shopping | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Entertainment

June 13, 2018 by David Herd

Ginza-Tokyo-Shopping-Dining-Entertainment

You gotta love the Ginza

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Entertainment

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Entertainment, a square meter of land in the district’s center is worth over ten million yen, making it one of the most expensive real estate in Japan.

Ladies in traditional dress.

If you want to see more people wearing a Kimono just visit the shrine in Asakusa.

Lunch at Shabusen

Shabusen has a very high TripAdvisor rating, #96 of 7,835 Restaurants in Chuo.

From one extreme to the other.

Called 300BAR 8 it is one of 3 bars in Ginza serving all drinks for 300 Yen + tax.

Quite small but great value.

The Margaritas were a bit on the small side but still very good value.

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Dining Entertainment & Super cars.

A fabulous Nissan concept car.

One more look at the beast.

The Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo vehicle on display at Nissan Crossing showroom in the Ginza.

New shopping mall Ginza 6

There are a number of luxury shopping malls in the Ginza, this one seems to be much the same with all the luxury labels.

Ginza Tokyo Shopping Dining Entertainment

Ultra modern concept as you would expect.

If you want a great Sushi restaurant look no further than Sushizanmai

Fifteen minutes walk south near where the old fish market was.

Dinner with my friend Claibourne Jones.

Our chef in the background recognised me from previous years.

My YouTube clip has been viewed 62,000 times.

Fantastic chaotic Sushi restaurant in Tokyo.

Watch this video on YouTube

This gives you a sample of the chaotic atmosphere at Sushizanmai. Thanks for visiting my Ginza Tokyo Shopping Entertainment photo blog.

kabuki theatre tokyo

The building was destroyed on October 30, 1921. Since it burned down from an electrical fire, the second building was designed to “be fireproof, yet carry traditional Japanese architectural styles”, and at the same time using Western building materials such as lighting equipment. The reconstruction commenced in 1922, and was uncompleted when the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake struck and caused it to burn down. It was rebuilt in a baroque Japanese revivalist style, meant to evoke the architectural details of Japanese castles, as well as temples of pre-Edo period. The theater again burned down in the Allied bombing during World War II. It was restored in 1950 preserving the style of 1924 reconstruction, and was until recently one of Tokyo’s more dramatic and traditional buildings.

Tawaramachi Station

This trip I stayed at the Agora Place hotel which was a wonderful location close to 3 metro stations Tawaramachi, Ueno & Asakusa. You can get an express train direct from Narita & you can catch the Shinkansen from Ueno. Tawaramachi Station is on the Ginza line so it’s direct to the Ginza in 23 minutes.

Book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.

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Plus free cancellation .

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A-One hotel on Beach Road

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

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Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

April 5, 2017 by David Herd

New Pattaya Shopping Mall

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya started in November 2015 when they started demolishing the shopping complex. That seemed to take the best part of a year before actual building commenced. Now they are really making progress as you will see from this photo blog.

It’s a huge site adjacent to the Dolphin roundabout as you can see from the above photo.

A popular cafe

I used to often have breakfast at this popular little Thai restaurant beside the Dolphin roundabout.

Above you see it, below you don’t. 🙂

November 2015 and they start demolishing.

The wrecking ball at work.

It’s a huge job pulling down this large building, it is taking months & months.

Slowly everything is coming apart

Escalators & elevators have already gone.

Here comes the heavy machinery

Now they are getting serious. 🙂

Workplace health & safety

Does not really exist in Thailand. 🙂

Looking like a bomb site December 24 2015

You could be mistaken thinking this is a war zone.

Bye bye Hong Club

Not sure what went on here but it’s all over now folks.

All this has to be removed

Knocking it down seems like the easy part, now somebody has to remove the rubble.

OK, we are getting somewhere May 21st 2016

In the top left hand corner you can see the Dolphin roundabout.

Building Terminal 21 Pattaya

You may recognise 2nd Rd North Pattaya.

Pile drivers are here.

June 28th 2016 8 months after the start.

Phoenix rising

February 6th 2017 and we see the start of the building.

March 27 2017

They are working at a frantic pace, 7 or 8 cranes are in operation.

April 2nd 2017

At this rate I think they will finish by mid 2018.

