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Loving Pattaya life 2016 (B)

August 3, 2016 by David Herd

This is not a travel blog just my personal photo collection from the 2nd half of 2016.

Another birthday rolls around July 7.

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 Loving Pattaya life 2016 has seen me spend all year here, the quietest travel year I have had this century. I over spent in the last 2 or 3 years so I thought I should pull my horns in. 🙂

I spent 5 days in Koh Samui in June, 2 weeks in Australia in August and a great trip to Japan in October.

Some of the usual suspects

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Greg, Hamish & John helped me celebrate at the Mantra.

A year living in Pattaya seems like about 6 months, time just seems to fly.

Great beach shot August 4th at 7am

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 

All the boats are waiting for the hordes of Chinese tourists.

And here they come in their thousands

Loving Pattaya life 2016

The buses roll into Beach Road of a morning and the tourists flock to the boats.

Tony & Nikki Murphy at Signature Steak & Seafood.

Loving Pattaya life 2016

The Murphy’s spent a week in Pattaya then 3 nights in Mae Pim before flying back to Australia.

Visitors from San Diego

Loving Pattaya life 2016

It was great to catch up with Paul, Eileen, Parker & Elle in Pattaya as part of their 9 week Asian holiday with included Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Koh Samui, Koh Samet & Danang. 

Seagulls in Pattaya?

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 

Here is a sculpture on Beach Rd showing a flock of seagulls, yet to this day I have never seen a seagull in Pattaya. 🙂

Here comes the rain

Loving Pattaya life 2016

I love seeing the black clouds roll in over Pattaya.

The “odd couple” Larry Krausz & Steven Reade

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Steve is a great mate of Larry’s from the Gold Coast. Terrific news for movie goers which vastly overshadows the recent Brangelina bullshit, the “odd couple” Larry Krausz & Steven Reade have been signed by BangBros, the largest porn studio in the world, to star in a remake of the 1988 movie Twins, which stared Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. See if you can pick who will play DeVito. 🙂

The more thigs change the more they stay the same

Loving Pattaya life 2016

After many years the Cherry bar on Soi 3 & 2nd Rd has been sold and is now Billabong 2.

When can we have some fun?

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Every night you go out in Pattaya the fun starts.

For a discounted hotel rate with free WiFi in Pattaya or anywhere in the world, just book through THIS LINK

Starbucks

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Opened in September at the “Bay” which is between Soi 5 & 6 on Beach Rd.

Good coffee & happy staff

Loving Pattaya life 2016

They are the first to open at the Bay, next will be McDonalds.

Stunning November sunset

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 

So many great sunsets from my balcony.  

My new home

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 On November 1st after 4.5 years I moved from the 17th floor in Markland to the 20th, does that mean I coming up in the world?

The usual suspects

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Jim’s Burgers is a great place for a casual dinner with friends, I’m with Hamish, Jonathon & Matt.

Delicious

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Lots of varieties & you can order small or large.

One of my massage girls

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Used to be a waitress in Chamiko in Soi 3, now she works at a massage parlour in Soi 3 & sometimes gives me a reasonable foot massage.

Spectacular clouds over Koh Larn

Loving Pattaya life 2016

These days I seem to be obsessed with taking photos of clouds & sunsets. 🙂

October in Japan

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 I m with my friend Kayo in a Spanish restaurant in Tokyo. I purchased a two week ticket on the Shinkansen or bullet train, then after 3 nights in Tokyo I travelled to 6 interesting Japanese cities, includung Kanazawa, Hiroshima, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Nagasaki & Fukuoka

I arrived back in Pattaya on Ocober 28th & the following day my good friend Larry Krausz was rushed to Bangkok Pattaya hospital after suffering a major stroke, now 5 weeks later on December 5th he is still in a serious condition in the intensive care ward.

Ross & Bryce arrive from Australia

Loving Pattaya life 2016

The boys came over for a few days to visit Larry. 

