow, he sadly passed away after a long illness about 4 years ago.

Valli Kemp, beautiful big eyes.

Valli was quite a well known Sydney model in those days.

Sydney 1982 flying high

On the left is Wolfgang who was my best friend through the 70s and early 80s.

Can life get any better than this?

I really doubt if there has been a better stage in my life than Sydney 1982 flying high enjoying life.

As you can see Sydney 1982 was really a non stop party, those were the days my friend we thought they would never end. 🙂

Sing it for me Glenn.

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Wan Chai Hong Kong

April 19, 2014 by David Herd

Wan Chai Hong Kong in mid February, it was so cold, you must be joking I thought. Last week the temperature was 18 degrees, when I arrived it was 8. The first stop on my “seven Super Cities” adventure in a city I had not visited since 1980, 34 years ago.

Wan Chai Hong Kong

Wan Chai Hong Kong is one of the busiest commercial areas in Hong Kong with offices of many small and medium-sized companies. Wan Chai North features office towers, parks, hotels and an international conference and exhibition centre. As one of the first areas developed in Hong Kong.

Gloucester Rd Wan Chai

Wan Chai’s Gloucester Road, a east-west trunk route along the northern coast, is connected to Cross-Harbour Tunnel, the first undersea tunnel in Hong Kong. This tunnel is connected to the south by a direct viaduct from its landing point on Hong Kong Island to the Aberdeen Tunnel towards the southern coast.

Wan Chai Hong Kong opposite my hotel

Prostitution has been one of the oldest occupations in Wan Chai. There are numerous historical accounts of women trading sex for western merchandise, especially from visiting sailors who got off the trading ships and visited this area.

Lockhart Rd Wan Chai

In the 1960s, Wan Chai became legendary for its exotic night life, especially for the US servicemen resting there during the Vietnam War.

One Aussie, one Kiwi & 3 Filipinos.

For bars, restaurants and night clubs Wan Chai Hong Kong is a great part of the city. The area towards the western end of Lockhart Road, including a small part of the parallel Jaffe Road, is one of Hong Kong island’s two main bar districts (the other being the more upmarket Lan Kwai Fong in Central). Once considered primarily as a red light district, this area is now more diverse with bars, pubs, restaurants and discos.

A number of the raunchier bars still remain, however, their doorways festooned with women from Thailand and the Philippines. The famous novel and film “The World of Suzie Wong” sets many scenes in this area. The bar district has been popular with visiting sailors and navies, when Fenwick Pier, west of the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre, was in use as a military pier.

Wan Chai Hong Kong

Only a 10 minute walk from my hotel to the ferry.

Short ride across the bay

About a 30 minute ferry ride to Star terminal at Kowloon.

Hong Kong bus

Or is it a tram?

View of Hong Kong island from the ferry.

The island is home to many of the most famous sights in Hong Kong, such as “The Peak“,Ocean Park, many historical sites and various large shopping centres. The mountain ranges across the island are also famous for hiking. The northern part of Hong Kong Island together with Kowloon forms the core urban area of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong island from the ferry.

The island is often referred to locally as “Hong Kong side” or “Island side”. This description was formerly applied to many locations (e.g. ‘China-side’ or even ‘Kowloon Walled City-side’) but is now only heard in this form and ‘Kowloon side’, suggesting the two sides of the harbour.

Star Ferry pier in Kowloon

Quite a contrast between these two vessels.

Star Ferry Pier

The “Star” Ferry Company, is a passenger ferry service operator and tourist attraction in Hong Kong. Its principal routes carry passengers across Victoria Harbour, between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. It was founded in 1888 as the Kowloon Ferry Company, adopting its present name in 1898.

Kowloon

Large-scale development of Kowloon began in the early 20th century, with the construction of the Kowloon-Canton Railway and the Kowloon Wharf, but because of Kowloon’s close proximity to Kai Tak Airport, building construction was limited by flight paths. As a result, compared to Hong Kong Island, Kowloon has a much lower skyline.

