Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Welcome to 700 travel blogs, to access a full index on your mobile please scroll to the bottom & choose from 700 locations. Email is [email protected]

Prague capital Czech Republic

May 17, 2015 by David Herd

Buskers

Prague capital Czech Republic

Prague capital Czech Republic

Prague capital Czech Republic, in 1993 I travelled by train through unspoiled mountainous landscape from Berlin to this fascinating eastern European city.

Wenceslas Square

Prague capital Czech Republic

 Many historical events occurred there, and it is a traditional setting for demonstrations, celebrations, and other public gatherings. I borrowed this photo from Wikipedia, there was no blue sky when I was there. 🙂

It was very cold

Prague capital Czech Republic

It was February or March and very cold, here I am outside Outside St. Vitus Cathedral.

 Vaclev at the Clock Tower of Loreta

Prague capital Czech Republic

At the Prague railway station I was approached by a well dressed elderly man asking if I had accommodation. He took me to his home where he and his wife rented a couple of rooms. It was a lucky break for me, the room was comfortable and cheap ($23 aud) with an excellent breakfast. Vaclev was a university professor and told me a lot about the history of Prague. On his day off he kindly gave me a tour of this wonderful city which was extremely kind of him.


Castle entrance

Prague capital Czech Republic

Apologies for the quality of the photos.

Castle guards

Prague capital Czech Republic

Seems like a very boring job. 🙂

Vaclev’s home

Prague capital Czech Republic

Here is where I stayed about 3 stations from the centre of Prague.

Cold night in Prague

Prague capital Czech Republic

Freezing actually. 🙂

Crossing the Charles Bridge

Prague capital Czech Republic

The historic bridge that crosses the Vltava river in Prague, Czech Republic. Its construction started in 1357 under the auspices of King Charles IV, and finished in the beginning of the 15th century.

Lunch with Oliver

Prague capital Czech Republic

Oliver is a good friend of Andre Buzek (the crazy dentist) who was also from Prague. We spent some time together drinking beer and discussing Andre’s crazy antics. 🙂

Here’s cheers Oliver, nice to meet you.

Prague capital Czech Republic

Sadly our friend Andre lost his life in a car accident in Cub a, RIP.

Prague capital Czech Republic

Prague capital Czech Republic

Prague 1993 and McDonald’s had already arrived.

A lasting memory

Prague capital Czech Republic

It was quite late one evening and I was the only one in the Old Town square. Suddenly I was hearing trumpets playing in the deserted snow covered square in the heart of Prague. It was a fantastic mystical moment I will never forget. I borrowed the above photo from Wikipedia.

In the fourteenth century the city built around the Prague Castle expanded to the right bank. The history of the square goes back even further: as early as in 1091 a market existed at the site of the Old Town Square.

I hope to visit again one day.

Prague capital Czech Republic

My apologies for the quality of the photos, they will certainly improve on my next visit.

 Here are some more posts to check out       
A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

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

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    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
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

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

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure 2006

April 16, 2015 by David Herd

Another magic world trip

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure 

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure 2006

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure 2006, once again my journey began with a flight from the Gold Coast to Sydney in October 2006,  before arriving in Rio de Janeiro.

I flew to Teresina to meet a friend and her family then continued on to Forteleza and Belem. After Brazil I flew to Italy hired a car and headed for Portofino, San Gimignano, Vinci and Florence.

A friend in Sydney hosted a dinner at his hotel with several friends, great food and 2 very sexy waitresses.

This it not part of my travel blog, just part of my personal photo & travel history from 2006. Mainly revolving around the many people who helped make it another memorable year.

Freeway Hotel Crayfish

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

Crayfish? I can’t see any Crayfish. 🙂

Peter plays it cool

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

The following day I missed my Qantas flight to Rio through a mix up with the airline. I had to purchase another ticket, luckily a couple of months later Qantas reimbursed my original ticket.

A terrific night

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

 

GREAT FOOD, GOOD WINE & HOT BABES, WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT?

 Copacabana Beach Rio de Janeiro, say no more.

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

 

These two look like they mean business.

Alan Austin and his wife Renata

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure 2006

Alan & I met in Rio and became very good friends, unfortunately the following year he ran into some problems with the English authorities and I now visit him every year in various English prisons.

Shenanigans Ipanema

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

Monday nights here there are lots of specials and the place gets really crowded. The guy in the red shirt is Alan’s Las Vegas friend Jay.


The girl from Copacabana

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

  I was relaxing on the beach when this vision appeared in front of me. I have never been one to let a golden opportunity pass so I brushed up on my social skills and introduced myself. Her name was Mel and she came from neighbouring Niteroi. Lo & behold within an hour we were in my apartment making mad passionate love. This certainly was one on the best days of my trip. 🙂  

Mel from Niteroi

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure   

Mel is around 6′ tall with amazing green eyes, a total knock out. It is 2015 and I still have her photo on a shelf in my condo. 🙂  

John, an Aussie guy who owned “The Office” restaurant.

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

John was an Aussie guy from Sydney and we swapped many stories about people we knew and knew of, mainly well known Sydney gangsters. 🙂   The following year John in fact was abducted by Brazilian gangsters who forced him to go to his home in Angra Dos Rios and pen his safe which they cleaned out.  

Cabo Frio

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

Here is my friend Renilda, she lives at Cabo Frio near Buzios with her son and lots of pet dogs. We met in 1999 on Copacabana beach and have had a lot of fun together. I have not seen her since I took this photo in 2006 but I hope we meet again one day.

Sueli and Silmarinha Oliveira

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

I actually met Sueli online so on my way to Fortaleza I decided to stop at Teresina to meet her and her lovely family.

The whole family in Terisina

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure 2006  

Here is the lovely family.

Fortaleza on the north Coast

  Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

Fortaleza is in the state capital of Ceará, located in Northeastern Brazil. With a population close to 2.3 million (metropolitan region over 3.4 million), Fortaleza is the 5th largest city in Brazil.  Fortaleza is one of the three leading cities in the Northeast region together with Recife and Salvador. The city will be one of the host cities of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, for which Brazil is the host nation.  

