Saturday, October 18, 2014

A Small Fishermen's Town

The third trip with my sisters and brothers-in-law was to Tomonoura (鞆の浦) in Fukuyama, Hiroshima.  

This quiet peaceful inland seascape explains itself. Tomonoura, situated at a bay facing the Seto Inland Sea, is part of Seto Inland Sea National Park; the first national park in Japan,

 
  The big island in the middle left is Sensuijima Island

The circular shaped historic harbor also makes Tomonoura famous. It has retained harbor facilities since Edo Period (1600-1867) such as a lighthouse, old fashioned stair-like pier.
 



As a hub port, it was thriving. Geographically the current changes around there, so it was called the port “waiting for the tide has changed”

 


At water front with lots of fishing boats. You can see an iconic lighthouse at the bay in the far right of the picture. The port is now mostly used for fisheries. Red sea bream (真鯛) fishing is famous. They served excellent dishes at the hotel we stayed.




light house
A well-known animated movie producer Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli was also fascinated and inspired by this place and stayed here for two months, developing the idea for “Ponyo” (崖の上のポニョ)

 
at  a lounge at the hotel we stayed


This ferry boat is modeled after Irohamaru that was a merchant ship Sakamoto Ryoma (1836-1867) got a lease on to carry supplies from Nagasaki to Osaka.

 
However, the collision off Tomonoura wrecked and sank it along with its shipment in 1869. The wreckage was discovered by the volunteer group here more than 100 years later and are exhibited at Irohamaru Museum.
 
This renewed ferry gets you to Sensuijima Island(仙酔島; the island beautiful enough to mesmerize even legendary mountain hermitin five minutes. I’d  like to visit it again to lose myself in that ancient nature.  

 


                                                A crab (forefront) holding a small sardine crawls up from the sea.
                                                I wonder where it carries the catch.



Taichoro (対潮楼), adajacent to Fukuzenji Temple, was used as a guest house during Edo Period. Then Korean emissary admired  the view from here and called it the most beautiful scenery of all Japan

 


 

Recently Tomonoura has attracted a lot of attention with a campaign to save the symbolic view of harbor from being spoiled by the prefectural government plan to build a bridge there. The District Court issued an injunction to suspend the plan. I hope other alternative plan to revitalize the region will be successful.


Haru-no-umi (春の海 the sea in spring) was composed by Michio Miyagi(1894-1956) from his memory of Tomonoura he saw as a child before he lost his sight at the age 8.

It was his father's home village.


 

This trip was to celebrate  my sister’s publishing her first tanka poems and to celebrate brother-in-law’s birthday as well.


The title  "半透明のカプセル”(Translucent Capsule) is taken from her poem;

父と母の 共に在りし日 やはらかき 半透明のカプセルに包む
( I'd wrap in a soft translucent capsule/ the days when Father and Mother were alive )


This capsule contains lots of her precious history that I could open and take out anytime I'd like to.
The memory of this trip will be stored in my own capsule  in my heart.

 

the map of Hiroshima
 

 

63 comments:

  1. 遠景に点在する島々が、瀬戸内の雰囲気を醸し出しています。 
    レストランからの眺めは素晴らしいですね。 美味しい食事が、尚一層引き立てられるようです。
    入り江の感じが小さくまとまっていて、近景もなかなか見事です。 歴史的に有名な場所ですが、静かな佇まいですね。

    最近は小さな島にも美術館などが建てられているようですが、残念ながら、瀬戸内を訪問したことがありません。
    見所が尽きない魅力的な地域です。

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ありがとうございます。仙酔島の海蛍を見るのを楽しみにしていたのですが、夜に雨が降りキャンセルになったのが残念でした。
      ホテルの料理はほんとうに美味しかったです。小さな港町なのに 「プロが選ぶ日本のホテル旅館100選」に毎年選ばれているそうで、なるほどと思いました。目も口も心も癒されました。

      Delete
  2. Cosmosさん こんにちは。
    この度も、仲の良いご兄弟家族お揃いで楽しいご旅行をされたのですね。
    瀬戸内で生まれ育ちながらも このような景色をゆっくり見ず 今までいた事を残念に思います。
    波穏やかで、緑深い可愛い島々。 心癒されます。
    Cosmosさんには珍しく、画像に加工を施され 空や波が さらに印象的に見え
    (*゚▽゚ノノ゙☆ 素敵です。 私はこのような油絵のような風景写真が好きです。

    Cosmosさんの妹さん 歌集を出版されたのですね。 すばらしい!
    ご紹介頂けた歌 心に沁みます。  私も日々のささいな出来事も
    半透明のカプセルに包み 大切にしたいと思いました。
    ご本 書店で探してみますね! 

