The Mango Road

Putting the life back into lifestyle

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      • All along the Watchtowers
      • The Fire Carts of Xishi
      • Walking the Line
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        • Hiking: Ghost Brides and Haunted Villages
        • On the Trail of Two Monasteries
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        • The Green Hub
        • Veggies and Rebellion
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      • The waterways of Tai Tam
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      • Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: The little blue train
      • War, subterfuge and a nice cup of tea
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      • Botanical Gradens, Bogor
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      • Bangkok on foot
      • Historic towns of the Sukhothai Kingdom
      • Sukhothai, The Cradle of Thai Civilisation
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      • Ko Kret: Potters Island
      • Wat Pariwat aka Wat David Beckham
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      • An abandoned Hakka mansion
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Stories

• Features • Hong Kong 

The Green Hub

27th June 20243rd April 2025 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

The Green Hub On April 16, 1899, much to the chagrin of local residents, the British raised the Union Jack

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Ayutthaya: The ancient capital of Siam
• Features • Thailand 

Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam

21st June 202417th November 2025 The Mango Road 0 Comments slider, Stories

Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam At its peak, Ayutthaya was said to be one of the most magnificent cities

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Steam train Darjeeling station
• Features • India 

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: The little blue train

13th June 202420th January 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments slider, Stories, transport

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: The little blue train According to an 1896 publication, Illustrated Guide for Tourists to The Darjeeling Himalayan

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What future for Asia's old Railways?
• Features • Indonesia Malaysia Thailand 

What future for Asia’s old Railways?

15th January 202213th June 2024 The Mango Road 2 Comments Stories

What future for Asia’s old Railways? Early morning at Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station is always a busy time. Overnight trains

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An abandoned Hakka mansion in Yuen Long
•Photo Story• Hong Kong 

An abandoned Hakka mansion in Yuen Long

14th July 202126th January 2026 The Mango Road 2 Comments Stories

An abandoned Hakka mansion in Yuen Long It is called Pun Uk which means mansion of the Puns. It was

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Hong Kong beats its demons
• A Postcard From ... • Hong Kong 

Hong Kong beats its demons

5th March 202118th February 2025 The Mango Road 2 Comments Stories

Hong Kong beats its demons. With the help of the White Tiger ladies of Causeway Bay Jingzhe* is the Chinese

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Tai Po Market
• Features • Hong Kong 

Tai Po Market: Veggies and Rebellion

1st January 202115th December 2024 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

Tai Po Market: Veggies and Rebellion On April 16th, 1899, the British raised the Union Jack on Flagstaff Hill, Tai

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Hiking the Big Buddha and wisdom path
• A Postcard From ... • Hong Kong 

Hiking at Big Buddha and the Wisdom Path

21st November 202016th September 2024 The Mango Road 2 Comments Stories

Hiking at Big Buddha and the Wisdom Path I’d been wanting to go up to Ngong Ping to refresh my

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On the trail of ghost brides and haunted villages
• Features • Hong Kong 

On the trail of ghost brides and haunted villages

13th October 202020th January 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

On the trail of ghost brides and haunted villages, a great hike in Plover Cove Country Park Hong Kong, seen

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The Jungle Line: A train ride into Malaysia's interior
• Features • Malaysia 

The Jungle Line

8th August 202017th February 2026 The Mango Road 0 Comments Stories

A train ride into Malaysia’s interior The Jungle LineA train ride into Malaysia’s interior In 1938 a new passenger service

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Potter wasp (Phimenes flavopictus). #wasp #potter Potter wasp (Phimenes flavopictus).

#wasp #potterwasp #Phimenesflavopictus #waspsofinstagram #bugs #insectsofinstagram #bug #insectphotography #insect #insect_perfection #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #creepycrawly #abugslife #nature #insectworld #bugsofinstagram #insectstagram #insectlicious #beautiful_insects #insectguru #fulgoromorpha #earthcapture #inmygardentoday #colorfulbug #insects_of_our_world #insectlovers #insectlover🐞 #insectlovers🌿
Wat Suthat, Bangkok #WatSuthat #Bangkok #temple # Wat Suthat, Bangkok

