Day 9 - Back in Tokyo day2

Day 9 - Back in Tokyo 2....

this is the day fo rall teh last minute shopping, and all the souvenirs stuffs...

Haha.. really get lotsa things just withing the first few hours...

Heading on to Ueno again, to explore the park...
And coincidentally, i chance upon a 6 storey toy/gadgets shop!!

Selling all the latest toys and models kits, occupying 6 storeys!

Spent another 2 hrs there shopping ard and really spent teh bulk o fmy money there this time...
Damn again, could have bought more things, but tiome constraint, have to rush off to get more souvenirs.... haha...

Last stop for the night would be making a visit to the Tokyo Tower.
Choose to go in the night, as the lightings would bound to add more 'special effects' to the tower.
Indeed it does!
Really nice! took many satisfying pics of the Tokyo tower, and its really worth the effort there..

Well, thats enuff, already almost depleted my cash on hand, and the constant swiping of VISA definitely will not be a pleasant sight when the bill comes to me in Singapore...

Overall, It was really a great trip!

Tokyo ---> Yokohama ---> Osaka ----> Tokyo.

Damaged : about 3k SGD
Gained : Unmeasureable and invaluable....

Day 8 - Back in Tokyo

Day 8 @ Tokyo....

back in Tokyo and took a slow walk this time around the Shibuya and Shinjuku area in the evening.

Finally, the weather has not been as hot as it was few days back.
much more a breeze to shop and sight see.

The night scene is definitely very much different from that in the day, not only isit much cooler, the lightings also adds in more aesthetical effects to the surroundings.

Been tempted so many time to make that impulse purchase, but held back...

Its so different from the Tokyo that i came to know when i first reached. Now seems like so many things interest me more....

Arrgghh.. this always happens. Just when you have limited time left inthat particular place, you find it more meaningful and interesting...

wonder what will I explore tomorrow....

Day 7 (Wed)- Osaka

Day 7 @ Osaka day 2

Didnt really have a plan to go today...
Was playing with the thought of heading to another beach in Osaka maybe??

but it seems so inaccessible..

So gave up that idea nad head for Universal Studio Walk.

Its teh street leading to ubniversal Studio Tokyo.

Well enough to shop ard there, and nope, i didnt pay to go into universal studio.... lol..
Looks empty and not worth the price...

Infact, there's a Takoyaki (Otopus ball) Muesem at the universal Walk!
up to 5 different shops selling their own versionof Takoyaki !
I didnt get any, cos planning to head down to the town at night for the more "originals" one....

Went down to teh Minami district, where there are streets of eateries and shops, and not to mention, plently of Takoyakii stalls!
If you hadnt noticed, Takoyaki is originated form Osaka, and u can see a stall selling them every 100 meteres along this street!

Its really nice compared to singapore's ones...
and walking down the streets there is really enjoyable and time well spent.. especially with all the delicacies....

Day 6 (Tues) - OSAKA

Day 6 - Tues @ Osaka

Onward to Osaka via the Shinkansen once again.
Arrghh.. i miss the beach.....

Well, sometime to look forward to in Osaka.
Another happening city in Japan.
Already past midnoon when i arrived, found a not too expensive hotel, (8000yen = s$100/night for very good amenities and big room.

Apparently, the concept of Hostel is not that widespread in Osaka, and they are usually located far from the city centre...
So well, just pamper myself for this 2 days!

Situated near to Osaka station, surrounded by some main shooping centere, and at the alley near all the pubs and bars..

Nice place.

Made my way to the town area , and there i am caught in a Sports apparels complex fro 1 over hours, just going through the volleyball related apparels and others! (you bet i got some unique volleyball items...)

10days on and its the world IAAF 2007 meet to be held in Osaka, and teh city centre was filled with the "sporting spirits". All the athletes posters along the street and gracing all the sports shops ...

Nice place, though another city, but generate a different feel from that of tokyo.. less commercialise i think...

Day 5 (Monday) ~ Yokohama; Kamakura Beach

Day 5 (monday) @ Kanakura beach

This has to be the best part of my trip!
20mins by train and 1.3km walk from the Kanakura Train station, and there i am, The Kamakura Beach!!