Centara Grand

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 

After a couple of cold beers at Centara Grand and a Pattaya cop working security wanted to throw us out. I lay the blame 100% on Pothole aka John David Martin who was dressed like a local bum & showing off his silly tattoos. 🙂

Pothole & sons + Kayo.

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Tate is Pothole’s eldest son, he arrived in Thailand from Australia to celebrate Xmas & to meet his 2 half brothers Tyrone & Tiger. Notice for some strange reason known only to Pothole, all his children including daughter Tamara have to have a first name starting with the letter T. Just another one of his many offbeat strange quirks. 🙂 The lovely Japanese girl in the photo is my friend Kayo from Tokyo.

Shopping for a dress in Soi 6

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Even though Soi 6 is one of the wildest streets in Pattaya there is still time for some quiet shopping. 🙂 

Soi Diana redhead.

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 

A very sweet girl from Area 51, no wonder I’m Loving Pattaya life 2016′

On the subject of Soi 6

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Here is Geoff from Australia, a fanatical Soi 6 supporter. We are at Leckerle in Soi 33 Naklua with his ex fiance Nana for a terrific meal & lots of wine.

Xmas Day with Geoff & Nana

Loving Pattaya life 2016

We started with a bottle of French Champagne on my balcony.

Lunch at Surf & Turf  & Loving Pattaya life 2016

Loving Pattaya life 2016

A great location on the beach at Wongamat. Kayo flew from Tokyo to spend 10 days in Thailand before heading to Australia.

Two nights in Bangkok

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 

December 29th took Pothole & Yogurt to Cheap Charles before checking out Brewski a new sky bar at the Radisson Blu.

New Years Eve in Pattaya

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Steve “Jumbo” Reade having a ball at the Atlantic Bar & Loving Pattaya life 2016.

 Atlantic girls

Loving Pattaya life 2016

They all looked terrific, dressed to kill. 🙂

Meet the gorgeous Katie.

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 A very happy lady from Billabong 2.

Here’s Pothole dressed in his Jaffa outfit.

Loving Pattaya life 2016

 Anything to attract attention. 🙂

Farewell to an old friend

Loving Pattaya life 2016

Larry Krausz, a friend for around 30 years suffered a major stroke on October 28. After 2 months in the Bangkok Pattaya hospital on life support he was transported to Australia by a hospital Leer jet, thanks to his Medibank travel insurance. After a month his life support was removed & he passed away peacefully.

It’s now 2017 and here is Glenn Frey to tell you exactly how I feel today.

For a discounted hotel rate with free WiFi in Pattaya or anywhere in the world, just book through THIS LINK

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 7 photos

Mae Pim nice Hotel

July 30, 2016 by David Herd

Great location & a beautiful pool

Mae Pim nice Hotel Thailand

Mae Pim nice Hotel

 Mae Pim Excellent Hotel is across the road from the beach on the gulf of Thailand, two hours from Bangkok airport. Only 90 minutes east of Pattaya, B1200 by taxi and B1800 in a mini bus. For an excellent room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Mae Pim nice Hotel

Mae Pim nice Hotel Thailand

Adjacent to the pool you will find a fully equipped gym and a Thai massage service. The gym is free and it’s B300 for an hour for a Thai massage or foot massage.

 My Australian friends

Mae Pim Excellent Hotel

Nikki & Tony Murphy with my brother Warren in the middle.

Even nice in the rain

Mae Pim nice Hotel

If it rains just head for the gym. 🙂

Another Aussie friend, Chris Lockwood aka Dr Evil.

Mae Pim nice Hotel

Chris and my brother Warren travel often together, follow THIS LINK for his south American adventure.

Room 201 in the main building

Mae Pim nice Hotel

This room was a little bigger than many of the others.

Good aircon & internet

Mae Pim nice Hotel

On the same level as the swimming pool.

The view from my balcony

Mae Pim nice Hotel

Naturally 301 on the next floor would have an even better view. 🙂

The hotel from the beach

Mae Pim nice Hotel Thailand

You can clearly see the great location of Mae Pim Excellent Hotel Thailand.

