Transnistria - Breakaway Territory in Eastern Europe - The Land That Doesn't Exist

Transnistria is wedged between the Republic of Moldova, and the Ukraine. Last week, I drove a car in, paid a few bribes to some guys in cool uniforms, and checked it out. I would take a wild guess and say not many people have heard of this place. There's not a lot of info about Transnistria on the internet, and what is available is mostly sensationalist and or inaccurate (VICE magazine, looking at you). Unfortunately, apart from a few photos, this post will do nothing to improving the worlds knowledge of Transnistria.

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Bularia: Not England, and Home to The World's Best Abandoned.... UFO

Anyone who has left a comment on this blog, knows that in 2013, I was hoping to be checking out abandoned Soviet-era architecture in Eastern Europe. Despite the metaphorical conveyor belt that seems to exist between Perth and London, the good news is, I have indeed been "stuck" in Eastern Europe for more than five months. Even better, for the price of leaving my car in the Luton Airport parking lot for a couple of hours, I can get a days worth of adventure in Bulgaria. Yes, Bulgaria. Birthplace of Iwan Iwanoff, and home to the most incredible abandoned structure anywhere on Earth.

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Albania. No, it's Not Albany.

I'm stuck in the Balkans. Albania, Croatia, Macedonia, and Serbia. There are a lot of people from these nations in Australia, but it seems to me that not many people know about the Balkans. Even less visit it. So, I can tell you that the people are friendly, the food is great, and it's the cheapest area of Europe. It's not far off South East Asia prices. If more people knew what this place had to offer, it would be swarming with tourists.

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Behind the Iron Curtain - I'm A Long Way From Home

European winter can be harsh. I haven't seen more than 10 degrees for almost six months. Often, it's minus - day and night. The cities are alive. People are friendly, mostly. I'm travelling behind the Iron Curtain, meandering my way through Eastern Europe. Just to show I'm still alive, and that this blog hasn't been forgotten about, here's some photos from the last few weeks.

As you can see, in more ways than one, I'm a long way from Perth.

I've now been on the road for 228 days.

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Bangkok Thailand : Don't Be Alarmed, You Probably Won't Die

Update. I'm currently in the heart of Western Europe, in the country of The Netherlands. It's cold, it's dark, and as a result, fireworks and weed are readily available. However, I now find myself constantly dreaming of warmer destinations. Of all the tropical paradises I have spent my days in, there's only one that is planted firmly at the top of my thoughts. Thailand. It's a magical place. A very special place. A warm and soft place known for far more, than just ping pong balls. 

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Asians and Bacon Make Everything Better

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - You Should Be Here

The hotel is booked for Tehran, Iran. This holiday is about to really step into the unknown. But, for the last two weeks or so, my home has been Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. One of the worlds great cities, and a personal South East Asian favourite of mine. For you citizens of Perth, Kuala Lumpur really should be high on your list of holiday destinations. It's only a five hour flight away, and in the same time zone (no jet-lag). Airline fares are competitive. Hotels are cheap. Food is a ridiculous bargain. Hey, this is shaping up to be the first useful post on 6000TIMES since the Iwanoff series Let's call it "KL on a budget, the 6000TIMES guide to a week's holiday in KL".WTF?.

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Luxury Travel Blogging

My distance from Perth grows greater - geographically  and within my own mind. The 6000TIMES blog, is being forced to grow equally further from Perth. I have little choice now, but to blog about things other than Perth. It won't be a "travel" blog - I'm not going to pigeon-hole what I will write about here. And if it were to become a "travel blog", it would be a lot close to budget than to luxury. It may even be anti-luxury. One thing I can guarantee, it won't be a "mommy blog". Yes, that's a real thing.

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Sydney - Is This Australia's Greatest City? Update: Probably.

I left Perth. I've been gone six weeks so far. Today, I'm on the other side of Australia. In Sydney - Australia's only truly international city. Before I talk about Sydney, a summary of what's going on. I mentioned last post, that this blog has never been about me, it's always been about Perth. Well, that may need to change slightly. Since I'm not in Perth, for now. Maybe not for a while...

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Perth Street Photography - Photos From The Mean Streets

Perth Street Photography - Photos From The Mean Streets ...of Perth

This is a departure from the standard post. Not that there has ever been any kind of "standard" post on 6000TIMES. Street photography is one of my hobbies. In between eating chicken rice, checking out graffiti, exploring abandoned buildings, or drooling over mid-century architecture, you could find me out on the streets of Northbridge, capturing the people that make up this city. It makes for some interesting interactions.

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Perth CBD Waterfront Redevelopment - 10 Reasons I Don't Give a Shit, and Nor Should You

The Perth CBD Waterfront Development. Hate it or hate it, it's coming. Maybe. Chalk-lines are on the ground. AM radio talk-back switchboards are running hot. It's time you, as a proud citizen of Perth, took a personal stand to not give a shit. Presenting : Perth Waterfront - 10 Reasons I Don't Give a Shit, and Nor Should You.