It was really a sight!]Its a real beach!! not manmade..
And thanks to the summer season coinciding with the summer holidays, the beach was filled with people!!
the waves, the bikini-clads gals and sorry, no speedo biys around... lol..

Whold beach is filled with sun-lovers! all having fun on the beach water, board-surfing and riding teh waves!
arrgghh... I wished Singapore has such a sight!

Spent the whole afternoon up and down the stretch of teh beachline, taking a rest every now and then just t enjoy the sun , the wind and the even tan !

Something good about this beach is, they have 'Locker hut' for deposit of bags free of charge to all. And the pubs all situated one beside the other across 3/4 of teh beach. It's really really a great kind of feeling, and felt really like sunmmer time to me at this very moment!

hmm.. took tonnes fo photos at the beach, cos its really really beautiful.
Not the clear blue water kinda beautiful, but the kind where its full of people having funinthe water, sun-tanning at the beach, teh waves, surfboards, floats, the view of the open sea all under the clear blue sky!

I will definiteky want to return for a while as a stopover from Osaka back to Tokyo...

Preparing to head to Osaka tmrw on the Shinkansen (bullet train) tmrw morning, so better get some rest and recharge for OSAKA!

hmm.. what can i do in Osaka...???

Day 4 - Sunday ~Yokohama

Day 4 - Sunday @ Yokohama

Took a train to Yokohama (abt 40mins) and checked into another hostel, Yokohama Hostel Village.
The rooms are really superd!

Although small, its Japanese style with Tatmi and Futon. SHIOK!!! somemore air^conditioned with a televison.. (tho' all channels are in Japanese) and the best is, i managed to catch a delayed telecast of the WORLD Grand Prix women's Volleyball match on TV!!

Spent the day walking around teh Yokohama city center, thru' the Chinatown and to the Yokohama Bay.
Very nice and scenic park at the harbour front, great for a picnic!
head downwards to Mirami 21, with its amusement center and the famous Landmark Tower, touted as the highest building there.
A fee is charged for taking the high-speed lift up to the top of teh building, somewhat reminds me of the Taipei 101 Building.

A rare sight is a Back alley 'concert' going on near my hostel area.
A make-shift stage at the lower ground of a residential flat there, everyone singing to the tune..

Heard uts held during this time of teh year.. wonder if there's gonna be any tonight??

alright, tmrw is my last night in Yokohama, and i will be spending the whole afternoon at the nearby beach (Kamakura Beach) abt 20mins train ride away....

Day 3 (Sat) ~ Tokyo - Mt Fuji

Day 3 (Saturday)

An attempt to get near Mt fuji to catch a better view of the magnificent Mountain in Japan.
Yup, just to get a view, not to climb it.

Well, getting near to it takes up quite a fair bit of travelling time..
2 and half hours train from Tokyo to Kawaguchi, supposedly close to the Kawaguchi Lake that is to the north foot hill of Mt Fuji..

Well, managed t0 catch a view of Mt Fuji, but still, the mountain seems so far..
Will require another 1hr of Bus ride and ard 30mins of waiting time for the bus...
Checking that i am running short of time for the return trip to Tokyo, I just have to settle for what i have....
Weather wasn't ideal either fo rthe view of Mt Fuji as it was cloudy, and the peak was covered partially by the big chunck of clouds...
Nevertheless, still managed to take a few shots of teh mountain.

I still have a chance to view it, yeah, from the airplane. The mountain is really that grand that u can identify it from the sky, when I was touching down to Japan.

Tried to rush back to Tokyo center to cathc a Firework, bt too bad, am late, so well, have to missed that agian..
aerrgghh.. a second missed in a day.. -_-''

Nothing to do in the night, so i decided to head down to teh clubbing scene in Tokyo.
The notorious Shinjuku clubbing district, hmm.... wasn't really a great eye-opener..
'cept for the liberal existence of　'artistic' videoa and books...

the 'clubs' are small, more like the pubs in S'pore.. no cover charge for most, and the beer/liquor are cheap!
JPY 600. about S$8.
and teh liquor are strong! I didnt managed to finish a vodka orange after a bee, cos i really cant hold my liquor well.
And of cos, the clubbing scence there is somewhat like Bangkok, in the manner the streets are divided.. one street, its for the men finding gals..
The next street, its for the men finding men.
Interesting...