This shows the progress

Taken from the 26th flor of Markland Condo.

An exciting project.

This is only the shopping mall section, the 25 story hotel is going up at the back of the shops.

July 18 2017

The work never stops.

October 21 2017

The mall is really taking shape.

November 6 2017

These guys work 24/7.

Sky Bar perhaps

Looks like there will be a sky bat at Terminal 21.

Waiting for take off. 🙂

No, it’s not Pattaya’s new airport. 🙂

We have lift off.

July 29 and we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Almost finished on the outside.

August 25th & the end is in sight.

Centrepoint Hotel

The entrance to the 400 room hotel.

Outside area almost finished.

Normally you would see 100 workers here. 🙂

September 22nd 2018

Due to open October 19.

An impression of the final product

Thanks for visiting my Building Terminal 21 Pattaya photo blog.

The big opening day has arrived October 19 2018.

People are lining up 3 hours before opening hoping to receive some prizes.

Please check out some of the most popular below, and thank you for visiting.

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.

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

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This gallery contains 4 photos

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

March 19, 2017 by David Herd

Fabulous Robina food court

Kitchens Robina Town Centre

Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast is the largest and most expensive in QLD costing a whopping $160,000,000. Combining bars, cafes, restaurants along with 40 fresh food retailers. Spread over two levels it features eateries from local hospitality heavyweights such as the Honeyeater Kitchen from ex-Songbirds chef Trent Scarr, David Hayles’ Betty’s Burgers and James Brady’s Mr Pigs Bakehouse; alongside celebrity chef George Calombaris’ first Queensland restaurant, Jimmy Grants.

Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast

The whole place is quite spectacular, I will certainly visit again next time I’m on the coast.

Pure Meats

Butchers have come a long way since I grew up, I clearly remember them having sawdust on the floor. Here is an explanation from an old butcher explaining why;

When my Dad and I butchered, we used it as a safety enhancement and for ease of cleanup as was mentioned. No, we wouldn’t have meat on the floor, but it seemed as the floor would get slippery over time, and without sawdust, it was only a matter of time before someone would slip and it didn’t matter much what you had for footwear.

Often we wore cowboy boots as you basically stand for 8 to 14 hours at a time and it seemed easier on you, but as you can imagine they aren’t known for tractive abilities. If you are packing a 135# or so hind, you really want your feet to stay under you. We never would have worked without sawdust on the floor in the back, the front we left sawdust free but eventually it would make its way up there.

It is a pain though tracking sawdust all over the place, in your vehicle, etc.

Naturally the beef must be hung. 🙂

Why is meat hung you may well ask;

Meat hanging is a culinary process, used in beef ageing, that improves the flavor of meats by allowing the natural enzymes in the meat to break down the tissue through dry ageing. The process also allows the water in the meat to evaporate, thus concentrating the flavor.

Fish Lab by William Wu

Not only is this a good looking restaurant they also have a “drying room” next door. Follow THIS LINK for more about it.

The drying room

I have never seen anything like this before in a food court.

One of the many cafes

There is certainly lots of choices where to have a coffee here.

Too many coffee shops are never enough. 🙂

Not too sure if they are all making a living, and I’m guessing the rents are astronomical.

Such a feeling of space.

The high ceilings and open plan gives a feeling of space.

Spectacular roof at Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast

The architects have really done a great job here.

Lucky Luciano’s

I wonder if it’s a mafia hangout? 🙂

Woolworth’s for some serious shopping.

As you can see Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast caters for everything.

Farewell from Robina

Thanks for visiting my Kitchens Robina Town Centre Gold Coast photo blog.

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Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

May 23, 2016 by David Herd

A super shopping mall

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall Bangkok opened about 15 years ago in 2006, I remember how impressed I was with this amazing new shopping mall with it’s wide aisles and fabulous food court and supermarket.

Now of course there are many new super malls in Bangkok to compete with including Central Embassy and EmQuartier.

Shops on the 1st floor

Here is a guide to some of the shops.

Siam Paragon, Hanging fences

Another photo taken way back in 2006 of the Siam Paragon, Hanging fences, I’m not sure if they are still there or not.

