
Errors Community![]() 12 Countries 518 Friends 278 Reviews & Articles 80 Firsts Last Login: Aug 22, 2010 Member Since: Mar 22, 2008 Website: My websiteCitizen of: CanadaLanguages Spoken: English, Travel Style: Mix & MatchPreferred transportation: WalkingInterests: Baseball, Dancing, Movies, People-Watching, Photography, Shopping, Swimming, Theatre, Wildlife, WritingRelationship Status: SingleTravel Status: Hitting the roadInterested in: MalesOccupation: not sure yet ...I travel because: I love it. Simple as that.Perfect meal: Fish & ChipsNever travel without: My cameraI wish they invented: Instant teleportationLast thing I broke: My bank accountThe thing I always forget: I don't forget, I'm OCD when it comes to packingTravel inconveniences I could do without: Waiting at the airportWhen not traveling I'm: At a baseball game, play, or movieAshley T. Traveling is a visceral experience for me, which makes it difficult to describe to others. To say it has profoundly affected who I am sounds cheesy and cliche, but it is entirely true. My first solo trip changed my values, goals, relationships, and the way I look at the world. I can't imagine how the last two years of my life would have turned out, or where I would be today, if I hadn't gone there.
I booked that trip in 2007 very spontaneously, which wasn't like me at all. I was set to begin university in a few months time. After several years of figuring out what I wanted to do for a living, I was pretty sure I had it all figured out at the age of twenty-two. But I needed one last adventure before settling into school and then a career. So I found the most obscure destination I could find in the tour company catalogue and said "I'm going to go there." My friends thought I was nuts, but my family was surprisingly supportive.
And the rest is history. On that three-week vacation, I saw some of the most amazing places, experienced new cultures, and met some of the best friends I've ever had. When it was over, I didn't think I'd ever see those people again, but we've managed to stay in touch online and have even visited each other and met up for reunions on numerous occasions.
I came home and I started school, but something had changed, and I knew within the first week of classes that I didn't belong there. I withdrew from the program on the third day, and even if it seemed like a hasty decision, I knew it was the right one. Two years later, I'm still not sure where my life is going, but my travels have been more educational and provided me with more experiences than any book or classroom ever could. : ) Travel ScorecardCountries See cities Map Loading! Travel ScorecardSee countries Cities ![]() Africa Egypt: Abu Sunbul Egypt: Al Jizah Egypt: Al Minya Egypt: Al Uqsur Egypt: Aswan Egypt: Asyut Egypt: Bani Suwayf Egypt: Cairo Egypt: Idfu Egypt: Isna Egypt: Kawm Umbu Egypt: Qina Egypt: Saqqarah Egypt: Suhaj Caribbean The Bahamas: Arawak Cay The Bahamas: Athol Island The Bahamas: Belair Estates The Bahamas: Blair Estates The Bahamas: Burnside Cay The Bahamas: Cable Beach The Bahamas: Camperdown The Bahamas: Creek Village The Bahamas: Englerston The Bahamas: Golden Gates Estates The Bahamas: Highbury Park The Bahamas: Long Cay The Bahamas: Millar Heights The Bahamas: Nassau The Bahamas: Nassau Estate The Bahamas: New Providence Island The Bahamas: Paradise Island The Bahamas: Potter Cay The Bahamas: Salt Cay The Bahamas: Sandilands Village The Bahamas: Sea Breeze Estates The Bahamas: Silver Cay The Bahamas: Stapleton Gardens The Bahamas: Winton The Bahamas: Winton Heights The Bahamas: Winton Meadows The Bahamas: Yamacraw Beach Estate Europe Denmark: Avedore Denmark: Copenhagen Denmark: Helsingor Denmark: Hvidovre Finland: Alanampa Finland: Apukka Finland: Esbo Finland: Hameenlinna Finland: Helsinki Finland: Inari Finland: Juutua Finland: Jyvaskyla Finland: Karigasniemi Finland: Kaunispaa Finland: Kayramo Finland: Kersilo Finland: Keuruu Finland: Kiiminki Finland: Kirkonkyla Finland: Kuorevesi Finland: Laivavaara Finland: Lappi Finland: Laukaa Finland: Liminka Finland: Lukkarinsaari Finland: Oulu Finland: Petkula Finland: Peurasuvanto Finland: Poykko Finland: Pudasjarvi Finland: Purnumukka Finland: Pyhajarvi Finland: Rovaniemi Finland: Sattanen Finland: Sodankyla Finland: Takala Finland: Tampere Finland: Tormanen Finland: Torvinen Finland: Viitasaari Finland: Vuojarvi Finland: Vuotso Finland: Ylinampa France: Paris France: Roissy-en-France Norway: Aisaroaivve Norway: Alta Norway: Andalsnes Norway: Anes Norway: Arnes Norway: Arset Norway: Assveet Norway: Aune Norway: Badderbotn Norway: Ballangen Norway: Berkak Norway: Bo Norway: Boland Norway: Bordal Norway: Bottheim Norway: Brandvoll Norway: Brattset Norway: Breidvik Norway: Brekka Norway: Brennelv Norway: Brunstad Norway: Buan Norway: Dombas Norway: Dovre Norway: Dragaset Norway: Drivstua Norway: Dunderland Norway: Eidsdal Norway: Eidsvoll Norway: Eldskog Norway: Elvebakken Norway: Engan Norway: Engan Norway: Evja Norway: Faberg Norway: Fagerhaug Norway: Fauske Norway: Finneid Norway: Finneid Norway: Finnoya Norway: Fiskem Norway: Fjordbotn Norway: Flata Norway: Fokstua Norway: Fossheim Norway: Fryjordet Norway: Gardenget Norway: Geiranger Norway: Gisnas Norway: Gjerdset Norway: Gorset Norway: Grong Norway: Gullikoya Norway: Gyllan Norway: Hagan Norway: Hamar Norway: Hammerfest Norway: Harran Norway: Haukdal Norway: Heimdal Norway: Hestvik Norway: Hjerkinn Norway: Hol Norway: Hommelvik Norway: Honningsvag Norway: Ilbro Norway: Indre Baklia Norway: Indre Berg Norway: Indre Ravelseidet Norway: Isnestoften Norway: Jaktoya Norway: Jessheim Norway: Joramo Norway: Kafjord Norway: Kafjordbotn Norway: Kamoyvaer Norway: Kappfjellia Norway: Karasjok Norway: Karvik Norway: Kjorem Norway: Klepp Norway: Klokkeroya Norway: Kongsvoll Norway: Korgen Norway: Kregnes Norway: Kvaenvik Norway: Kval Norway: Kvalsund Norway: Kvam Norway: Kvilnes Norway: Lakselv Norway: Langanes Norway: Langset Norway: Laukvik Norway: Ler Norway: Levanger Norway: Lia Norway: Lilleenget Norway: Lillehammer Norway: Litleberget Norway: Ljoshaugen Norway: Loklia Norway: Lund Norway: Lundamo Norway: Lunde Norway: Mageroya Norway: Majavatn Norway: Marak Norway: Marstein Norway: Meby Norway: Melem Norway: Mellingsmoen Norway: Melsvik Norway: Mettevoll Norway: Midtre Baklia Norway: Mjoa Norway: Mo Norway: Mo i Rana Norway: Moen Norway: Moen Norway: Morsvik Norway: Mosjoen Norway: Myre Norway: Myrland Norway: Myrland Norway: Naevervegan Norway: Namsskogan Norway: Narvik Norway: Nord-Fron Norway: Nordkil Norway: Nordkjosbotn Norway: Nordkjosbotn Norway: Nordstebo 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Westfield United States: Westmoreland United States: Westport United States: White Plains United States: Whitehall United States: Whitesboro United States: Whitney Point United States: Wilbraham United States: Williamsburg United States: Williamstown United States: Williamsville United States: Windsor United States: Worcester United States: Woronoco Heights United States: Wurtsboro United States: Yonkers United States: Yosts United States: Youngstown Oceania Australia: Aspley Australia: Balmain Australia: Bondi Australia: Botany Australia: Brisbane Australia: Cronulla Australia: East Fremantle Australia: Fremantle Australia: Gymea Australia: Katoomba Australia: Kurnell Australia: Kwinana Australia: Lawson Australia: Mandurah Australia: Melbourne Australia: Mullalloo Beach Australia: Nedlands Australia: North Beach Australia: North Fremantle Australia: Penrith Australia: Perth Australia: Rockingham Australia: Safety Bay Australia: Scarborough Australia: Subiaco Australia: Sydney Australia: Sylvania New Zealand: Arthur Pass New Zealand: Auckland New Zealand: Christchurch New Zealand: Franz Josef Glacier New Zealand: Glenorchy New Zealand: Haast New Zealand: Hokitika New Zealand: Kaikoura New Zealand: Luggate New Zealand: Makarora New Zealand: Otaki New Zealand: Paihia New Zealand: Palmerston North New Zealand: Picton New Zealand: Queenstown New Zealand: Rotorua New Zealand: Russell New Zealand: Taupo New Zealand: Te Anau New Zealand: Waitomo Caves New Zealand: Wellington New Zealand: Whangarei Ashley has been to 825 cities and 12 countries and counting... Worldly: is an explorer Danger: flirts with danger Roughing it: is happy with a roof and running water Shrewdness: can dodge thieves and survive touts Off the beaten track: does their own thing Depth of Knowledge: has written a book's worth Overall TravelCred score: 13577 PhotosAshley T. has 0 photos. General Gallery Loading photos, please wait ... Page 1 of 10 My Reviews![]() New York, New York, United States ![]() Added Jun 16, 2009 Really impressive intersection that everyone should try to see once, but once is enough. My last two visits to New York, I've completely avoided Times Square, it's really just a big tourist trap. Avoid all of the restaurants, hotels, stores, and street vendors, maintain your sanity and stay on a quieter side street. The theatre is really the only reason I'd go back. ![]() Paris, Ile-de-France, France ![]() Added Jun 16, 2009 Okay, so I didn't go inside. Only two days in Paris, I didn't have time to get lost in there! But the courtyard was the meeting place for my friends, who were staying at several different hotels. It was beautiful. ![]() Collingwood, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Jun 15, 2009 There aren't many original dining options in Collingwood, but this one is easily the best. My grandma takes me here every time I visit. I don't think she understands that Thai food is nothing special for me, since I have it all the time in Toronto, but oh well, it's quite good here, and their lunch specials are a great deal. Tons of food for something ridiculous like eight or nine dollars. I love their spring rolls. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Jun 15, 2009 One of the best Thai places in the city, certainly the best in the west end. Spring rolls are just the right amount of spicy, great mango chicken dish. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Jun 15, 2009 Decent all-you-can-eat Japanese place. Close to Bloor Cinema, one of my favourite hang outs. The best Japanese in town is at Guirei near Harbourfront, but this will do if you're closer to the Annex. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Jun 15, 2009 Decent downtown Chinese food, one of the only places I'd actually eat in Chinatown. I still prefer China House way up at Eglinton and Bathurst, but when that's too far away, this place will suffice. Close to shopping, sports, and theatre. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Jun 15, 2009 Food is cheap. Not terribly great, but it doesn't really matter to typical clientele. Traditional post-bar sober-up-with-greasy-food joint since 1940. They must be doing something right. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Jun 15, 2009 Best pizza EVER. I've passed the place many times on the streetcar, but I've never been inside. I just get delivery. Service leaves a little to be desired, but whatever, it's a pizza joint, their specialty is making great pies. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Jun 15, 2009 Did not like this place at all. A friend chose it for her birthday dinner, I wouldn't ever eat there again. I rarely find restaurants I dislike as much as this place. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Jun 15, 2009 Great burgers. Restaurant is very tiny, perhaps crowded if it's busy as the small tables are quite close together, but it's close to downtown, great place to go after a ballgame. ![]() Egypt ![]() Added Feb 26, 2009 Another temple! Explore on your own to really appreciate it. Take a guide book or read up on Wikipedia before/after your trip. My tour guide was such a bore I dozed off for half of his lectures. ![]() Egypt ![]() Added Feb 26, 2009 Another temple...I honestly can't remember the finer points of this one, they all looked the same after awhile. ![]() Aswan, Nile Valley, Egypt ![]() Added Feb 26, 2009 Gorgeous photo ops at sunrise and sunset. Take a felucca ride, but dress warmly in winter, it's very cold on the water, especially at night. Don't touch or drink the water, it's polluted and disgusting, but beautiful to look at. ![]() Idfu, Nile Valley, Egypt ![]() Added Feb 26, 2009 And yet another temple. They start to run together when you see so many, one after another, in such a short time span. ![]() Al Uqsur, Nile Valley, Egypt ![]() Added Feb 26, 2009 Another temple. This one is massive, supposedly half the size of Manhattan, so if you want to explore it thoroughly, allow plenty of time. ![]() Al Uqsur, Nile Valley, Egypt ![]() Added Feb 26, 2009 It costs extra, but it's definitely worth it to see King Tut's tomb. The other tombs I saw were cool, but this was the only one that really impressed me. ![]() Abu Sunbul, Nile Valley, Egypt ![]() Added Feb 26, 2009 Unbelievably gorgeous! My favourite attraction in all of Egypt. I was not impressed with the 2:30am wake-up call to catch an early flight to Abu Simbel, but when I saw the temple lit up by the sunrise, I fully understood and appreciated why we had to get up so early. The early morning light reflects off the stone in an amazing golden colour! Inside the temples are really beautiful too. Lots of chambers and wall carvings to explore. ![]() Egypt ![]() Added Feb 26, 2009 To be honest, after a