Main St Mae Pim near Rayong

There are many good restaurants close by overlooking the beach

Mae Pim nice Hotel

 This vermicelli & prawn dish was at Xing Xing restaurant. For more information on food in Mae Pim just follow THIS LINK.

Tequila Sunrise

 

Only 150 meters down the road is our favourite bar restaurant Tequila Sunrise. There is an international team there, a Swiss owner, Peter the German chef, Gary an Australian manager & some very nice Thai staff who run this popular establishment. On our recent trip we had lunch there 3 times, dinner once and cocktails every evening.

Location

Mae Pim nice Hotel

As I said earlier Mae Pim is two hours from Bangkok airport & only 90 minutes east of Pattaya. Thanks for visiting my Mae Pim nice Hotel photo blog. Use this link for a discounted rate at THE MAE PIM RESORT.

                      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.
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

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

 

  • The fabulous Commons
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Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Mae Pim beach boats

July 29, 2016 by David Herd

Mae Pim fishing boat

Mae Pim beach boats sunsets

Mae Pim beach boats

 Mae Pim beach boats sunsets a beautiful onshore wind & peace and quiet. Only 90 minutes from Pattaya and 2 hours from Bangkok airport. The peace & quiet only applies between February and October, the 3 months over Xmas is a different story when the crowds converge on this delightful beach side resort.

Fishing traps

Mae Pim beach boats sunsets

Here are the traps being loaded onto the boat.

Setting off for a nights fishing

Mae Pim beach boats

The traps are on board and there is a long night ahead, Mae Pim beach boats sunsets it’s all here.:)

 Roadside stalls

Mae Pim beach boats sunsets

The fresh produce is sold at roadside stalls beside the beach.

Beautiful Mae Pim beach boats sunsets

Mae Pim beach boats sunsets

Plenty of deck chairs through the high season however they don’t seem to waste their time offering them in the low season.

Looking west the beach goes on forever

Mae Pim beach boats

This is the perfect place for long beach walks with the onshore wind blowing in your face.

Mae Pim beach resort Thailand

Sunset at Mae Pim

Mae Pim beach boats

A beautiful time of the day to enjoy a stroll along the beach.

The sun setting in the west

Mae Pim beach boats

  Mae Pim is on the gulf of Thailand only ninety minutes by car east of Pattaya, and 2 hours south of Bangkok. Beautiful white sand and clean water, it’s so quiet and peaceful after the noise & Madness of Pattaya.

However it’s not all a wilderness

Mae Pim beach boats

There are many restaurants offering live seafood, the photo above is my brother Warren & I at Tequila Sunrise.

Tequila Sunrise at dusk

Mae Pim beach boats

 Tequila Sunrise is our favourite Mae Pim bar restaurant. Lots of good food in Mae Pim, just follow THIS LINK.

Just after sunset at Mae Pim

Mae Pim beach boats

All the seafood stalls are closed due to the low season and lack of customers.

 Main road Mae Pim

Mae Pim beach boats

So quiet in the low season between February and October.

Mae Pim Resort Hotel

Mae Pim beach boats

Here is where we like to stay in Mae Pim, for an excellent room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Location

Mae Pim beach boats

Thanks for visiting my Mae Pim beach boats sunsets photo blog.

                   

 

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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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

1g Duck

 

Pattaya live webcam
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Breil Sur Roya devastated

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329

Soapy Massage Pattaya Bangkok

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New Zealand Holiday 1991

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Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Amazing Bangkok buses

July 14, 2016 by David Herd

Amazing Bangkok buses

Amazing Bangkok busses

 Amazing Bangkok buses transporting tourists all over Thailand, many are decorated in bizarre colours often featuring Japanese cartoon & Disney characters. Eagles, serpents you name it they have got it. I have never seen anything like it anywhere in the world, take a bow Thailand for giving us so many great photo opportunities.