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

164 kilometers from Fortaleza is Canoa Quebrada.

Canoa Quebrada

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

 

We rode in a beach buggy  along the beautiful long beaches and wandered through the amazing coloured sands of  Canoa Quebrada.  

Belem at the mouth of the mighty Amazon

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure 2006

Such a beautiful face, (of course I mean the girl) these two were dancers on a cruise I took on the Amazon.  

The catch of the day

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

Belem is at the mouth of the Amazon river which represents more than half the planet’s remaining rainforests and comprises the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the world. Founded in 1616 by the Kingdom of Portugal, Belém was the first European colony on the Amazon but did not become part of Brazil until 1775. The newer part of the city has modern buildings and skyscrapers. The colonial portion retains the charm of tree-filled squares, churches and traditional blue tiles. The city has a rich history and architecture from colonial times. Recently it witnessed a skyscraper boom.  

Old man of the sea

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

 

By now his skin must be like leather.

2.30 am flight Belem to Rio

 Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

Ah! Copacabana I have missed you so much. 🙂  

Lets not forget Ipanema.

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

 

Ipanema is even more beautiful than Copacabana.

Lets have one last look at Mel

  Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

This is the photo I still have in my room today in 2016.  

Transit at Madrid

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

 

Changing planes in Madrid on my my to Italy.

Francesca in Florence

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

  Here is my friend Francesca, I was lucky enough to be able to crash on her couch for a few days.  

The Old Bridge Florence

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

  Certainly one of the most famous landmarks in this great city.  

Great Pizza in Florence

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure 2006

People queue every night to get into this tiny restaurant in Florence, the chef is from Naples and only has 3 choices on the menu, all magnificent.

Ines from Rio de Janeiro

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

Ines is the daughter of my friend Reni from Cabo Frio, she was in Florence at the same time as I was. Francesca cooked dinner while we chatted about old times in Rio.

 Beautiful San Gimignano

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

San Gimignano is famous for its Medieval village architecture, unique in the preservation of about a dozen of its tower houses, which, with its hilltop setting and encircling walls form “an unforgettable skyline”

 San Gimignano

  Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

What a wonderful Italian village.

Lunch in Portofino

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

  When you visit Portofino make sure you have your credit card, seafood soup 26 Euros.  Maybe they charged me extra because I was dressed so upmarket. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Fabulous cheeky Portofino

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

    If you own a nice boat the babes will come. 🙂

Club Med yacht.

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

Club Med 2 is a five-masted computer-controlled sailing ship owned and operated by Club Med and operated as a cruise ship. It combines the power of seven computer-operated sails with more traditional diesel-electric power, having four diesel generators that power two electric motors.  

 Arriving in Bangkok

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure 2006

  My gorgeous friend Cleo who I catch up with every time I am in Bangkok.  

The boys at Honey pot in Pattaya

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

  Let the games begin, I’m back in Pattaya. 🙂  

Brazil Italy Thailand

Brazil Italy Thailand Adventure

Thanks for visiting my Brazil Italy Thailand post, it really was another incredible around the world trip.

                           Here are some more posts to check out 

         Zagreb Croatia                      Rio de Janeiro                  Brisbane River 

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

       

     Koh Samui                                   Korea                                  London

32780a6c-baf6-428a-bd71-68b1bed30b4c         Changdeokgung Palace (2)        IMG_7042

         Bangkok                                   Osaka                                     Pattaya

Soi Cowboy (25)          Osaka 1st night (17)       Walking St Pattaya is wild & sexy 

                                     

             Chiang Mai                      Pattaya                      Chao Phraya river

Chiang Mai with Tone        9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)   191de3bb-38fc-45cd-bce7-ef24081c554b

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Salvador North Coast Brazil

February 21, 2015 by David Herd

Fascinating & Unique

Salvador North Coast Brazil

Salvador North Coast Brazil

Salvador North Coast Brazil is Brazil’s 3rd largest city. Most of the population is in part descended from African slaves, who were mainly from Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Benin.

Praia do Porto da Barra

Salvador North Coast Brazil

We stayed in a hotel opposite this beach which is is only 5 kms from the historic centre Pelourinho.

Fort de Santa Maria

Salvador North Coast Brazil

Logo Nassau organized civil guards of Recife, Paraíba and Itamaracá to reinforce the troops and set off on April 8 1638, at the head of a naval fleet of 36 units at 3,600  Europeans and Indians.  He began the assault on Salvador in April 16, landing and gaining the surrender of the strong St. Albert, St. Philip and St. Bartholomew. But as Bagnuolo and the Governor-General had overcome their differences, Pernambuco army and the local garrison were united against the invasion consequently on the night of May 17 & 18 Nassau lost 300 men.


 I met Monica on the beach

Salvador North Coast Brazil

Mark it down as a big mistake, everything was ok for the first 2 days then she went kind of crazy. I actually cut my trip short by two days and flew back to Rio de Janeiro to catch up with Renilda, a gorgeous lady I  met there the previous week.

Crazy Monica 🙂

Salvador North Coast Brazil

Crazy is an understatement, anyhow after a brief fling I got out of Dodge. 🙂

Pelourinho

Salvador North Coast Brazil

The Historic Centre known as The Pelourinho is located in the western zone of the city’s centre, and was named for the whipping post (Pelourinho means Pillory) in its central plaza where African slaves received punishment for various infractions and disciplinary purposes.

The Pelourinho, is extremely rich in historical monuments dating from the 17th through the 19th centuries. Salvador was the first colonial capital of Brazil and the city is one of the oldest in the New World (founded in 1549 by Portuguese settlers). It was also the first slave market on the continent, with slaves arriving to work on the sugar plantations.

Salvador Bahia Brazil

Salvador North Coast Brazil

Once the capital city of Brazil from 1549 up until 1763 when it was succeeded by Rio de Jeneiro, Salvador da Bahia is considered to be the happiest place in the country. The city is best known for its food, music and general party atmosphere due to the numerous parties that now take place there.

