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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

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


            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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That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 2 photos

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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That’s all folks

1g Duck

Counter only started February 16 2020.

This gallery contains 4 photos

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

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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

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

                          Please check out these fabulous posts    

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Rio de Janeiro                  Singapore                    Eastern Europe
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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

 
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Counter only started June 16 2020.

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Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

May 20, 2016 by David Herd

Bangkok building boom

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom is in full swing. Chock-a-block full of high rise office buildings, up-market condos, lots of embassies, luxury hotels & very expensive shopping malls. I love the area which is close to where I stay in Soi 11 Nana.

Weird & wonderful

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Most of these modern buildings can be seen from the sky train which is by far the best way to move around Bangkok.

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Is another huge building site which will add another sky scraper to the Ploenchit skyline.

One of my favourite buildings on Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Park Ventures recently achieved the highest office rental in Bangkok of B900 per M2 per month. The building is 35 stories high and has an elevated walkway leading to the station and various shopping malls including Central World which is directly opposite. The section jutting out is the infinity at the Okura Hotel.

The Okura Prestige Bangkok is a super luxurious hotel in the building, for a discounted rate USE THIS LINK.

Rated 9.1 by Agoda

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

As you can see it is rather special and in a great location. Using THIS LINK will get you a room for under $200.

For other hotels use this link.

 Great design the Park Hyatt Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Park Hyatt Bangkok, opening on May 12th 2017, has its sights set on being the capital’s leading icon of luxury and hotels in Bangkok. Presenting internationally inspired architecture and interior design; exceptional accommodation. Central Embassy will be hoping they will bring potential customers as their traffic since opening has been disappointing.

For an excellent room rate t the Park Hyatt just book through THIS LINK.

These great walkways take you off the street

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Linking hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and offices these modern walkways are quite fantastic. You can walk from Ploenchit to Chidlom and Central Embassy and Central world.

Busy Bangkok corner

Deutsche Bank Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Prestige companies, condos, hotels etc really love the Ploenchit Chidlom area of Bangkok.

Now if it’s good food you want…..

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Right beside Chidlom station is terrific Bangkok restaurant, the Pirate Chambre. A little hard to find but worth the effort, there is a walkway from the station. The fabulous lamb shank was only B480.

JW Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit

Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom

Breakfast at the JW Marriott bakery on Sukhumvit Road Ploenchit is always a pleasure & the coffee is excellent. Just a short walk to Ploenchit station, for an excellent room rate at the fine hotel USE THIS LINK TO BOOK. 

Thanks for visiting my Sukhumvit Rd Ploenchit building boom photo blog.

Great location

Nana Sukhumvit area Bangkok

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

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

                       Here are some more posts to check out           

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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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
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Weekend Bangkok May 2016

May 18, 2016 by David Herd

Via Vai Soi 8 Sukhumvit

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

 Weekend Bangkok May 2016 included visiting new restaurants, sky bars & shopping malls. It’s nice to have a break from Pattaya which is where I live 2 hours south of Bangkok.

Dinner at Via Vai

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

My friend Hamish Elton and I in Soi 8 eating Italian food which was ok without making you want to rush back.

Via Vai is opposite Monsoon which is one of my favourite Bangkok restaurants.

The Game sports bar

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

On Sukhumvit beside Nana station this bar has lots of screens showing all the sports. A separate smoking area overlooks the footpath which spares the drinkers inside the bar. The header to this post is a favourite shot of mine that was taken at “The Game”, I call it Minnesota Fats racking them up. 🙂

Beef stew at THE GAME.

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

At best it was barely average, next time I’ll try something different.

Now if it’s good food you want…..

Bangkok restaurant reviews

A terrific new Bangkok restaurant, the Pirate Chambre at Chidlom. Hard to find but worth the effort. The fabulous lamb shank was only B480.

Enjoying a red wine at Pirate Chambre

Bangkok restaurant reviews

Put this excellent restaurant on your bucket list.

 Signing the waiver

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Sign before you ride, the guy didn’t last to long in the saddle, they just pump up the speed and it’s all over rover.