Bright & exciting colours

Amazing Bangkok busses

I have no idea how they produce these amazing creations, I’m guessing it’s all created on computer then automatically painted on the production line, then again how would I know? 🙂

There was a comment on Facebook that explained to process, it is a vinyl wrap, using the same machines that produce outdoor posters, then they just wrap them round the bus.

For a discounted hotel rate in Bangkok just book through THIS LINK

I see Johnny Walker at the front

Amazing Bangkok busses

I’m also guessing they didn’t get permission to use the Johnny Walker logo. 🙂

Back view

Amazing Bangkok buses

Six exhausts and speakers for sound.

This beast is one of my favourites

Amazing Bangkok buses

It was parked a few meters from where I live in Soi 1 Pattaya so I was able to have a close look.

Eight lethal exhaust pipes

Amazing Bangkok buses    Amazing Bangkok busses

Imagine if a motorbike crashed into the back of this bus, the exhaust pipes were on a 45 degree angle with sharp edges pointing upwards. Perfectly positioned to impale a human being. You gotta love Thailand.

 Beach Road Pattaya

Amazing Bangkok buses

Every morning hundreds of buses converge on Beach Road Pattaya bringing thousands Chinese tourists who board the boats to go para-sailing and visit Koh Larn island.

For a discounted hotel rate in Bangkok just book through THIS LINK.

This yellow one will get noticed.

Amazing Bangkok buses

There are so many amazing styles, this one looks like a huge yellow monster. 🙂

The Eagle has landed.

Amazing Bangkok buses

And the beat goes on, it must be a prestige thing the way some of these guys push it to the limit.

 You light up my life

Amazing Bangkok buses

Or so the song goes, I really want to ask a question, do you think this guy is trying just a little too hard?

Amazing Bangkok busses

36000 buses idle

Amazing Bangkok buses

Tour bus operators are in dire need of measures to cushion the impact of the coronavirus crisis, as an idle fleet of 36,000 buses countrywide has already missed out on 7 billion baht in income during the sluggish tourism period.

President of the Thai Transportation Operators Association, said that while tourism was at its peak, each bus could generate 50,000 baht a day from tour services.

The current lack of income has led operators to carry a cost burden of roughly 2 million baht from each bus leased, and they don’t have enough cash for installment payments.

Many thanks for visiting my Amazing Bangkok buses photo blog.

    Great hotel rates here, just book on THIS LINK.

                Please check out these fabulous posts
 

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

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

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
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               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Koh Samui sports bars

June 26, 2016 by David Herd

Henry’s Africa

Koh Samui sports bars

Koh Samui sports bars

Koh Samui sports bars have increased quite a bit since I was there in 2007. Most of the beer bars etc have numerous screens showing sport from all over the world. The header for this post show my friend John Martin aka Pothole & I on our first night in Chaweng at Henry’s Africa which seems to be the best bar in town.

Koh Samui sports bars

Koh Samui sports bars

 Henry’s Africa is a huge bar with lot’s of girls, some pool tables and TV screens. As you can see Pothole is enjoying himself. 🙂

Henry’s Africa

Koh Samui sports bars

Early in the evening they offer Chang beer at B79.

Best racks in town

Koh Samui sports bars

Or so they claim.

Opposite Henry’s

Koh Samui sports bars

There are a couple of small bars struggling to attract customers because of the low number of tourists in June 2016.

Green Mango

Koh Samui sports bars

This iconic bar nightclub is a little further along the street, it is arguably Chaweng’s most popular nightspot. It boasts of one of the largest dance floors on the  island, Green Mango is large, loud, & very busy from around 11 pm.

Green Mango

Koh Samui sports bars

A great effect with the green and orange decorations.

Happy Bar

Koh Samui sports bars

A little further around the corner from the Green Mango there are quite a few smaller bars.

Pothole finds another friend.

