Hello, blog! Haven't been here for months.
I actually haven’t been very active on my blog in 2024.
Work is busy, and most of the time, after I come back from work, I just love sinking into the sofa and chilling out with Netflix.
It's become my go-to way to de-stress and recharge after a long day.
I spoke with an old friend a few weeks ago when we ran into each other at an event.
We both had to admit that blogging isn’t as easy as it once was.
With the rise of social media and its more immediate and interactive formats, maintaining a blog now requires a greater investment of time and effort—writing detailed posts, editing pictures, and organizing content all demand a lot more work than simply sharing quick updates on social platforms.
We both miss how excited and committed we used to be about blogging and miss for those simpler times.
However, even with these challenges, I’m not giving up on my blog.
I actually haven’t been very active on my blog in 2024.
Work is busy, and most of the time, after I come back from work, I just love sinking into the sofa and chilling out with Netflix.
It's become my go-to way to de-stress and recharge after a long day.
I spoke with an old friend a few weeks ago when we ran into each other at an event.
We both had to admit that blogging isn’t as easy as it once was.
With the rise of social media and its more immediate and interactive formats, maintaining a blog now requires a greater investment of time and effort—writing detailed posts, editing pictures, and organizing content all demand a lot more work than simply sharing quick updates on social platforms.
We both miss how excited and committed we used to be about blogging and miss for those simpler times.
However, even with these challenges, I’m not giving up on my blog.
I want to keep the spirit of my blog alive and continue sharing my experiences, even if it means putting in extra effort.
So, from this month onwards, I’m going to work harder on my travel posts.
Speaking of travel, if you follow me on IG @mizhippo, you probably noticed that I took a month off in May to travel to Melbourne and New Zealand, and then a weekend trip to Guangzhou at the end of June.
I’m excited to document everything here and share it with all of you.
So, from this month onwards, I’m going to work harder on my travel posts.
Speaking of travel, if you follow me on IG @mizhippo, you probably noticed that I took a month off in May to travel to Melbourne and New Zealand, and then a weekend trip to Guangzhou at the end of June.
I’m excited to document everything here and share it with all of you.
I hope that by capturing these travel experiences, I’ll be able to preserve these memories and make them accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Before starting my month-long getaway to Melbourne and New Zealand, I’ll start with a recap of my Guangzhou trip first.
Before starting my month-long getaway to Melbourne and New Zealand, I’ll start with a recap of my Guangzhou trip first.
This isn’t my first time visiting Guangzhou 广州; I’ve been there many times for work, with my last visit being in 2019 with Lik.
I actually forgot some details of that trip until I talked with my friend in Guangzhou, which made me appreciate even more the value of documenting my travels on my blog. It's great to have a place where I can look back and refresh my memory.
I spent 5 days and 4 nights in Guangzhou this time, making it feel like a quick, refreshing weekend getaway.
It’s hard to believe it's been 9 years since my last trip here; I used to visit annually when I was in the furniture industry.
This visit was a delightful surprise: the locals were even friendlier and more welcoming than before, and the service at both the restaurants and hotel was top-notch.
It’s good to see how things have changed since my last visit.
This time, I travelled with my girlfriend, Venny.
It was our second girls' trip since our adventure to Taiwan last year, feel free to check out our itinenary at Kaoshiung at HERE.
We had promised each other that we would plan at least one trip together each year, and I’m happy to say we’ve fulfilled that promise this year!
We actually decided to plan our trip quite last minute, only about two weeks before our departure.
We actually decided to plan our trip quite last minute, only about two weeks before our departure.
To keep things simple and avoid too much hassle, we booked both our direct flight and 4 nights hotel together through AirAsia, with the total cost came to around RM1700++ per person.
It was a bit pricey due to the last-minute booking, but the quality of the hotel we secured through the deal made it feel worthwhile.
Where to Stay in Guangzhou
So, here’s a look at the hotel we stayed at during our 4-days, 3-nights trip to Guangzhou.
The hotel is called LN Hotel Five (Lingnan Wuhao Jiudian) 广州岭南五号酒店, which we found through AirAsia and is considered a 5-star hotel.
It’s conveniently located next to the Pearl River (Zhujiang) and close to Beijing Road.
The location is ideal, surrounded by a variety of Chinese restaurants and convenience stores right on the same street.