The Main floor

Strangely the level that is linked to the skywalk is called the Main Floor, despite it being one above the ground, and the floors above that are then the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, up to the 5th, which is taken up by the Cineplex and its 15 large size theatres. There is direct access to the centre from Siam BTS Skytrain station.

Siam Paragon is opposite MBK

Only 5 minutes walk on an elevated path from the well know MBK centre.

Busy Bangkok corner

Watch this video on YouTube

BTS Skytrain

As I mentioned for Siam Paragon get of at Siam station, MBK is actually one stop further at National Stadium station.

Get a great discount at all the Hotels near Siam Paragon & MBK, just book through THIS LINK.

Met up with an old friend

Could this be my 15 minutes of fame? 🙂

Food food & more food.

One thing is for certain the Thai people love their food and there are plenty of options at Siam Paragon to keep them happy.

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.

Decisions decisions

The hard part is trying to decide where to eat, they all look so inviting.

Siam Center

Right next door to Siam Paragon is Siam Center another wonderful mall, check it out on THIS LINK.

Shopping for a car perhaps?

Follow THIS LINK for some amazing super cars at Siam Paragon Shopping Mall.

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall Bangkok Food court

There is really no type of food you can’t buy at the fabulous mall.

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

What a great idea to keep the kids amused while you are dining at the Siam Paragon Shopping Mall.

Thanks for visiting my Siam Paragon Shopping Mall Bangkok photo blog, check out some other stories below from all over the world.

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Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Central Embassy Shopping Mall Bangkok

May 17, 2016 by David Herd

Amazing Bangkok Shopping Mall

Central Embassy Shopping Mall Bangkok

Central Embassy Shopping Mall Bangkok in Chidlom is full of high end designer stores, all the famous labels are here. There is direct access from two sky train stations, Chidlom and Ploenchit. It is also connected to Central Chidlom which is their flagship store.

Amazing architecture

Everything about Central Embassy oozes class & luxury, some of the many labels include Versace, Gucci, Prada, Givenchy and many more, in other words it’s way above my pay grade. 🙂

Prada

From memory according to Merryl Streep the devil wears it. A great friend of mine in Australia often refers to his wife as “The Prada Princess”, that’s ok because he can afford her expensive tastes.

And the beat goes on

I remember visiting the spot where Versace was shot dead in 1997 on the steps of his Miami home. Fifty is way too young to die.

Central Embassy Shopping Mall Bangkok

The prices at the bakery reflect the surroundings.

Harrods bakery

Now here is a familiar name from good old London town.

Shop till you drop

A word of warning to my male friends, don’t tell your wife about Central Embassy Shopping Mall.

Central Embassy Shopping Mall Bangkok, Dean & Deluca

A great place for coffee and cake and lots of other goodies.

Dean & Deluca Central Embassy Shopping Mall

There are many branches in Bangkok including EmQuartier another favourite mall of mine.

VW cocktail car

There are many of these converted VWs where I live in Pattaya, what a great idea. No way you could do it in Australia, far too many ridiculous rules and regulations. 🙂

Central Embassy Shopping Mall Bangkok

Central Embassy Shopping Mall has a great feel about it, uncluttered and luxurious, I have a lot more to investigate on my next Bangkok visit.

Great design the Park Hyatt

Another wonderful design the Park Hyatt hotel above Central Embassy is expected to open late 2016. Central Embassy will be hoping they will bring potential customers as their traffic since opening has been disappointing.

Get a great room rate at the Park Hyatt through THIS LINK.

One last look

Thanks for visiting my Central Embassy Shopping Mall Bangkok photo blog.

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.

Please check out these fabulous posts

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Please check out these fabulous posts

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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.

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That’s all folks

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Everything you wanted to know about Bangkok but were afraid to ask. 🙂

Amazing shopping mall

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The fabulous Commons

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Mahanakhon Sky Walk Bangkok

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Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Central food hall Bangkok

May 16, 2016 by David Herd

A wonderful Bangkok food hall

Central food hall Bangkok

Central food hall Bangkok is quite fantastic, smaller perhaps than other bigger malls close by however the quality and presentation is first class.

Central food hall Bangkok

Central has several department store branches in Bangkok, Chidlom however is their flagship store and attracts many expats and “well to do” Thai shoppers.