Koh Samui sports bars

Of course I’ll buy you a drink my dear. 🙂

Interesting bar

Koh Samui sports bars

It was a little early and there were no customers, most of the young tourists in Samui don’t go out until around 11 pm. Geriatrics like us are living in a different time zone. 🙂

Hard Rock Cafe

Koh Samui sports bars

Keep walking back to the main street and you will find the Hard Rock.

 Bondi Aussie Bar & Grill

Koh Samui sports bars

Another sports bar where the Aussies gather for obvious reasons. I was rather put off by the B210 price for a Jack Daniels. So I went to the bar next door to watch the State of Origin played on June 22nd, which QLD won.

The bar next door.

Koh Samui sports bars

A glass or red here was only B80.

The Islander

Koh Samui sports bars

200 meters down the road from the Aussie bar is the Islander where I watched the AFL, next door is Legends, another well known sports bar.

Tropical Murphy’s Irish Pub

Koh Samui sports bars

Quite a way up the road past Central Festival is Tropical Murphy’s another popular sports bar.

Tropical Murphy’s

Koh Samui sports bars

A fairly normal layout, however a funny thing happened as I took this photo, initially the Thai barman was standing towards the front of the bar, but as soon as I raised my camera he ran like a rabbit to get out of the shot. I’m guessing he is hiding from somebody. 🙂

 VW sidewalk bar

Koh Samui sports bars

There are lots of these great mobile bars where I live in Pattaya.

Bye from the Koh Samui sports bars

Koh Samui sports bars

Thanks for visiting my Koh Samui sports bars photo blog, check out the local restaurants and my road trip around the island.

Check out the webcam.

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

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

Pattaya live webcam
 
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Lots of good restaurants in Koh Samui

June 25, 2016 by David Herd

 

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand.

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand have improved out of sight since I was last there in 2007. There are so many great choices now, here are a few I have no hesitation in recommending. We hit the jackpot on our first evening when we dined at Il Duomo which is rated 3 out of 154 by TripAdvisor.

Pothole & I at Duomo

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

The food prices were very reasonable, a bottle of red from Sanama Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile B1100. My Aussie friends can buy it at Petersham Liquor Mart for $10.

Sanama

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

Very smooth, a bit like myself. 🙂

Tell them my dear.

The owner comes from Milano.

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

A very interesting guy who enjoyed having a chat. There was one very nice touch, we ordered a main course each and asked for extra plates as we wanted to share the meals. We were pleasantly surprised when they actually served us both half portions separately, we didn’t need to do it ourselves, very classy indeed. Apart from that the food was exceptional.

Prego Italian Restaurant

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

Located at the Amari hotel TripAdvisor only rate it 13 out of 154 restaurants in Chaweng. Al I can say if there are 12 better restaurants then Samui dining is in great shape. Lovely decor, great food and excellent service. Once again the price was reasonable and they also had a red wine from Chile on special.

Pothole pulverizes pizza

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

My ravioli was superb as was Pothole’s pizza.

Ravioli was superb

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

 Put Prego on you list of must do restaurants in Samui. The Amari has been totally renovated and rates very highly among Samui hotels, for a very good room rate just book through THIS LINK.

 Wine Connection

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

My favourite, they also have several in Bangkok although the Silom branch is the only one I have been to. The best garlic prawns I have had in 20 years, I have had them both at Samui & Bangkok & they are perfect.

Wine Connection at Central Festival Samui

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

 We only spent 4 nights in Samui and chose to eat here twice.

Low cost wine

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

They offer a wonderful selection of wine from all over the world at liquor store prices. Our red wine from Chile was a bargain B650.

The chain I’m told is owned by a French group, I only wish they would open a branch in Pattaya.

Lamb shank at the Wine Connection.

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

The food choices are extensive, lots of terrines a a big range of pasta.

Coffee club

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

I saw two Coffee club restaurants, one in Central Festival and one in the main street opposite the Ark Bar.  Very good eggs Benedict and coffee.

Eggs Benedict

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

Absolutely delicious.

