*intro flashs /a mish mash of sorts*

[georgiapeach]

Oh BOINGO! That is a special find! The Aran Islands! Yippee!

I am really thrilled about this one! Thank you!

even if it ain't no yacht!

[Slowhatch]

Another great find!  So the Aran islands might have a pit stop (or something). Here's the island's page (with an interactive map for Peach).

[puddin]

  WTG!!

[puddin]

Oh I know this !!

Not the second one though.. these were hidden


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[Boingo]

The Duomo of Florence and the happy Buddha   

[georgiapeach]

I never even saw that cap puddin!

And thank you for the nice Aran Island site Slowhatch--I'll put all these pretties into MAPS tomorrow after the Dell man leaves--as long as I am not off-line for 8 hours like I was last time!

But the Western Isles of Ireland are the source of so much of Irish mythology/fantasy that this one will be special for me already! Oh I want it NOW!  

[puddin]

The Duomo of Florence and the happy Buddha  

[Slowhatch]

It looks more like a statue of a mendicant monk. I found one here, somewhere in Osaka. The beads, robe, etc. are similar, but the hat is all wrong; close, but no Cohiba.

[Slowhatch]

What you'd expect: Shannon airport.

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[patlini]

Shannon airport is the closest to Galway and pretty small for an international airport.  It would be about an hours drive on the opposite side of the road too.  I would imagine that they went out to Connemara for the donkeys. Lots of peat out there.
Its beautiful and wet.

[Boingo]

   FWIW, the previews of the racers in the vintage cars was probably taken on Sunset Blvd, LA while driving to the Playboy Mansion at 10236 Charing Cross Rd.  (   That weird building with the round windows is still hiding from me).   


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[musicman85]

When did they film this season? I was in Florence, Italy for 2 weeks in the beginning of August. Maybe I ran into the race then lol

[georgiapeach]

musicman--the race was done by the first of August.  But Florence sounds yummy!

You can catch up by reading the updates HERE if you want.

[puddin]

July 8th to July 29-30-31?? or somewhere around that for the finale musicman.

[Slowhatch]

The ferry and the tandem bikes (there's a rental shop--Aran Bike Hire--right next to the pier) would seem to argue for Inis Mor (Inishmor), the largest of the islands. But I can't match any terrain. Inis Mor is a very rocky place--stone walls everywhere.

[anon1akacolby]

So retro convertibles are the entry vehicles? I can see palms in the background; if we can read some of the shop signs we may be able to pin down the start city.

The intro shots of them being driven in the convertibles is definitely from Hollywood.  I think they are on Hollywood Blvd or could be Sunset.  I think I spotted the Guiness Book of World Records museum in the background.  I think I saw a vidcap some where.  I'll take a look. 

[georgiapeach]

Welcome home Colby! How was the Oktoberfest? You are back just in time!

[anon1akacolby]

Ok here it is.  That is the Guiness World of Records musuem http://www.seeing-stars.com/Museums/Guinness.shtml.  so they are being driven down Hollywood Blvd.

[anon1akacolby]

Welcome home Colby! How was the Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest was awesome!!  Amsterdam, not so much.    Amsterdam was rainy and cold which led it to be less than stellar.  BUT Munich was great.  I had lots of fun, drank lots of beer, and danced on tables. 

[puddin]

Good job Colby! 

[Boingo]

  Nice job, Colby.  I figured it was either Hollywood Blvd/Sunset Strip/Sunset Blvd.

BTW, any idea what this "mystery building" is?  Looks like it may be a parking garage (under construction).  Must be on Hollywood Blvd/Sunset Strip/Sunset Blvd while driving west.   

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[anon1akacolby]

BTW, any idea what this "mystery building" is?  Looks like it may be a parking garage (under construction).  Must be on Hollywood Blvd/Sunset Strip/Sunset Blvd while driving west.

I'm not entirely sure.   It's been awhile since I was up in that area but when I first saw that picture it reminded me an exit off the 101 freeway that takes you to Hollywood Blvd/Highland interestection.  I recall seeing a lot of construction going on in that area.  there is an exit off the 101 freeway that takes you down Highland Ave which curves before you get to Hollywood Blvd before you make a right onto Hollywood Blvd.  I think you exit the 101 freeway at Cahuenga Blvd and that merges with Highland Ave.  Then you make right onto Hollywood Blvd where they would pass by the Guiness Museum.

In the pic they are making a left onto another street it appears....and the street they are turning on doesn't appear to me a major street so i'm confused.  Could they be turning onto an on ramp for the freeway?

[Boingo]

   I'm bored.  Just tying up a few loose ends, regarding the "gong".  According to this blurb on the web, the Longshan Temple in Taipei has a gong.

Longshan Temple was built in 1738 by Fujianese immigrants as a branch of the original Longshan Temple in Fujian Province. It was started in 1738 and completed in 1740. During 200 years the Mt. Longshan temple has gone through many construction works and renovations. The main entrance opens only during the festive celebrations therefore usually all enter from the temple gate - right side gate. Entering the temple it’s worthy to look at many Buddhists making an obeisance and offering reverently something to sacrifice, while saying the sutra prays to Buddha. In the courtyard just on the left from the palace you can see an incense burner that carries an interesting sculpture - "gruff lifts the temple angle". Both sides of the courtyard there are also a bell tower and a drum tower. Early morning you can hear gong strikes, in the evening beating of a drum and taking sutras are the Buddhist meeting reminder. While arriving to the palace and leaving, you can see on the right wing of the palace very many Buddhas sculptures. Some people say that the numerous gods are gathering to the Mt. Longshan temple for an office meeting. It’s a very pure and good place. So why not come here? Address: 211, Guangzhou St., Wanhua Dist, Taipei City 108, Taiwan R.O.C Public Transport: MRT - Bannan Line - Longshan Temple

Just throwin' this out there.   

[puddin]

  no bites? guess's? Give up?




HINT


HINT 

[Boingo]

The Duomo of Florence and the happy Buddha   

I thought I already guessed.....