One Peking building

Located at the heart of the Tsimshatsui district, One Peking has stunning panoramic views of Victoria harbour.

Wan Chai Hong Kong Lotus Vietnamese restaurant

Good food and service at this nice Vietnamese restaurant at 118 Jaffe Road, Wan Chai Hong Kong.

Mango & sticky at the Lotus.

One of my favourite deserts in Wan Chai winter Hong Kong.

Brighton Hotel 128 Lockhart Rd, Wan Chai

This is a terrific small hotel in a great location. Book here for a good discount.

Hong Kong 1980

Here is a shot from my first visit to Hong Kong in 1980, how things have changed.

Somebody has to do it. 🙂

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Seaside Towns NSW Coast Australia

November 5, 2013 by David Herd

NSW,Coast,Coffs,Port,Macquarie,Iluka,danger,surf

Ettalong

Seaside Towns NSW Coast Australia

Towns on the NSW coast are really worth visiting, starting 80 kilometres north of Sydney we have Ettalong on the Central coast. This small town has so many wonderful memories for me as it was the place my family spent the Xmas holidays from when I was a small baby until I was a teenager. In those days the road was quite dangerous and wound around the mountains like a snake around a pole. The journey in those days took about 2.5 hours, now it’s just over an hour on the motorway.

Ettalong in 1953

Here I am at 10 years of age with young brother Warren and my grandmother Nan Tippett. Here is somewhere to stay in Ettalong with magnificent views over the water, the Tantra apartments.

Terrigal

Thirty minutes further north and a little more upmarket is Terrigal, another very popular holiday destination. Terrigal was first settled in 1826 by European Settler John Gray, who called his property Tarrygal, after the indigenous Aboriginal place name, signifying ‘place of little birds’. The town’s long beach is highly popular with tourists.

Gosford

Gosford is located just 80 km north of Sydney. Growing up in Sydney this area was where our family would spend our annual holidays.

Peppers is a very nice hotel opposite the beach in Terrigal.

Forster Tuncurry

A population of over 18,000 people it is a holiday destination for many Sydney people who are only a 4 hour drive away.

Port Macquarie

My favourite NSW coastal town, 400 kilometres north of Sydney, in fact my Australian residential address is here at my brother’s home. Warren has lived here for over 20 years and I always visit when I am in Australia.

Port Macquarie was first visited by Europeans in 1818 when John Oxley reached the Pacific Ocean from the interior, after his journey to explore inland New South Wales. He named the location after the Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie.

Seaside Towns NSW Coast Australia

Port Macquarie is a retirement destination, known for its extensive beaches and waterways. The town is also known for its koala population, being the home to the Billabong Koala Park, and the Koala Preservation Society’s Koala Hospital, caring for koalas injured through bushfire, dog attacks and collisions with vehicles.

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Coffs Harbour

Coffs Harbour is located on the north coast of New South Wales about 540 km north of Sydney, and 390 km south of Brisbane. Coffs Harbour is one of many regional cities along the Pacific Highway between Newcastle and The Gold Coast.

Seaside Towns NSW Coast Australia

The Observatory hotel is just a short walk to several restaurants and cafes, the only downside is being woken early in the morning when the first train stops at the station 50 meters in front of the hotel.

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Typical old Australian homestead

A beautiful example of an early Australian homestead. An other one of the great Seaside Towns NSW Coast Australia.

Yamba

Yamba Clarence River NSW Coast has a population of just over 6,000, which tends to triple in the holiday season. The economy is based on tourism & fishing.

Iluka at the mouth of the Clarence River.

Iluka is a small village at the mouth of the Clarence River on the NSW coast. It is situated directly across the river from the resort town of Yamba. At the 2006 census, Iluka had a population of 1,739 people. The town’s name is derived from an aboriginal word meaning “near the sea”. It has long beaches on the ocean side of the river. It is reached by turning off the Pacific Highway approximately 20 kilometres north of Maclean. As Iluka is a popular tourist destination its population increases slightly in the holiday season with many Gold Coasters in the summer and Victorians in the winter.