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Gunung Sumbing a 3,371 metre volcano in Central Ja Gunung Sumbing a 3,371 metre volcano in Central Java. Although the volcano is still active the only recorded eruptions date from 1730.
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#gunungsumbing #volcano #geology  #offthebeatenpath #landscape
Winter solstice over the Pui O River, Lantau Islan Winter solstice over the Pui O River, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
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#landscape #sunset  #wetlands #awesomehongkong
Incense coils at a Chinese temple in Macau. . #mac Incense coils at a Chinese temple in Macau.
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#macau #incense #smoke #burn #religion #religionsoftheworld #photography #travelphotography 📷 #travelphotography
Common Mormon caterpillar (Papilio polytes) chowin Common Mormon caterpillar (Papilio polytes) chowing down on one of my citrus plants.
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#commonmormon #commonmormoncaterpillar #caterpillar #papiliopolytes #naturephotography #macro #insect #insects #wildlife #naturelover #insectphotography #insect #insect_perfection #ip_insects #insectphotography #insectworld #beautiful_insects #insects_of_our_world #raw_insects #uwn_insect #nuts_about_insects #insectsofinstagram #naturelovers #naturalbeauty #naturephotography #nature_seekers #naturalworld #earthoutdoors #fantastic_earth #lifeonearth
Found this fellow the other day, he’d sheltered ou Found this fellow the other day, he’d sheltered out the storm in an old plant pot. I relocated him to the lemon tree and he’s been hanging out there ever since.
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#prayingmantis #giantasianprayingmantis #hierodulamembranacea #prayingmantisofinstagram #mantis #bugs #insectsofinstagram #mantidsofinstagram #bug #mantids #insectphotography #insect #insect_perfection #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #creepycrawly #abugslife #nature #insectworld #bugsofinstagram #insectstagram #insectlicious #beautiful_insects #insectguru #fulgoromorpha #earthcapture #inmygardentoday #colorfulbug #insects_of_our_world #insectlovers
I made the epic journey from Pui O to Ping Che the I made the epic journey from Pui O to Ping Che the other day, one remote corner of Hong Kong to another. It involved three separate MTR trains sandwiched between two bus rides to cover a distance of about 75 kilometres and took a bit less than two hours. It was worth the effort for Wan Chuen Sin Koon, a Taoist monastery at Ping Che, is perhaps one of the prettiest in Hong Kong.
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It belongs to the Chunyang Taoist sect, a branch of the Quanzhen school, which was founded in the mid-nineteenth century on Xiqiao Mountain near Nanhai City, Guangdong. It moved to Hong Kong in 1944 but the current premises have no historical significance. The land was acquired in 1975 and used as a religious retreat but it wasn’t until 2000 that construction got underway in earnest.
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The monastery buildings are set in spacious grounds with lotus ponds and chrysanthemum gardens, though neither will be in bloom until late Summer or early Autumn when exhibitions of the latter are held. Also in the grounds is a large stele that contains the full text of Laozi's Tao Te Ching.
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Wan Chuen Sin Koon is also famous for its excellent vegetarian lunches served between 12.00 and 14.00. Portions are generous and tables fill up fast so get there early.
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#wunchuensinkwoon #pingche #exploringhongkongsnewterritories #temple #monastery #chinesetemple #shrine #religion #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict #themoderndayexplorer
Say cheese! . . . #trainmarket #railwaymarket #tra Say cheese!
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#trainmarket #railwaymarket #train #market #mahachai #vegetables #wetmarket #spicylife #chilies #lifestyle #dayatwork #thailand #amazingthailand #ig_thailand #loves_united_thailand #loves_thailand #loves_united_asia #ig_asia #super_asia_channel #unlimitedasia #travel #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #CreateExplore #stayandwander #passionpassport
Macaques have lived in Lop Buri since the late sev Macaques have lived in Lop Buri since the late seventeenth century, They first moved into the old Khmer Phra Karn Shrine probably after their original habitat was cleared for crops. People believed them to be disciples of the Hindu god Kala and so left them in peace.
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Over the years their numbers have swelled and there are now three distinct groups. A second group colonised the temple ruins of Phra Prang Sam Yot and a third, more dystopian group occupies an old disused market place. Squabbles have always been common but they reached new heights early in the pandemic when tourists dried up and along with them the supply of cola, candies and potato chips.
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The locals have always put out spare fruit and vegetables for them so it is unlikely any of them went hungry. Indeed the diet has probably improved their health no end.
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#monkey #macaque #longtailedmacaque #simian #monkeyoftheday  #wildlife #urbanwildlife #animal #urbananimal #urbananimals #animalovers #furryanimals #igswildlife #thailand #lopburi #amazingthailand #traveladdict #borntotravel #traveltheworld #seetheworld #travelmore #doyoutravel #travelgram #beautifulplaces #travelblogger #travelbloggerlife #travellife #worldnomads #themoderndayexplorer #globetrotter
Chapel of Our Lady of Penha The church built in 1 Chapel of Our Lady of Penha

The church built in 1622 by the crew of the Portuguese ship São Bartholomeu who, after escaping from Dutch pursuers, vowed to build a church to commemorate the Virgin Mary if they made it back to Macau.