Still , i think i missed St James Powerhouse though and the likes of Zouk spinning Retro,...

DAY 2 ~ Tokyo

Day 2 ~ Tokyo : Tsukiji\Shibuya\Harajuku\Shinjuku



Still the same hot weather, but more prepared this time as i slipped on my slippers and yes, Sleeveless t\shirts this time! (phew, luckily my instinct told me to bring along some really light clothings) and berms...

Staarted my day at Tsukiji Fish MArket, tho not there to catch the fish auction , etc. But more importantly is to savour the Fresh and cheap Sushi at the restaurants located just a stone throw from the wholesale market.

There's so many restaurants around, which finally i made my wayt into one real great restaurant!
Sushizanami!
It was kinda crowded, and they have this prmo set, at only JPY1,400 I get 13 pieces of sushi sashimi hand-made ight in front of me served on the' wooden structure'...
The sushi is really heavenly!!! it just 'melts' in your mouth!
For an equivalent of less than S$20 , zuch deal is not to be missed!
I am definitely going back on my last day in tokyo....

Next stop, its to Shibuya.
Its really a sight after i exited from the station. Like a meeting point, all the youngsters were standing around waiting for their frens/date.
and yeah, Japan has really got lotsa beautiful people!
The gals are not all short, they are pretty tall infact, and really know how to put on make-ups!
The guys are cool too... Like poster boys.

Lotsa shopping center around but the streets of shops would be worth strolling about. Loud colours out to catch passer-by's attentions.

After that is to Harujuku, which is one station away...
Being a weekday, dont really get to see the ghotic cross-dresser...
But there's a street with all the small fashion/idol shops. Further up the slopesleads to more shops, but just not in the mood for shopping..

Hence, its off to Shinjuku for a peep.

Well, Shinjuku has another street touted as the 'electric Town' Lotsa anime/manga shops around, but the fact that all are in Japanese language makes it felt so alien to me.....

Day 1

Day 1 in Tokyo

like a lost sheep , suddenly felt so lost right after i hit the tokyo central.
The extreme hot weather doesn:t help too...

Not to mention searchinng for a accom for the night under the humid hot sun...


I swear, s:pore hadn:t been that hot before..

Finally managed to get ahostel and a very cheap rate of 2000JPY only!!]]Free internet usuage, though room is small, but fully air-conditioned!
Only abit far from the nearest train station though..
but still no complains forthat great rate and adequated facilities!

the day didnt get any better when i started out my walk...
missed a turn, and i walked extra kilometers...


Walking ard tokyo is no easy feat, the places are not really near to one another... no wonder they needed so many train and subway lines...

Well, the first day was spent 'trekking' around ASAKUSA, UENO, AKIHABARA...

The walk is enough to kill me, and i decided on teh second day onwards, shouldnt save on the trains...

Updates, UPDATES, FINALLY! - JULY

Heyhey, who says the blogging wave is over...

Here i am to revive my good old blog....


What should i Blog abt.. hmmm....
UPDATES Of cos!


Still happy with life, kinda satified with work (though it can get much better with higher monetary rewards), time for myself and what else, sports and HOLIDAYS!

Ok, after like living 15 years behind lenses, I can finally and proudly cast my lenses and specs aside, and "Hello....!" near 6/6 eyesight!!!
Yeah, such feeling is so wonderful, wonderful , and wonderful!
No more hassle "fighting" with lenses on my palm, no more dry eyes, No more cumbersome specs!
I loved the technology advancement!

Still very much dedicated to my rowing team, though some unhappiness and "mismanagemnt" issues that took place recently,. Hope all this will lay to rest very soon, and the team can restart on a new footage.

Gonna keep this short,
check out my revisit on video editing for the above team....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb7BnvK-Syo

Next update, after My JAPAN Trip in AUGUST..>!!!

Finally managed to squeeze some time out, or rather , the motivating factor to update my blog.