Byron Bay

Byron Bay is a beach-side town located in the far-north-eastern corner of the state of New South Wales. It is located 772 kilometres north of Sydney and 165 kilometres south of Brisbane. The history of Europeans in Byron Bay began in 1770, when Captain James Cook found a safe anchorage and named Cape Byron after John Byron.

It is a resort popular with both domestic and international tourists, including backpackers, who travel along the Australian coast; the scenery also attracts skydivers. The area is also noted for its wildlife, with the whale watching industry a significant contributor to the local economy.

Byron Bay

Only a 60 drive from where I lived in Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, I would occasionally drive down for lunch at the famous pub near the beach. One of the great Seaside Towns NSW Coast Australia.

Byron Bay lighthouse NSW coast

Australia’s most easterly point.

Magnificent deserted beach near Byron Bay

Miles of deserted beaches are all along this part of the coast. I intend to live somewhere along this coast around 2022. Hopefully I will find a little bolt hole where I can live in peace until I die. 🙂

Kingscliff Northern Rivers Coast NSW

A fairly typical coastal town with lots of coffee shops, tourists & terrific beaches.

Point Danger NSW coast

Port Danger is on the border of New South Wales and Queensland. It’s a very popular location for surfers.

Port Danger

Thanks for visiting my Seaside Towns NSW Coast Australia photo blog, it certainly is one of the world’s great coastlines.

Check out my 2017 Kingscliff photo blog.

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Holiday Inn

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

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Koh Larn Island is close to Pattaya

September 27, 2013 by David Herd

Koh-Larn-beach-island-Pattaya-Thailand-ferry

Here is my live webcam from my balcony overlooking Pattaya beach in Thailand.

Koh Larn Island

Koh Larn Island is close to Pattaya, in fact it is only 35 minutes by ferry from Bali Hai Wharf at the end off Walking St. Many people take the speedboats every morning from Pattaya beach, they cost between 1,500 and 2,500 Baht depending on the size of the boat.

Pattaya City sign

I guess Pattaya wanted to be like the Hollywood of Asia.

Thousands head for Koh Larn.

Every morning thousands of Chinese tourists head for Koh Larn.

Dolphin seafood restaurant.

As we get under way we pass the Dolphin seafood restaurant which doesn’t look too impressive in daylight but when lit up at night it is quite spectacular. One the right overlooking the bay is the Pattaya Hilton.

Royal Cliff Hotel.

Looking to the left or Port to be more accurate we see the Royal Cliff Hotel, it opened in 1974 & in fact was where I stayed on my first visit to Pattaya in 1980. Look closely and you will see the elevator that takes you down to Cosy beach.

Behind the ferry is Royal Cliff hotel.

Please always make sure you have a life jacket close by.

Koh Krok.

Koh Krok is a small island about 8 km off Koh Larn, popular for diving and snorkeling.

Na Ban pier Koh Larn

Ferries go to both sides of the island, Tawaen beach is on the other side.

The crowd arrives.

B30 is great value for the 40 minute trip.

Tawaen Beach.

Every morning on Pattaya beach thousand of tourists, mainly Chinese (some Indians) climb aboard at least one hundred speedboats and head for Koh Larn. There is one place on Koh Larn where they all gather like lemmings, Tawaen Beach. They really should change the name to China beach, they are all here crammed together like sardines, but I guess if you come from China you are used to crowds.

Tawaen Beach on Koh Larn Island.

Two Russians among 2000 Chinese on Tawaen beach at Koh Larn.

Tawaen Beach.

As you can see the water is so much nicer than Pattaya.

Glass bottomed boat for viewing fish.

Boats of all shapes and sizes come to the island.

Fresh seafood at Tawaen beach.

Lots of fresh seafood here, the restaurants are huge and packed with people from 11 am.

At 11 am everyone is hungry.

Thousands of Chinese tourists visit every day. They travel by speedboat not by ferry.

Tawaen pier.

This is the most crowded beach on Koh Larn Island.

Sangwan beach

Unless you are completely crazy and love being swallowed up by thousands of Chinese tourists, walk 5 minutes around the corner to a much quieter and more peaceful Sangwan beach.