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Perth : Graffiti, Modernist Architecture, Abandoned Buildings

Graffiti, Modernist Architecture, Abandoned Building. Brisbane Street, Perth. This is the first photo in an untitled series of photos taken around the scenic Northbridge area of Perth, Western Australia. Volume one, of at least a guaranteed two parts. Then, well, lets just take it one step at a time. Cola, I thank you on behalf of the city of Perth. Enjoy.

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Perth : Small Bars Approved in 2011 = GTFO

"There hasn't been a single small bar license approved for the Perth CBD or Northbridge area in 2011."

When the Western Australian liquor laws were modified in 2007, to enable budding entrepreneurs an easier path to opening a "small bar", I didn't expect the reality of the 2011 outcome. What was promised was the potential for a landscape of smaller premises, with lower capacities, sharing the growing number of patrons that were beginning to choke the often problematic large capacity beer-barns that Perth has known for decades. There was even an advertising campaign. I'm pretty sure it mentioned Melbourne. The gist was that lane-ways would be "activated", and a number of "funky" small bars would be allowed to open, finally giving Perth residents a genuine choice of where to meet for a "sophisticated" experience with quality wines, spirits, beers, and food options. Did you fall for it? Call me an optimist, a glass half full kind of guy, but I fell for the promises hook, line, and sinker.

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Perth : Perth Entertainment Centre - Abandoned Stadium

I don't know how he did it. I'm telling you, that was the best rice I have ever eaten. There's a whole other side to the dish, sure. Fuck that was some tasty rice. Semi-transparent, glistening, aldente, and with chicken as well, I put it up there as probably the best meal I have ever eaten. Three bucks. Airfare to Singapore is under four hundred, if you plan ahead. Four hundred and three dollars, for the best meal of my life? I'd pay that tomorrow. But, this is more a Bangkok story. Singapore, has it's charms. Like a nerd cousin. I don't mind nerds. Some nerds. A few nerds. Anyway, that's Singapore. Bang-kok. Bangkok is like the cousin you wanted to visit when you were a kid. The one that lived near a space invader cocktail machine, at the squash courts down the road. There was going to be a point here, something about abandoned stadiums. Perth Entertainment Centre? Abandoned? Three hours in the P-E-C, and memories come flooding back. Gigs, movies, ALVA skate team, b-ball, circus, beer. I'm still giddy. This adventure, well it felt like a swan song. The photo's, a last waltz. Perth's greatest ever abandoned building, is moments from it's final lament. For just a few hours, the amazing Perth Entertainment Centre gave me one last magnificent performance. Truly, a Perth icon that will never be forgotten.

Bonus number of photos this time, let the memories roll. 36 shots, old school.

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Perth : So You Want to Open a Bar? LOL!

"Yes, people might get drunk. That's what people do at bars."

With Perth's population growing at approximately 100 people EVERY DAY, you would think it would be in the public interest to open a few more bars here and there. In Perth, the reality is, your chances of opening a new small bar or tavern are very, very slim. Sit down, pour a drink, settle in. Have you checked the rather sobering liquor licensing decisions made over the last few months? Here's a summary: DENIED. Essentially, every liquor license application hinges on this:  "if the application is granted, harm or ill-health might be caused to people or any group of people due to the use of liquor". Yes, people might get drunk. That's what people do at bars. I swear I'm living in Bizarro World. Anyway, on top of that, if your application is denied (it will be), you probably won't be able to re-apply for three years. Meaning, you only  have one shot at getting it right. Between September 2008 and November 2010, the applications for twenty-two new small bars were denied. However, in December, 2010, things took a very drastic turn for the worse. Read on, to see how some of Perth's most respected restauranteurs, hoteliers, and entrepreneurs have been denied their one shot.

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Perth : McShit

"The population density for JUST the CBD/central city area of Perth... is lower than that of the entire metropolitan suburban area of Los Angeles, California."

What follows is an "only in Perth" story of ineptitude and face-palmery. First, the background story. On the corner of Beaufort Street and Parry Street's in Perth City, lies a vacant block. It's been vacant for many years. Without doubt, it is one of the prime CBD fringe blocks. Walking distance to pretty much every amenity, it would be, without exaggeration, one of the most convenient places on earth to live. Free transport to your door. Supermarket across the road. (Coles, as featured in the very first post ever made here). The Weld Square park is across the road. Heart of Northbridge, a two minute walk. CBD, four minute walk. TAFE, Art Gallery, State Library, Museum, and the Good Fortune Roast Duck House, all nearby. Multi-storey residential developments popping up all around this block. Really, it's close to faultless. So what happened?

