Magical mystery tour
In and around World
Up the aisle then round the world. Not content with a two week sojourn in Skegness, honeymoon capital of the world, we are heading off on a year long magical mystery tour. Loaded up with Imodium we are ready to 'trot' around the globe. First stop Ethiopia, last stop Cuba.
Route taken and entries written by Becs and Chris
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1
Leaving on a jet plane
After 24 months of planning we did the usual and left packing until the last minute. We like to think that we were getting into African time already a... Continue reading »
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2
Ethiopia - Addis Ababa
Organised / laid back / stupid * as ever (*please delete as appropriate), we landed in Addis Ababa with no Ethiopian currency and no visa. Most visito... Continue reading »
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3
Ethiopia - heading oop north
The Ethiopian Tourism Commission's slogan runs '13 months of sunshine', and sure enough it had tipped it down for the three days we had been in Addis.... Continue reading »
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4
Ethiopia - Gondar
It's 19th July 1998 here, which makes Becs a fantastic 223 aqnd Chris 21 - a little confusing that we are here together as strictly speaking we haven'... Continue reading »
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5
I am Elefachew the armed scout
I am Elefachew the armed scout. Today I met up wityh another strange group of Faranji, who will be spending 5 days walking (they call it tekking - to... Continue reading »
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6
Geech Village
On our approach to Geech Camp in the Simen Mountains the five of us (Chris, Becs, Pioline, Tache (guide) and Elefachew) were invited into a villagers... Continue reading »
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7
Bus journeys
Having experienced a number of bus journeys in Ethiopia I think they should change the countries slogan from "13 months of sunshine" to "24hrs of... Continue reading »
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8
Ethiopia - Lalibela
Lalibela is one of the most sacred Christian sites in the world. It is approx 700km north of Addis Ababa and has a population of less than 10,000. The... Continue reading »
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9
Ethiopia - heading south, then promptly back north
After a month in the north of the country visiting the more historical sites we decided to head south, subjecting ourselves first to yet another mammo... Continue reading »
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10
Escape from Wendo Genet
Desperate to get out of Wendo Genet shit springs on the Sunday, we started to ask the other residents for lifts. As the richer half of Ethiopia tend t... Continue reading »
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11
Addis Ababa - The Merkato
Following our unsuccessful sojourn south we have been resting in Addis Ababa, mainly dining out in relative style, reading and wandering the streets o... Continue reading »
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12
Leaving Ethiopia
Well it's time to move on again. There's been plenty to think about here in Ethiopia, from the misperceptions that we build up of countries thanks to... Continue reading »
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13
Next stop - Kenya
As our Kenyan Airways (lots of leg room) flight began its descent to touch down at Kenyatta Airport we were nervously excited about what lay ahead. Th... Continue reading »
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14
Uganda - Kampala
Anyone would think we were in Wacky Races by the speed we have suddenly started moving across this vast continent (and I mean VAST - we saw an illustr... Continue reading »
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15
Rwanda - Kigali
David. Age 10. Favourite sport - Football. Enjoyed - Making people laugh. Dream - become a doctor. Last words - the UN will come for us. Cause of... Continue reading »
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16
Rwanda - Ruhengeri
We arrived in Ruhengeri in northwestern Rwanda on Saturday morning as a base for our gorilla trek. The scenery on the way up was breathtaking, with th... Continue reading »
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17
Rwanda, Kibuye
Still drying out (from the rain, not the Primus beer) we decided to head south in search of the elusive sun. Our port of call was to be Kibuye, which... Continue reading »
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18
Rwanda - Butare
Our last stop in Rwanda before heading back to Uganda was tobe Butare, apparently the intellectual capital of the country. We seem to have an uncanny... Continue reading »
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19
Rwanda - Kigali then out
So after a brief but impactful 10 days in Rwanda it's time to shape up and ship out back to Uganda. Rwanda is certainly one of the most beautiful coun... Continue reading »
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20
Uganda - Kabale/Lake Bunyoni
After a weeks holiday the blog is back! We left Kigali and headed for Kabale just over the Rwandan-Ugandan border (Southwestern Uganda). The journey w... Continue reading »
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21
Uganda - Kabale to Fort Portal
We knew it had been too good to last. After white-knuckle but none the less easy journeys since leaving Ethiopia, we were due an almost immorally&nb... Continue reading »
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22
Uganda - Fort Portal