Beautiful Sangwan beach Koh Larn Island.

Now this is more my style, not so busy and close to the pier.

Lookout point at Sangwan beach.

The colour of the water here reminds me of when I was in Cancun in 2001.

Photo shoot at Sangwan beach.

The water here is so clear and clean unlike Pattaya beach only a short distance to the east.

Tai Yai beach Koh Larn Island.

At the north of the island is a delightful little beach named Tai Yai. Almost deserted with beautiful clear water. Only one small Thai restaurant but very few people on the beach.

Posing on Tai Yai beach Koh Larn Island.

Gorgeous young girl striking a pose on Tai Yai beach.

The only restaurant on Tai Yai beach.

A very peaceful part of the island.

Samae Beach

The solar array looks like a weird spacecraft. There is a very nice, large Resort located just steps from the beach called Xanadu. They have free shuttle service from Naban Pier for their guests. They also have a conference hall that can accommodate 200 people.

Samae Beach Koh Larn Island

Here I am with my friend Irina from Ukraine in November 2014.

Ferries waiting for the crowds.

Make sure you check the timetable so you don’t miss the last ferry.

David Herd at Koh Larn Island.

Well folks, many thanks for visiting my blog on Koh Larn Island, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed being there. Please send the link to your friends https://fivestarvagabond.com/

Sabai Wing Soi 1 North Pattaya

Sabai Wing Soi 1, 3 swimming pools and nice rooms, 100 meters from BigC, great value at only $30 usd per night as of 2017. I live in the high-rise in the background, Markland. For a great room rate book here.

For something a little more upmarket overlooking the beach book through THIS LINK.

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Holiday Inn

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

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

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.

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Sydney World’s Best Harbour

August 5, 2013 by David Herd

Wonderful harbour, golden beaches & sunshine.

Sydney World’s Best Harbour

Sydney harbour best in the world, it is as exciting city, I admit to being biased when talking about this great city, I was born & raised here in the middle of the last century. I have flown into Sydney hundreds of times and even now it still takes my breath away. Most of this post will centre around the fabulous harbor because without a doubt it is the best the world has to offer.

View from Drummoyne bay.

For several years I was fortunate enough to live on the waterfront in Drummoyne, a few miles west of the city, and every day from my balcony I would marvel at the city skyline and Harbour Bridge. My boat was moored in front of my home and every weekend you would find me on the harbour visiting quaint little beaches and wonderful restaurants. The photo above was part of my view.

Here is a stunning view of the Sydney city skyline.

Sydney is rather fragmented due the harbour splitting it between north & south, personally I prefer to stay north of the harbour, but Darling Harbour on the west of the city is a great location, as is the famous Bondi Beach which is located in the eastern suburbs. Make sure you catch a ferry to Manly from the city and you will see why Sydney Harbour is regarded as the best in the world. So do your research and pick the district where you would like to book your hotel.

Circular Quay, the gateway to the city.

Grab a seat here and soak up the tremendous view.

Sydney World’s Best Harbour

A huge ship is moored right opposite the Opera House.

Ferries at Circular Quay

A short trip to Manly across the magnificent harbour should be on the top of your list.

Centrepoint Tower.

Centrepoint tower which naturally has a revolving restaurant stands 309 m (1,014 ft) above Sydney.

Anzac Bridge

The ANZAC Bridge, replacing the earlier Glebe Island Bridge, is a large cable-stayed bridge spanning Johnstons Bay between Pyrmont and Glebe Island close to the central business district of Sydney, Australia. Wikipedia

Darling Harbor in Sydney

The Grand Mercure hotel in Darling Harbour.

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The Oaks Hotel in Neutral Bay.

One of my old haunts for many years, the Oaks is one of the best hotels in Australia.

The Oak tree at the Oaks hotel

I have so many wonderful memories of enjoying a beer or two with friends at this great hotel.

Mr Wong, good Cantonese restaurant.