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Perth : Yet Another Abandoned Old Peoples Joint / Running for Council

Speaking of abandoned old people's homes, I'm seriously contemplating running for Council. Perth City Council, councillor. PCC. I mean, fucking come on, two of the current councillors are Real Estate agents. I've dealt with one of the other councillors before. The conversation went  "Mr Councillor, I have noticed a lack of motorcycle car bays in the city. Perhaps, in the spirit of helping to keep the city free of cars and the associated congestion and pollution, and to assist the PCC in its directive of making the CBD a more pedestrian friendly area, you would consider putting in a few more motorcycle/scooter bays?" Mr Councillor : "fuck you". There's a couple of other old, old, old councillors. Combined age, about a million. Too old. Time to move on, GPBB's (Grand Parents of Baby Boomers). There's an Asian councillor chick, and a young-ish [Glen Quagmire] all-riiiight  [/ Glenn Quagmire] whitey lady that claimed $594 for hair expenses, in a single month. Fair enough. Those two birds should probably be runnin' tings. But of course, when I get there, with the help of my cronies, we run ting's, tings nuh run we...

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Perth : Abandoned Toy Factory, O'Connor. AKA, Detroit.

Abandoned Toy Factory, Detroit, AKA O'Connor, Perth, Western Australia. Detroit is a shrinking city. In the few decades that Perth, Western Australia has gained a million residents, Detroit, Michigan, has lost a million. Mostly whiteys. Mostly.  Look, I could totally check that, and prove it as fact. Right in front of me, I have the "Atlas of Shrinking Cities". Picked it up at the Bahaus bookshop this year. That's in Germany. Dessau, Germany. Atlas der schrumpfenden Städte. A's with dots, you can't make that shit up. 2006, Phillipp Oswalt und Tim Reieniets. Henning Schirmel, you know it. So, I just checked, Detroit 1950, 1,849,568 heads. Perth 1950, 312 thousand. Who gives a fuck. There's no point. This is O'Connor, not Detroit. But, for a few hours last month, it was Detroit. Here's an abandoned Wooden Toy Factory, and some other shots of O'Connor, one of Perth's most serene and beautiful locales. If Bali was our 911, O'Connor is, our Detroit.

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Perth, Australia : Best House in the Universe as We Know It

Man. Where to start. Last blog post, I was forty stories up, in an abandoned skyscraper, looking down on a peoples takeover of Bangkok. Rocket launchers, tanks, death, destruction, and Pad Thai with spicy Papaya Salad. Yes, it was heaven. Unfortunately, as with all anarchic movements, eventually, they are beaten into submission by the man. So, I packed up, said goodbye to my new friend Sui Min, and left the land of smiles. This year, so far, I have visited more than twenty countries. Deep in the heart of Bulgaria, I couldn't but think of my favourite architect, Iwan Iwanoff. For those of you who need to get up to speed, Iwan Iwanoff, born in Bulgaria, built some of the best houses on earth, right here in Perth, between the 50's and 70's. Unique, ahead of their time, mesmerising, both timeless and un-date-able. First thing I wanted to do on my return to Perth was further research into this Honorary Herculoidian's body of work.

The Schmidt-Lademann House, in Floreat, is quite simply one of the best houses I have ever laid my eyes upon. Built in 1959, this is, as my architect associates would say "fuck off awesome". What can I tell you about? The elegant formalism, the modernist function, or the usonion simplicity and economy of locally sourced stone walls? Fuck it, I would rather just put it out there - this is Perth's best house. I haven't even seen the interior. I'm pretty sure if I did, I would simultaneously weep, quiver, and shit my pants. Perth's best house. Not to mention, it has held this title for over four decades. The Aldrich residence, currently under construction, will be the next contender for the title. More on this unbelievably complex project, another day.

Below the Schmidt-Lademannt pics, are photos of some other Iwanoff's not previously featured on 6000times. The brutal letterbox and wall detail were taken at the Feldman House, 1969, Dianella. Finally, the Frank House, also of 1969, Coolbinia wraps up a long overdue Iwanoff update. My thanks goes to the neighbour, who gave me a tour around the Frank property. The Frank House elevation is clearly not as impressive as Schmidt-Lademann, however, a quick walk around demonstrated the genius of Iwanoff.  Features such as central courtyard walled on three sides, and wooden louvres providing airflow built into many of the windows, quickly dispelled any doubts that this house is indeed special.

So, yep, back in Perth. There are a few things planned for this blog, all of which involve architecture, abandoned structures, art, and often, asians. A.A.A.A. Stay tuned, subscribe, bookmark. It's good to be back. Click Read More to see the photos. Enjoy.

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Bangkok, Thailand : Abandoned Skyscraper - Sathorn Unique Aint Worth Shit Yo

Abandoned skyscraper, Bangkok, Thailand. Fifty levels, of abandonded skyscraper. Wood flooring installed, bathroom suites connected, wiring, plumbing, fire safety systems, all done. Prime realestate on the river-bank downtown, with spectacular views. The "Sathorn Unique" was to be one of Bangkok's most exclusive residential developments. Like many other sites, constuction was abandoned during the asian financial crisis of the late 90's. As with food, Asian's do financial crisis's way better than us whiteys. How many skyscrapers were abandoned during the recent GFC? None. Think about it. Standing on a fifity level, almost completed skyscaper, some Thai guy says "fuck it man, lets just go eat some fried chicken. Yo! Kasit, Suthep, Sui Min...drop your helmets bitches! We're gettin' the fuck out of here! This building aint worth shit yo".

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