Bar Baguette

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

Located at Bophut beach this was really a good little cafe for lunch, the avocado & bacon baguette was perfect and the staff were really friendly.

For more good restaurants in Bophut just follow THIS LINK.

Lots of choices on the main street.

Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand

There are many restaurants offering fresh seafood and lots of sports bars offering good pub food. Sadly we only had four days to sample the Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand, however I guarantee I shall return.

Lots of fresh seafood

Koh Samui busy main street

In the nine years since I was in Samui I can’t believe the incredible improvement in the restaurant scene, the choices are endless.

Thanks for visiting my Koh Samui Island restaurants Thailand photo blog. Book through THIS LINK for a discount on your hotel room.

                    Please check out these fabulous posts 

 

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Big Buddha Koh Samui

June 24, 2016 by David Herd

Taxi around Koh Samui

Taxi around Koh Samui

 Taxi  around Koh Samui starting at the Big Buddha then circling clockwise around the island. It took about 4 hours and the taxi cost was B2000 or $57 usd. Our hotel was on Chaweng beach about 15 minutes drive from the big Buddha. Our very nice lady drivers name is Ying and her mobile is 09 1128 3867.

Beautiful bougainvillea

Taxi around Koh Samui

This beautiful flower reminds me of my home in Newport Beach Australia where I lived in the 80s, I had many beautiful bougainvilleas on the property.

Big Buddha & slightly smaller Buddha

Taxi around Koh Samui

My 115 kilos certainly puts me in the Buddha category. 🙂

One of two statues guarding the Big Buddha

Taxi around Koh Samui

Located as you enter the square below Big Buddha.

Here is a short video

Big Buddha Koh Samui

Looking back towards Chaweng

Taxi around Koh Samui

We stopped at a popular lookouts to take in the wonderful view.

Hin Ta and Hin Yai Rocks

Taxi around Koh Samui

The rocks, known as Grandpa (Ta) and Grandma (Yai), look, just like male and female genitalia.

A very popular tourist stop

Taxi around Koh Samui

Located two kilometres south of central Lamai Beach and about 11 kilometres away from Chaweng Beach.

Lamai Beach

Taxi around Koh Samui

The next beach around the coast from Chaweng.

Lamai beach bar & restaurant

Taxi around Koh Samui

Lamai is like a mini version of Chaweng, nice beach and lots of bars and restaurants.

 Next stop Guan Yu Chinese shrine.

Taxi around Koh Samui

It quite a shock when you first see this fantastic huge statue, there are about 12 or more Chinese restaurants in the square. The Guan Yu shrine is the centre of the Chinese community on Samui island.

He looks rather fierce

Taxi around Koh Samui

He does not look like a happy camper at all. 🙂

 Elephants on Koh Samui

Taxi around Koh Samui

What magnificent beasts they are.

Here is a little guy with Mum.

Taxi around Koh Samui

I must admit I have mixed feelings about these beautiful animals being held captive, however that’s an argument for another day.

Here is a video of a dancing elephant

Thailand's dancing elephant.

He certainly was a happy little jumbo.

Some banana for the little dancing jumbo

Taxi ride around Koh Samui

They really enjoy bananas, this is my friend John Martin aka Pothole feeding the little guy.

The popular waterfall was just a trickle.

Taxi around Koh Samui

Many people visit this location but sadly there was not much water flowing.

Please be careful

Taxi around Koh SamuiIn 2019 2 people have died here. Check out THIS LINK for details.

Time for a cool drink

Taxi around Koh Samui

A pleasant place to sit under the shade from the tall trees before continuing our journey.

Nathon pier

Taxi around Koh Samui

Here is where you catch a ferry to the mainland, take your car if you wish.

Bophut beach

Taxi around Koh Samui

 Bophut beach  was the last stop in our Taxi  around Koh Samui road trip. Very close to a large new shopping mall called Fisherman’s village.

