Saturday, 7 February 2015

United States



The Happiest Place on Earth!

Disneyland, Anaheim, California, USA (30 October 2005)

The awakening of dawn!

View from my hotel room in Laughlin, Nevada, USA (2 November 2005)

Rugged west!

Enroute from Laughlin to Grand Canyon, USA (2 November 2005).

The grandest of all canyons!

Besides being awed by one of the seven wonders of the world, my eyes kept going back to the shit-looking rock formations by the canyon's edge. =D If only there are some houseflies circling around these rocks, the picture would be perfect. =P

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA (2 November 2005)

Ghost tree of Grand Canyon.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA (2 November 2005)

A long way down!

So high that we could see right to the floor of the canyon.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA (2 November 2005)

Contrasting rock layers in the Grand Canyon...

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA (2 November 2005)

"Where's Theodore?"

Alvin the Chipmunk and his brother, Simon, were searching for their little brother, Theodore, before their father Dave found out that they had lost their brother... again!

Valley of Fire State Park,  Nevada, USA (27 September 2007)

The Big Bang Theory!

Will it or will it not erupt again? Standing at the rim of this volcanic crater, you run into certain risks of being blown into the crater by the extremely strong winds!

Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley, Nevada, USA (30 September 2007)

Wild wild west...

Gone with the gold were the people. All that remained in this rugged outpost were this abandoned oil pump, abandoned cars, abandoned water tank, and lost souls of murdered victims from the mad gold rush...

Techatticup Ghost Town, Eldorado Canyon, Nevada, USA (1 November 2010)


The fathers of mountains!

Court of the Patriarchs in Zion National Park, named after Abraham, Issac and Jacob from the Old Testament.

Utah, USA (2 November 2010)

Fiery-coloured Amphitheater as viewed from Sunrise Point in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA (2 November 2010)

Woke up really early to travel there from Las Vegas... the view was all that we heard about and more, and was more than enough to keep our eyes wide open instead of droopy from lack of sleep.


Alien art!

I am sure this is going to happen to one of these houses in reality one of these days! =D

Along the 
Extraterrestrial Highway, Rachel, Nevada, USA (3 November 2010)

"What do you mean there is no Valet???"

This is what I imagine our friends from the neighbouring planets would say when they arrive here to find to their horror there is no valet parking! =D

Along the 
Extraterrestrial Highway, Rachel, Nevada, USA (3 November 2010)


The truth is out there!

In other parts of the world, you see cars being towed away for illegal parking, but in Area 51, you see UFO spaceships being towed away. It is a common occurrence
! =D

Along the Extraterrestrial Highway, Rachel, Neveda, USA (3 November 2010)


Star-Spangled Banner...

This is the American flag printed on the wing tip of the hip-hop Virgin America plane I was flying on from San Francisco to Las Vegas, USA (23 December 2014). I like the colour against the sky as well as its reflection. =)

Walking away...

This is a reflection of strangers doing the exact same action, walking, alongside the catwalk model in the almost-floor-to-ceiling TV screen of a fashion house in the Bellagio Hotel. Everyone was busy doing their Christmas shopping. This reflective structure, with small mosaic mirrors and slightly bigger mirrors, was part of the Christmas Deco of the hotel.


Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (23 December 2014)


Flailing arms...

Taken at a revolving door at the entrance of Bellagio Hotel. Though this is not a sharp photo cos I didn't bring my tripod with me, but I love the movement as the people moved through the revolving doors especially this with the moving arms. =) I had to stand still for 5 seconds to capture the movement.


Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (23 December 2014)


Dreaming of flowers...

This horse is part of the 2014 Christmas deco of Bellagio Hotel. Thought to make the horse looks like he is dreaming of flowers (which are part of a permanent ceiling fixture of the Bellagio Hotel lobby). Not sure why there is a horse and not a reindeer, perhaps cos 2014 is the year of the Horse? =D


Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (23 December 2014)

Jingle bells, jingle all the way...