The hotel also features a Chinese restaurant serving dim sum, and a rooftop bar where you can enjoy drinks with a stunning view.
The hotel is called LN Hotel Five (Lingnan Wuhao Jiudian) 广州岭南五号酒店, which we found through AirAsia and is considered a 5-star hotel.
It’s conveniently located next to the Pearl River (Zhujiang) and close to Beijing Road.
The location is ideal, surrounded by a variety of Chinese restaurants and convenience stores right on the same street.
The hotel also features a Chinese restaurant serving dim sum, and a rooftop bar where you can enjoy drinks with a stunning view.
We stayed in the Elegant Twin Room, which featured two single beds, a spacious living area, and a small wardrobe nook.
The living area was particularly pleasant, equipped with a small dining table and a cozy sofa, and the corner wardrobe provided a convenient space for our luggage and allowed for private changing.
Additionally, these single beds were surprisingly spacious, and the bedding was incredibly comfortable and cozy, making me hard to get out of bed in the morning. 真的超级舒服!
I especially loved the bathroom in our room, which featured separate areas for the toilet, bath, and a dressing table.
The bathroom was very spacious, and the large bathtub was a fantastic addition that really enhanced our stay.
The bathroom was very spacious, and the large bathtub was a fantastic addition that really enhanced our stay.
As a bonus, the hotel even provides an espresso machine for guests, which is truly a delightful surprise.
I usually bring my own coffee when I travel to China, but this time I didn’t need to dig through my luggage at all.
It was really a great convenience for coffee lovers like me and Venny who need their morning fix every day.
We both love the full-length mirror by the door because we can check our outfits and take selfies. :)
很喜欢这系列的OOTD照片!
Overall, our 4 nights stay at LN Hotel Five was excellent.
I’d give a big thumbs up to the friendly and helpful staff, as well as to the impeccable maintenance and quality of services provided throughout our stay.
The attentive service and well-maintained facilities truly enhanced our experience.
Keep up the great work, and I’ll definitely consider staying here again on future trips to Guangzhou.
Anyway, you can check out a short clip I made about this hotel on my XHS page at HERE
广州岭南五号酒店
Add: 广东广州市越秀区沿江中路277号
The Main Reason I'm in Guangzhou
It might sound a bit silly, but if you read my previous blog, you'll know that I wrote about my favorite idol from Malaysia, Fang Jiong Bin 方泂镔.
I’ve been a fan since I was 17, so I've waited 27 years for this solo concert.
If you are interested in learning more about him, click HERE which I wrote how I started to like him. :)
So, he had a two-day concert 你是个好人 也是个坏人 series in Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
I chose to attend the final concert in Guangzhou because I can’t take many days off from work, especially since I just returned from a month-long holiday.
To be honest, I’ve been wrestling with the decision for weeks; flying all the way to China for this concert seems a bit wild.
But after missing his solo performances several times and knowing I might not get another chance soon, I couldn’t let this opportunity just slip by.
So after much thought, I decided to go and make my dream come true.
现在回想起来, 还真的很庆幸做了这个决定!
Now, I’m still pinching myself, especially when I think about the moment he was standing right and so near in front of me, it feels like a dream come true.
I was incredibly touched and even cried when I saw him right in front of me.
我还记得第一次在天后宫见到你, 那时你在舞台上自弹自唱, 你的音乐和那一刻的情感深深打动了我. 从那一天起, 我便跟随你的音乐一路成长.
这天, 当我站在这里, 看着你在舞台上尽情演绎的两个小时, 我感到无比的幸福.
尽管岁月改变了我们, 但你的音乐却始终如一, 给我带来了无尽的感动和力量.
每次听到你的音乐, 我都能感受到我们之间那份联系, 这种深刻的感受真的难以用言语表达.
The look on his face when he first spotted me on stage was absolutely priceless! #lol
I’ve put together a short reel about the concert on my IG. Don’t forget to check it out at HERE.
我花了很多心思和时间制作了这段影片, 希望你会喜欢, 也希望未来我们年纪大了的时候, 也能看到这段珍贵的回忆.
Thank you for the unforgettable memories and the incredible music from that night.
It truly made it one of the most remarkable experiences of my life.