 Beach bar

Taxi ride around Koh Samui

Bophut is is near the Big Buddha & less than 10 minutes from the airport. The Ibis is a nice hotel opposite the beach, for an excellent room rate just book through THIS LINK. 

More peaceful and quieter than Chaweng yet only 15 minutes away from the action.

 Bar Baguette

Taxi around Koh Samui

This was really a good little cafe for lunch, the avocado & bacon baguette was perfect and the staff were really friendly.

Taxi ride around Koh Samui

Taxi around Koh Samui

Our taxi around Koh Samui was a great way to explore the delights of this wonderful tropical island, we had a very nice lady driver, her name in Ying and her mobile is 09 1128 3867.     

       Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

     Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

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

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

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

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

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

Pattaya live webcam
 
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Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

June 24, 2016 by David Herd

Sensational Samui

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

 Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island is the busiest part of the island. However we were lucky in June 2016 the weather was beautiful and there were very few tourists so it was very peaceful indeed.

Baan Chaweng Hotel

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

I have stayed at this hotel 3 times before, the location is ideal, the rooms are good and the staff is friendly. I have noticed however the prices have certainly risen in the last 10 years. For an excellent rate just use THIS LINK to book.

Hotel pool

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

 

The hotel grounds are a little like a rain forest.

Massage on Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

In front of the hotel are four massage ladies, B300 for an hour.

Some nice scenery in front of our hotel.

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

 

A bright green bikini is always going to brighten up my day. 🙂

The Ark Bar

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

The Ark Bar is a huge hotel that’s very popular with the younger crowd, there is a big pool party every Wednesday and Friday. Older dinosaurs like myself are better off 100 meters further on at the quieter Baan Chaweng.

For an excellent room rate at the Ark Bar just book through THIS LINK.

Hillside homes being built

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

What great views they will have overlooking Chaweng beach.

So many hotel choices on Chaweng Beach

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

The hotel choices are endless, everything from ultra modern to traditional bungalows.

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

White sand blue sky what more do you need?

Maybe you need a tattoo?

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

 

I have to admit I am not a fan of heavily tattooed females, but to each his own I guess.

She looks better here

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

Much better because I can’t see her tattoos. 🙂

Breakfast with a view.

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

What a way to start the day, cornflakes and an omelette.

Here is a short video of Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

Beautiful Chaweng beach Koh Samui

Peppina  on Chaweng Beach Koh Samui

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

An unusual building on Chaweng Peppina has a reputation for making great pizzas.

A typical Samui scene

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

Chaweng beach is rather special to me, so many memories over the years. My first visit was 1998 followed by many over the following years including New Years Eve 1999.

Here is the beach massage price list

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

 

Price list, what price list? I don’t see a price list. 🙂

Flashback to December 1999

Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island

Had a short fling with this beautiful Italian girl from Florence. Her name was Barbara Manelli, I called her “The Gypsy:. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Chaweng Beach Koh Samui Island photo blog, check out my other Koh Samui blogs. I think you will enjoy my road trip around the island. Here are my suggestions on some excellent restaurants.

                   

 Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

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

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

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

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

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

Pattaya live webcam
 
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Counter only started February 16 2020.

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Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

June 14, 2016 by David Herd

Nature at it’s best

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach are one of the many advantages of living on Beach Road Pattaya overlooking the bay. I regularly see some of the most incredible cloud formation my 17th floor apartment in Markland condo. The photo above on November 20th 2021 shows some beautiful cumulus clouds hovering above Koh Larn island.

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

oFascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Blue sky, white clouds on a sunny day, life does not get better than this. I spend a few hours each day on my computer producing my photo blogs, not sure if it’s a hobby or an obsession, however it gives me great satisfaction to glance over the top of my monitor which I do one hundred times a day, and see the clouds rolling across the bay.

 Looking north to Wongamat

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Wongamat is the next beach north of Pattaya, there are many beach side condos and hotels overlooking a nice sandy beach. The yellow building in the foreground is the Dusit Thani five star hotel.