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. えっ、Anzuさんは瀬戸内生まれだったのですか。そうですね。生まれ育った所って意外と見過ごしているものですね。私は奈良生まれですが、奈良の奥深さを知ってそれに愛着を感じだしたのは最近のように思います。
      画像の加工はしてないんですよ。いろは丸の写真ですね?たまたまあんな風に撮れたんです。コントラストがきつすぎて。

      姉の歌集、興味を持ってくださってありがとうございます。読んで下さる方には謹呈をしていますので、もしよろしかったら住所をお知らせいただけたらと思います。

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    2. Cosmosさん 瀬戸内の意味を取り違えていました。(;´▽`A`` 
      瀬戸内海に面した明石市を瀬戸内とは言わないですね。 失礼しました。

      お言葉に甘えて、プロフィールにご紹介のメールアドレスまで
      連絡させて頂きたいと思います。 どうぞよろしくお願い致します。

      Delete
    3. あっ、そうですね。私こそ瀬戸内の意味を取り違えてました^ ^; 瀬戸内海を取り囲む沿岸地域すべてが瀬戸内ですよね。私の天然ミスです。

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  3. What a beautiful and interesting place! I loved the movie Ponyo. The tanka book is gorgeous. Haricot (Takako) isn't you sister, is she? I know she was working on a tanka book.

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    1. Oh, did yu see Ponyo? I saw all (maybe) Ghibli movies. Especially I like "omohide poro poro" "Totoro".
      Haricot (Takako) is a friend of mine. They belong to different tanka association, however, they exchanged their tank book through me. I admire both books.

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    2. Yes, I loved Ponyo. I will try to find the movies you mention. Say hello to Haricot from me. I miss her since she stopped blogging. This is a beautiful post, Cosmos.

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    3. OK,I will, Jen. She stopped blogging because of PC problem. She must miss you too.

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  4. のどかな瀬戸の海、幸せな雰囲気に包まれています。災害も少ないし、住みやすい所でしょうね。けい子さんが旅行されるときはいつも青空だなあと思います。
    ”父と母の 共に在りし日 やはらかき 半透明のカプセルに包む” 弟と父が逝ってしまった今、本当に心にしみます。
    お姉さまが歌集を出版されたこと、存じていましたが見せて頂ける日を待ってました...厚かましいかもと思って......謹呈して頂けたら嬉しいです。読ませていただきます!!!
    Have a good day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ほんとにこの時も予報では、台風とまともに出会うことになっていたのですが、夜は雨になりましたが、翌日は快晴!姉の歌は
      「晴れおとこと雨おんなの旅なれば 晴雨のことは力のままに」^^
      タイトルの歌の響きは優しいですが、重圧、葛藤、不安の日々もありました。その中で得たものも大きかったと思います。
      読んでいただけるのは本人もとてもうれしいと思います。ありがとう、Tomokoさん。

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  5. 青空に白い雲の流れる様子と漁港の配置が海の魅力をあらわしています。いろは丸等、歴史もある町なんですね。訪れてみたくなりました。
    ヘッダーの雲海と朝日?夕日?すごいきれいです。どこの景色?
    お姉さまも歌集を出されたとか、前には、お姉さまのご主人の出された本を頂きましたが、ご夫婦おそろいで、すばらしいですね。
    Have a nice day!
    Have a nice day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 小さな港町ですが、歴史ある神社仏閣や家屋、昔ながらの店などがたくさんあります。目の前に見える仙酔島や弁天島などもちょっと足を延ばせば行けるし、ほんとにゆったりできるところでした。もちろん鯛料理は絶品でしたよ!家から5時間くらいでした。
      ヘッダーの写真は、主人が白山に登ってご来光を仰いできたものをちょっと拝借。零下の気温でとても寒かったそうです。

      Delete
  6. Hello Cosmos, this is a truly lovely place and it's not surprising that it inspired beautiful music. Thanks for the video introduction.
    I love the crab with it's catch....there's another world beneath our feet.
    Your header image is fabulous,it's almost possible to imagine being there!
    And congratulations to your sister......