虽然过了几个月, 可是写下这刻的内心还是很澎拜, 很想把那晚一切的美好都收留在这里 <3
虽然过了几个月, 可是写下这刻的内心还是很澎拜, 很想把那晚一切的美好都收留在这里 <3
终于等到了你的个人演唱会！
在过去的27年里, 我总是错过你的演出.
这次我从马来西亚专程来到广州, 只为了不再错过这次机会.
从17岁开始, 我便一直追随你, 足足27年.
有时候, 我都难以置信, 从一个害羞的17岁少女成长为年岁渐长的我, 而你的音乐却始终陪伴在我身边.
谢谢你给我带来的音乐之旅, 也谢谢你在我的生命中出现.
你可能不知道, 你的陪伴让我的岁月变得格外美好.
谢谢你 <3
Last but not least, I want to thank Venny for joining me on this trip.
I honestly don't think I could have made it all the way by myself.
谢谢你陪我实现梦想!
One of my bucket list dreams has been crossed off my checklist in 2024! 真是太满足了!
Food in Guangzhou
I’ve always loved the food in China, especially Cantonese cuisine in Guangzhou. It’s always delicious and has always delighted me.
This time, we did some research on Xiaohongshu (XHS) to find new things to try and new restaurants to visit, as it had been years since I last went to Guangzhou.
I’m glad we got to try many great and worthwhile dishes during our visit.
By the way, I’ve made a food vlog on my IG at HERE, where you can check out live footage of the food and watch me enjoying it. #hehe
Let’s first talk about the Taotaoju 陶陶居酒家 for the dim sum.
You can’t visit Guangzhou without trying the local dim sum since Cantonese cuisine is famous for its exceptional dim sum.
I missed dining at TaoTaoju during my last trip nine years ago because the restaurant was undergoing major renovations.
I missed dining at TaoTaoju during my last trip nine years ago because the restaurant was undergoing major renovations.
It was quite a disappointment since I had been looking forward to eating there for so long.
So this time, with the chance to visit Guangzhou, I was determined to go there and finally enjoy their dim sum.
We ordered quite a variety of dim sum to try.
While I can’t remember the exact prices for each dish, I can say that Taotaoju’s dim sum isn’t cheap, but the food quality is excellent, and the portions are generous.
The Shrimp Dumpling (HardGow) 虾饺 is packed with a large, fresh prawn, ensuring a burst of flavor in every bite.
I especially recommend you guys to try the Red Rice Rolls (cheung fun) 红米肠.
They’re soooo good, with a soft outer layer and a crispy filling that creates an excellent overall mouthfeel, I honeslty couldn’t stop myself from having one piece after another.
Also, their Portuguese egg tarts 葡式蛋挞 are also worth a try.
The crust is wonderfully crispy, and the filling is incredibly soft, almost like tofu, super delicious!
Venny doesn’t like egg tarts, so I enjoyed all three pieces by myself. #haha
There are several Taotaoju outlets in Guangzhou, but the main location on DiShi Fu Road is the oldest and largest, spanning over at least three floors.
I personally recommend visiting this main outlet because it features an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work, and it has plenty of seating spread across its multiple floors.
Additionally, many online reviews also suggest that the main outlet offers superior food quality and a better dining experience compared to the other locations.
广州陶陶居酒家 (第一莆路总店)
Add: 荔湾区第一莆路20号一楼 (近大同路)
Xie San Bao 蟹叁寶 is a must-try on our list, as it is highly recommended by many on XHS.
Venny is a big fan of crab, so we felt that we had to give it a try no matter how.
We ordered the main signature dish, Crab Roe Rice 蟹黄捞饭, which is mixed steamed rice served with a small bowl of crab roe and crab meat.
It costs RMB98, about RM60 for the set.
It seemed quite expensive when I first saw it on the menu, but once the food was served, we felt that both the quality and the portion size were worth the price.
We mix the crab roe and crab meat into the rice thoroughly, and enjoy the delightful aroma.
The fresh flavor of the crab meat and roe infuses the rice, creating an exceptionally luxurious and flavorful dish.
After tasting the original flavor, I also added vinegar, which introduced a tangy, sour note and created a new dimension of taste.
Since we came the long way, we also cant resist to try one more dishes from the menu, Crab Roe Chicken Soup 蟹黄金鸡 .