Hooters Bangkok Soi 4 Sukhumvit

When the Hooter’s girls saddle up it’s a much gentler ride.

Here is my hotel in Soi 11 Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Next door to the tailor is i-check inn, great value if you use this link to book.

Ribs at Tony Romas during Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Terminal 21 is where you will find Tony Roma and his ribs.

 The Sheraton on Sukhumvit and Terminal 21.

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

From Asoke station a walkways takes you straight into Terminal 21.

Bangkok at night

Asoke Bangkok at night

Asoke intersection

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

A very busy intersection, you can see the building where the Long Table sky bar Bangkok is located on the 25th floor of the Colomn serviced apartments in Soi 16 Asoke.

JW Marriott

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

A very good breakfast and the coffee is excellent. Plus I have a 20% discount card.

A guy I know gets preferential treatment

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

I showing the staff this photo next time I’m there and asking for the same serving of avocado. 🙂

I started with this shot and I’m going to finish with it.

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Every now and then I take a photo I really like, this is one of those. It was taken at “The Game”, sports bar in Nana and I call it “Minnesota Fats racking them up.” 🙂

Late night street food

Weekend Bangkok May 2016

Quintessential late night Bangkok.

Thanks for checking out my Weekend Bangkok May 2016 photo blog.

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

Bangkok Budget Sukhumvit Hotels

More photo blogs here;

Rio beach babes

Florianopolis Brazil 

Bangkok river ferry

Fabulous HCMC

Lyme Regis Jurassic coast

Hiroshima Japan

Sydney Harbour

The best Bangkok budget hotel I have ever stayed in.

            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

 
  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

Counter only started June 16 2020.

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

May 10, 2016 by David Herd

View point Pratumnak Hill

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand is a city two hours south of Bangkok. My first visit was 37 years ago in 1980 and after many trips over the years since then I decided to move here from Australia in October 2011. Without a doubt it was the right decision given how expensive the cost of living in Australia has become. Don’t get me wrong, I still love Australia with a passion, however at my age Thailand offers a better lifestyle at an affordable price.

The following photos and video were taken from the naval base on Pratumnak Hill beside the communication tower you can see in the centre of the above photo.

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

 

A perfect view of Pattaya Bay stretching all the way to Wongamat which is the next beach to the north.

Waterfront condo

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

Construction was halted in 2014 due to alleged anomalies in the building specifications and planning permits.  Nobody seems to have any idea if and when work will re-commence.

In late 2016 it was reported they have to now remove the top 8 floors of the building.

Bali Hai pier

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

 

Just below the view point is Bali Hai pier where for B30 you can take a ferry to Koh Larn where there are some excellent beaches and clean water.

A closer look at the pier.

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

 

The ferries to Koh Larn run about every 39 minutes from 10 am.

Admiral HRH Prince of Chumphon

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

 Admiral HRH Prince of Chumphon(also written as ‘Jumborn‘) is the man who is referred to as the ‘Father of the Royal Thai Navy’.

Pattaya city

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

 

The city behind Pattaya Bay Beach Resort.

View to the south

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

 

As you can see there is a lot of construction under way in Pratamnak.

A building boom

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

 

Well if it’s not a building boom I’m not sure how you would describe it in May 2016.

Sunset over Pattaya Bay.

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

 

The sunsets in Pattaya Bay Beach Resort are as spectacular as anything I have seen in this world, as are the tropical storms.

Tropical storm

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

 

During the wet season which is May to November these fierce storms roll in over the bay often causing severe damage to the beach. Follow this link to see the aftermath of Vamco in 2015.

Para-Sailors in Pattaya bay.

Great vision of Parasailing in Pattaya, Thailand

Here is a short video.

Pattaya view point.

Pattaya Bay

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

A great view of the city.

Webcam Pattaya Bay Beach Resort

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

 

Check out Pattaya Bay Beach Resort any time you wish, just bookmark this link.

Strange event

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

This was June 12th 2017 & at first I thought itr was sand stirred up by the speedboats. Then a suggestion was made it could be the result of some sort of plankton bloom.

Thanks for stopping by.