Want such things to b edocumented, incase someday i woke up , not remembering anything ofthe past..>!
Choy, Choy Choy.......!!!

Weekends seems to be getting shorter and shorter, in teh sense that the clock seems to tick faster on Saurdays and sundays...

I wonder if someone up there stole a few hours out of time every weekend....
hmmmm........

This sat, a spectular sight, an eye-opener...
Who Says Singaporeans isn't Enthu about Volleyball (beach Volleyball)
*sigh*, a forgotten sports in singapore..
something that involves teams spirit and adrenalin pumping sports can be ignored by teh commercialised corprate entities and organisations..
2 X *sigh*...

First time ever, 15 Beach volleyball courts set up, side-by-side, adjacent to one another, all for the one day spectacular Beach Volleyball Competition @ Sentosa Siloso Beach.

Although we were out at the qualifyings, it was realy a great half day there...
It just re-affirmed my love fo rthe sports, my interest and passion.

just cant wait for the next upcoming competition....

Penang Hiatus

It started with an 8 hrs drive on a Kia 2.0 Naza 6 seater.

Its fun driving up, in a wagon, 6 of us chatting along teh wy, the whole vehicle compartment belongs to us, snacks and drinks, stopover for as long as we desire at the rest station along the highway.

A great drive up north for a beach resort get-away.

Not the ideal beach front, but definitely a worthwhile trip!

nice beach hotel at really affordable rate!

its at Batu Ferringhi , Penang.

10-15mins drive up teh endless meandering hill slope, and wala!!

That place springs to life with resort goers, shops, pubs, and stretch of "Pasar-malam" that sells apparrels cheaper than Bangkok!

Pratically spent our afternoon routine with vball, pool "game" and just lying on deck chairs sunbathing the day away..
Thats almost one dream fulfilled...!
Evening are spent in Penang downtown, the infamous "Gurney Drive" and also you can find nice and not so exp seafood along the stretch, if you bother to go abit further along the drive....

Colourful lightings above ur head, abit hot, but packs a great variety of local delights!

And its always worth the while to travel on foot and explore alleys near shopping complex, and you are bound to find nice local eateries at really low low price... places not "exploited" by the everyday tourist...

I believe I will return there again....

A small town, a peaceful town, a wonderful state...

Next stop,

Ohio Gozaimas! Jipon!

Down and Up

".. Take a bow, The night is over, the masquerade is getting older.....,
Lights are low, the curtains down...."

not a fantastic DnD. A simple and non-eventful and non-eye-catching one i supposed...
Despite the younger generation making up the main population, its a rather disappointing event.

Well,
at least something to cheer for after returning from the land of lust and gluts.
A fruitful trip, or rather, an extravagant one... Shark fins, Birdnest, Oyster, etc....

Shoppings, praying, street-trekking, etc...
as usual, exploded the budget set....


Went around the places never trekked before in the last trip, and board the famous/infamous mode of transports.

Pieced patpong, Silonm into your night life regime, Khao-san, Chinatown in the afternoon sun, MBK aginst the back of scorching hot-sun....

Dont you think life is really wonderful??

trust me..., I'll be back!

"The world is like a book. You're only at Page one if you have not travel around..."
It seems like I prefer a few chapters in that book....


















Be WARNED...... The Next Picture is NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED......

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Masquerade

This particular entry revolves around my work .... more or less...

hmm.. Wonder if the below particular scenario sounds common to most people..

Someone met you on the street and call out to you, but the problem is... you can't attached a name to the face...

And the worst part is...., you don't seem to recognise the person at all!!

that happens to me, when in the lift to my workplace, a lady entered the same lift, called out to me and say "hi"

So , I say "hi!", naturally..

But the "processor" in my head kept on running at maximum speed, trying its very best to retrieve the "data" from the back of my brain... but it fails. =(

conversation continues with still a Big "??" hanging on top of my head.

Finally, the lift reached my floor, got out, and still trying to remember....

The best part is, 2 weeks later, this gal has joined the same company as me!

She came to my desk and say hi again...

"Oh My god....., Why I still couldn't remember her,.."