Pellourinho

Salvador North Coast Brazil

Salvador is the second most popular tourism destination in Brazil, after Rio de Janeiro. Tourism and cultural activity are important generators of employment and income, boosting the arts and the preservation of artistic and cultural heritage.

Chief among the points of interest are its famous Pelourinho (named after the colonial pillories that once stood there) district, its historic churches, and its beaches.

Elevador Lacerda

Salvador North Coast Brazil

Elevator Lacerda is the first elevator Urban World. In December 1873 , when it opened, it was the highest in the world, about 63 meters.

Elevador Lacerda

Salvador North Coast Brazil

This is the best way to get up to the old city and for 15 Reals (each way) 

Salvador North Coast Brazil

Salvador North Coast Brazil

At the beginning of the 17th century, a  crane was used to transport goods from the port to the upper city.

Monica in front of Sousa Palace

Salvador North Coast Brazil

Sousa Square (also known as City Square) is a square located in the historic centre of Salvador , where there is a lot of public buildings in the city, such as Sousa Palace (now city hall).

Pothole has a way with children

Salvador North Coast Brazil Pothole aka John Martin certainly has a way with children. A grown up family in Australia & 2 young boys in Thailand.

The rest of the team

Salvado North Coast BrazilPothole aka John Martin & Tony Murphy.

Thanks for visiting Salvador Bahia Brazil

Salvador North Coast Brazil

Thats all from Salvador North Coast Brazil, bye for now from David and crazy Monica. 🙂

 Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

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

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

                     43638e36-5da5-4162-98e3-635e2c149837IMG_7425Split Ancient Croatian Coastal city                    

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

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

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Holiday Inn

bbc35e6d-80db-4e1c-8f51-83dd84f16520

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.

Check out these great photo blogs.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

 

 

This gallery contains 2 photos

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

February 13, 2015 by David Herd

A wonderful unique experience

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve and the cruise ships are arriving. Nine huge floating palaces drop anchor to watch tonight’s spectacle. Music fireworks & noise.

Lovely hostess

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

I paid $400 for a ticket to a cocktail party on the 12th floor overlooking Copacabana beach. The lovely lady above let me visit the venue mid afternoon to take some photos.

Sugarloaf Mountain

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

Mid afternoon and you can see the crowd building up. Two million people are expected to gather tonight at Copacabana most of whom will be wearing white.

Around 4 pm the crowd builds up

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

Through the afternoon the crowd starts to build.

More ships arrive

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

Nine huge ships arrived for the show.

A burning question

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

Sergio, we are in Copacabana Beach New Years Eve, do you think our ship will ever come in?

Now here is how we are going to handle troublemakers

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

Final instruction at 5.30 pm, the Rio cops are a very mean bunch.

The shadows cover the beach

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

The anticipation is building, you can fell the excitement in the air.


 

Going home to freshen up

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve an d as far as I’m concerned she is dressed perfectly.

The party begins

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

  Here is where I am watching the celebration, lots of food and booze, after all we did pay $400. 🙂  

Here they come

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

I have never seen a crowd this big anywhere before.

More and more all dressed in white

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve and millions come to celebrate.

 The excitement is building & more people arrive

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

I was in the perfect spot to see everything.

Standing room only

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

What a night it was, worth every cent.

In the top right hand corner you can see the Sofitel hotel, the location is perfect between Copacabana & Ipanema. For an excellent room rate just book through THIS LINK.

I’m happy to be above the crowd

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

Let the games begin.

KERBOOM!!!!!!

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

  The fireworks begins, 2 million people onshore and nine cruise ships anchored off the beach.  

 Spectacular fireworks

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

 You can see five of the nine cruise ships here in this photo.  

Lots of noise

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

  Noise from the Fireworks and the amplified music that is blasting out from huge speakers along the beach.  

Here is the live action

 

Copacabana Rio Di Janeiro in Brazil, NYE, an awesome experience
 

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve and the beat goes on

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

The noise was quite incredible. 

The show went on for hours

NewYearsEveinRio59

I left around 1 am knowing I had seen the most spectacular NYE celebration in my life. The Sydney fireworks is certainly superior however when you add two million screaming people into the mix at one of the world’s great beaches it is game over.

I hope you enjoyed my NYE experience

Copacabana Beach New Years Eve

Of course for sheer drama and chaos check out Sydney New Year’s Eve 1981. 

 

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

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    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
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

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

Check out these great photo blogs.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Pipa Beach North Brazil

December 4, 2014 by David Herd

Pipa Beach brazil

Pipa Beach North Coast Brazil

Travelled Natal Recife via Pipa

Pipa Beach North Coast Brazil, I remember sitting in a bar in Rio Di Janeiro with two friends Dave Wylie & Doug Roarke, (RIP) and when I asked what was their favorite place in Brazil, Doug briefly considered the question before saying “Praia de Pipa”. Until that moment I had never heard of the place, but on Doug’s recommendation I planned my trip. Pipa Beach Brazil quickly became one of my favorite places in the world.

Simone Cristina Oliveira

Pipa Beach North Brazil

 

I traveled 300 kilometers by taxi from with my friend Simone from Natal to Recife, we stopped in Pipa for a few days along the way.

Low tide in Pipa

Pipa Beach North Brazil

I’m sitting on the dock of the bay……..

 landua pousada Praia da Pipa

Pipa Beach North Coast Brazil

Only 30 meters to the water, in fact the photo at the top is right in front of the hotel.

View from landua pousada

Pipa Beach North Brazil

A wonderful location in this beach paradise.

Great bar close to our hotel

Pipa Beach North Brazil

Bar, what bar? I don’t see a bar. 🙂

The ice cream man.

Pipa Beach North BrazilSorry, I prefer a cold beer. 🙂

 

Eye candy at Pipa beach

Pipa Beach North BrazilA little eye candy never goes astray. 🙂

Don’t walk away Jose

Pipa Beach North Brazil

Great beach view here, this guy is certainly punching above his weight. 🙂

What! No water…..