    Wishing you a happy week,
    Ruby

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    1. Hello Ruby!
      This music is a standared piece often heard in New Year here. Very Japanese and the association with calm peaceful image of the tune is suitable for the feeling of auspicious new year.
      Wishing you a happy week too, Ruby!

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  7. I would like to taste that fish served in your country. Beautiful place and picture. That crab is awsome:-)
    Wish you a blessed week ahead!

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    1. The fish the crab caught is sardine (maybe) fry. I think a mass of them are boiled in salt water and then sunbaked. Grated radish goes with them when served. We import mackerel or salmon from Norway. They are my favorites. Oh, my mouth waters:)
      Happy week ahead, Tania!

      Delete
  8. ご姉妹夫婦で旅行いいですねぇ。私は三姉妹の真ん中なんですが、いつか三組の夫婦で一緒に旅行ができたら楽しいだろうな、と思います。でもあとしばらく無理かな?

    松山へ帰省するとき、飛行機の上から、瀬戸内の島々を見るのが好きです。丸みを帯びた島々が、ぽっかりぽっかり海に浮かんでいてのどかです。心も丸くなるんですよ。

    ReplyDelete
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    1. 私も3人姉妹の真ん中なんですよ。主人は3人兄弟の真ん中で。どちらのグループとも旅行します。 それぞれの長兄、長女夫婦のかじ取りが上手なので、楽しく過ごせます。やはりお互いの両親を見送る際に、あらためて絆が深まったように思います。年齢的なものも大きいですが^ ^
      瀬戸内の風景はいいですね。松山はまだ行っていませんが、徳島、高知も良かったです。ああ、行きたい所が一杯ですね~

      Delete
  9. お姉さまは卓球もお上手で文武両道、それぞれに個性と才能のある三人姉妹なんですね。お姉さまの半透明のカプセルの中を私も少し覗けたらなぁと思います。(朋子さんのを見せていただきます。)「春の海」は鞆の浦の海がモデルなんですね。蕪村の「春の海ひねもすのたりのたりかな」は神戸須磨浦山上の旗振茶屋で詠んだと言われています。神戸も瀬戸内、西の方ほどたくさん島があるわけではないですが、からっとした温暖な気候と終日のたりのたりと輝いている海が好きでした。鞆の浦からは空と海の間の地平線に島が連なって見えているのがいいですね。

    ReplyDelete
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    1. 蕪村の頃は旗振茶屋はなかったはずで、旗振山と書くべきでした。

      Delete
    2. 洋子さんは褒め上手でもあるんですよね!すっかり舞い上がっています^^; でも身内が言うのもなんですが、ほんとに姉も妹も私からすれば素晴らしいなと思っています。喜んで進呈しますので読んでみて下さいね。超多忙なのは知っていますので、ほんとに時間のある時にちょっと目を通していただいたらと。
      瀬戸内のあの光景をみていると、陳腐な言葉でしか言えないのが残念ですが、身も心もゆったりとしますよね。あの仙酔島にもう一度酔ってみたいなと思っています。

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  10. What a gorgeous place! Your photos are wonderful.

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    1. Thank you , Ladyfi. Your photos are really one of a kind.

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  11. I love reading your posts, such beauty! And always information filled with magic. These photographs are wonderful, I want to visit. x

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    1. Hi Mrs Black,Thank you for saying this. It's really encouraging. Mild climate or beautiful laid-back atmosphere of this Seto Inland Sea is sometimes compared to the Meditarrenean Sea. Some island in it is known for its modern art museum, architecture and sculpture and attracts visitors from European countries as well.

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  12. It's a beautiful scenery... That may be caused just by the perspective of taking the photos from above but the town looks like a densely populated place in your captures, the houses seem to be located very close to one another. The lighthouse is an interesting building, I like its construction. Thanks to the distance, it seemed small at first but when compared with the people standing by it, it's not that small at all.
    I like the cover of your sister's book very much, I like its colours and shapes. It matches the idea of the translucent capsule filled with memories wonderfully. Did she designed it herself or did she have someone else to design it for her?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Petra, I took those photos at the top of the hill after uphill battle, where I was able to have a scenic view of the bay area.
      This area is small with various historic houses, temples and shrines packed . I heard the population of the city is 5ooo, reduced from 9ooo. The light house is 11 meter tall. It has stood there for a long time.
      The design of the book was left to a person in charge of the publishing company. Among several designs showed, she chose it. I like it too.
      Thank you Petra for coming. Wishing you happy days ahead.