Love the Christmas scene in Bellagio Hotel. Saw these huge bell-like ornaments dangling from the glass ceiling. The blue light on the beams and the golden lights reflection on the glass ceiling on top of the ornaments really give me the feel of Christmas.


Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (23 December 2014)

Christmas round the globe!

Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (23 December 2014)

A Beary Merry Christmas!

Cokie the Coca Cola polar bear (haha I think that is his name) wishes all a Beary Merry Christmas! =D

Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (23 December 2014)

A fishy "tale"

Saw this deco of a restaurant in Bellagio Hotel, as I was passing by. Was thinking the colours were pretty nice and bright and then I realised I was looking at the rear end of a fish, and those bright things I was looking at were its "scales". Not surprising to know that this restaurant serves fish! =)


Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (23 December 2014)

Mirroring THE Walk!

This is a reflection of a catwalk model in an almost floor-to-ceiling TV screen of a fashion house. This reflective surface, with small mosaic mirrors & slightly bigger mirrors, was part of the 2014 Christmas deco in Bellagio Hotel. This photo was hard to capture cos the catwalk models were constantly moving here & there on the TV screen, making it hard to focus and fit the model's head into one of the bigger mirrors in the reflective surface without blurring the face.. I waited. I had to "rehearse" my shots first before I could do it properly... there were many different models and they were filmed doing the catwalk at different angles, so I had to use manual focus area and time it such that the models walk really close to the end of the catwalk stage in the screen before I could press the trigger.


Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (23 December 2014)


The silent music...

There are always new things to see each time I am in Las Vegas. This is my 4th time in LV, and I am seeing this scene for the first time. I was walking along a new street next to The LINQ (formerly Imperial Palace) called The LINQ Promenade, and saw many people dancing outdoors but to what? There was no music heard from their side, until I saw the headphones on the dancers's heads and the DJ's. =) Everyone seemed lost in their own world.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (23 December 2014)


"Just a day in the life" in a desert

With the glitz and glitter, it is often easy to forget that Las Vegas lies on the floor of the Mojave Desert. This photo which was taken from my hotel room in The Palazzo shows exactly that.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (24 December 2014)

My succulent pork chops!

Being a foodie, I just have to share some photos of the food I have eaten... this grilled pork chops at Otto Enoteca Pizzeria at The Grand Canal Shoppes in The Venetian is just so excellent!!! =P~~~~~


Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (24 December 2014)


Staring down the enemy...

This white lion at the Secret Garden in Mirage Hotel was so agitated until he sat there and roared again and again, and stared only at one person in the crowd... a man who was shining his handphone flashlight at him! If there wasn't any fence between them, that annoying man would have been torn apart by the lion, judging from the stare in his eyes! My hubby told me not to stand too close to the man in case the fence fall apart... the pole looked really bend!


 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (24 December 2014)

"Blah! Too bad! You are just not man enough to come into my compound and fight like a man!" =P

White lion sticking out his tongue at an ultra annoying man who had been shining his handphone flashlight right in his face for the last 20 minutes.

Secret Garden in Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (24 December 2014)

"Shark" Alert!

There were cases when dolphins were mistaken as sharks... no mistake here that this is a cute bottlenose dolphin. =)

Secret Garden in Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (24 December 2014)


Cute as a button!

Managed to get a shot of this cute bottlenose dolphin as it quickly swam past me in the Secret Garden, Mirage Hotel.


Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (24 December 2014).

Language of the next generation!

Perhaps there will be no more big marquees in the future... instead it would just be light beamed into a certain spot without a need for a backing to display something... just like this. Saw the reflection of an advertisement from a marquee that was behind me as I was walking across an overhead bridge with glass panels on both sides. It got me thinking this might just be way of the future! Anything is possible. Perhaps that is iphone 600S? =D

The Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (24 December 2014)

Outside window looking out...