Having been put off buses for a while we decided to hire bikes for the next 5 days and try to get around under our own steam. Although we hadn't been... Continue reading »
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23
Uganda - Ssese Islands
After much deliberation over what to do with our last week in Uganda; do we go to Murchison Falls for a Safari? Do we hire quad bikes in Jinja? We opt... Continue reading »
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Uganda - Entebbe
As we still had a day to kill before heading back to Kampala and having a weekend on the lash we decided to see the sights of Entebbe, which consist o... Continue reading »
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25
Au'revoir Uganda
Lured by the the thought of our first proper night out since a few beers with the sex-crazed Belgian in Ethiopia, we headed back to Kampala to me... Continue reading »
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26
Kenya - Nairobi
We have realised during our time here that there must be some area of our brains that has succumbed to the belief that there is little or no food to b... Continue reading »
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27
Kenya - joining our tour
We were pretty excited about joining up with our tour, not just because we would be meeting and spending time with some new people but also because we... Continue reading »
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28
Tanzania - Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater safari
We crossed the border on the Mzungu meat wagon without hassle and without having to kick any locals and made our way to Arusha. Here we would spend on... Continue reading »
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29
Tanzania - Dar es Salaam
East Africa is a panoply of different peoples with different origins. The indigenous population of Tanzania itself has representations from all three... Continue reading »
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30
Tanzania - Zanzibar paradise?
We had been dreaming of the Zanzibar section of our trip for what seemed like an eternity. Azure waters, palm fringed white sands, coral reefs, fresh... Continue reading »
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31
Tanzania - back in Dar es Salaam
Adventures always happen when you last expect it! We spent one night in Dar es Salaam (after managing to meet up with our tour friends at the por... Continue reading »
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32
Tanzania - Kilimanjaro
After harbouring thoughts of attempting to summit Kilimanjaro for several months but always concluding that the season would be wrong I was delighte... Continue reading »
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33
Tanzania - Arusha Maasai visit
When I wasn't working myself up into an arthritic state updating the blog whilst Chris sodded off up the mountain, I took the opportunity to learn a b... Continue reading »
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34
Bus journey from hell to Malawi
The portents for the journey from Dar es Salaam to Mzuzu, Malawi, were never good. Firstly, two separate rip off merchants lured us into their tour of... Continue reading »
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35
Malawi - Nkhata Bay
Following the harrowing journey from Dar es Salaam we finally arrived in Malawi and after spending 1 night in a drab hotel in Mzuzu toasting the openi... Continue reading »
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36
Malawi - Likoma Island
Likoma Island is on the Mozambican side of Lake Malawi, measures 17sq km and is home to less than 6,000 people, who also happen to be about the friend... Continue reading »
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37
Malawi - Chizumulu Island
The crossing from Likoma was supposed to be 1 hour by motorboat but ended up being about two hours and involving the usual mishaps which seem to... Continue reading »
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38
Malawi - Mzuzu
After our prolonged stay on the Islands we had to hot foot it to Lilongwe but first we needed to crash in Mzuzu for 1 night to watch the England-Ecuad... Continue reading »
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39
Malawi - Lilongwe
We spent 3 days in Lilongwe before heading over the border to Chipata in Zambia. Lilongwe is an enjoyable city if not a little confusing as the distri... Continue reading »
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40
Zambia - Victoria Falls
"Sit back and enjoy the journey, the Lord is in control", announced the Master of Ceremonies on our 4.30am bus to Lusaka, Zambia. This was after... Continue reading »
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41
Namibia - Windhoek
We arrived in Windhoek after a fantastic 18 hour journey on the Intercape from Vic Falls. Double decker, reclining seats, free tea and coffee and, n... Continue reading »
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42
Namibia - Andy Duffus arrives
We tore our hair out for a full 5 days in Windhoek, saved from madness only by the excitement of the World Cup and the thought of our first visitor fr... Continue reading »
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Namibia - 10 day tour - Etosha
(Please note: this entry has been compiled under the influence of 22 different wine tastings, ranging from champagne, to Chardonnay, Merlot and Shir... Continue reading »
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44
Namibia - northwest
The aquarium chattered excitably following our safari extravaganza, as we ventured into northwestern Namibia which over the next 2/3 days would take... Continue reading »
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45
Namibia - Swakopmund
