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Beach Honeymoon

Lazying out in the endless coastlines, soaking in the clear turquoise waters and a sunset dinner cruise is your perfect honeymoon destinations, then here are some beaches that will make you so “AWW”.

Glacier Express – A train to fall in love with

Some of the most spectacular train journeys one can make is in Switzerland. Topping the list is the “Glacier Express”. During this 7 ½ journey, expect to see gorgeous villages, soaring steeples, red sloped roofed houses, brown cows munching away the lush green grass, ice melting into little water falls, green forests and wild meadows. This St. Moritz/Davos - Zermatt panoramic train journey, crosses 291 bridges, 91 tunnels, and the Oberalp Pass which is 2033 meter above the sea level.

Hong Kong Highlights

Hong Kong is a vibrant never-say-sleep city. Neon-lit skyscrapers, tightly packed sidewalk, molasses-slow traffic, steam-filled eat outs identifies this overwhelming harbor city. In addition to the Cantonese Chinese and British influence, one can notice a diverse influence from Vietnam to Vancouver making Hong Kong a unique destination

Paris Highlights

Paris, the city of lights and city of fashion, has the reputation of being the most beautiful and romantic city in the world. History, art, culture, food or fashion, one can have a variety of attraction to see in this city.

Adventure Sport: Zorbing down the hill

For Adventure Sports enthusiast, Zorbing is a must do. Simply saying, Zorbing is a recreation activity of rolling down a hill inside a inflated ball. The experience is more like throw inside a washing machine. Though you might think with all the movement inside the zorb, you would end up black and blue, but Zorb is incredibly safe. The Zorbing site was first established in Rotoura, New Zealand.

World Famous Cuisines

The history, climate, geography, religion and culture have a deep impact on any cuisine in the world. The origin and migration of food have in turn influenced the history, culture and culture. For any traveler, tasting the world famous cuisine with its authenticity is indeed a great opportunity. Here are some of the world famous cuisines in no particular order: Lebanese Cuisine, Greek Cuisine, Spanish Cuisine, Japanese Cuisine, Mexican Cuisine, Thai Cuisine, Chinese Cuisine, French Cuisine, Italian Cuise...

Showing posts with label Asia-Pacific. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Asia-Pacific. Show all posts

ICC World Cup 2011 Special - Kandy, Sri Lanka

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 3:04 PM TOIP
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Generally recognized as the cultural capital of Sri lanka, Kandy is a major tourist destination and one of the cities hosting matches for ICC World Cup 2011. This scared Buddhist site, popularly known as the city of Senkadagalapura was the last royal capital of the Sinhala Kings whose patronage enabled the Dinahala culture to flourish for more than 2,500 years until the occupation of Sri Lanka by the British in 1815. Kandy, a UNESCO world heritage site is a must visit in Sri Lanka.
Photo credits: www.outboundholidays.com
Facts:
Currency: Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR) [1 Indian Rupee = 2.45 Sri Lankan Rupee]
Language: Sinhala and Tamil
Time Difference: Same as Indian Standard Time
Best time to Visit: November to April

Get in:
Visa: Indian nationals are eligible for Visa-on-arrival in Sri Lanka for tourism purpose. The visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended to 2 more months by the Immigration Department of Sri Lanka. The documents required for visa on arrival is a return ticket, passport valid for at least 6 months, photo graph and fund to support travel (not less than $30 per day).
Flights: Kandy does not have air transport. Colombo is the major hub and has a good connectivity with all the major cities in India.
Train (from Colombo): The Intercity Express train are the hassle free and scenic way to get to Kandy. There are other trains as well. Train tickets can be purchased in advance or before departure.
Taxi: If you are directly heading to Kandy from Colombo airport, Taxi is a good option. The journey takes about 3 hours and costs about R6000 [14700 INR]
Intercity air-conditioned bus (from Colombo): Second best option to train. Reservations can be booked through travel agencies.
Hired Mini-vans: Travel agencies and hotels can arrange mini-vans with drivers.

Get Around:
Auto/Tuk-Tuk – Cheap and ever running way to see the city
Walk – the city is not large hence you can walk around.
Photo Credits: www.world66.com
Attractions:
The temple of Tooth: The most sacred Buddhist establishment in Sri Lankan, where one of Buddha's tooth is being kept.
The Old Royal Palace compound: Consists of old royal palace, quarters of the royal concubines, Queen's chambers, the Council chambers, the Armour and exhibits of Kandyan era.
The Royal Botanical Garden: Once a pleasure garden for Kandyan queen, this beautiful park host numerous tropical foliage.
Udawatta Forest: A small forest with tropical plants, wildlife and ponds
Pinnewala Elephant Orphanage: Shelter for about 70 semi-tamed elephants. Feeding and bathing times are a must see.
The Tea Muesum: A Muesum dedicated to the history of Sri Lankan Tea
Lankatilaka Temple: A magnificent temple built on rock at a scenic location
Embekke Temples: A 14th century shrine famous for the wooden cravings on the entire structure decorated with dancers, musicians, wrestlers, legendary beasts and birds.
Temples: There are many other temples: Gadaladeniya, Dodanwala Devalaya, Degaldoruwa, hindagala Viharaya, Madawala Viharaya and Galmaduva Viharaya.