Mr Wong’s is a very good Cantonese restaurant off Bridge St in Sydney not far from Circular Quay.

Mr Wong at 3 Bridge St.

Mr Wong’s has a great atmosphere and very good food, put it on your list.

The famous Sydney Harbour Bridge.

No doubt this is the best harbour in the world.

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Climb the Harbour Bridge.

My English friend Bill Austin said “lets go climb the bridge”,I said “thank you, but I think at this stage I will decline”, Bill being an ex Para military man had experienced about 500 jumps out of planes, many at night into enemy territory. I on the other hand have a great fear of heights, in fact let me tell you a little story about my brief stint in the fire brigade. I was 22 years of age when I passed the simple entry exam for the NSW fire brigade, everything was fine in the first 2 weeks, I was learning all the riveting information about the contents of a fire extinguisher and driving around Centennial Park in the fire engine.

Suddenly they produced what they claimed was the highest ladder in the country, 130 feet they proudly quoted. All the new recruits had to line up to climb to the top, drop a hook attached to your belt over the top rung of the ladder, then lean backwards trusting the hook would hold you. My turn finally came, I pointed out to the instructor there was nobody up there that needed to be rescued, so if he didn’t mind I would rather decline his request. As you can imagine he wasn’t happy, so after many heated words had passed between us I wandered into the front office and laid my helmet and axe on the counter, resigned and went home. So ended my career as a fearless fire fighter. 😳

This pastime is more my preference.

Forget about climbing bridges or jumping out of planes, I prefer to do battle with a wonderful Queensland Mud Crab. OK, so maybe he was dead and posing no threat, but there is no finer meal in Australia than a 1.5 kilo monster washed down with a Margaret River Chardonnay.

The Manly Ferry.

One of the best things to do in Sydney is to catch the ferry from Circular Quay in the city to Manly one of Sydney’s famous beaches. Enjoy some fish & chips by the beach and try to keep the seagulls from stealing your food.

Fish & Chips + Oysters.

Here I am at Manly with my friend Sue from Shanghai.

The Corso in Manly.

In 1787, Captain Arthur Phillip of the Royal Navy left England with a fleet of ships to establish a colony in New South Wales. He was to be it’s first Governor. In January 1788, the fleet arrived at its destination, Botany Bay, which was found to be unsuitable for settlement, So, on 21 January, Phillip with others travelled north and examined Port Jackson, so named by Captain James Cook in 1770. They spent three days exploring Port Jackson and Phillip, impressed by the “confidence and manly behavior” of a group of aborigines in the northern reaches of the harbour, called the place “Manly Cove”.

Doyles at Watson’s Bay.

On the opposite side of the harbour from Manly is Watson’s Bay, I have forgotten how many times I ate at this famous Sydney harbour side restaurant throughout the 70’s & 80’s, in fact I could almost drive my boat blindfolded from my waterfront home in Drummoyne about 40 minutes west of here.

Doyles in 1981.

This was Doyles 32 years ago in 1981. On this original site, Doyles opened Australia’s first seafood restaurant in 1885. The restaurant has been family owned and operated for over five generations. With both indoor and outdoor dining, Doyles is located right on the foreshore of Watsons Bay overlooking the magnificent panorama of Sydney Harbour.

Flashback, Doyles 1982.

Here I am at Doyles with Helen Burke, my girlfriend at the time, enjoying one of our countless lunches on beautiful Sydney Harbour. Who said nostalgia was a thing of the past?

Did I have any fun in the 80’s?

So maybe I am going back a long way, over 30 years in fact, however the fun we had on Sydney’s beautiful harbour will never be forgotten, and you can still live this same great life in Sydney today.

Dining solo (again) at Mr Wong.

More photos of Mr Wong HERE.

Check out the super hotel rates from Agoda

Sydney is magnificent

Put this venue on your bucket list.

What a harbour

My only complaint is that I can’t afford to live there anymore. 🙂

Well folks, many thanks for visiting my Sydney Harbour photo blog about the town where I was born. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed growing up there.

Please send the link to your friends https://fivestarvagabond.com/

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