BBQ duck is delicious at Four Seasons

It does not get much better than this, there is another branch just up the road at the Siam Paragon.

Central food hall Bangkok Four Seasons

So many great food choices here and so little time. 🙂

Did I mention the choices?

The number of restaurant choices here is staggering, there are over 50 listed here, there are even cooking classes you can attend.

Catering for the Germans.

What a terrific display at this specialty Bavarian food stall, you just have to buy something.

The displays are so inviting

It really is a pleasure to shop or eat here, everything is presented beautifully.

The meat counter

Grab a trolley and shop till you drop. 🙂

For all you seafood lovers

A selection of salmon to die for, get your dose of amiga 3 here.

You will need some wine as well

If you can’t find something that suits you here you are just not trying. Wines from all the great regions of the world are on sale here.

Central wine celler

Many years ago in Sydney Australia I owned a liquor store, believe me it was nothing like you see here. In those days I would store my favourite reds until it was the right time to drink them and what an incredible difference that made.

I sometimes visit friends of mine in Australia who have a vineyard, now that is a lot of fun, follow this link to see what I mean.

Central food hall Bangkok

The Central seven story building is dwarfed by a number of modern buildings opposite on Sukhumvit road.

Thanks for visiting my Central food hall Bangkok photo blog. Incidentally you can walk directly into the neighbouring Central Embassy which has has one of the best cinema’s in Bangkok, plus many upmarket labels including Versace, Gucci, Prada, Givenchy and many more, in other words it’s way above my pay grade. The architecture will knock your socks of. 🙂

iCheck Inn Soi 11

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

Here are some more posts to check out

Pattaya Hilton

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.

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Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

Everything you wanted to know about Bangkok but were afraid to ask. 🙂

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

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

April 12, 2016 by David Herd

New shopping mall

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall next to Foodland in Pattaya Klang. A huge complex with lots of shops & restaurants plus a modern supermarket. The photo above was taken in October 2015 while it was still under construction.

April 12 2016

The centre is 90% completed, bigger than Big C and lots of screaming kids. Many good Japanese restaurants and all the usual coffee shops.

Kids having fun

Being school holidays there were kids everywhere.

Coffee Club

Their latte is hard to beat as is their eggs Benedict. 🙂 Au Bon Pain and Coffee world are here also.

Big modern supermarket

I was impressed how big the centre was plus the supermarket was excellent. Lots of car parking at the rear of the building.

Postal service

Many different shops as you would expect.

Tokyo Teppanyaki

I was surprised at the number of Japanese restaurants here.

Another Japanese restaurant.

I’m guessing there must be a lot of Japanese people living in the area because of the number of Japanese restaurants here. Just down the road 200 meters is Big C Extra, here you will be able to buy the best imported beef & lamb from Australia and New Zealand.

Tuna Ichiban

My friend Geoff Robinson made this comment after visiting Tuna Ichiban, “Another great recommendation David Herd best sushi I’ve had in Thailand”.

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

Apart from this monster there is a huge kids playground on the top floor, make sure you take your earplugs. There is also two floors of phones and computers similar to Tukcom.

Harbor new Pattaya mall seems to have it all

Thanks for visiting my Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall photo blog, Pattaya just keeps getting better and better.

Here are some more posts to check out

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

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

Please check out these fabulous posts

Gold Coast Pattaya Cinque Terre

Rio de Janeiro Singapore Eastern Europe

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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.

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Brazil Hotels

That’s all folks

Pattaya live webcam

Soapy Massage Pattaya Bangkok

Spectacular Bangkok Sky Bars

Fresh seafood Bangkok

Pattaya live webcam

Hawker Chan Hollys Coffee

Le Bordeaux Pattaya Restaurant

Atlantic Bar North Pattaya

Art of desert Pattaya

Breakfast Bake n’ Brew

Food review Pattaya 2020

Counter only started October 2 2021

This gallery contains 2 photos

Chinatown Bangkok shopping

December 25, 2015 by David Herd

Welcome to Chinatown Bangkok

Chinatown Bangkok shopping sightseeing is a hive of activity as you would expect, narrow lanes with thousands of people hunting for bargains.