Pipa Beach North BrazilBut who cares?

Low tide at Pipa

Pipa Beach North Brazil No fishing for these guys until the tide comes in.

Very low tide at Pipa

Pipa Beach North BrazilWho cares about the tide? 🙂

Enjoying low tide at Pipa

Pipa Beach North Brazil Back it comes.

Pipa Beach North Coast Brazil

Pipa Beach North BrazilA great day for a swim before lunch on the beach.

Look closely you may see some fish.

Pipa Beach North Brazil

Fish, what fish? I don’t see any fish.

Fresh for dinner tonight

Pipa Beach North BrazilI’m looking forward to dinner.

 

Fresh fish for dinner

Pipa Beach North Brazil Huge servings in Brazil.

 Caipirinha before dinner

Pipa Beach North BrazilIt’s got a kick like a mule. 🙂

 

Lovely Simone, what magnificent skin colour.

Pipa Beach North BrazilPlus she is one of the nicest ladies I have eve known.

Surfs up

Pipa Beach North Brazil

Very small waves here I’m afraid. 🙂

Local artist

Pipa Beach North Brazil Lot’s of colour here.

Didgeridoo

Pipa Beach North Brazil

Half a world away from Australia we came across these Scandinavian guys playing Didgeridoos, amazing.

Where does that tattoo end?

Pipa Beach North Brazil Would be a lot of fun finding out. 🙂

A perfect day.

Pipa Beach North Brazil Most days in Pipa are perfect. 🙂

 

Sand hills all along the coast

Pipa Beach North Brazil The sand hills stretch for miles.

Thanks for visiting my Pipa Beach brazil post

Pipa Beach North Brazil

Brazilians don’t need a visa to visit Thailand. Please check out my webcam.      

Pattaya Beach live webcam

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

At the bottom of the page there are many more posts to check out.

 
 
Here are some more posts to check out 

       Zagreb Croatia                      Rio de Janeiro                  Brisbane River 

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

       

     Koh Samui                                   Korea                                  London

32780a6c-baf6-428a-bd71-68b1bed30b4c         Changdeokgung Palace (2)        IMG_7042

         Bangkok                                   Osaka                                     Pattaya

Soi Cowboy (25)          Osaka 1st night (17)       Walking St Pattaya is wild & sexy 

                                     

             Chiang Mai                      Pattaya                      Chao Phraya river

Chiang Mai with Tone        9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)   191de3bb-38fc-45cd-bce7-ef24081c554b

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Check out these great photo blogs.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Samba Schools street parades

September 22, 2014 by David Herd

Carnival parade on Avenue Atlantica

Samba Schools street parades

Samba Schools street parades

Samba Schools street parades are called blocos in Rio, Carnival time in 2005 was just one huge non stop party. The excitement generated is absolutely electric.

Blocos are the street bands and groups

Samba Schools street parades
Blocos are the street bands and groups that are the main popular expression in Carnival of Pernambuco in Brazil. These celebrations are mixed under the term “street carnival”, a term that still includes the bandstands and parades at streets of Olinda and Recife, and happen during a period of about two months (beginning before and finishing after Carnival).

The biggest bloco is the Galo da Madrugada that attracts more than 2,000,000 people to downtown Recife.

Bloco on Avenue Atlantica Copacabana

Samba Schools street parades

The biggest bloco in Brazil is the Galo da Madrugada that attracts more than 2,000,000 people to downtown Recife.

Bloco truck in Copacabana

Samba Schools street parades

Never a dull moment in Copacabana.

Samba Schools street parades

Samba Schools street parades

You really almost need earplugs the music is so load. 🙂

Check out the speakers in the truck below

Samba Schools street parades

Since 2004, the blocos have exploded and now there are now nearly 300 blocos with over 40 new ones appearing for the 2007 Carnaval.  The first blocos started only a little over ten years ago. This is the heart of the “Street Carnival” which includes the greater likelihood of locals playing percussion instruments with their friends at their favorite hangout as well as  the Bandstands and the many Parades of downtown’s Rio Branco Avenue.

These events are inclusive and practice for the musicians begins months before the Carnaval and the parades do not end until Sunday of the following weekend.

Same corner later that night

Samba Schools street parades

My apologies for the out of focus photo.

Full house on Copacabana beach

Samba Schools street parades

Of course it is almost shoulder to shoulder on the beach.

Samba Schools street parades Avenue Atlantica Copacabana

Samba Schools street parades

The noise, the people, the music is fantastic.

Samba vs Marchinhas

“If they have brass, they’ll usually call themselves a “banda”. Either way, they’ll rehearse for a month or two, or maybe not rehearse at all, and then they rent a sound truck for the singers and guitarists to ride on, and have a big parade. It’s sort of a “Let’s have a party!” down-home approach to Carnaval. It’s actually the way the escolas-de-samba used to be, way back in the old days…… Most blocos play samba or, if they have a brass band, they might play marchinhas, the peppy European polka-type music of old-school Carnaval. Carnaval music used to all be marchinhas, back in the 30’s, before samba was brought to Rio by immigrants from Bahia.”

Bloco in Copacabana

Samba Schools street parades

Carnival time in Rio is something everybody should try to experience at least once in their life.

One of the Blocos in Rio

Samba Schools street parades

The crowd at Copacabana is building.

Dancing in the street

Samba Schools street parades

The Rio de Janeiro street carnival begins in November. The street carnival are structured in groups named: bloco, cordon, band or rancho but they are really about simple fun with others. If you wander in the zona sul districts of Gávea, Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana and Botafogo during the Carnaval you will often find them hanging out prior to parading. This is known as the period of Concentration.

 

Most bands also have official T-shirts for sale on the spot for about US$10, to help with the costs. They make great souvenirs, as they are sold only on Rio Carnival days.
Samba Schools street parades dancing with chairs

Samba Schools street parades

Not too sure why the chairs play a part, tradition I guess.