Pattaya Bay Beach Resort Thailand

I hope you enjoyed my Pattaya Bay Beach Resort photo blog.

Sabai Wing Soi 1 North Pattaya

 

 

                       

Holiday Inn

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

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

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The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

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

 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

 
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Counter only started February 16 2020.

This gallery contains 3 photos

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra

April 15, 2016 by David Herd

Australian lamb, delicious.

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra in Pattaya Klang. Thai beef & lamb leaves a lot to be desired compared to Australia & New Zealand, and here at Big C they offer great quality imported meat at similar prices to what you would pay in Australia. Perhaps the price may be 10 or 15% more however I am happy to pay a premium to get the beat product.

Great choice of quality meat

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra

I don’t eat a lot of steak these days preferring to focus on lamb cutlets, chops and the huge lamb shanks here at Big C Extra.

A lot can change in 5 years

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra

It’s now 2021 & Aussie lamb prices have gone through the roof. Currently B1,590 a kilo, up from B950 in 2016.

Thankfully the cost of living in Pattaya has not risen too much, for some examples just follow THIS LINK.

Lamb Shanks

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra

These two shanks weigh  1.2 kilo for B550 or $20 aud. I either roast them or use a slow cooker, either way they are delicious. The good news is they are so large I get two meals out of each shank, I always bake extra vegetables so the following day lunch is cold roast lamb with bubble and squeak, life does not get much better than that. 🙂

Friends arrive for dinner

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra

Here are my friends Larry Krausz and Hamish Elton enjoying roast lamb shanks with vegetables & washed down with red wine from Australia.

Sadly we lost Larry in January 2016 after he suffered a major stroke, RIP buddy.

A slow cooked shank with a view

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra

The view from my condo on the 20th floor of Markland in Beach Road Pattaya. After slow cooking for around 5 hours the meat just falls off the bone.

Perhaps you prefer baked

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra

Roast lamb shank & vegetables with Gravox and red wine.


Chops and Shanks from Best Pattaya butcher

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra

My standard order which gives me six great meals for B800 or $32 aud. The chops are so thick I only need to cook two with some vegetables and gravy.

Buy Australian lamb in Pattya

Lamb cutlets with a view

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra

Cutlets & baked vegetables with loads of gravy.

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

Coffee at Big C Extra

Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra

Always after visiting the Best Pattaya butcher I enjoy a B50 hot latte at this little coffee shop right in front of the super market.

Thanks for visiting my Best Pattaya butcher Big C Extra photo blog, please don’t tell anybody about this wonderful butcher, the last thing I need is them running out of product.

Click bottom right hand corner for full screen.

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

           

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.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

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The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

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

 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

This gallery contains 2 photos

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya

April 14, 2016 by David Herd

Mezzo is now closed, replaced with The Coffee Club.

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya has become a favourite place for me to get away from my computer. I live on the 17th floor of Markland and often spend too much time banging on the keyboard producing new photo FiveStarVagabond blogs. So when I need a break I head down for coffee and to chat and have fun with the lovely young girls who work there.

Always smiling

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya

The girls are always happy and smiling, it is a pleasure to walk in and share some jokes with them. The coffee and the cakes are very good also. 🙂

Ham & salad croissant

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya

They offer quite a variety of snacks, Mezzo is a Thai group of shops, there is another branch at the rear of Mike shopping mall.

The cakes are my downfall

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya

Sadly I find it hard to resist the selection of cakes and cookies, oh well I guess I have to maintain my 110 kilograms.

Blueberry cheesecake 

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya

 

I try to limit myself to a cake every 2nd visit, I don’t always succeed. 🙂

How lucky am I?

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya

Here is the view from my condo on the 20th floor, I never tire of looking at this wonderful vista. However as I said before when I want a break from the computer I slip down to Mezzo for a coffee and cake.

The building next door shaped like a boat is the very popular A1 hotel, use this link for a great room rate. If you want to see more here is my A1 photo blog.

Any time you want to see this view live just follow this link for my webcam.