week in Egypt with a disorganized tour guide and food poisoning, all these temples looked the same to me. :( ![]() Al Jizah, Cairo & Surrounding Region, Egypt ![]() Added Feb 26, 2009 Smaller than I thought it would be (I foolishly thought it would be the same size as the pyramids, lol), but still pretty awesome. If it isn't too busy, try some creative photography and pose as if you're kissing him! ![]() Cairo, Cairo & Surrounding Region, Egypt ![]() Added Feb 26, 2009 Pretty cool stuff, way too much to see in an hour, or a few hours, or even days. Unless you're really into Egyptian history, I wouldn't recommend the Mummy room, which costs extra. If you are planning to visit the Valley of the Kings in Luxor while you're in Egypt, you can see the most famous mummy of all, King Tut, there. Be sure to see the room dedicated to him here though. ![]() Cairo, Cairo & Surrounding Region, Egypt ![]() Added Feb 26, 2009 One of those places everyone must try to get to at some point in their life, just to see them. You can only appreciate the history of these amazing landmarks when you see the sheer size of them and realize they were made entirely by man power. If you like, go inside one of the pyramids. I chose the second one because it was cheaper. It was a tough climb down/up a wooden plank to get inside, and there is barely any air inside and not much to see, but it's worth it just to say you've done it. ![]() Cairo, Cairo & Surrounding Region, Egypt ![]() Added Feb 26, 2009 By western standards, decent. By developing country standards, luxurious. Expansive property features all ground-floor rooms situated in small groups among beautiful gardens. Several restaurants and bars, large swimming pool, health spa. Decent rooms, large bathrooms. ![]() Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Awesome *awesome* restaurant! So random to find a Texas-themed joint with local cuisine and a bar area called Jack Ruby's (the guy who killed JFK's assassin) in the middle of New Zealand. Fantastic fish and chips, really cool ambiance, and the best cocktail EVER. You must try the Twisted Kiwi. It's a bit much at $12, but sooo worth it! ![]() Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Cute breakfast place. Nice French toast. Great hot chocolate. ![]() Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Huge buffet, but overpriced and the food is terrible. I ate almost entire meal of potatoes because the rest of the buffet was inedible. Beautiful views of the city from the patio, but not worth the price of the gondola ride to see. ![]() Clearburn, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Decent place for a one-night stop. Dinner wasn't much. Nice view of the lake. ![]() Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Fun night club. Drinks are expensive. Great music mix. ![]() Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Ridiculously expensive, but so worth it. I live on bagels at home, but they are hard to come by in the South Pacific. The ambiance of this place is so cool, the decor is spacey. Pics of Armstrong on the moon and everything. As a big fan of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" days, I got a real kick out of this. ![]() Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Awesome market on weekends. Great place to buy authentic locally-made jewellery. ![]() Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 One of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Be sure to have a local tell you the legend of the monster that lives in it! ![]() Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Board an overnight cruise. Get up early. The Sound before sunrise will take your breath away. ![]() Te Anau, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Stopped here twice, on the way to and from Milford Sound. Great fish and chips, fabulous mac and cheese. ![]() Wellington, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Great food. Friendly and hilarious staff. They encourage dancing on the tables after dinner and the removing of clothing. ![]() New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 So cheesy! The only reason I recommend this is because it's cheap and so bad it's good on the entertainment scale. ![]() Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 So relaxing! Not at all sanitary, be sure to take a shower after, but it's so nice to chill out and socialize in these natural hot springs. ![]() Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Very nice garden area, full of NZ's native birds and fish. Even better is the souvenir shop at the end. One of the better selections for really nice, inexpensive souvenirs. I bought loads of jewellery for my friends here. ![]() Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Beautiful cultural centre where you learn everything you ever wanted to know about Maori history, plus you get up close and personal with geyers, hot springs, and boiling mud pits. Definitely worth the price of admission. ![]() Waitomo Caves, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 You must try this! It's an adventure, for sure. Not for the faint hearted. The tour guides are useless, but do it anyway. You wear a wet suit, and then you take a tube into a cave and you float in it through an underground river system. You have a light on your helmet, but at certain points you're instructed to turn it off so you can see the glow worms on the cave ceiling. At one point, there is a waterfall, and you have to stand on the edge and jump backwards off of it, landing in your tube. the jump is only a few meters, but the darkness combined with the sharp rocks surrounding you make it pretty scary. One of the biggest thrills of my life so far. The water is freezing, but that didn't bother me as much as it did some people. ![]() Taupo, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Great little nightclub. They play the cheesiest music, like "Footloose," "Cotton-Eye Joe," and "Macarena." Had a blast dancing to it though, every once in awhile you need to get away from all the popular current music. Don't leave the club alone though, be sure to go home with friends. Taupo isn't the safest place at night. ![]() Paihia, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Hot little night club in NZ's northland, full of young tourists. Friday night's they have a live band, and on Saturdays they host a wet t-shirt contest. One of my roommates won! Drink prices are moderate, no dress code. Avoid the $3 drinks before 10pm deal. They are pre-made and really disgusting. Great DJ. ![]() Paihia, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 The Excitor boat road is a load of fun. It's fast and rough, I wouldn't recommend