#macau #macau_ig #macau🇲🇴 #macao #church #citynights #addicted_to_nights #nightphotography #nightimages #nightlights #nightphoto #dusk #cityscape #urbanlandscape #urbanromantix #buildings #buildingporn #architecture #architecturelovers #architectureporn #travel #travelphotography #travelgram
Tian Tan Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Pin Tian Tan Buddha at the Po Lin Monastery, Ngong Ping
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#tiantanbuddha #bigbuddha #天壇大佛 #天坛大佛 #lantau #polinmonastery #ngongping #昂坪 #hongkon
A tourist browses colourful silk lampshades in Hoi A tourist browses colourful silk lampshades in Hoi An, Vietnam
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#lamp lampshade #tourist #tourism #nightmarket #silk #traditional #shopping#hoiantown #hoian #discovervietnam #ig_vietnam #vietnamtravel #vietnam🇻🇳 #vietnamtravelers #igvietnam #vietnamese #vietnam #loves_united_vietnam #asiatravel #unlimitedasia #ecotourism #seetheworld #traveldeeper #doyoutravel #traveltheworld #traveladdict #borntotravel #traveltheworld #travelenthusiast
Mt Kangchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in th Mt Kangchenjunga, the third-highest mountain in the world at 8,586 m (28,169 ft), appears to be floating on a cloud
Thamel district, Kathmandu. A warren of small shop Thamel district, Kathmandu. A warren of small shops selling everything from hippy couture to mountain treks as well as massage, balms and oils to soothe aching, post-trek, feet.

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#thamel #kathmandu #thamelkathmandu #nepal #crowds #streetscenes #KaleidoscopeOfCulture #shops #shopping #people #kathmandu_nepal #nepalpictures #ig_captures_people #people_infinity_ #1001people #postcardplaces #hello_worldpics #mostbeautifulplace #welltravelled #traveldestination #travellingthroughtheworld #travel_gram #travel_captures #travel_photo #travelblogger
Passing through a small town in Krabi, southern Th Passing through a small town in Krabi, southern Thailand.
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Looking across the Shan Pui river from Tai Sang Wa Looking across the Shan Pui river from Tai Sang Wai towards the residential tower blocks of Tin Shui Wai in Hong Kong's nothern New Territories.
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#shanpuiriver #tinshuiwai #taisangwai #newterritories #hongkongphotography #wetlands #river #egret #urbanliving #towerblocks #hongkongphoto #hongkong #hkig #discoverhongkong #travel #travelhk #explorehk #visualhongkong #visithongkong #amazinghongkong #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #picsofhk #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #traveladdict #exploringhongkongsnewterritories
The Great Mosque of Central Java, Semarang. . . . The Great Mosque of Central Java, Semarang.
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Locomotive number 60 is the most recent addition t Locomotive number 60 is the most recent addition to the small but interesting Hong Kong Railway Museum in Tai Po. Built by General Motors and introduced in 1974, it was one of the last diesel locos to be added to the old Kowloon-Canton Railway network.
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When the line was electrified in 1983 it was relegated to freight and maintenance services and finally retired in 2021. It took up residence at the Museum in 2023, after a paint and polish by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. It joins locomotive number 51, a rake of coaches and an old narrow gauge steam loco that worked the long-forgotten Fanling to Shau Tau Kok branch line.

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#trains #exploringhongkongsnewterritories #heritage #discoverhongkong
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It's hiking season in Hong Kong. But beware the ol It's hiking season in Hong Kong. But beware the old abandoned villages are hungry.

#hongkong #hongkongphotography #hongkongphoto #hiking #hikingadventures #hike #abandonedplaces #abandoned #spooky #spookyseason #architecture
The little rural hamlet of Muk Wu is dwarfed by th The little rural hamlet of Muk Wu is dwarfed by the towers of Shenzhen. Between them, though not visible, is the river that separates the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from the rest of China.
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Muk Wu used to be in what was known as the closed area, a stretch of land that was set up in the 1950s, firstly to prevent gun smuggling during the Korean War, but was later expanded to stem the tide of illegal border crossings. Previously only residents and their families were allowed in but the restrictions have since been rolled back so that now only the river banks and border crossing areas are closed.
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#exploringhongkongsnewterritories
A hefty strand of spider silk stretched across the A hefty strand of spider silk stretched across the footpath slammed into my face as I set off on my walk this morning. A reminder that Summer is just around the corner and that soon the trees in my neck of the woods will be festooned with nephila pelipes or golden orb weavers. Their name comes from the yellow sheen on the webs of mature spiders.
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They are quite majestic beasts but for those unfamiliar, they are the stuff of nightmares. Fully grown the body is about the size of my thumb with a leg span a little wider than my outstretched hand. The webs are commonly about a metre across, though I have seen some that were easily 1.5 metres, and are spun from some of the strongest silk known. Though they do look very pretty when caught in the sunlight. Multiple spinnerets at the blunt end of the spider mean they are quite capable of making spider rope and they are also able adjust the composition of the silk according to their environment. 
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These huge spiders are always female. The males are a rusty brown color and little bigger than a fingernail. They hang about on the edges of the web waiting, presumably until she has a meal large enough to hold her attention so that he can dart in, do the business and retreat without becoming a light snack himself. I’ve read that a bite can be quite painful but the venom itself is not considered dangerous. I have no plans to put it to the test.
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#spider #spiders #spidersofinstagram #spidersoftheworld #spiderlove #instaspider #bigspider #orbspider #spiderweb #arachnid #arachnidsofinstagram #arachnidsoftheworld #goldenorbweaver #nephilapilipes #nephila #wildlife_perfection #wildlifephotos #wildlifelovers #naturelovers #nature #naturalworld #naturephotography #earthfocus #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #creepycrawly #lifeonearth #wildasia #asia #hongkong
The Eiffel Tower and the Big Ben tower. There's a The Eiffel Tower and the Big Ben tower. There's a photo essay at: https://www.smarttravelasia.com/Special/CotaiPhotoEssay.htm