Swakopmund is the adrenaline capital of Namibia and the three of us signed up straight away for the quadbiking, sandboarding and skydive. Andy was a l... Continue reading »
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46
Namibia - Sossuvlei dunes
We were all pretty exhausted from the adenalin rushes of the preceeding days and mostly slept through the long journey the next day to the famous Soss... Continue reading »
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47
Namibia - Keetmanshoop
We traveled back to Windhoek and spent a few days winding down from the tour. This mainly involved red wine and chewing the fat with fellow travellers... Continue reading »
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South Africa - Thoughts on South Africa
Crossing over into South Africa was thrilling. 'South Africa' had always been a dirty word when we were growing up, synonymous with oppression and bru... Continue reading »
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49
South Africa - Storms River
From the plethora of backpacker accommodation available in Cape Town we opted for PJ’s River Lodge, which judging by the classy leaflet looked to be a... Continue reading »
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50
South Africa - Port Elizabeth
Having met up with Elmarie we journeyed east towards Port Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth is a rather uninspiring, industrial city set on the coast, better... Continue reading »
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51
South Africa - Cape Town
The blog on South Africa comes to you with the compliments of the elder Pinningtons, Sue and Frank.In our life we have visited many countries to see o... Continue reading »
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52
South Africa - Oudtshoorn and ostriches
So, having seen Cape Town, the intrepid adventurers headed inland!This journey began with a heavy heart. We had arranged, unknown to Bebs and Chris, t... Continue reading »
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53
South Africa - Hermanus and the shark diving
Frank writes - On the way to Hermanus we were to stop at Gouritz River bridge where the world’s highest bridge swing is (65m).The day was perfect... Continue reading »
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South Africa - Drakensberg mountains
We came into Johannesburg through a cloud of pollution. The airport was modern, crowded and sprawling. In truth we were a little apprehensive given th... Continue reading »
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55
South Africa - Kruger National Park
We left our lodge near the Drakensbeg Mountains just after eight to travel well over two hundred miles to Glenthane Lodge in Mpumalanga province. Here... Continue reading »
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56
Leaving Africa
On hearing you’ve spent time in Africa people either glaze over, completely confused as to what on earth might compel you to visit such a land, or you... Continue reading »
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57
Australia - Sydney
We arrived in Australia with mixed feelings. Gutted that we were leaving Africa but excited about catching up with friends and having home comforts, a... Continue reading »
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58
New Zealand - meet the Buckinghams
After what had seemed an age of working in Australia (well approximately 10 wks) we were finally on the move again. Destination Auckland to meet the s... Continue reading »
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59
New Zealand Te Puke/Tauranga - Caving in Waitomo
Approximately 10km outside of Te Puke lived Wendy and Lindsay, friends of Des and Jean in a beautiful bungalow with a huge sprawling garden with manic... Continue reading »
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60
New Zealand - Geothermal activity in Rotorua
We had gone to Rotorua primarily to visit the geothermal springs and geysers which adorn the area, and also to get a taste of Maori culture. We manage... Continue reading »
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61
New Zealand - Rafting on the Kaituna River
Having got soaked two days running the ‘kids’ opted for a third and took the plunge quite literally on the Kaituma River in a rubber dinghy but first... Continue reading »
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New Zealand - White Island
White Island constitutes the tip of New Zealand’s most active volcano, most of which is submerged under the Tasman Straits. It is constantly spewing f... Continue reading »
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New Zealand - Lake Taupo/Tongariro Crossing/Huka Falls
The A-Team van pulled up outside the reception of Top 10 Campsites Taupo, our home for the next 3 days and we piled out to check the weather report fo... Continue reading »
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New Zealand - Wai-O-Tapu
On the way down to our next destination, Taupo, we stopped off at yet another geothermal area. We were all pretty geothermaled out but Wai-O-Tapu is f... Continue reading »
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New Zealand - Wellington
Waving a fond farewell to Top 10 Taupo we headed for the vineyards of Masterton and Martinbrough and looked forward to a couple more days of R&R a... Continue reading »
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66
New Zealand - Picton and The Marlborough Sounds
Yippee, we were back on the road again and a 2 week tour of the South Island of New Zealand heralded the continuance of our break from the shackles of... Continue reading »
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67
New Zealand - Kayaking the Abel Tasman