Friends at Mezzo

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya

This is Pothole aka John Martin with his sons Tyrone, Tiger & Tate, & Kayo from Tokyo. 

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya

Thanks for visiting my Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya photo blog, I can honestly say out of all the great places I have lived and owned in Australia, I find this current home is the most spectacular view I have ever experienced. I feel sorry for the many people in this world who are not moved by great views such as Pattaya Bay.

More of the smiling faces

Mezzo coffee Markland Condo Pattaya The staff is always pleased to see you.

                   

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.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

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The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

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

 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
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This gallery contains 2 photos

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

April 12, 2016 by David Herd

New shopping mall

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

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

April 12 2016

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

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

Kids having fun

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

Being school holidays there were kids everywhere.

Coffee Club

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

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

Big modern supermarket

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

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

Postal service

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

Many different shops as you would expect.

Tokyo Teppanyaki

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

I was surprised at the number of Japanese restaurants here.

 

Another Japanese restaurant.

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

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

Tuna Ichiban

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

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

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

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

Harbor new Pattaya mall seems to have it all

Harbor new Pattaya Shopping Mall

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

                    Here are some more posts to check out       

Holiday Inn

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.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

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The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

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

 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

 

This gallery contains 2 photos

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

April 9, 2016 by David Herd

Fishing boats on Jomtiem beach

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south in my mind used to be Pattaya’s poor cousin, well times have changed. There are many people who prefer to live in this quieter area on the Thai coast rather than busy gridlocked Pattaya beach. The beach stretches for miles & miles and the water is much cleaner than Pattaya bay.

Relax in the shade

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

Sabai sabai means relax in Thai, one of about 10 words I know the meaning of. I have only been living in Thailand five years so that equates to 2 words a year, hmm I guess I’m a little slow. 🙂

Building boom

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

The first couple of photos may have given the impression of a sleepy backwater, well nothing could be further from the truth, High rise condos and hotels are exploding on the skyline. This monster has the unfortunate name of Cetus which always reminds me of part of the female anatomy.

 Jomtiensaineung Road

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

 Chom Tian is the name you will often see on road signs, located 165 km south-east of Bangkok and a few minutes south of Pattaya.

Magic sunset at Jomtien

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

A great time of the day to swim or just enjoy a cocktail by the beach.

https://www.facebook.com/jomtienplazacondotel/videos/2084677088444742/?t=0

Lots of restaurants

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

The beach is about 6 kms long and there are many restaurants opposite where you can enjoy the sunset and the sea breeze.

Indian, Italian, French and many others.

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

So many restaurants and so little time.

Natan’s is my favourite

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

Put Naten’s on your bucket list, it is in my top 6 restaurants in Pattaya and Jomtien. The food and décor is exceptional and rather inexpensive

Drifters Beach Cafe

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

A little further south overlooking the beach is a nice little cafe bar where you can enjoy a cocktail or a pizza while watching the beautiful sunset.

Location

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

You really need a car to get to Drifters cafe.

Thailand’s ugly overhead power lines

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

A common sight in Thailand, the next photo highlights the highly trained workmen.

Master electrician at work

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

Workplace health & safety is not a high priority in Thailand, however there is a guy holding the ladder  ?

Miles of sandy beach

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

No problem finding a place to sit at Jomtien. 🙂

Restoring the beach, July 2021

 Jomtien Beach Pattaya south        Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

Certainly a worthwhile excercise.

Jomtien Pattaya south

Jomtien Beach Pattaya south

Thanks for visiting my Jomtien Pattaya south photo blog, lots more to see just follow the links below.

                           Here are some more posts to check out      

 

The building in the middle is the Holiday Inn, on the left is the Amari Hotel which is another very good five star hotel. Use THIS LINK to book for a very good room rate.

Sabai Wing North Pattaya

 

The best Pattaya budget hotel, 3 pools & opposite Central Marina shopping mall. For a great room rate just book through THIS LINK.

Sutus Court is a great budget hotel right i the heart of one of Pattaya’s main bar areas, just use THIS LINK for a terrific room rate. 420/100 Moo 9 Soi Buakhao.

Pattaya Hilton

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

 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. 
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