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  13. Such a gorgeous place and so spectacular views !

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  14. Your country is beautiful. I love Nippon. I have been in Tokyo, Kamakura, Yokohama and Nikko (1994). Absolutely gorgeous place, amazing photos and music. Thank you sou much for this beautiful post. Greetings for you and your family.

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    1. I am glad you love Nippon. The places you've been in are packed with lots of charms. I am living in Nara, the ancient capital 1300 years ago. I like this quiet laid-back city. Hope you'll have a chance to visit here. Thank you for coming, Monika, have a nice week.

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  15. First off, let me start by passing forth my congratulations to your sister! It's a wonderful achievement to see our own work published and going by the look of the book, I am loving it! All my best wishes to her.

    Tomonoura looks like a quiet serene place to be. I love the views from your hotel - sea side is always refreshing. And of course, both the pictures from the up the hilly vantage point are incredible. I can see why this place has been and still is dear to artists and poets and bloggers like you. There's definitely a lot to be inspired and taken back from in this tiny sea land.

    When I first came here and began reading your post, my eyes fell on the 'first sparkling firework' picture in the sideframe. We celebrated Diwali - the festival of lights last week in India and was just wondering if that firework was in any way related to that? We call that firecracker - 'Phuljhadi' in Hindi.

    Hope you are doing great, dear cosmos - I think of all of you way too often. Thanks for all your kind comments and love. Wish you joy always, keep writing and take care! :)

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    1. [ooops, counting mistake, sorry.. ]

      * both the pictures from the up the hilly vantage point >> all 'three pictures' from up the hilly vantage point. :-)

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    2. Thank you for your kind words to my sister, Arti. Now she is comfortably satisfied with what she has done and is very much grateful for warm and favorable feedback many readres have given about her book.

      The sparkling firework in the picture has nothing to do with any religious significance but just for fun. When I was a kid, it was a happy moment that my family or friends got together in the garden and had a good time doing the fireworks, shouting for joy. I would enjoy watching smaller sparks begin twinkling after the initial orange spark flying disappered.
      I wanted to show this tiny lovely firework to Sho. He looked curious to see sparkling in the dark.

      Today the temperature dropped sharply in the morning here. The season of beautiful autumn leaves is coming soon.
      Take good care of yourself and have happy days ahead, Arti.

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  16. I really wanted to visit the Inland Sea but it will have to wait till my next visit to Japan. I notice how much the scenery reminds me of wha t I have seen in the Ghibli films. I am looking forward to meeting you! :)

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    1. How do you like your stay here in Japan so far. I hope the tight schedule to explore the new country won't tire you out. Autumn leaves are not well mature right now at Nara Park but they are sure to welcome visitors coming all the way from a far country.
      Looking forward to meeting you too.

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    2. Japan has been wonderful and our meeting with you all today really was such fun and a high spot of our trip . We think Nara is most beautiful and interesting . Todai-ji is truly sensational, I have never seen anything like it. Thank you Cosmos for coming with us.

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    3. It was so nice meeting with you both. It was really once in a lifetime opportunity. The beauty of blogging is broaden my horizens and bring this kind of fancy meeting with blog freinds in person. I also thank Nara bloggers to let me join for this meeting this time.
      Hope you enjoyed your stay in Japan and have a safe trip to New Zealand, Jenny!

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  17. Cosmosさん
    私のブログへのコメントありがとうございます。そしてご無沙汰しております。
    瀬戸内海は一度も訪れた事が無いため興味深く写真拝見させていただきました。カニさんの食事のシーンがとても印象的でした^^
    遅ればせながら、詩集出版と義理のお兄様のお誕生日おめでとうございます。男兄弟に生まれた私にとっては姉妹はどうして仲良く交流出来るのか不思議な感覚を抱いています。とても羨ましいです。
    最後に、やっぱり日本は美味しいものが沢山あって良いですね!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 訪問ありがとうございます。両親の介護で、協力体制を取れたのがまた姉妹や伴侶との絆を深めたように思います。年齢を経てきたこともお互いの立場を思いやり、感謝できる余裕がでてきたのだと思います。行き先は当番制で決めているので、次回はどこになるのか楽しみにしているところです。
      ずっとチェコにおられるのですか?美しい国ですね。私はたまの海外旅行の経験しかありませんが、日本にいて幸せだなと思っています。

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  18. おはようございます。 歌枕として、有名ですね。 初めてその風景を見させていただきました。とても美しいです。 御姉妹の夫婦揃っての旅とても羨ましいです。 

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    Replies
    1. 崖の上のポニョは見ていましたが、ここがモデルになっていたとは知りませんでした。こんな風景が冒頭に出てきていたのを思い出しました。歌枕として有名なんですか?何でもよくご存じですね。唯一の保命酒の製造地という事で、お土産に買い求めました。

      Delete
  19. 。°°✿⊱。
    Essas paisagens são lindas demais!!!!
    Fotos incríveis!!!