Wouldn't it be very rude if after so long, i suddenly pop the question, "err... sorry huh, but what is your name??"

Tried recalling from my Hall life, Coursemates, JC, Secondary..... Still no trace...!!

Now my only chance is to wait for the HR monthly e-mail announcing the new joiners name... Maybe by then, i can finally make out who she is....

"What if I stil can't identify her??!!""

I'm certain I had never suffered from amnesia before.... oh no..... This is bad.....Is that teh first sign of aging...?

shall slowly make out on that point./...

MasQuerade

The theme for my coy's DnD next week...

With my Private limited knowledge of English, all I can attached to the theme is 'MASK"!

So there i go, hunting for a MASK, a half-face mask to be precise at Spotlight.

and Conincidentally or not, the shelf was cleard of the particular ones i was looking for, and the service staff says someone bought all 98 of them off the shelf yesterday!!

hmmm.... no worries, I have reliable and resourceful contact persons for such things, and BINGO! Fiona directed me to Concourse and I'm so glad I make a trip there!

The Mask I found was CooL! Fabulous! Absolutely wonderful and apt for the Theme Masquerade!

TaDaaaa..........!!

And it only cost $2 made of hard matrials that i can just put it on without and strings attachment!

Shimmering GOLD! And they still have Shimmering Green! Almost wanted to get that too... Silver and shiny Carbon! Haa.. should encourage my team to use this as a theme! Cheap and simple , yet 'Elegant"! lol

One headache down....

Now... hmm... who is that gal...??

Back!

PEACE & CHeeeezzzzeeee...!!!.....!!!

Life's great so far, but a bit tad too fast.... it's already 2007!!!
i.e. Almost 27 le... **sigh**


After a 4 month departure from the blogging world, I'm Back again!!


hmm.. what inspired me to be back??
Thanks to Channel News Asia Blogtv.com, that reminded me of the existence of my onine diary...


4 months back, only just started with my new job... getting used to new environment, adjusting to new work timings, adjusting my biological clock, eating habits , etc....

Finally, things are settling down, and getting my life back in pace...

Already enjoying the luxury of longer sleeping hours, longer sunday nights, the absenceof morning bus crowds...
Henceforth, slowing down the pace of life during the weekdays...


After a (business) trip back from London, it inspires me to travel the world... (well, at least Asia).



First stopped was Taiwan in December, a 6 years departure from my last trip there..

Things there really changed alot... lost are the simplistic down-to-earth living lifestyle. Replaced by commercialized shopfronts, building.... Kinda feel it lost it's attraction of a simple, slow paced lifestyle...





Well,


Looking forward to a 2nd trip to Thailand this feb, exploring the places that i missed out on my previous trip last year...




Hope it's still as-good-as-it-gets! Not forgetting the notorious nightlife there!!

Life Path

Your life path number is 9
Life Path 9 (9, 18/9, 27/9, 36/9)

The Life Path 9 suggests that you entered this plane with an abundance of dramatic feelings coupled with a strong sense of compassion and generosity. The key to the nature of a Life Path number 9 person is found in their humanitarian attitude. Even the very average of those with life path 9 possess extremely compassionate tendencies.

Usually this number produces an individual that is very trustworthy and honorable, and one unlikely to harbor any sort of prejudice. Obviously, this is a rather tall order, but you are, in fact, a person that feels very deeply for individuals less fortunate than yourself, and if you are in a position to help, you certainly will. The 9, being the highest of the single digit numbers, holds an elevated position in terms of responsibilities to mankind.

Material gains are not overly important, although the quality of some life path 9 people is such that they are materially rewarded in very significant ways. In this, however, the 9 Life Path is not apt to get rich since they are very generous, sometimes to a fault, and usually have an easy come, easy go attitude about money. The rare 9 life path has a totally selfless attitude, giving up of material possessions for the common good.

The 9 Life Path indicates you have a commanding presence. You have the ability to make friends very easily, as people are attracted to your magnetic, open personality. The term "hail-fellow" may have been coined to describe a 9 Life Path, as you may indeed be one of those who is generally upbeat and heartily friendly and congenial. You meet people easily and are quickly befriended because of your openness and amiable demeanor. Your genial ways often put you in the lead in whatever field of endeavor you pursue.