This is Dave Sommer & his girlfriend

Samba Schools street parades

Dave lived & worked in Sao Paulo in the insurance industry, he & his girl both danced in the parade at the Sambadrome. I was lucky to have them take me to their Samba school to see everyone preparing the costumes & the instruments.

Sadly Dave was brutally murdered in Sao Paula January 29 2015, RIP buddy.

Trying on her Samba hat.

Samba Schools street parades

With some help from her excited Mum. 🙂

Here I am with mother & daughter.

Samba Schools street parades

What a lovely two Brazilian ladies, it was such a pleasure being invited into their home.

And here she is in the parade

Samba Schools street parades

Can you imagine my joy & happiness when I spotted my friend in the parade and was able to get this great shot. Before I left Rio I had it framed as a present for her. Sambadrome is the name given to an exhibition place for the Samba Schools in Brazil. It generally consists of spectator viewing areas surrounding a long alley for the schools to parade down.

Here is the Mocidade Samba school

Samba Schools street parades

The Mocidade Independente de Padre Miguel Samba School, commonly known as Mocidade, formed out of a local football (soccer) club from the favela of Padre Miguel in Vila Vintém, a neighborhood located on the western side of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Known for its unique and unparalleled style of dance and its excellence in teaching its members the steps of the samba, Mocidade competed in its first Rio Carnival parade in 1955. 

Competing in Group B, by 1958 Mocidade won its first Group title, which bumped the Samba School up to the higher tiered Access Group. In 1976, Mocidade placed fifth in the Special Group and were the Rio Carnival runners-up in 1976. Finally, in 1979 the Mocidade Samba School won its first overall Rio Carnival title with a spectacular interpretation of its theme, “The Discovery of Brazil”.

Ever since, Mocidade has been known for the the unity and synchronicity in its performances, tying together the various aspects of plot with an innovative use of dance, music, costumes and floats. Known for its futuristic design concepts, Mocidade shocked the audience, judges, and other parading Samba Schools with a miraculous flying parader — a first in Rio Carnival history!

Mocidade Samba School

Samba Schools street parades

Do you hear the drums Fernando?

Dave has got his hat & instructions.

Samba Schools street parades

I think Dave had to pay the school about $400 to participate in the parade. Dave Sommer lived & worked in Sao Paulo,  Sadly he was brutally murdered on January 11 2015. 

It all leads up to Carnival, the greatest show on Earth.

Samba Schools street parades

Many thanks for visiting my Samba Schools street parades photo blog.
For a discounted hotel room rate just book through THIS LINK.
 
 
Please check out these fabulous posts

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
         bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    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
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

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

 

Magnificent Brazilian girls dancing Samba in Parity.

 

 

 

Sexy Brazilian blond dancing the Samba

 

 

A little further north is a real surprise

 

They speak the same language in Portugal

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

September 18, 2014 by David Herd

 Two fantastic looking ladies

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach
Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach in 2005 and I was there to help them have a great time. Probably one of my best trips to Rio, in fact it may have been the best. Good friends, beautiful women & lots of fun.

Above is a perfect example of the beautiful sexy Brazilian girls who flock to Rio from all over Brazil at Carnival time. On the left is Samantha with one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen. I was lucky enough to spend some time with her.

Samantha, oh what a smile.

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Samantha came from the country outside of Rio, I tried to contact her again when I returned in 2007 but the language barrier made it just too difficult to speak on the phone. I should have tried harder.

Haniball Lector lookalike

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Carnival is party time, there are so many wonderful characters, no wonder they call it the greatest show on Earth.

Another beautiful face in Copacabana

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Her name is Sylvia, a friend of Dave Wylie.

Tall & tanned & young & lovely

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

During the day the beach is the place to be and to be seen.

Back to Samantha at Copacabana.

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Yes, the more I think about it the more I think this was my best Rio trip.

 Sensational bikini babe at Copacabana

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

This beautiful girl in the orange bikini has the most wonderful skin colour, among everything else of course. 🙂


 

 I really had to look twice to be sure she was real 🙂

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

That is what I call a very healthy well built girl, her name is Irene, you gotta love Rio.

Doug, & two Daves at Copacabana.

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Doug is the guy kissing the lady, he sadly passed away a year or two after this photo was taken. A very nice man who’s company is missed by all his friends. Dave Sommer is in the middle, he lived & worked in Sao Paulo,  Sadly he was brutally murdered on January 11 2015. Dave Wylie is now in Crescent City and thinking about returning to Thailand in 2015.

OK, back to the babes

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Not too much has to be said about this photo, it seems to speak for itself. I must point out however that sexy topless girls are rare in Rio de Janeiro, one of the few locations is on Copacabana Beach in front of the Orthon Hotel.

Talking about hotels in Rio, if you want a very good discount just book through THIS LINK.

Copacabana is packed at Carnival

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Naturally the beaches are very crowded around Carnival & the weather in February is usually magnificent.

Tatiane & Marcelli, gorgeous girls.

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

My friend Dave Wylie introduced me to Tatiane & Marcelli, two absolutely gorgeous Brazilian girls.

What was her name?

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

I forget her name, but I spent some time with her after meeting her on the beach. 🙂

Surfs up at Copacabana

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Quite unusual to see such a rough surf here, usually the waves are quite gentle compared to other Brazilian & Australian beaches, especially Sydney at Bondi.

Another beautiful face

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

My favourite spot of an evening was the side-walk restaurant outside HELP nightclub. It was such a great scene, quite a large rectangular area and dozens of beautiful girls would circle it hoping for an invitation to sit down and have a drink with you. It was a little like the wild west days when the Indians would surround the wagons. 🙂

Evening wear Copacabana style.

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

 

At carnival time anything goes in the fashion stakes as you can plainly see. 🙂

I’ll try anything to attract a lady

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

There is no trick I won’t try to attract a ladies attention. Do you think this strategy is sending the right message?

Age is no barrier

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

An 85 yo American guy having a ball, age is no barrier in Copacabana at Carnival.