    Bom fim de semana!
    Beijinhos.°✿⊱
    °。.✿✿⊱

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Magia. You are really like a flower!

      Delete
  20. What a lovely harbor town! Congratulations to your sister on the publication of her book of poetry. I'm sorry that you've lost both parents, but this is a lovely way to remember them. I see that we know Petra in common. It's so nice to connect with you!

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    Replies
    1. Welcome to my blog, Sarah. I once visited your blog through Sapphire and loved it. I'm very glad you came here. Looking forward to visiting again!

      Delete
  21. Wonderfull place and fotos, greeting from Belgium
    MONS MA VILLE EN BELGIQUE - LOUISETTE BLOG
    http://louisette.eklablog.com/
    http://louisette.eklablog.com/arne-quinze-designer-belge-gantois-mons-2015-a113032366

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow - what a magical and charming place! Your photos are so gorgeous - as always.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you, retriever and ladyfi, for visiting again.

    ReplyDelete

  24. Hello, cosmos-san.

    This time I chose a Waka-poem worthy of your " ALL Nara-blogger".
    " あをによし 奈良人見むと 我が背子が  標けむ黄葉 地に落ちめやも "

    I pay tribute to the photo-shoot of everyone Nara-blogger.

    Have a good weekend. ruma ❃

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    Replies
    1. ありがとうございます。大伴家持の歌と知りました。奈良を離れたいにしえ人にとって、奈良は望郷の念にかられる、まさに「国のまほろば」だったのですね。紅葉の美しさが増してきました。しばらくこの美しさに浸れる喜びを感じていたいと思います。

      Delete
  25. I'm glad to have stumbled across this blog! Your blog has wonderful pictures and very descriptive writing. I have visited Japan twice (in 1996 with family, and in 2005 solo) but I've only visited the more touristy areas, so I look forward to reading about some lesser-known (to me) places. I also loved the beautiful images in your blog's sidebar - such a visual treat! Congrats to your sister on publication of her book of tanka poems. :) I'll keep coming back here. :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you for stopping by and lovely comment, YOS.
      I think "must see or must go" areas are worth visiting, however, lesser-known places could give you more unexpected pleasure. Did you enjoy your visit to Japan? I hope so.
      Best wishes,

      Delete
  26. There is so much natural beauty in Japan it's no wonder artists of all kinds (including your sister) are easily inspired to create their own beautiful works. One has to wonder as modern architecture (including bridges) manipulate and overrun the natural areas in the name of efficiency: how many artists in the future will even have the time to think, the capacity for curiosity, and the desire for expression?

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    1. So nice to hear from you, w2w!
      It is the first court ruling to turn down a public work plan for the sake of scenery. There's always a dilemma between local people's interests and environmental protection. However, what we should leave for our children, grandchildren and future generation should be a priority matter.

      Delete
  27. ♪♬° ·.

    Ótimo domingo!!!
    Boa semana!
    Beijinhos do Brasil. ♪♬° ·.
    ·.·.✿✿ミ

    ReplyDelete
  28. What a cute town. The scenery is amazing.

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  29. Magai, Lady Lilith, thank you for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  30. The lighthouse is an interesting building, I like its construction. Thanks to the distance, it seemed small at first but when compared with the people standing by it, it's not that small at all.
    I like the cover of your sister's book very much, I like its colours and shapes. It matches the idea of the translucent capsule filled with memories wonderfully. I liked your blog, Take the time to visit the me and say that the change in design and meniu?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mamuka, for visiting here and leaving nice comment!
      I have been off blogging for a long time now, however, I'm so glad to have someone here.
      Thank you again.

      Delete
  31. Thank you for sharing valuable information nice post,I enjoyed reading this post.

    หนังไซไฟ

    ReplyDelete

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