The texture of the crab roe chicken is wonderfully smooth.
The chicken is cooked to perfection, maintaining its tenderness while absorbing the delicious flavor of the crab roe.
Tender chicken meat combined with golden crab roe enhances the flavor, while the sauce adds to the appetite when mixed with rice.
There are numerous 蟹叁寳 outlets across China, so if you find yourself in cities like Shanghai, Shenzhen, or other locations, be sure to visit one of their restaurants.
Their crab dishes are definitely worth trying, and I can’t wait to have them again when I’m back in China. :)
蟹叁寳·蟹黄捞饭(广州天河店)
Add: 天河体育西路48号107铺
After the concert on our second night, we stumbled upon this steamboat restaurant 凤小港鸡煲海鲜火锅.
It was very late by the time we went back to the hotel, and we were incredibly hungry, looking for something filling.
Fortunately, this restaurant stayed open until around 1 a.m., which was a lifesaver for us.
We didn’t take any good pictures of the food because we were too hungry.
However, I remember we ordered the coconut soup base along with some steamboat ingredients.
It was very late by the time we went back to the hotel, and we were incredibly hungry, looking for something filling.
Fortunately, this restaurant stayed open until around 1 a.m., which was a lifesaver for us.
We didn’t take any good pictures of the food because we were too hungry.
However, I remember we ordered the coconut soup base along with some steamboat ingredients.
To our surprise, the coconut soup turned out to be sweet, which was a delightful twist.
The restaurant also offers a wide selection of international beers, which was a nice bonus.
If you’re staying at the LN Hotel Five, it’s definitely worth checking out this steamboat restaurant.
凤小港鸡煲海鲜火锅
Add: 广东省广州市越秀区沿江中路274号
Another highlight is the Cantonese cuisine that my local friend introduced me to.
Shamian is one of the main attractions that you should not miss when traveling to Guangzhou.
If you are in the Shamian area, make sure to visit J.M. Chef 侨美食家, where they serve excellent and delicious Cantonese food.
Shamian is one of the main attractions that you should not miss when traveling to Guangzhou.
If you are in the Shamian area, make sure to visit J.M. Chef 侨美食家, where they serve excellent and delicious Cantonese food.
Guangzhou is famous for its roast pigeon! Initially, we planned to visit 大鸽饭, which was recommended on XHS.
However, my friend Jenny introduced us to 侨美, a restaurant she said is particularly well-known for this dish.
I have to agree no more!
My first bite of the Braised Pigeon 红烧乳鸽 was a big surprise, and we couldn't resist ordering another one to share.
Honestly, I could easily eat the whole pigeon by myself without any doubt. 真的好吃!
Another standout dish at this restaurant is their Honey Crispy Char Siu 蜜汁脆皮黑叉烧, or Cantonese-style barbecued pork, which really exceeded all my expectations.
The meat is incredibly tender and juicy, with a rich, savory flavor that melts in your mouth.
The balance of sweetness and smokiness in the marinade makes it a truly memorable dish.
这个叉烧真的太好吃了! 记得一定要看我IG Reels里真实的表情. :)
My friend ordered the set voucher online, well it's always great to have a local friend in the country!
The set included this delicious abalone, and we were thrilled by its tender texture.#yum
The restaurant has won many awards and was packed during peak hours, but we were lucky to get a table as soon as we arrived.
Thanks to Jenny's arrangement and her treat!
Thanks to Jenny's arrangement and her treat!
If you’re planning a trip to Guangzhou, make sure to add this restaurant to your must-visit list, it's truly a gem!
侨美食家 (沙面总店)
广东省广州市荔湾区沙面南街52号1楼
On the same day I met up with Jenny, she also took us to a Sichuan restaurant.
Knowing how much I love Sichuan cuisine, she found 阿强家川菜 online, a nearby spot close to our hotel.
This 26-year-old establishment, founded in 1997, is frequently recommended as a must-try in Guangzhou
When we visited around 6pm, the place was packed, and we had to wait for 30 minutes to get a table.
I’m a huge fan of Sichuan cuisine, especially in China.
So, for just the three of us, we ordered a large variety of dishes because we wanted to try almost everything on the menu. #lol
We ordered 6 dishes to share among the three of us, and we were pleasantly surprised by the bill—it came to about RM250.