I keep coming back to Samantha

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Her lovely smile would light up a room, I’m just thankful it was my room. 🙂

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

160,000 people live in Copacabana and 44,000 or 27.5% of them are 60 years old or older. Copacabana covers an area of 7.84 km which gives the borough a population density of 20,400 people per km². Residential buildings eleven to thirteen stories high built right next to each other dominate the borough. Houses and two-story buildings are rare. When Rio was the capital of Brazil this was considered one of the best neighbourhoods in the country if not the best. Therefore the sea front apartments are extremely luxurious and classical. In the 1970s the neighbourhood descended in the social scales and now is one of the most overcrowded in the planet.


Dave Wylie in his element.

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

 One of the sexy babes with my good friend Dave who lived in Rio for around 10 years & speaks fluent Portuguese. He was the motivation for me to start my travel blog in June 2013.

My lovely friend Jackie

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

We met on the internet 3 years ago and have been friends ever since. Jackie has two children & speaks 3 languages, Italian, English & Portuguese. We are dining at Milano Doc between Copacabana & Ipanema in Rio De Janeiro

What about those beautiful eyes?

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

This is beautiful Diana, all 39 kilos of her. 🙂

The girl with the fluffy tail

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Here is Leila, as I said before anything goes in fashion when Carnival is on.

These sexy babes caught me with the camera.

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Sprung again, this is one of my favourite photos, I love the look on her face when she caught me taking the photo.

Sugarloaf mountain

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Sugarloaf mountain Rio De Janeiro  dominates the Copacabana skyline, take the cable car to the top for one of the greatest views in the world.


Street parade on Avenue Atlantica

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

Thousands of party animals follow the trucks which have music blaring and people cheering & having fun. I plan to write another post just on the street Blocos & the Carnival preparations, stay tuned. 🙂

Beautiful Carla

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

I met this beautiful lady 2 years ago in 2003 and I really must show you a photo from then.

Carla in 2003

Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach

 

Carla has the most magnificent skin colour I have ever seen.

Many thanks for visiting my Sexy Babes Copacabana Beach photo blog.

    Please check out these fabulous posts
 
     Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
     Soi Cowboy                   Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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

 
  Please check out these fabulous posts
       Gold Coast                              Pattaya                          Cinque Terre
bd96516a-84df-4ca0-86e6-c757cc9053d1          01a75360-9573-473f-acba-3a187f779b7f          e18b6c87-5adc-4a80-92cf-6c643ad130c1
 
Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
f044491e-69aa-4082-b49b-1ff33557d7d4          60e7d26d-1039-4dde-863d-62b66656ccbf          1bea4a99-cb07-4161-83ba-75c0ef2b63cc
    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
d0c59ff5-7f2b-41b5-9312-4556d4a62037          b1c99886-3940-4dda-b350-44c5e5c77e41
 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

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

 


Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

September 13, 2014 by David Herd

Copacabana Beach

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

Copacabana Ipanema bikini babes and much more can be seen at both these great beaches in Rio de Janeiro. No beach on Earth offers the exciting panorama of these playgrounds of the rich & poor.

It was October 2009, the weather was magnificent & I caught up with many of my old & new friends in this wonderful city.

Stick around I’m going to take you on a tour from Copacabana to Ipanema via Arpoador.

Copacabana bars & cafes

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

Every 50 meters along Copacabana there is a fabulous cafe bar where you can eat, drink & watch the beach volleyball, or if you are that way inclined just gaze longingly at the beautiful bikini clad Cariocas. 🙂

The cafe above is one of the newer versions replacing the older one like you see below.

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

A great place to sit and watch the world go by.

Here is a webcam focused on Copacabana.

Did I mention bikini clad Cariocas?

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

Carioca is a Brazilian adjective or demonym that is used to refer to the native inhabitants of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

This guy is punching way above his weight

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

One of the many fabulous brown skin bikini babes on Copacabana.

Copacabana with Sugarloaf in the background

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

A trip to Sugarloaf mountain is a must do.

A typical New Years Eve

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

In Copacabana the crowds build up from mid afternoon, at night there are around 2 million people on the beach dressed in white.

For great hotel room rates just book through THIS LINK.

David Young sadly passed away March 2 2013

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

He suffered for years with a very bad painful back then underwent a couple of operations where metal screws were inserted into his spine. Infection set in and they had to be replaced & finally it all became too much and this nice friend of mine passed away in the city he loved.

Happier times with David & friends

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

David worked with Jonathan Kendall on the left, the couple on the right are Les & Robin Scheffer who lived near me on the Gold Coast in Australia.

Sadly Les passed away in March 2020.

Bobby Frishman from “Blame it on Rio” travel

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

Bobby has been in Rio for many years running a well known travel agency in Copacabana.

Don Camillo Copacabana

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

  One of the many restaurants on Avenue Atlantica in Copacabana.  

Dinner with Simone

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

Simone & I have been great friends for a number of years, in fact in 2005 we travelled around north east Brazil from Natal to Recife via the beautiful Praia de Pipa. For the last few years Simone has been working in a bank in Sao Paulo. Simone & I in fact traveled 300 kms by taxi from Ponte Negra to Recife stopping in Pipa on the way.

Lets leave Copacabana & walk to Arpoador

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

 

    If we are going to walk we may as well follow these two gorgeous girls. 🙂  

For a great hotel room rate in RIO just book through THIS LINK.

Fort Copacabana

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

Fort Copacabana was inaugurated in 1914 with a mission to protect the coast of Rio de Janeiro and the entrance to the harbour. Today the fort provides visitors educational and cultural activities. Coordinates: 22.988117°S 43.191678°W  

  The Arpoador Rock

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

In the past, at very end of Arpoador Promontory – The Arpoador Rock– fishermen used to harpoon the whales that came to reproduce in this warm waters. The harpoon used by those fishermen gave the park its name and also has been used to identify the rock (in Portuguese Arpoador means fishermen who uses harpoon). The Arpoador Rock is preserved by the Municipal Historic Heritage. Also within the APA limits there is a public square called Girl of Ipanema Park after the world famous song composed by Vinicius de Moraes and Antônio Carlos Jobim.  