This looks as though I was inside a building and snapping the street scene right outside the windows but actually I was outside the building and snapping a reflection of the street scene behind me from the windows outside while waiting for the green man to cross the road.

Opposite Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (24 December 2014)

View of Planet Earth from the Space Station... haha ok it's the Top of The World restaurant in Stratosphere Hotel.

Las Vegas, Nevada,USA (24 December 2014)

Power grid lines!

View of Las Vegas and its surroundings from Top of The World revolving restaurant in Stratosphere Hotel.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (24 December 2014)

Tutti Frutti Tulips

Was attracted to the very bright and shiny colours of this metallic display of tulips at the Wynn Hotel.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (25 December 2014).

Another angle of the opulent bouquet of tulips at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (25 December 2014).

Wake up, rise and shine!

The first light of the day makes a toasty bed for the sleepyheads in Treasure Island hotel in Las Vegas, USA. This was the wonderful view I saw every morning the moment I opened my eyes during my 9 nights stay at The Palazzo.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (26 December 2014)

Finding gold on Treasure Island

While most of The Strip was still shrouded in darkness and asleep, the first light showed where the pot of gold lay... right on the Treasure Island of Las Vegas, USA. This was the view I saw from my bed each morning during my 9 nights stay on the 32nd floor of The Palazzo. This was taken within the first half hour of sunrise.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (26 December 2014)


Michael Jackson: ONE!

This mannequin, at the Michael Jackson: ONE souvenir shop in Mandalay Bay Hotel, is dressed in one of the show's elaborate costumes, which has a LED strap with the running word "ONE" flashed across it.


Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (26 December 2014) 

Looking through the building...

While on the glass elevator up to the MIX restaurant in Delano hotel, this view suddenly came into sight. This was my first time up this elevator. I felt like I was looking through the shimmering golden building to the other side, and not merely seeing a reflection.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (26 December 2014)


Floating table...

This is actually a reflection of our table and glasses on the window of the MIX lounge in Delano Hotel. My intention was to make the table looked as if it was floating over Las Vegas. =)

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (26 December 2014)


Dance into the light...

Was at the MIX lounge in Delano Hotel, which has great views of the Las Vegas Strip. As I was not into dancing, I chose to discreetly observe the people on the dancefloor via reflections on the glass windows. One particular guy was dancing his heart out. I waited until the strobe lights lit him up, and then I pressed the camera trigger. I wanted to make him looked like he was dancing in the air over Vegas. =)

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (26 December 2014)

Basking in the limelight!

The strobe lights were moving over the dancefloor and music was blasting from the DJ console. As I was not into dancing, I chose to observe the people on the dancefloor via reflections on the glass windows. I noticed one particular guy was really in the zone, and dancing with his face skywards. I waited till the strobe lights hit and completely washed out his face before pressing my camera trigger.

MIX lounge in Delano Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (26 December 2014)

Angel of Music

Britney Spears with her pair of angel wings singing "Everytime" while suspended in mid-air during her "Britney Spears: Piece of Me" concert in Planet Hollywood.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (27 December 2014)

Touchy feely! =P

"Britney Spears: Piece of Me" concert in Planet Hollywood.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (27 December 2014)

Reaching for the Star!

Was at the "Britney Spears: Piece of Me" concert and photographing Britney from afar. Just as Britney and her dancers approached the edge of the stage, I saw a hand reaching out for her from the audience standing right below the stage. I quickly snapped this scene.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (27 December 2014)

Movement!

"Britney Spears: Piece of Me" concert in Planet Hollywood.


Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (27 December 2014)

Blind Spot...

Was watching Britney Spears performing "Live" at her "Britney Spears: Piece of Me" concert. This was a moment in her performance when the audience could not see her face as she was in the shadows of the strobe lights, neither could she see the audience (since we were shrouded in darkness). But I like this effect with the strobe lights gently playing down in a slightly quieter moment, giving her a faceless portrait.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (27 December 2014)

Ain't no pushover!