The first dish you must try is the Signature Pickled Mustard Fish 原创酸菜鲈鱼.
It’s my favorite pickled mustard fish dish; tender fish fillets with minimal bones, so you can enjoy it without worry.
The tangy and spicy broth paired with the fresh, tender bass is simply divine!
Next is the Spicy Frog Legs 沸腾蛙.
Frog legs are hard to come by in Malaysia, so Venny and I were excited to see it on the menu and decided to order it.
It was so delicious that the two of us nearly finished the entire dish!
I also ordered a few Lamb Skewers 羊肉串 because I remembered how great lamb skewers are in China.
True to form, they did not disappoint. I absolutely loved the rich, savory flavor of the grilled lamb.
阿强家川菜 (星寰江景店)
侨光路11号星寰国际商业中心t2号楼4楼l4-21号铺
侨光路11号星寰国际商业中心t2号楼4楼l4-21号铺
While exploring Beijing Road, we visited 明记甜品, an old shop 老字号 that famous for its delicious desserts.
The shop was packed when we arrived, so we ended up sharing a table with others.
Otherwise, I’m not sure how long we would have had to wait.
Mango desserts are always popular in China, so we ordered several mango-based treats.
Each sip is so refreshing, perfect for hot days outside.
Oh ya, and if you visit this dessert shop, you should also check out the rice roll (cheong fun) shop next door.
It’s one of the famous cheong fun spots in Guangzhou.
Unfortunately, we were too full after dinner, so we had to skip it.
明记甜品(文明路店)
Add: 北京街道德政中路211号
Here’s an IG reel featuring all the delicious food I enjoyed in Guangzhou!
Places I visited in Guangzhou
Since this was Venny’s first visit to Guangzhou, I ended up revisiting many of the same spots, acting as her tour guide throughout the trip to ensure she experienced the best of the city.
So, I’ll just write a brief recap of the places I visited in Guangzhou on this trip, as I previously wrote a details one back in 2019.
For more detailed information, you can click HERE.
The first place I took her to was Yong Qing Fang 永庆坊, located in the heart of Guangzhou's old town.
This charming area has transformed into a bustling cultural street, brimming with local flair and historical significance.
It’s a place where the past and present intertwine, offering both locals and tourists a glimpse into the city’s vibrant heritage and treasured memories.
In June, the weather in Guangzhou was sweltering, reaching around 35 degrees Celsius.
Although Malaysia has similar temperatures, the heat in Guangzhou felt different; there was no breeze at all, making it exceptionally stifling throughout our trip.
If you're not a fan of summer heat, be prepared for the intense warmth in China, where it can get incredibly hot!
If you're not a fan of summer heat, be prepared for the intense warmth in China, where it can get incredibly hot!
Even though it’s really hot, the place is still full of people, just like a sea of heads!
I was really struggling with the heat here in China. 我真的感觉自己快中暑了!
It’s hard to get good photos or even smile properly.
It’s hard to get good photos or even smile properly.
真的要感谢我的朋友Venny, 在这么炎热的天气里依然坚持拍出美美的照片.
现在回看这些照片，真的感觉特别棒!
On the same day, after enjoying the crab meals at Xie San Bao, we walked to Beijing Road 北京路since it's nearby.
Beijing Road offers many local delights, making it worth a visit if you're in Guangzhou often.
This time, my main reason for returning was to see the Dafo Temple 大佛寺.
I checked XHS and saw that this place looks stunning with its historical architecture, especially when the lights are on in the evening.
We ended up waiting over 30 minutes for the lights to come on, as we had to wait for it to get dark, so timing can be tricky.
The Dafo Temple, also known as Grand Buddha Temple, is a historic Buddhist temple in Yuexiu District, located on Beijing Street.
Built over a thousand years ago by Emperor Liu Yan during the Southern Han dynasty (917–971), it is renowned as one of Guangzhou’s "Five Largest Temples."
Built over a thousand years ago by Emperor Liu Yan during the Southern Han dynasty (917–971), it is renowned as one of Guangzhou’s "Five Largest Temples."
这座大佛寺确实非常壮观, 规模也非常宏大, 令人印象深刻.
寺庙的建筑细节和气势都让人赞叹不已.
如果不是因为天气实在太热, 这里拍照一定会拍出非常美丽的照片.
