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Showing posts from April, 2017

ADI 2017 Kyoto

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32nd International Conference of Alzheimer's Disease International Kyoto, Japan My second time presenting at this conference, always an amazing energy and buzz, which is so inspiring. Brilliant to have my son with me and to see him equally inspired 😃 Learning loads and meeting amazing and inspiring people, and the conference lunches are one of the best I have had yet. Bit of course learning about culture at the same time! So busy... accidentally said to my son "I really need a holiday" the look on his face 😂😂 I wondered if work you mind if I just kept travelling - clearly researching/writing while I went...

Vampire Cafe

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Vampire Cafe, Ginza, Tokyo I have come to understand that Tokyo is an amazing city with culture meeting the modern age. Thanks to my son and his girlfriend I have visited many places that I would not have attempted on my own. For example that parks, shrines and temples. But, also the other side of Tokyo and electric city, animal cafes (very very strange), maid cafes (at which point I went home!!!!). I have a favorite cafe that I wish to share, but before I do, I would like to stress I have been working and sight seeing and unfortunately over the past few days I have been rather unwell (hence my lack of posts), however following a couple of days in bed and no running for over 5 days :( feeling much better :) My favorite cafe is of course the Vampire Cafe, some pictures below, and in one I think I look a bit demonic myself:

Tokyo, Japan

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Tokyo, Japan I have had an amazing day with my son and his girlfriend exploring Tokyo, well particularly one part - Ueno Park. The culture of Japan meets the new capital. During the day we meet some locals that happily stopped and explained some of their rituals to us, just a spontaneous act of kindness. I have added some pictures, which do not do this place justice at all, looking forward to exploring tomorrow. So caught up with this city, I haven't done any work today (although the Uni is officially closed today), but for those that know me that in itself is amazing, although I managed a run 😂😂😂😂

St Heiler NZ

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St Heiler NZ Next stop on our travels around Auckland. An amazing bay, I was out running with the locals again this morning, such a great experience. The views from our apartment are stunning, and decided to be very English and have a cup of tea post run!! But also,was good to catch up with an ex-colleague from KCL days and we still have a lot of synergy in our interests, looking forward to further collaborations. However, Katie did suggest I tried the local produce..

Titirangi

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Titirangi Today, we have left central Auckland and traveled 11 miles to Titirangi. Our clifftop cabin is amazing along with stunning views in both directions. I have been sitting outside watching the tide flow out while analyzing some qualitative data... slightly distracted (by the view that is). Hoping to meet an ex-colleague from my Kings College London days tomorrow, who just happens to live here, not quite sure how that happened, but rather excited. I am not sure my pictures do justice,  but at least they provide a feel for the place.

Rangitoto

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Rangitoto An amazing day, walking around Rangitoto, the youngest volcano in Auckland (600 years old!). Great walk to the summit, lava caves and around the now island (following a 7 km run of course). My granddaughter did amazing and the word games we have played hopefully are educational! I of course walked in flip flops, which is clearly appropriate, but I have walked up and down Snowdon in Wales, in such shoes...  I have attached photos, but not sure they do NZ justice:

Culture in New Zealand

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Culture in New Zealand An amazing day talking with the Brain Research Group in NZ, and discussing initiatives in the UK. Thank you to those involved that shared personal experiences and allowed me to explain where my passion for dementia originates, and the NEED to address these issues. Learnt so much today by visiting the Domain in Auckland, I would like to suggest (as a tourist) this is a must place to visit to begin to understand the culture of this country. Although.. all that know me, know I love the penguins...

Working in New Zealand

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Working in Aotearoa An amazing traditional welcome, but also great to meet up with a Londoner, and discuss healthcare here especially the provision of acute care.  A very interesting day, and lots of networking - looking forward to tomorrow! A lot of synergy here with some  of the  work I am completing.

Auckland

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Auckland I am in New Zealand, amazing taxi/cab driver gave me the low down on both culture and poltical issues. All very interesting, especially relevant for me and the reason why I am here. But apparently my accent is challenging and there was me thinking I spoke the Queens English (hahaha). When I come home my pronouncination will have changed! Amazing experience so far... views from my balcony, so looking forward for my son and grandaughter joining me on this leg of my travels

Good bye Philippines hello Australia??

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Good bye Philippines and hello Australia?? Beautiful Philippines and amazing people, hope to be back next year with our next research project.  On my way to New Zealand... oh perhaps not, helloooo Australia. Who knew I would be visiting Australia... perhaps me if I had read my itinerary. Ask me to create and implement a complex research study, no problem! Ask me to organise day to day activities... ummmm BUT it great to be here even if only for a flying visit.

Good bye Philippines

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Good bye Philippines Yesterday managed to have some down time, and spent the day on the beach with a colleague from the Philippines. The beach was beautiful and the water was wonderfully clear, with black sand. For all those that know me and my fear of swimming with fish... I didn't see one!!! Enjoyed a wonderful shake made from a local fruit, but couldn't really pronoucn it, let alone spell it and had fresh mango. Then of course back to reality and stopped for the best nachos I have ever eatten. Thank you to everyone in the Philippines for making me feel so welcomed.