"Britney Spears: Piece of Me" concert in Planet Hollywood.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (27 December 2014)

Smoking hot ringleader!

"Britney Spears: Piece of Me" concert in Planet Hollywood.


Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (27 December 2014)


Behind the scene...

As Britney Spears and her dancers stepped onto the catwalk section of the stage, I decided to take a photo of them together with the audience as the backdrop. Very pleased to see the contrast of actions, active vs passive, and the expressions on the faces of the audience, particularly the man right under the hand of the left dancer. =) It looked as though he was posing for me but it was not possible cos we were seated far away.

"Britney:Piece of Me concert", Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (27 December 2014)

There's something strange in the neighbourhood... =D

Weather took a turn for the worse after several days of sunny days!

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA (28 December 2014)

Harry Poppins

Hahaha I think this clown is the male counterpart of Mary Poppins. =D

Zarkana, Las Vegas, USA (28 December 2014)


Smoking earth!

Drove non-stop through the night from Las Vegas, Nevada, to Page, Arizona, USA (29 December 2014). On my last 20 km to Page, along Highway 89, I watched the golden hue of the sunlight peeked its way from the horizon and illuminated this arresting sight right before my eyes. I stopped by the road shoulder before the sun could get any higher, and with my superzoom camera, I realised it was the Navajo Generating Station generating all that smoke.

"Sunrise" at "Monument Valley"

This is one of the famous scenes in the Antelope Canyon (Upper Canyon). The protruding rock in the centre resembles a sandstone butte in Monument Valley. The golden semicircle-looking rock behind this resembles sunrise.

My 2-hour private photography tour of the Upper Antelope Canyon was by far my most stressful photographic experience. The upper canyon was dark, narrow and crowded. There was a constant cacophony of voices until I had trouble hearing my guide on exactly what angle I should be taking at each stop, and what the scene resembled. The long exposure time (10-15 secs) required to capture each scene, plus another 10-15 secs processing time in the camera, plus a time limitation of 3-5 mins per stop meant that I could not afford to ruin the shots. I definitely did not have much time to think about how I wanted to frame the photo... just quickly take. There is a time limit set because the photography tour guides had to coordinate and stop the human traffic flow in the canyon in order for those who were on the photography tours to take a humanless shot.

Bending up and down in awkward positions, squatting in tight dark corners to get the right angle, and rushing from point-to-point in the canyon are the norm here. Definitely not a place for people with claustrophobia. For people who joined the standard 1-hour big group tours, it was even worse for them... they were herded like cattle! My hubby overheard a guide stopping someone from taking another photo just because she had already taken one!!! Luckily, I pre-booked the more expensive photography tour, otherwise it would have been an even more hair-pulling experience for me. =D


Breathing fire!

This shape in the rock resembles an Indian Chief breathing fire! =D

Antelope Canyon (Upper Canyon), Page, Arizona, USA (29 December 2014)

Sacred heart...

To most, this looks like a heart-shaped cutout lying on one side but to me, it also looks like the uvula. Guess it can also resemble a devil's cave, not that I have ever seen a real devil's cave besides those on TV. =P

Antelope Canyon (Upper Canyon), Page, Arizona, USA (29 December 2014)

Too big for his own good!

This bear has been trapped inside the Antelope Canyon since the day he was born. He is too big to move about in the canyon. The only way he could get comfortable is to sit on his backside. His only two connections to the outside world are visitors like me, and that little hole above him, where he is always looking skywards and hoping for an opportunity to get out of this place.


Antelope Canyon (Upper Canyon), Page, Arizona, USA (29 December 2014)

Mysterious Silver Fox...

This is an abstract silver fox in the Antelope Canyon, (Upper Canyon), Page, Arizona, USA (29 December 2014). Amazing what a little natural daylight and imagination can do to a to rock formation.

Seeing stars!