Relationships can be difficult for you because it is hard to strike a balance that will work effectively. If your partner is one sharing your giving attitudes, the relationship will be happy and lasting. On the other hand, if you choose a partner whose focus is on material issues, problems will arise quickly.
You tend to be quite sensitive, as you see the world with much feeling. The number 9's very deep understanding of life is sometimes manifested in the artistic and literary fields. If drama and acting is not your forte, it will surely be an area of great interest and potential. Likewise, you may be able to express your deep emotional feelings through painting, writing, music, or other art forms.
The purpose of life for those with a 9 life path is often of a philosophical nature. Judges, spiritual leaders, healers and educators frequently have much 9 energy. The number is less inclined to the competitive business environment and may find this a struggle.

As do all the life path numbers, the 9 has its negative side. Because of the demanding nature of the truly positive 9, many tend to fail in this category. It is not uncommon for persons with the 9 life path to fight the realities and challenges of purpose imposed here because selflessness is not an easy trait. You may have difficulty believing that giving and a lack of personal ambition can be satisfying. It must be realized and accepted that little long-term satisfaction and happiness is to be gained by rejecting the natural humanitarian inclinations of this path.

Other numerology links:
Relationship Analysis
The Soul Urge
The Destiny Number
The Life Path Periods
The Personal Year

© Michael McClain 1996-2006.

So far, So good..

Being in my new job for almost 2 monthsle.

1st month in London was alright..
meaning, uneventfukl, just liek everyday work.
Wake up , go to work, knock off, dinner, sleep...

felt the real "Impact" only when work starts in teh S'pore Office and takes on teh lOndon shift...

Coming in to work in the late noon feels good..
gets to run more errands, sleep longer hours everyday!

But the fact of "burning midnight oil" is really detrimental to the health...

So must stock up on Manuka Honey, probably Bird's nest , work out more often, and maybe considering pampering oneself with appointments to facial sp aand increase diet of anti-oxidant products?

Cos it sounds kinda scary how keeping late nights can speed up the ageing effect!!!!!
oh no, does that mean it's tiem to hit the Robinson and Metro to shop for Bio-therm? Neugeno? Origins? Nivea? Zeith?
No wonder they pay us allowances for shift work....

Well, above all, still like my job so far... working hours are reasonable, an believed will get better... heheh

Coming home.....

Havent been posting up pics, recently cos finding it inconvenient to having thread to internet cafe across the apartm,ent i am staying to upload.. its like a race against time...

shall slowly update with more london pics when i am back..>!!

And yup... will be back real soon...

Time really flies, its almost a month since i arrived, and soon, i will be on board the plane back to S'pore!

Missed the familiarity and accessibility in s'pore..
most of all, missed all the food in S'pore!!!!

And of cos, Missed All My frens in S'pore Dearly too! Not to mention my family as well..
Sounds cliche, but still find it agood experience to work overseas...
Hope to be back here again if given the chance...

;P

London Yet Again....

More pics!
hehe...

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The BIG BEN!!!


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Changing of Horse-Guards.


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The London Eye.
hmm.. planning to get on it one of this days.. the ride is about 30-45 mins for it to make one complete round...


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Its Me!! HAHHA err.. dont lok so excited though i am realy excited...


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More of Big Ben!

Coming up nest, some pics from my tour in Cambridge town.....
Its a nice town....

MORE Pics of LoNDon!

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LeadenHall Road : A market place that will come to live in the morning.. I was here in the noon.. lol Its pretty near their CBD area....


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Partial view of London CBD Area
An iconic structure in the CBD area.. Office building of some re-insurance company...


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A nice buidinge beside the Liverpool train station. i.e. equivalent of s'pore's Raffles Place MRT stn


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The Office building of my workplace!


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One of many such castle architecture u can see around London


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One of the many Busker along Convent Garden. But she's one o fmy fave!


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A "REAL" big Carousel in Convent Garden!

More nice pics and picturesque Cambridge Town pictures in my next posT!