#bigben #eiffel #macau #cotai #cotaistrip
An old tree catches the bright, early morning ligh An old tree catches the bright, early morning light in Shap Long. I've no idea what kind of tree but it is a rather attractive one. It also serves as a reminder, on my morning walks, that another steep hill is imminent.
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Shap Long is a small village on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula in southern Lantau.
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#tree #treephotography #oldtre #shaplong #香港 #hikinghk #chimawan #chimawancountrytrail #lantau #lantauisland #hkig #hkiger #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #visualhongkong #hongkongphotography #offthebeatenpath #earthpix #landscape #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #exploringhongkongsnewterritories
Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan, Ayutthaya, Thailand. Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan, Ayutthaya, Thailand. The 19-metre-high Buddha statue, known as Luang Pho Tho, dates back to 1334 although it has been renovated numerous times since then.
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#watphananchoengworawihan #ayutthaya #buddha #buddhism #temple #thaitemples #faith #religion #thailand #ayutthayathailand #amazingthailand #ig_thailand #loves_united_thailand #loves_thailand #ig_asia #loves_united_asia #super_asia_channel #unlimitedasia #unesco #unescoworldheritage #history #culture #statue #smartphone #igmoment #travel #wanderlust #beautifuldestinations #CreateExplore #stayandwander
The prows of pinisi rear up along the old harbour The prows of pinisi rear up along the old harbour front at Sunda Kelapa in north Jakarta, Indonesia. Pinisi are a type of two-masted schooner built by the Bugis of South Sulawesi. Most of them are motorised now but they are still used to transport cargo around the Indonesian archipelago. In previous times that included bringing timber from the forests of Sulawesi and Borneo to Jakarta and returning with everything from bags of cement to bottled water and anything else that is not readily available on the islands.
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The art of building Pinisi was recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in December 7, 2017.
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#pinisi #ship #boat #traditionalboat #sundakelapa #schooner #oldboat #harbour #jakarta #icu_jakarta #indonesia #loves_united_indonesia #icu_indonesia travelphotography #travelblogger #travelbloggerlife #traveller #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict #travellife #total_asia #lensbible
Plaster mouldings and decorated screen doors at th Plaster mouldings and decorated screen doors at the Lik Wing Tong Study Hall in in Hong Kong's New Territories.
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#heritage #history #doorway #likwingtong #studyhall #architecture #hongkongphoto #oldworldcharm #kamtin #newterritories #hkig #hkiger #ilovehongkong #discoverhongkong #discoverhk #awesomehongkong #visualhongkong #hongkongphotography #wonderful_places #traveling_photographs #peacefulplace #postcardplaces #seetheworld #doyoutravel #traveldeeper #globetrotter #exploringhongkongsnewterritories
I took this shot many years ago one foggy morning I took this shot many years ago one foggy morning on the Dieng Plateau in Central Java. Back then there were only two rather simple hotels. Early mornings were always wonderfully misty and mysterious but the sun would shine before lunch. In the afternoons it rained heavily.
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#dieng #diengplateau #exploredieng #terracedfields #offthebeatenpath #earthpix #landscape #earthofficial #awesome_earthpix #earthfocus #earthoutdoors #landscapelovers #landscapehunter #fantastic_earth #landscapephotography #loves_united_indonesia #icu_indonesia #travelblogger #travelbloggerlife #traveller #naturelover #indonesigeographic #volcano #globetrotter #letsgosomewhere #traveltheworld #wanderlustsyndicate #traveladdict #travellif
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