That is what bending up and down, and squatting in the tight and narrow confines of the Antelope Canyon (Upper Canyon), Page, Arizona, USA (29 December 2014) after almost 2 hours can do to you... you start seeing stars... I mean Hollywood stars! I spotted on my own a silhouette of the late Patrick Swayze with his cool "Dirty Dancing" hairstyle and his toned upper torso! See if you can spot him too! =D

The footprints we left behind...

To reach the Horseshoe Bend, we had to walk from the carpark for about 15-20 minutes on loose golden sand to reach the lookout point. Really like how the different patterns of the shoe soles left behind by various people who passed through the same route reminded me of petroglyphs and how they were further illuminated by the setting sun and partially shaded along the edges by the long shadows of people walking past me.

Page, Arizona, USA (29 December 2014)

This is the famous Horseshoe Bend at sunset. Haha although this place has been photographed to death, here is my take on it. It was rather scary standing at the edge of the lookout point trying to capture the whole bend as there were no railings. It's a loooong way down. Really standing there at your own risk. As an added safeguard, I had my hubby held my free hand as I stood precariously, framing as much of the Horseshoe Bend as I could and praying no strong wind would blow me over. =D

Page, Arizona, USA (29 December 2014)

Dammed it!

The Glen Canyon Dam dammed the Colorado River for eternity, and formed a reservoir, Lake Powell, behind its back. =D

Page, Arizona, USA (30 December 2014)

Smoke gets in your eyes...

This was taken about an hour and half after sunrise. Somehow the sun in Arizona seemed really glaring, even at such an early hour. Nevertheless, I really like the combination of the smoke coming from the Navajo Generating Station and the glassy reflection of sunlight in Lake Powell. The 
overhead white glare from the sun made the surroundings looked really surreal.

View of Antelope Island and Lake Powell from Wahweap Overlook, Page, Arizona, USA (30 December 2014)

4 Fingers!

I think this rock resembles a hand with 4 fingers pointing upwards and the thumb held close to the palm.

Lone Rock Beach, Big Water, Utah, USA (30 December 2014)

Toadstool for the picking!

How to pick this "toadstool" without getting yourself killed? =D

Paria Rimrocks Toadstool Hoodoos in Grand Staircase Escalante, Utah, USA (30 December 2014)

Use your imagination!

Some people may see just a bunch of rocks lying around. Some people may see a toadstool.

For me, I first saw a toadstool, then I saw a very abstract shape of a bird (with the darker rock being it's head and beak, and the triangular part of the mountain behind its back being its wing). =D

Paria Rimrocks Toadstool Hoodoos in Grand Staircase Escalante, Utah, USA (30 December 2014)

Reaching for the sky!

Let your imagination run freely, and these rock formations could take on the forms of toadstools or something a little more explicit ...


Paria Rimrocks To
adstool Hoodoos in Grand Staircase Escalante, Utah, USA (30 December 2014)

What happens when a rock weeps in winter?

You get frozen tears! =D

This is the Weeping Rock in Zion National Park, Utah, USA (30 December 2014). Unfortunately I could not proceed any further from where I was cos the trail from the staircase upwards was closed due to the icy paths.

Catch of the day!

Golden retrievers playing catch in the early morning on the beach of the Spanish Bay.

17-Mile Drive, Pacific Grove, California, USA (2 January 2015)

Home run!

Golden retrievers playing catch in the early morning on the beach of the Spanish Bay. C
oincidentally, one is white and the other is black. =)


17-Mile Drive, Pacific Grove, California, USA (2 January 2015)

The blue-eyed boy!

Cormorant giving a sultry look! =D

Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing, California, USA (2 January 2015)

Shipwrecked!

The very adorable sea otters were floating together like a raft lost at sea.

Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing, California, USA (2 January 2015)

Hangover!

This blurry-eyed sea lion looked like he had a cup too many the night before, like his hangover pals. =D

Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing, California, USA (2 January 2015)

Hangover Part II!

This blurry-eyed sea lion's hangover pals had awakened and were trying to recall what happened the night before. =D

Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing, California, USA (2 January 2015)

Pelican brief!

Brown pelican taking a break at Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing, California, USA (2 January 2015)

Enjoying a mud bath!

Now you know the secret of how seals maintain such beautiful skin. =)

Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing, California, USA (2 January 2015)

Electric currents...

Was photographing a seal on a rock at the Fisherman's Wharf when I suddenly noticed these patterns in the water, looking like electric currents. I zoomed in on this and realised these were actually debris/foam that formed the electric current look.


Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Bay, California, USA (2 January 2015)

Checking out the seafood selection in the "supermarket"...

This sea otter was not satisfied with just 1 mussel so she lifted her head as high as she could to see what she could grab from the boat. =)


What is not seen in this photo is how the sea otter knocked the mussel against the boat in order to break it open. The constant tap-tap-tap sound is just too cute to be forgotten.

Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Bay, California, USA (2 January 2015)

Fishes in the sea...

This is an abstract photo of the waves of the sea with the reflection of a yellow and red boat passing by, making it look a little like fishes (particularly koi) swimming about.

Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Bay, California, USA (2 January 2015)

Always present yourself in the best light!

This beautiful brown pelican has a "I am beautiful, and I know it" look on her face. =) It helps that the she knows which angle of the lighting makes her look her best.

Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Bay, California, USA (2 January 2015)

"Ma... I wanna go swimming..."

Haha this is what I think this seal was telling his mother from his body language. =D



Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Bay, California, USA (2 January 2015)

A chip off the old block! =D

Besides sharing the same look and build, this father and son (Haha I think they are!) seals also have the same sleeping patterns and facial expressions of sleeping with a big smile on their faces. =)

Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Bay, California, USA (2 January 2015)

"I believe I can fly!"

This cormorant was flapping his wings non-stop (I observed him for more than half an hour), seemingly like he doesn't know how to fly but was learning how to. =D

Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Bay, California, USA (2 January 2015)

Getting ready for take off!

Great Egret at Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Bay, California, USA (2 January 2015).

Watercolour Egret...

Great Egret lost in his own world at Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Bay, California, USA (2 January 2015).

Man imitating wildlife?

Can you spot the similarities in this photo? My eyes was caught by this scene cos the people wearing the red life jackets and their yellow kayaks share the exact same colour tones as the seagull's beak. Guess the seagull's beak shows how a capsized kayak would look like. =D

Monterey Bay, California, USA (2 January 2015)

Choosing his lunch at the "cafeteria"!

Great Blue Heron at Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Bay, California, USA (2 January 2015)

Chinese paint brush???

This is a part time bird, part time Chinese paint brush. =D Hehe if I had not been observing this 
Great Blue Heron, I would have wondered what on earth was that cos it looked so much like a Chinese paint brush from behind!

Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey Bay, California, USA (2 January 2015)

Making a fortune!

Visited the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in San Francisco, USA (3 January 2015), to satisfy my craving of fortune cookies. Though most fortune cookies taste pretty much like "What's the big deal?" but this one is simply addictive! Normally, taking a photo here would cost 50 cents but since I bought so many fortune cookies, I could take the photos for free. =) Here is one photo at the end of the production line. =)

Our fortune lies in her hands!

The fortune cookie is wrapped around the fortune slip while it is still 
scorching hot before it hardens and forms its shape. A burning task indeed! =D

Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in San Francisco, USA (3 January 2015)
If noise has a look...

If noise is visual, then this is how I imagine the noise at the airport looks like. As I was walking along a narrow passageway with windows on both sides between the domestic and international terminals at San Francisco Airport, I noticed the colourful decals from one side of the windows and chairs reflected on the opposite windows facing the planes outside. The squiggly lines and shapes decals looked to me like noise radiating from the planes. It was a very busy time at the airport, although the place where I was standing to take this picture was pretty quiet, as shown by the empty chairs.

San Francisco, California, USA (4 January 2015)





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