Not satisfied with our cycling and walking, and still conscious of our enlarged love handles after 3 months in Australia (good to know the Sydney inje... Continue reading »
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68
New Zealand - Nelson Lakes National Park
After leaving our sea legs behind we clambered into El Cheapo and headed for some hiking in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Our exact destination was... Continue reading »
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69
New Zealand - Franz Josef Glacier
The Franz Josef Glacier was next on our list and we made the long drive further down south to get up close and personal with one of only three tempera... Continue reading »
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70
New Zealand - Akaroa and Christchurch
The drive back to Christchurch didn't get off to the best of starts. A stickler for rules and regulations, and known for hating 'bloody speeders', I s... Continue reading »
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71
Fiji - Yasawa Islands
Well this was it what we had been waiting what seemed like an age for, real travel again. We landed in Nadi to be greeted by the balmy early evening h... Continue reading »
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72
Waya Island - a proper resort
We left Nabua Lodge (again) to the strains of Isa Lei, the traditional and beautiful Fijian farewell song. Ron’s singing wasn’t quite as world class a... Continue reading »
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73
Fiji - shark diving WITHOUT a cage!
It’s a well known fact that the side effects of drinking too much kava include drowsiness and laziness. What’s less well known is that it might indu... Continue reading »
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74
Suva - city life again
After two weeks of drinking kava and sleeping in hammocks we were sliding into a vegetative state which we were worried might become permanent. Amazin... Continue reading »
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75
Hawaii, Oahu Island - Honolulu
It is difficult to describe Oahu Island or more specifically Honolulu where approx 85% of the inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands live. It is like som... Continue reading »
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76
Fiji - final day in the aquarium
Backpackers Inn in Nadi is staffed mostly by extremely camp Fijians, some of whom have graduated to transexuality. We had stayed there once befor... Continue reading »
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77
United States - San Francisco
We flew into San Francisco excited to visit a place which felt distinctly familiar but that yet neither of us had ever actually visited before. This i... Continue reading »
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Cuba - Havana great time
A group of men play dominoes outside crumbling colonial buildings, shrouded in the haze of their fat cigars and the dust kicked up by the classic cars... Continue reading »
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79
Cuba - Trinidad.
About a five hour journey south of Havana, Trinidad lies on the southern coast of Cuba. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site it is certainly a very p... Continue reading »
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80
Mexico - Mayan marvels in Valladolid
Looking out the bus window at the Cancun coastal skyline, resort after horrific high rise resort, we were pleased we´d decided to head straight from t... Continue reading »
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Belize - Jungle River Tour to Lamanai
Enticed by the abundance of positive travel reviews written about Belize and the prospect of seeing more ancient Mayan cities, tasting local... Continue reading »
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Belize - Dangriga/Tobacco Caye
After leaving Orange Walk we set off for Southern Belize to sample some of the excellent scuba and snorkeling sites that can be accessed off the coast... Continue reading »
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83
Mexico - Mayan ruins at Palenque, Yaxchilan and Bonampak
We arrived in Palenque town just as the sun was rising after a marathon journey that had started in Southern Belize at just after 9:00am the previous... Continue reading »
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Mexico - Villahermosa and the Olmec heads
Before heading to San Cristobal de las Casas we decided to take a short trip over the state border to Tabasco and see the Olmec heads on display at th... Continue reading »
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85
Guatemala - somewhere over the rainbow
If the land that Dorothy dreamed of is somewhere over the rainbow, then Guatemala must be slap bang in the middle of it. Put your sunglasses on folks,... Continue reading »
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86
Chilling out in Santa Cruz
Panajachel is really a permanent market itself and we were starting to get tired of just being seen as the next consumer. So we took a small motor boa... Continue reading »
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Guatemala - Gringos go home
“Last night I dreamt of San Pedro” crooned Madonna in the late 80’s. If Madge had been singing about the Guatemalan hippie haven rather than the sun-k... Continue reading »
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Mexico - San Cristobal de Las Casas
Our visit to San Cristobal was divided over 5 days with a brief weeks foray into Guatemala inbetween. It has been heralded as one of the most bea... Continue reading »
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