if if you have a weak stomach. You will get wet, even through the rubber suits they provide. But if you can handle it, it's worth it. There are no seat belts, so hold on tight. The salt water will get in your eyes, and stings especially if you're wearing contact lenses. The guide tells the cheesiest jokes and will try to convince you that there are pirhana all around the boat. But the sight itself is really beautiful. The boat slows down for some great photo ops. ![]() Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Worst public transit system in the world! The ticket machine's were broken at Central Station, and since I couldn't find any employees on the main level, I proceeded down to the platform level (there were no barriers) to ask a uniformed ticket agent down there how I could buy one. I was very polite and tried to reason with him, and I obviously wasn't making a mad dash for a free ride on the train, but when I couldn't present to him my ticket (which I was asking him how to buy), he fined me 80 Euros! This was the first time I'd ever been in trouble in a foreign country, and so I panicked and gave the man cash just so he would let me go. I realize in hindsight this was probably a bad idea. I should have taken the ticket he gave me and found someone upstairs I could speak to. It's entirely possible the whole thing was a scam and he pocketed my money. I enjoyed my few days in northern Finland, but once I got to the city, I was very disappointed at how poorly this man was representing his country. ![]() Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Pretty cool, for a church. I was only there for about ten minutes. I didn't like Helsinki at all, but this was one of the few highlights. ![]() Trondheim, Trøndelag (Central Norway), Norway ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Beautiful church. I didn't spend much time here, but it's definitely worth a look. Pretty much the only attraction in this college town, other than the bars and nightlife. ![]() Andalsnes, West Norway, Norway ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 The most incredible road I've ever traveled on. Eleven hairpin turns down a steep mountain side, with a staggering 9% incline. Very narrow. Beautiful waterfalls rush down the sides. The valley at the bottom is the home of one of my favourite campsites in the world. ![]() Oslo, East Norway, Norway ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Incredible views of Oslo from the top of the ski jump. Cool ski museum downstairs, whether you're into winter sports or not. ![]() Oslo, East Norway, Norway ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 This park is so beautiful! So many sculptures, I would have loved to take a picture of every one of them. ![]() Stockholm, Stockholm and Surroundings, Sweden ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Brilliant, high-end department store. Reminds me of Saks, Harrods, Holt Renfrew, or David Jones. Whether or not you have the cash, stroll through for a moment of feeling luxurious. ![]() Stockholm, Stockholm and Surroundings, Sweden ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Beautiful, clean, safe, efficient subway system. As a single woman traveler, I felt fine taking the train anywhere in the city. ![]() Stockholm, Stockholm and Surroundings, Sweden ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Gorgeous boat with a tragic history. The amount of information that has been gathered from the preserved ruins is amazing. Using skeletal remains found in the ship, researchers were able to piece together entire bios for some of it's crew. Difficult to take a picture inside because the boat is so big and dark, but if you have unlimited space, go ahead, you never know what you'll get! ![]() Stockholm, Stockholm and Surroundings, Sweden ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Beautiful part of town with lots of cobbled streets and cute cafes. Tons of tacky souvenir shops, I think I went into every single one looking for a moose magnet with googly eyes! ![]() Stockholm, Stockholm and Surroundings, Sweden ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 The guided tour through town hall is fascinating. Beautiful building, rich history. Inexpensive too, definitely worth an hour of your time. ![]() Jonkoping, Southern Sweden, Sweden ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Good resting place for lunch if you're driving from Copenhagen to Stockholm. Full gas station and service centre, plus food court and lots of shopping in the mall. I broke my hair straightener on the first day of my trip in Copenhagen, and managed to find a new one here for only US$40. McDonald's and lots of other chain restaurants, book store, souvenirs, clothes, you name it. ![]() Copenhagen, Hovedstaden Region, Denmark ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Beautiful statue, worth a visit, especially if you're a fan of the Little Mermaid fable like me. ![]() Copenhagen, Hovedstaden Region, Denmark ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Fantastic shopping street, could have done some serious damage here if I hadn't been worried about carrying everything around on a bus for three weeks. ![]() Kastrup, Hovedstaden Region, Denmark ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 I hate airports, but I wouldn't mind spending a few hours stuck here for a stopover or in a snowstorm. Best airport I've been to yet. ![]() Copenhagen, Hovedstaden Region, Denmark ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 The self-guided tour isn't much, but for DKK25 (about US$5), you get two beers at the end of it, which is the cheapest alcohol in Europe. ![]() Copenhagen, Hovedstaden Region, Denmark ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 So beautiful, I wish I could have spent a whole day here. ![]() Skardholmen, Farth North Norway, Norway ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 There's absolutely nothing up here, but you made it this far north, so you might as well congratulate yourself! Chances of actually seeing the "midnight sun" are slim. It's usually too cloudy or foggy to really see anything. There are some tacky souvenir shops, a post office, wine bar, fancy coffee shop, and ice cream stand inside the tourist centre, plus a huge monument out back right at the edge. Nordkapp isn't really the farthest north you can go in Europe, but is the farthest north you can reach by car. It's another 1.5km on foot or sled to Knivskjellodden. But if you only get as far as Nordkapp, take a pic and give yourself a pat on the back. ![]() Trondheim, Trøndelag (Central Norway), Norway ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Great bar in a fun college town. Music is super cheesy 90s early in the night (Sheryl Crowe, Spice Girls), but improves later on to real dance music. Cool piano bar in another room too. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Best breakfast sandwiches EVER at the Carousel Bakery on the main floor. My dad and I go here all the time and get sandwiches to go before a movie at the Rainbow across the street. Cheapest date ever, less than $20 for lunch and movie for two. And did I mention the BEST SANDWICH EVER? ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Cheap ferry ride (under $10) will take you to the Toronto Island, a great place for a picnic and a stroll on a nice day. Long lines for ferries on summer weekends, try to go in the spring, fall, or on a weekday instead. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 The fish is a tad greasy sometimes, but the chips are excellent. Hip young staff are friendly and play great music you've never heard of. Right in the heart of the Annex neighbourhood, perfect place to stop buy for something quick before a movie at the Bloor Cinema. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Great ambiance, massive menu, something for everybody. I've been several times and never ordered the same thing twice (unusual for me, I usually find one item on a menu and stick to it). Excellent goat cheese appetizer. You must try their signature bellinis! ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Decent hotel. For baseball fans, it's novel to stay in one of the field-view rooms to watch a game directly from your hotel room. Though be warned, you'll likely sleep in the next day if you're used to being woken by the sun. Since these rooms overlook the inside of Rogers Centre, which has a roof, you won't get any sunlight in your room. "Normal" city view rooms are also available. ![]() Perth, Western Australia, Australia ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Beautiful restaurant, situated right on the river. Great fish and chips, nice service. Cute jetty in back with great view of city. ![]() Wellington, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Best omelette EVER. Really friendly service, the complete opposite of a tourist trap. Staff knew most of their customers by name. Cozy little place, be sure to check it out if you want something different, but familiar. ![]() Perth, Western Australia, Australia ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Interesting to look at, but not worth the $10 to climb. You can get better views of the city from Kings Park for free. ![]() Perth, Western Australia, Australia ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Great casino, very classy. $10 minimum at most tables, try to dress at least smart casual. Nice pub on site with great burgers. I've heard awesome things about the Ruby Room nightclub. ![]() Perth, Western Australia, Australia ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Gorgeous park. Amazing views of the city, beautiful botanical gardens, great concert site, perfect place for a picnic! Check out the state of the art walkway and bridge, and the DNA tower. ![]() Perth, Western Australia, Australia ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 While there isn't a whole lot to see in the self-guided part of the mint, the tour is well-worth it just for the gold pour demonstration. A real gold bar will be melted in a kiln and then recreated and cooled right in front of you, safe to touch before and after even when it reaches temperatures of thousands of degrees in between. ![]() Perth, Western Australia, Australia ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 You could spend a whole day here and not see everything. Tons to do for the whole family. Shopping, cafes, restaurants, night clubs, kids activities ... best fish and chips in the world! ![]() Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Awesome tours here! They take you right down until the tunnels, where prisoners worked right up until 1991. The ladders are a pain, but worth it. I've also heard great things of the haunted tours. ![]() Sydney, New South Wales, Australia ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 One of the most surreal experiences I've ever had! It's pricey, and it must be booked in advance, but it is so worth it! Very safe, you go through a thorough instructional and safety training session before beginning, you are harnessed to secure system, and the guide is fully trained and always watching out for you. No cameras allowed on the climb, but the guide will take photos that you can buy afterwards. Yes, buying photos is one of the oldest tourist traps in the book, but this is one of the few that are worth the money. You can climb any time of day, including sunrise. The views are unbelievable. ![]() Sydney, New South Wales, Australia ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Nice, nothing to get excited about. It was under reno when I was there, it's probably much nicer now. Close to Haymarket area and Central Station. Best to take the train to the Harbour area for sightseeing, unless you like a good walk. ![]() Guelph, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 As a native of Guelph, I don't have many nice things to say about it. But if you must visit, this is one of the only decent places to get some fast food. The service is abyssmal, but that's typical in Guelph. It's also rather pricey, but it's an experience you can't get many places. Rocky's is home to the original foot-long hot dog. They're pretty good, despite everything going against them. Rocky himself is a total grouch, but you don't have to be near him while you eat, just take your food the patio outside or to your car on a rainy day. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 One of the most beautiful hotels in Toronto. I stayed here when I was younger, before I lived in the city. Most comfortable beds, I still remember what a perfect sleep I had that night, more than ten years ago. Close to subway and train station, shopping on Queen and Yonge Streets, all major theatres and sports venues, St. Lawrence Market, business district. Even if you don't stay here, you should check out the lobby, it's gorgeous. ![]() New York, New York, United States ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Decent hostel. Some staff were friendly, others less so. Our key wouldn't work and we had to switch it several times. Once, a maintanance man walked in while my best friend was changing. We had one roommate who walked around in her underwear and never spoke a word to us, another who slept the whole time we saw him, and another who was actually very friendly and offered us a tour of Central Park. Close to Broadway, midtown, Park, Hell's Kitchen, Times Square. The bathroom was kind of gross, but overall it was fine. ![]() New York, New York, United States ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Worst hotel ever. Too big for it's own good. Customer service is non-existent. Location may look great on a map, but it's noisy and offers no privacy, even in rooms 20 floors from the ground. The elevator system is possibly the most complicated and annoying use of technology I've ever encountered. Instead of entering the first elevator that arrives, you enter your desired floor on a pad in the lobby, and then it tells you which elevator to wait for. Plus, if you're staying on one of the higher floors, there is no direct route up, you need to switch at the eighth floor. Whatever you do, keep some of your sanity in this crazy city by staying at a smaller, more intimate hotel a few blocks out of the way. ![]() Chicago, Illinois, United States ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 They don't call it the Friendly Confines for nothing. Best sports venue in the world. The Cubs may not have won a World Series in 100 years, but they're fans are loyal and as passionate as ever. From the vines crawling up the outfield walls, to the Old Style beer (disgusting, but distinctly Wrigley), to the spirit of Harry Caray and sing along to "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" during the 7th inning stretch (the only team who knows how to do it right), this place has so much ambiance, you really won't care if you ever get back. Root for the home team! ![]() Chicago, Illinois, United States ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Best burger chain in America. 50's style diner complete with all-white decor, memorabilia and replicas on walls, working mini juke boxes on every table with oldies hits, and enthusiastic, friendly staff who shout out "hello hello!" to everyone who enters. Sit in a private booth or at the counter, or if you love people-watching, check out the bar along the window. Best burgers, fries, and shakes anywhere! ![]() Chicago, Illinois, United States ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Massive, historic hotel. Perfect location for a convention, huge hall on lower level and several ballrooms. Friendly staff, espcially Fred the concierge. 14 main elevators, and every one of them is full of Cubs fans in January! Great views of Grant Park, walking distance to Soldier Field, Aquarium, Navy Pier, and shopping on the Magnificent Mile. ![]() New York, New York, United States ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Beautiful hotel in midtown, near Central Park, shopping, Broadway, and Times Square. Converted old apartment building, huge rooms with kitchen and living area. Small gym and conference centre with free wi-fi on second floor. ![]() Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Did not enjoy this hostel at all. Annoying elevator that took forever to arrive. One key per room that had to be left at the front desk. Big rooms, decent bathrooms. Free internet in lobby was about the only thing to get excited about. ![]() Keuruu, Western Finland, Finland ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Nice campsite set on a beautiful lake. Good times to be had on the pier with a few drinks. ![]() Rovaniemi, Northern Finland, Finland ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Decent cabins. Self-locking doors, which is a great safety feature, but annoying if you're stuck with roommates you don't know very well. Great bathrooms, spacious shower stalls. ![]() Copenhagen, Hovedstaden Region, Denmark ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Clean, modern, classic European hotel. Kitchenette in room, great room service and breakfast buffet. Very helpful staff. ![]() Perth, Western Australia, Australia ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Beautiful hotel. Huge lobby and dining room. Bright, clean, spacious rooms. Swimming pool and gym, conference centre. Close to CBD and riverfront. Professional and courteous staff. ![]() Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Nice, upscale hotel. Perfect location, right next to Cathedral Square. ![]() Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 My favourite hotel in New Zealand. The views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountains are unreal. Quad share rooms have bunk beds, nice heat lamp in the bathroom. Tiny shower. No elevators, a bit of a pain of if you have a lot of luggage. Gorgeous bar/restaurant with pool table and patio, amazing view from floor-to-ceiling windows. Best pizza in NZ! Shuttle to CBD available every hour. My favourite hang out was the hot tub and sauna room, I spent almost four hours there one day. Open doors for fresh air and it's almost as nice as sitting in the middle of the NZ wilderness in a hot tub! It doesn't get much better than that. ![]() Franz Josef Glacier, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Rustic, but very nice. In the middle of nowhere, so a restaurant, small convenience store, and internet cafe are on site. The showers are harsh, but nothing an experienced traveler can't handle. Great place to stay if you're planning a hike around the glaciers. ![]() Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 A little run-down and a bit of a distance from CBD. ![]() Wellington, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 A tad dingy, but fine if you're on a budget. Walking distance to everything in CBD. Creepy laundry room in the garage, use only if you're completely out of clean clothes. Nice dining room with good breakfast. ![]() Taupo, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 A bit out of the way, but the rooms are nice. Great breakfast buffet! Small, but nice swimming pool on site. ![]() Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Decent hotel. Offers traditional Maori concert and hangi style dinner for tourists. Nice clean, quiet rooms. ![]() Waitomo Caves, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Cute hotel with fully-equipped quad share cabins. Two beds and private bath on main floor, two extra beds in small loftspace upstairs. Walking distance to nearby bar. Great place to stay if you're exploring the Waitomo Caves. Fantastic pizza available in the dining room. ![]() Paihia, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Cute motel. Walking distance to just about everything in town. Comfortable rooms with private bath. Internet access in lobby is cheap. Food was okay, but not great. Check out a nearby restaurant instead. ![]() Taupo, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Take the HukaJet