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

A great view of Copacabana beach from here.

Arpoador Park

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

Not known worldwide as the beaches either side but a much more peaceful scene than Ipanema and Copacabana.

 Arpoador, between Ipanema & Copacabana.

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

White sand, sunshine and a beautiful blue sky, what more could you want?

Arpoador beach

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

More peaceful than Copacabana.

Looking down on all this beauty from Cocovada

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

Corcovado, meaning “hunchback” in Portuguese, is a mountain in central Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The 710-metre granite peak is located in the Tijuca Forest, a national park.

Frank Sinatra sings and Tony Motolla plays the guitar. The tune is “Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)”, written by Antonio Carlos Jobim.  

frank sinatra corcovado
 

Beautiful Ipanema

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

  One of the most breathtaking beaches in the world.  

Garota de Ipanema restaurant

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

You guessed it, here is where they wrote the song which was inspired by Heloísa Eneida Menezes Paes Pinto (now Helô Pinheiro), a nineteen-year-old girl living on Montenegro Street in the fashionable Ipanema district in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Daily, she would stroll past the popular Veloso bar-café, not just to the beach (“each day when she walks to the sea”), but in the everyday course of her life. She would sometimes enter the bar to buy cigarettes for her mother and leave to the sound of wolf-whistles. In the winter of 1962, the composers watched the girl pass by the bar, and it is easy to imagine why they noticed her—Helô was a 173-cm (five-foot eight-inch) brunette, and she attracted the attention of many of the bar patrons. Since the song became popular, she has become a celebrity.

On the wall is the music as well

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

How many times have you heard this beautiful song? Each time I hear it I’m transported back to Ipanema.

Les & Robyn Shcheffer from the Gold Coast in Australia.

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

This couple lived quite close to me on the Gold Coast in Australia, we used to be good friends however 4 years ago in 2013 they placed me on their “black list”, I must admit I’m quite comfortable there. 🙂 Sadly Les passed away in March 2019.

As you can see from the photo the food is rather excellent.

Garota de Ipanema restaurant

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

I have been here many times, on of my greatest memories of Rio was here on New Years Eve 2007 with my friend Dave Wylie. We had a window seat and all around us was one of Rio’s famous blocos. Street Carnival Bands, called “Blocos de Rua”, have become an expressive feature of Rio’s Carnival. Today, they number more than 440 (considering 2012 Rio Carnival only) and the groups increase each year. Blocos can be formed by small or large groups of revelers with a distinct title with an often funny pun. (Os blocos RJ, para os solteiros, são um lugar para conhecer e até beijar pessoas, or “The blocos in Rio de Janeiro, for the singles, are places to meet and even kiss people.”) They may also note their neighborhood or social status. Before the show, they gather in a square, then parade in sections of the city, often near the beach. Some blocos never leave one street and have a particular place, such as a bar, to attract viewers. Block parades start in January, and may last until the Sunday after Carnival.

For a great hotel room rate in RIO just book through THIS LINK.

Dave Wylie & I Carnival in Ipanema in 2008.

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

After living in Rio for 10 years my good friend Dave spent 18 months as my neighbour in Pattaya Thailand before returning to Crescent City California.

Ipanema bloco Carnival 2008

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

  Dave Wylie took this wonderful photo which captures the essence of a Carnival bloco in Ipanema in 2008  

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes

Brown skin, bikinis & blue sky, what more could you want?

Sing the song Francis

The Girl From Ipanema - Frank Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim | Concert Collection

 

      Thanks for visiting my Copacabana Ipanema Bikini Babes photo blog.
 

      Zagreb Croatia                      Rio de Janeiro                  Brisbane River 

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

       

     Koh Samui                                   Korea                                  London

32780a6c-baf6-428a-bd71-68b1bed30b4c         Changdeokgung Palace (2)        IMG_7042

         Bangkok                                   Osaka                                     Pattaya

Soi Cowboy (25)          Osaka 1st night (17)       Walking St Pattaya is wild & sexy 

                                     

             Chiang Mai                      Pattaya                      Chao Phraya river

Chiang Mai with Tone        9a1fec74-4461-46cd-8663-97f5893c8f6e (1)   191de3bb-38fc-45cd-bce7-ef24081c554b

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

Click here for Rio street parties.

 

Three hours from Rio is wonderful Paraty

 

Rio de Janeiro, no it is Vietnam

 

 

Check out these great photo blogs.

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 4 photos

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

August 19, 2014 by David Herd

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil are the most spectacular falls I have ever seen. Sadly I have not been to Niagara or Victoria falls to make a comparison .

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

It was 1999 and my first digital camera took rather poor photos.

Dalia from Bolivia at Foz.

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

This is my lovely friend Dalia from Santa Cruz in Bolivia, we traveled by the “Death Train” from Santa Cruz to the Brazilian border & crossed at Corumba, then by bus through the Pantanal to Foz do Iguazu.

Dalia sleeping on the “Death Train”.

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

There are several theories as to how this name came to be. One theory is that the mosquitoes are so bad during the rainy season, you’ll get “eaten alive” throughout the entire long trip, or contract malaria and die later. Another theory is that people riding on top of the train (not uncommon) fall asleep and fall to their deaths (quite uncommon). Actually, it is called the Death Train because many workers died while building this railroad.

Quijarro on the border.

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

We walked across the border and caught a taxi to the customs office, it reminded me of the last frontier in the wild west. My suspicions were aroused when the border guard asked for a credit card to prove I had money.  When he disappeared with the card & my passport I knew I was in trouble. Sure enough 2 weeks later when I was in Salvador my credit card was cancelled by the bank. $13,000 had been charged all over Brazil, luckily Visa were very quick to advance me $3000 to get me through the trip. On returning to Australia I just signed a few forms & everything was fixed.


Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

When she saw Iguazu Falls, the United States First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly exclaimed “Poor Niagara!” (which, at 50 m or 165 feet, are a third shorter). Often Iguazu Falls also is compared with Victoria Falls in Southern Africa, which separates. Iguazu is wider, but because it is split into approximately 275 discrete falls and large islands, Victoria has the largest curtain of water in the world, at more than 1,600 m (5,249 ft) wide and over 100 m (328 ft) in height (in low flow Victoria is split into five by islands; in high flow it may uninterrupted). The only wider falls are extremely large rapid-like falls, such as the Boyoma Falls.

 Wonderful view from Brazilian side

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

I certainly want to visit this amazing place again. Next time I will have a far better camera. 🙂

Itaipu Dam

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

hydroelectric dam on the Paraná River located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay. The name “Itaipu” was taken from an isle that existed near the construction site. In the Guaraní languageItaipu means “the sounding stone”.

Dalia at the Falls

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

After a few days at the falls Dalia & I parted ways, she went back to Bolivia & I went to meet friends in Brazil.

Iguazu falls from the Brazilian side.

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

Next trip I will also see the Argentinian side of the falls.

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil The Devils throat

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

Without a doubt this visit was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Churrascaria

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

In modern restaurants rodízio service is typically offered. Passadores (meat waiters) come to the table with knives and a skewer, on which are speared various kinds of meat, In most parts of Brazil, the churrasco is roasted with charcoal. In the south of Brazil, however, mostly close to the borders of Argentina and Uruguay, embers of wood are also used.


Beautiful Dalia, 23 years old.

Amazing Iguazu Falls Brazil

Such a beautiful young girl, I often wonder about her and hope she is well and happy.

                           Here are some more posts to check out 

         Istanbul                                 Budapest                        London

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

          Mostar                           Dubrobnik                            Split

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

                 Saigon                            Zagreb                          Vung tau

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

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

                                                     

 
 
 
 
 

After you see Iguazu falls head across to the coast for a Brazilian surprise.

 

 
 
Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

Wealthy Play St Tropez

May 2, 2014 by David Herd

Let the games begin.

Wealthy play St Tropez

Wealthy Play St Tropez

Wealthy Play St Tropez, a place for sheer opulence, people watching, & great restaurants and bars. Please remember to take your money with you. 🙂

Boules-type games are traditional and popular in FranceItaly and Croatia, and are also popular in some former French colonies. In those countries, boules games are often played in open spaces (town squares and parks) in villages and towns. Dedicated playing areas for boules-type games are typically large, level, rectangular courts made of flattened earth, gravel, or crushed stone, enclosed in wooden rails or back boards.

Paella anyone?

Wealthy Play St Tropez

The huge place des Lices Market is a kaleidoscope of everything from fruit and veg to antique mirrors and slippers. It’s truly legendary and It is studded with plane trees, cafés and (when the market’s not on) pétanque players.

Saturday is market day in St Tropez

Wealthy Play St Tropez

The seaside resort town Saint Tropez is still very popular with the tourists, although the jetset and the in-crowd have long since left it behind. Set on the lovely blue water of the Bay of Saint-Tropez, this modern version of a medieval town is most popular for the line of yachts along the quay, and the facing line of terrace cafés, divided by a parade of strolling tourists.

Look at me, look at me. 🙂

Wealthy Play St Tropez

Naturally all the chairs face the footpath so customers can ogle & gawk at the people passing, while pretending not too. 🙂

The famous Cafe de Paris.

Wealthy Play St Tropez

There is of course another famous Cafe de Paris in Monte Carlo.

So many restaurants & so little time. 🙂

Wealthy Play St Tropez

I guess I’m stating the obvious however you can get far better value for your money by visiting the restaurants a couple of blocks away from the sea front.

The old part of town is quite fascinating.

Wealthy Play St Tropez

Behind the cafés, the small streets and old buildings are picturesque, but they’re more popular for the multitude of shops and restaurants than historical significance.

The back streets are interesting

Wealthy Play St Tropez

Very interesting back streets of ST Tropez.

Wealthy Play St Tropez

Wealthy Play St Tropez

There are always luxury yachts cruising in the area.

Narrow lanes & arches

Wealthy Play St Tropez

I’m sure this arch has not changed for hundreds of years.

L’Olive St Tropez

Wealthy Play St Tropez

Very good food at L’Olive at 9 Rue Aire du Chemin, 83990 Saint-Tropez.

Wealthy Play St Tropez     Wealthy Play St Tropez

A very brassy lady

Wealthy Play St Tropez

Surely this can’t be Bridgette Bardot. 🙂

Could this be a Trojan Horse?

Wealthy Play St Tropez

I really like this sculpture near St Tropez wharf.

Deborah Holliday & Jodie ONeill

Wealthy Play St Tropez

Mt travelling companions Deb and Jodie heading for a night out, some guys bought them drinks and Deb in return shouted a round, 110 Euros later, some smelling salts were required for her to recover and fight another day.

There is always someone with a bigger boat.

Wealthy Play St Tropez

Imagine the cost of filling this east up with fuel. 🙂

You can really smell the money here. 🙂

Wealthy Play St Tropez

Wealthy Play St Tropez”.

Super boat

Wealthy Play St Tropez

Certainly not the prettiest boat in the harbour.

If you can’t afford a boat, get a bike.

Wealthy Play St Tropez

Not much traffic here so a bike would be a safe way to see the city.

So many restaurants & such little time

Wealthy Play St Tropez

 l’auberge de maures is a very nice restaurant

Thank you for visiting my Wealthy Play Sexy St Tropez post.

Wealthy Play St Tropez

Here I am with my friend Jodie enjoying a pre dinner drink at our Hotel Les Palmiers in Wealthy Play St Tropez

For a terrific room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Thanks for visiting my Wealthy Play St Tropez photo blog.

                          Here are some more posts to check out 

             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)

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

That’s all folks

1g Duck

To receive my latest posts please follow me on Twitter

 

Click ohere to check out my post on Brussels.

 

Click here to see another of my terrific posts.

 

Click here to see another great post.

 

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos