Google have added a feature to Google maps that lets you take virtual walks in a city. You can literally follow street paths on a map and have a 360' view of all your surroundings. This feature is called Street View. Click on the images for a quick preview.

From some superficial searches on the subject, the images were taken with video camera mounted on a car, going around the streets. Not all countries have this feature enabled but on August 4th it was introduced for Japan.

This is really amazing stuff! It gives a whole new dimension to travel planning. Images and news about Google Street View found via Japan Probe.

Some sites with interesting street view collections:-
Top 15 Google Street View sightings (Mashable.com)
Google Street View gallery

I've added the pictures of the trip to Loch Dan.

I was searching for some wildlife hotspots in Japan and came across these images of Nomura's jellyfish (via Pinktentacle). The photos were taken just 5m underwater.

These jelly fish seem to invade the Sea of Japan each Autumn. According to wikipedia, and some divers who saw the jellyfish, these monsters can grow larger than a man, and they're known to have killed people with their stings. Not something I'd like to experience firsthand.

After spending the last couple of weeks investigating fictious cults, the time has come to enjoy the sun, emmmm sorry clouds. On Saturday we went to Brittas bay to celebrate J's birthday. We walked along the beach for about 2 hours, just in time to avoid the heavy downpour.

On the way back home, we passed through Wicklow village to visit Wicklow Goal (historic prison), but we missed the last tour by 10 minutes. We strolled around the village for a while and discovered the pearl of Wicklow village - Carlos the Clipper! The Miss was also here for the weekend, which might explain my less than cheerful mood. Withdrawal symptoms!

With a bit more than a month to go for the Japan holiday, there’s a lot of planning to be made. Expect to see at least a couple of posts on the subject very soon.

From Strange Maps - Africa

Via

Just came back from an important/eventful weekend in Slovakia. The miss had her 30th birthday, and I prepared a small surprise for her. All went very well and according to plan, so at least the 3 months of planning for the event weren't for nothing.

As usual, the pictures are in the pipeline :)