Thien Fah Foundation

The Tien Fa foundation was formed in 1902, making it the oldest charitable society in Bangkok. The foundation provides free medical care to the indigent. The buildings surrounding the shrine actually house the hospital facilities.

Lighting candles at The Tien Fa foundation

The foundation is on Yaowarat Road just a short distance from the Chinatown gate in the circle.

Very busy street Chinatown Bangkok

The Chinese community in Bangkok pre-dates the founding of the Thai capital in the city. Indeed, the land where the grand palace is today was originally a community of Chinese traders. When King Rama I decided to establish the capital on the site of the village of Bangkok, he asked the traders to move. They settled to the east of the new city, along the river. It may be hard to believe today, but the narrow Sampaeng Lane, which isn’t even big enough for a car, was once the Chinatown Bangkok main street.

Typical side-walk shop

The best way to see the area is to pick a starting point and wander around.

Roast Duck

Chinese food is my 2nd favourite cuisine after Japanese.

Shanghai Mansion

A very nice boutique four star hotel in the heart of Chinatown. Use this link for an excellent room rate.

Overload

What could possibly go wrong?

Nice looking Tuk Tuk in Chinatown Bangkok

Very handy transport, however usually the drivers try to badger you into visiting a gem store etc so they can receive a kickback. Taxis are a far better option, cheaper and air conditioned.

Lots of toy shops in Chinatown

Prices are notably cheaper here than other parts of the city, of course haggling is expected. 🙂

Chinatown Bangkok shopping

For example check out these prices.

Ratchawong

The easy way to reach Chinatown is a B40 ferry ride, get off at pier number 5 at Ratchawong and walk 10 minutes up this road.

The big attraction

Food, food & more food. 🙂

Ferry to Chinatown Bangkok

You can buy a ticket for B150 and travel up and down the river all day, very good value indeed.

Thanks for visiting my Chinatown Bangkok shopping photo blog.

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.

Here are some more posts to check out

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

Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

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

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Red Sky Bar Bangkok

December 24, 2015 by David Herd

Absolutely amazing

Red Sky Bar Bangkok

Red Sky Bar Central World Bangkok offers a breathtaking view of this wonderful city. Perched on the 56th floor at Centara Grand Hotel on top of Central World shopping Mall.

Bistro and bar

A huge wines selection at the bistro which occupies the entire 55th floor, both indoor and outdoor dining sections to choose from, and the solely outdoor bar deck of the 56th floor wraps around the circular core of the building providing an uninterrupted 360 degree panorama of the amazing Bangkok metropolis.

Happy hour is 5 to 7 pm

Buy one get one free is a good deal as the price as you would expect at such a venue is rather high. A Jack Daniels or a beer is B360 so getting 2 for 1 is a good deal.

After happy hour finishes

Well that’s another story, some friends turned up and Lisa from Townsville was drinking champagne which turned out to be B1,100 per glass, which equals $42 AUD or $30 USD. Now that’s not really a problem but her and her friend John left without paying, subsequently Greg, the little guy in the middle got stuck with a huge drink bill. 🙂

Enough of that, back to the amazing view.

The Baiyoke tower is 85 stories and is the tallest building in Bangkok, it includes the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia and the seventh-tallest all-hotel structure in the world.

Game changer

MahaNakhon is a luxury mixed-use skyscraper currently under construction in the Silom/Sathon central business area of Bangkok. Designed to fit into the Thai landscape with a unique pixelated facade, it will have the unconventional appearance of a glass curtain walled square tower with a cuboid-surfaced spiral cut into the side of the building. Upon its estimated completion in 2015, it will become the tallest building in Bangkok at 314 metres (1,030 ft), with 77 floors. Featuring hotel, retail and residences, 200 units of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Bangkok inside the building are priced between around US$1,100,000 to US$17,000,000, making it one of the most expensive condominiums in Bangkok. From Wikipedia.

Another angle

The entire 360 degree vista is incredible from the Rd Sky Bar.

Hamish loves a selfie

We recently travelled to Tokyo and Osaka where Hamish proved that he was king of the selfies.

Great shot from Red Sky Bar Central World Bangkok

The golden domes look fantastic. For a great room rate at the Novotel just book through THIS LINK.

Jack Daniel’s & Soda Red Sky Bar Bangkok

My drink of choice.