Fascinating Pattaya clouds over Koh Larn

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Koh Larn is a B30 40 minute ferry ride from Bali Hi wharf, the crystal clear water is a huge improvement over Pattaya.

Pattaya bay

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Looking west at the Fascinating Pattaya clouds.

I’m sure you will all be pleased to hear I have just created a new profession, I am now a Cloudologist, who constantly participates in the art of Cloudology. Be impressed, be very impressed. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Looking south

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

The building under construction on the right is Centric Sea, it consists of two high rise and one low rise building containing 1000 condominiums. It in located in 2nd road and was completed early 2016.

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

The “Ripleys Believe it or not” hot air balloon is actually anchored by a cable so customers won’t go flying of in the wild blue yonder.

June 29 2017

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Nearly every day there is another interesting cloud to photograph.

An interesting story

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Work stopped on the high rise about 8 years ago because of questions about building approvals and specifications. Hundreds of people would have paid deposits & by now be wondering if they have lost their money.

UPDATE, the owners declared bankruptcy in January 2017, so who knows what will happen now.

Angry clouds

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Up to now I have featured the pretty clouds, now it’s time for some angry clouds. 🙂

John Fogerty has a question….

Looking south from my apartment

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

The building in the foreground is the A1 hotel which is shaped like a ship, the tall building is North Shore, the most upmarket condo block in central Pattaya.

Another awesome cloud formation

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

So many clouds to photograph and such little time. 🙂

Rain over Koh Larn

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

This was July 29 2016 at 6.15 pm.

Clouds & shadows August 30 2016

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Every day something new.

Absolutely breathtaking

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

This is the view I have every day from my apartment.

Same same but different

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Always a different beautiful shape.

Clouds on fire

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

One of the best Thai sunsets I have ever seen.

June 28 2017

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

And the beat goes on. 🙂

Storm on the way

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

I love watching the tropical storms in Pattaya.

The sky was angry today my friends.

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Well that’s how George Castanza would describe it. 🙂

A cloud with the “WOW” factor.

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

That’s Koh Larn on the left.

May 17 2018

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

A perfect Pattaya morning.

A very angry sky

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Black clouds in October 2018.

Amazing colour

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

 Tweaked by Google from a shot taken on June 1st 2020.

Beach Road

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Road works & a beautiful cloud from June 1st 2020.

Super cloud February 3 2021

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

They don’t get much better than this. 🙂

June 16 2022

Fascinating clouds Pattaya

Taken from The Bay in Beach Road.

Lets finish with a beautiful sunset.

Fascinating clouds Pattaya Beach

Absolutely breathtaking.

Sabai Wing Soi 1 North Pattaya

36555237616_da3ed73d6a_o

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.

If you like clouds you may like this Joni Mitchell song.

Thanks for visiting my Fascinating Pattaya clouds photo blog.

For a discounted hotel rate in Pattaya just book through THIS LINK

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Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
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               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
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Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

May 23, 2016 by David Herd

A super shopping mall

Siam Paragon 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

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

 

Here is a guide to some of the shops.

Siam Paragon, Hanging fences

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

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

Siam P ground floor (1)

 

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

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

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

Busy Bangkok corner

BTS Skytrain

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

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

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

Could this be my 15 minutes of fame? 🙂

Food food & more food.

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

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

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

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

 Siam Center

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

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

Shopping for a car perhaps?

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

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

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall Bangkok Food court

Siam Paragon Shopping Mall

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

Siam Paragon Shopping 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.

                      Here are some more posts to check out 

       

Pattaya Hilton

Pattaya hotels, Hilton & Holiday Inn

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

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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    Bangkok Bars                         Tokyo                      Cape Town Safari
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          f5e9441a-4154-44e0-a362-18b662d40b48          2a2b79ea-bc5f-46e3-8448-2e71658eff14 
               Great hotel room rates anywhere in the world if you book
                  through these links below.  Book now & pay later.
Free Cancellation. 
Bangkok Hotels                    Pattaya Hotels
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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

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

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