ride! They make crazy top-speed 360 spins right at the bottom of the falls. Also take a scenic helicopter ride to see it from above. ![]() Taupo, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 Beautiful Lake. Lots of fun activities in the area, including scenic helicopter rides, parasailing, diner cruises, and the HukaJet. All of these activities are also available in Queenstown, but if you don't make it that far south, Taupo is the next best place in NZ for some outdoor adventures. ![]() Pahia, South Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 30, 2008 So beautiful here! The Excitor boat ride is fun, if you have the stomach for it. It's fast and bumpy, and you'll get soaked even with the rubber suits they provide you, but it's also a great time. Get up early for a dolphin sightseeing cruise. As long as they aren't nursing babies, you should get a chance to swim with them. A relaxing afternoon on a catamaran is a great way to end a weekend. I've also heard there's some great diving here. ![]() Hammerfest, Farth North Norway, Norway ![]() Added Oct 27, 2008 Adorable campsite just a short distance from Hammerfest, the northernmost city in the world. Situated on a hillside, the tiny red cabins are spacious inside. Only drawback is the long walk to the showers at the bottom of the hill. There is an outhouse with working sinks and toilets about halfway down the hill, but they are freezing cold. If you feel so inclined, you can talk a dip in the brisk Arctic Ocean via the pathway to the seaside. ![]() Trondheim, Trøndelag (Central Norway), Norway ![]() Added Oct 27, 2008 Hostel in college town Trondheim, about halfway up the Norwegian coast. It's fine, nothing special. Four beds in most rooms. Breakfast included. Internet. Showers in bathrooms feature clear glass doors, no curtains or partitions. Beware if you're shy! ![]() Andalsnes, West Norway, Norway ![]() Added Oct 27, 2008 Adorable campground near Andalsnes, Norway. Possibly in the most beautiful valley on Earth. Roomy, private cabins feature grass growing on the rooftops. Glacier-fed river on site has the bluest water you'll ever see. Souvenir shop, clean bathrooms. Near Trollstigen, a famously windy highway that takes you through the mountains with a 9% incline and 11 hairpin turns. A fun day trip to Geiranger Fjord is a must. ![]() Oslo, East Norway, Norway ![]() Added Oct 27, 2008 Spacious campsite about an hour from Oslo. Some small cabins that sleep up to four, plus a converted house with room for 20+ in separate rooms. Bathrooms in basement of separate building. Great pit for building bon fires. ![]() Bromma Kyrka, Stockholm and Surroundings, Sweden ![]() Added Oct 27, 2008 Nice campground with private cabins. A little from from Stockholm CBD, about 45-60 minutes by car. I don't think it's on the transit line, but I could be wrong. Big site in a heavily forested area, be sure to bring bug repellent. Beautiful lake and small beach on site. Cabins are incredibly tiny with four bunks crammed in, but manageable for short stays. Bathrooms are fine, not much ventilation. No Internet facilities. ![]() Hvidovre, Hovedstaden Region, Denmark ![]() Added Oct 27, 2008 Nice hostel just outside of Copenhagen. About 20 minutes by train/bus. Converted from an old army barracks, rooms are clean and bright, lots of outdoor space with pathways, picnic tables, and an old tank on the premises. Restaurant on-site, free Internet, bicycle rentals available. ![]() Mo i Rana, Nordland Region, Norway ![]() Added Oct 26, 2008 Great hostel/campsite in Nordland region. Close to Svartisen Glacier. Private heated cabins offer above-average amenities, including TV, kitchenette, and ensuite bath. Only drawback is lack of curtains on windows above doors. It's light 24/7 during the summer months this far north, so if you like darkness to sleep, be sure to bring a eye mask. ![]() Wellington, North Island, New Zealand ![]() Added Oct 26, 2008 Complete waste of time. I was only in Wellington for a day and half with my tour, and I wasted it with this and doing laundry. I'm a big fan of the Lord of the Rings films, but this offered nothing I didn't already know. The tour picks you up at your hotel first thing and spends the entire day driving you around various parklands in and around Wellington. The guide uses screen shots to point out trees at each stop that appeared in the film. The trilogy was shot between 1999 and 2003, so naturally none of the custom-built set pieces are still sitting around in public areas. The tour does not visit any of the closed sets or workshops. Getting in and out of the mini van a few dozen times a day becomes a pain, especially if you're in the back row. The lunch, made by the guide at one of the stops, consists of sandwiches. They were fine, but definitely nothing like what you could have found at a modest cafe. The "trivia" offered is mostly common knowledge among the films' fans. If you paid any attention to the publicity interviews or special features during the theatrical or DVD releases, you won't hear anything new. If you're not a fan of the movies or haven't seen them, this is NOT a good tour to take just to see the city. The Rings talk is non-stop. The only plus was the visit to Kaitoke Regional Park, where you have about an hour of free time to wander the paths on your own. This was my only quiet time in two weeks on my Contiki tour, so I relished it. I had a better Rings-themed evening later on when I went to The Green Parrot, a family-run restaurant that Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) is a fan of, and then attended a film at the same theatre where Return of the King held it's world premiere. The film sucked, but I sat in Liv Tyler's (Arwen's) seat. That was kind of cool. ![]() Douglas B. commented... Added Oct 29, 2008 Just keep writing, just keep writing, I`ll keep reading. :) ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Oct 26, 2008 Best Chinese in town. My family has been going there my whole life. Since we moved back to the city from the suburbs, it's become a Christmas Eve tradition. My favourite dishes are the chicken fried rice, sweet and sour chicken, and dried wonton. Great service, love the dining room, which has looked exactly the same for at least twenty-five years. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Oct 26, 2008 My favourite Japanese restaurant in Toronto. The servings are huge, I can usually get two meals out of one entree. Extensive menu with reasonable pricing. Dining room is elegantly designed and some private booths are available. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Oct 26, 2008 Great place to shop, convenient location right downtown on the subway line. Lots of quick-dining options in two food courts. Bright skylights on the top floor. My only complaints are the floors. I can walk for a whole day in the city, but my feet are done after only an hour or two in here. Not sure why that is, but be sure to wear comfy shoes. Also, there's a heavy emphasis on fashion, more so than the average mall. If you need a new outfit, you'll definitely find it here, but if you're looking for housewares or gifts, the options are few and far between. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Oct 23, 2008 My favourite Thai place in Toronto. Good prices, great food. Service is a tad slow, but if you're not in a hurry, it's worth the wait. Family-run business, staff is very friendly. Dining room decor has kitsch appeal. The best spring rolls ever! ![]() London, England, United Kingdom ![]() Added Oct 23, 2008 Easily the most elegant hotel I've ever stayed in. The richness of the decor is almost too much to take in at first. Rooms offer nice views of Hyde Park. The biggest bed I've ever seen, plus large bathtubs and big screen TVs in each room. The only drawback is that there isn't a whole lot in the way shopping, nightlife, or restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, but that isn't a big deal for most people who stay here. Cabs are readily available and the Tube is a short walk away. Absolutely luxurious! ![]() Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom ![]() Added Oct 23, 2008 Beautiful European hotel in a great location. Walking distance to lots of of cafes, shops, and clubs, not to mention Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Princes Street Gardens. Rooms offer unprecedented views of the Castle. Clean rooms with a modern decor, and an awesome stainless-steel swimming pool. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Oct 23, 2008 As an entertainment complex, the Rogers Centre (formerly SkyDome) is subpar and outdated. The sound system is awful for concerts and sporting events, especially if you're sitting in the far reaches of the upper deck. There isn't enough light in many of the seating areas, which isn't a problem if you're just there to watch a game, but if you like to keep score as well, it's difficult. A good portion of the seating offers obstructed views of the field and "JumboTron" scoreboard. The hot dogs are gross (yes, even for hot dogs) and the Coke is waterdown down. Beer is ridiculously overpriced. And the venue has no atmosphere, particularly for baseball games. If you've been to Fenway Park in Boston, Wrigley Field in Chicago, or Yankee or Shea Stadiums in New York, Rogers Centre will be a huge disappointment. However, if you've never been to a baseball game before, this place is still pretty incredible to see for the first time. The retractable roof is one of only a few in the world, and to watch it open or close completely silently in only twenty minutes is pretty amazing. If you're in town during baseball season, try to get Blue Jays tickets on a night when Roy "Doc" Halladay is playing. He's one of the most exciting pitchers to watch in the league today. ![]() Chicago, Illinois, United States ![]() Added Oct 23, 2008 Possibly my favourite hotel in the world. Perfect location, intimate and beautifully refurbished apartment building, and unbelievably professional and friendly staff who take the time to remember your name for the duration of your stay. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Oct 23, 2008 My favourite restaurant in Toronto. Tucked away in the heart of Yorkville, it's great for lunch, dinner, or drinks on the patio. Menu offers generous portions at good prices. Atmosphere is sophisticated yet cozy. Best fish and chips in the city. ![]() Toronto, Ontario, Canada ![]() Added Oct 23, 2008 My favourite club in Toronto. It's off the beaten path, a bit of pain to get to if you're used to hitting the entertainment district for your night on the town, but the journey is well worth it. The Drink, one of the several clubs within this complex, offers DJs Manzone and Strong spinning every Saturday night. In the summer months, they play on the rooftop patio Sky Bar. House music is the favourite here, but trance, hip hop, and other styles are also available. ![]() Boston, Massachusetts, United States ![]() Added Oct 21, 2008 One of the best sports venues in the world. Red Sox fans are true baseball fans. The atmosphere of the park during a game is like no other in the major leagues. The history of the park and team, the "Green Monster" left field wall, the amazing players past and present, and singing along to "Sweet Caroline" are just some of the highlights that can't be missed. ![]() Cleveland, Ohio, United States ![]() Added Oct 21, 2008 This place is unbelievably awesome! Be sure to check out the inductee highlight video from each year. ![]() Karnup, Western Australia, Australia ![]() Added Jun 10, 2008 Cute little zoo less than an hour from Perth. Admission is cheap, and for $30, you can hold a koala. Compare this to $20 at the larger zoos on the east coast, where you can get your picture taken, but you can't touch the animals. Also, get up close and personal with kangaroos and other native creatures. :) Zbigniew M. commented... Added Oct 29, 2008 You very good for make information. Tzequi! The lowdown on Ashley T.What's this person like as a travel companion? What do her friends really think? Random schtuff Bradley F. : (Oct 30, 2008) Random? Ashley? ABSOLUTELY. She is the only person I have traveled with who has been able to keep up with me. We stayed awake until 4am discussing pumpkins and tourist traits...and coming up with plans to travel the world and document it in some form. Compliments Bradley F. : (Oct 30, 2008) Her ability to take the most amazing 'natural' photographs Bonding moments Bradley F. : (Oct 30, 2008) Getting caught in Kings Park, when the sprinklers came on. We ran through the park in the darkness trying to dodge the sprinklers. Bradley F. : (Oct 30, 2008) Getting lost in my own city when I was trying to impress Bradley F. : (Oct 30, 2008) Catching her perusing my iTune library while we were on Contiki in Scandinavia. Then arguing over the way my music was categorized... Bradley F. : (Oct 30, 2008) Being there when she held her first Koala Insights Bradley F. : (Oct 30, 2008) Ashley is the most amazing person to travel with. She is the observer, the inquisitor, the adventurer and the explorer. Whether she's roughing it in Rovaniemi or being pampered in Perth she can travel anywhere, anyhow and on any budget. Spill the beans. Enquiring eyes want to know. Updates on Ashley's World! Ashley's Friends! |
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