That’s MBK

One of the best places to shop in Bangkok, eight stories high, the centre contains around 2,000 shops, restaurants and service outlets, including the 4-story Tokyu department store.

The P hotel is connected bto MBK, for an excellent room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sunset at the Red Sky Bar

Try to arrive at least 30 minutes before sunset to enjoy the day and the night view.

Sunset cocktails

Such a beautiful evening to enjoy a cocktail or three with friends.

The day draws to a close

Red Sky Bar Bangkok is now one of my favourite places to visit in this great city, put it on your bucket list.

A seat with a view

Lots of places to sit & enjoy one of Bangkok’s most spectacular Sky Bars.

David Herd, on top of the world at Red Sky Bar Bangkok.

What an incredible year 2015 has been for me, I figure I’m one of the luckiest guys alive. I visited nine countries and fourteen great cities. Plus I’m ready for anything 2016 has in store for my. Check out my Eastern European Odyssey.

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.

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

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Soi Cowboy Nana Plaza Patpong

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Everything you wanted to know about Bangkok but were afraid to ask. 🙂

Amazing shopping mall

Chinatown Bangkok

Notorious Nana Plaza

The fabulous Commons

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Jim Thompson Bangkok Museum

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Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

November 1, 2015 by David Herd

EmQuartier

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall Bangkok opened in March 2015 & I’m blown away by the amazing food hall at this new shopping mall opposite the Emporium. I never thought I would say it but Bangkok now rivals Tokyo with the highest quality food presentation in the world.

Street Food Fair

Everything I saw was simply top quality.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall Bangkok food hall

There are dozens of restaurants, offices, event halls and a nice atrium garden featuring a waterfall. There’s direct access from Phrom Phong BTS Skytrain and walkway to the original Emporium mall across the road.

au bon pain

One of my favourite coffee chains, I often have breakfast at the Pattaya branch, a bacon & egg croissant & a medium latte.

Wonderful liquor store

Way back in the 80s I owned a liquor in Sydney, it looked nothing like this. 🙂

Nice to see my favorite Australian wine here.

Sadly Penfold’s wine is far too expensive in Thailand.

Jones the grocer

Quite a beautifully designed store.

Jones the grocer

So many choices at EmQuartier and so little time.

Harrods at Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

No, we are not in London, we are in Bangkok.

Inside Harrods

The choices of restaurants and coffee shops is mind boggling.

Wine I love you

What a great name for a restaurant, as well as the indoor area there is a terrace that overlooks downtown Bangkok, they offer Asian and Western choices for appetizers & mains, catering to a variety of tastes, all at very affordable prices.

I wanted to order the lamb shank but they were sold out, when I remarked “but it’s only 12.15,” the waitress informed me they only get 4 shanks each day and we have been opened since 10 am. When I think about it it probably ensures they always have fresh produce to serve.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

Wine I love you at Amazing EmQuartier Bangkok is one of many restaurants with wonderful décor.

Meerkats on guard

Part of the nice garden area where people can relax and kids can play.

Did I mention the guard dog?

EmQuartier has its very own guard dog.

Amazing EmQuartier shopping mall

It really is a pleasure exploring this wonderful new mall.

Oysters at Crab and Claw, 7th Floor Helix Building.

Lobsters, New England Clam Chowder and a good selection of oysters (Kumamoto, Calm Cove, Royal, etc…) and fresh home-made pasta. Lots of choices at this popular establishment. The lobster roll is Crab & Claw’s signature dish, however it will set you back around B1000.

They have recently opened at Siam Paragon as well.

Entrée at Crab and Claw

An interesting dish featuring a crab with little black hamburger rolls and a crab filling. Although it was a little light on the crab, tasty but I would not order again. A very good selection of (expensive) Oysters from all over the world, average price between B500 & B600 for 3.

For a very good budget hotel in Soi 11 Sukhumvit you can’t beat Citadines.

If you want to go upmarket try the Marriot on Sukhumvit, great rate using this link.

Fabulous supermarket

Food is beautifully displayed in keeping with the entire complex.

Fresh fish

Beautifully presented fresh produce.

Here is an even new mall, Siam Discovery.

Diagonally opposite MBK.

Good budget hotel on Sukhumvit

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.

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

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

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