Welcome back to Shamian Island 沙面岛!
I really love this place. Even though I've been here many times, it never gets old.
I used to bring my foreign clients here for drinks because we all enjoy the mix of Chinese and European styles.
If you’re looking for the best spot to take photos, I’d definitely recommend Shamian Island.
The Starbucks at Shamian Island boasts beautiful architecture and design, making it a popular spot for tourists.
Every time I visit, the café is packed, and this time was no exception.
We had hoped to relax there with a cup of coffee, but unfortunately, there were no available indoor seats, and the outdoor seating was too hot to be comfortable.
It was wonderful to see Jenny again in Guangzhou, and thanks for her hospitality everytime I visit Guangzhou.
She’s always such a lovely friend to catch up with and share life experiences.
Although we hadn’t met in nine years, we’ve kept in touch through WeChat.
It’s amazing how we’ve transitioned from being colleagues to becoming such good friends.
年纪越大, 就越珍惜这些远距离的朋友.
虽然时隔9年没见, 一见面还是可以这样聊天说笑, 真的感恩!
We also visited the Sacred Heart Cathedral of Guangzhou 石室圣心教堂, which is featured on XHS. Since it’s not far from Shamian Island, we took a taxi to get there.
We didn’t go inside the church, but we had a great time exploring the area around it, including the two rows of shops right next to it.
It was interesting to stroll through these shops and take in the surroundings while appreciating the beautiful architecture of the cathedral from the outside.
During our trip, we also took some time to enjoy the night view of Guangzhou.
On our first evening, after arriving in the late afternoon, we took a taxi to the Canton Tower 广州塔 to create an IG airport transition reel. #lol
The Canton Tower looked fantastic at night with all its lights shining.
I had visited it nine years ago during the day, and it didn't seem as captivating back then.
So, I highly recommend visiting the tower at night, where you can also taking the opportunity to explore the Canton Tower Fortune Wharf and watch the Guangzhou Tram pass by.
The Canton Tower looked fantastic at night with all its lights shining.
I had visited it nine years ago during the day, and it didn't seem as captivating back then.
So, I highly recommend visiting the tower at night, where you can also taking the opportunity to explore the Canton Tower Fortune Wharf and watch the Guangzhou Tram pass by.
原来广州的夜景那么美.
It’s my first time at the Canton Tower Fortune Wharf 广州塔财富码头, and the night view is impressive.
The lights really enhance the beauty of the harbour.
It's fantastic to have access to a rooftop at our hotel, offering a stunning night view.
From up here, we can enjoy a beautiful panorama of the Zhujiang River, which is especially breathtaking in the evening.
Besides all the sightseeing, we also spent some time shopping.
Guangzhou is well-known for its wholesale clothing, so you can always find cheap clothes here.
It was my first time visiting a wholesale shopping mall, and the experience was overwhelming, with an incredible variety of choices.
We visited APM Mall, which many people said was worth checking out.
However, after exploring it, we found that the nearby malls offered much better prices.
Anyway, there are many more shopping spots in Guangzhou, but we didn't have time to explore them all.
If you’re strolling around Shangxiajiu Street 上下九, another popular attraction in Guangzhou, you can also visit the small stores where you can bargain for good deals.
我们俩真的买到满载而归, 为国争光! #haha
That wraps up my 4D3N adventure in Guangzhou.
Although the main reason for this trip was to attend Fang Jiong Bin's concert, it turned out to be so much more enriching.
Not only did I tick off items from my girls' trip list with Venny, but I also had the chance to meet with my long-lost friend Jenny, which made for a heartwarming reunion.
In addition, the trip was packed with shopping sprees, vibrant street explorations, and an array of delicious food.
In addition, the trip was packed with shopping sprees, vibrant street explorations, and an array of delicious food.
Each meal was a delight, and every place we visited enriched the overall experience, turning it into a memorable journey filled with friendship, great food, and fun moments.
This trip is definately one of the real highlights of 2024! Thanks to Guangzhou for everything! <3
4 comments
下次我们一起去广州。一起吃，喝，玩，乐!!!!😋❤️
谢谢你也完成我的梦想☺️
继续计划我们每一年的出游大计！无论是远行或是本地旅游，我相信我们会是很疯!
一言为定! <3 <3 <3
记得约我! :)
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