Do:
Trekking: There are many scenic routes in and around Kandy.
Kandyan dancing: The traditional form of dancing is a must see.
Asgiriya Stadium: Watch the ICC World Cup 2011, if its still on.
Perahera festival: It's an elephant paegent and a must see if you are in Kandy in August.

Get out:
Colombo: The Capital City of Sri Lanka.
Dambulla: 60 Km from Kandy and has a beautiful Cave temple.

Potala Palace, Lhasa, Tibet

Tuesday, January 18, 2011 9:41 AM TOIP
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Perched on the top of the Marpo Red hill in the center of the city of Lhasa, the red and white Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace in the world. The palace is a symbol of Lhasa and a UNESCO world heritage site.

Potala palace was originally built by King Songtsan Gambo in 7th century for his bride Princess Wenchang. The palace he built had 9 stories, 999 palace chambers and 1000 meditation halls. As the Songtsan Gombo Dynasty collapsed, the ancient fortress like palace was destroyed in wars. The modern Potala palace was rebuilt in 17th century by The Great fifth Dalai Lama, Lozang Gyatso of Qing Dynasty. 
Photo credits: wallpapers.free-review.net
The main architecture of the Potala Palace is composed of two parts:
The Red Palace – The places used by the Dalai Lama as his living chamber and for political activity. The palace occupies 10,000 square meters, where the statues of King Songstan Gambo and Princess Wencheng along with many hundreds of Buddhist figures are kept for worship.
The White palace – is a 7 storey palace which has various halls to deal with Buddhist activities. The 4th storey called the eastern hall is most important Buddhist hall where major religious and political activity, including the enthronement ceremony for reincarnated soul of the Dalai Lama was held. The seventh floor, sunshine hall was the winter palace of Dalai Lama.

Now, a museum, the palace is a must visit. An ancient history, murals, stupas, statues, thangkas and rare sutras attracts a number of visitors. The palace has a lot of stair cases up and down and located at a high peak hence acclimate to the weather condition before visiting.

Getting there: Located in the city center, it can be reached easily by foot, taxi or tricycle
Admission Fee: CNY 100 (Nov-April) CNY 200 (May-Oct). Only 2300 tickets are issued per day [1600 for the travel agent and 700 for individual tourist]
Opening hours: 09:00 – 16:00 

1 CNY = Rs. 6.8

Langkawi - Honeymooner's Paradise

Thursday, December 30, 2010 9:54 AM TOIP
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Langkawi is a popular tourist destination in Malaysia. Langkawi, located in the Kedah state in the north-western part of Malaysia, is a cluster of archipelago of 99 islands. The clear turquoise water, green mountain ranges, beachfront resorts, limestone caves, mangroves and sandy beaches defines Langkawi.

Langkawi, the Malaysia’s best kept secret, is an ideal destination for Honeymooners. Why Langkawi for Honeymoon?
  1. Low cost airlines like Tiger airways, Air Asia etc. cuts down the travel cost and makes it affordable.
  2. Langkawi has many beach resorts and high-end hotels
  3. Activities in Langkawi is not tiring, hence making the honeymoon days laid back
Pulau Payar Marine Park, Langkawi
 Quick Facts:
Language:  Malay/Bahasa Malaysia
Currency: Ringgit [1MYR=14.5 INR] (at the time of the blog post)
Time difference: 2 1/2 hrs ahead of India
Best to Travel: Nov-March, Apr-Aug (Sunny), Sep-Oct (rainny)

Get-in:
Visa – Indian’s can no longer get visa on arrival. Tourist Visa is required before entering Malaysia.
Flights – There are very few or no direct flights to Langkawi from India. Kuala Lumpur is common transit point. Low cost carriers like Air Asia, Tiger Airways fly from major cities in India to Kuala Lumpur.
Trains & Ferry – Since Langkawi is an Island, a combination of train and ferry travel can be done. The nearest station is Kuah and a ferry should be taken from Kuah to Pantai Cenang Jetty terminal. [Not recommended: Long journey time]

Getting around:
Taxi can be found everywhere and the rates are fixed. Scooters/motorbikes and cars can be hired and it is highly recommended. Rentals can be found near airport, Pantai Cenang shops and jetty terminal. Road conditions are good for driving but children crossing the roads and animals on the roads are common. Helmets and seat belts are mandatory.

Sight-Seeing:
Tours:
Though there is a long list of tours provided by the operators, these are the some of the highly rated tours:
  1. Island Hopping Tour – As the name suggests, in this half day tour you will be taken to few islands around Langkawi. Eagle feeding can also be witnessed in the tour.
  2. Scuba diving & Snorkeling Tour – The full day tour will take you to the Pulau Payar marine Park, where you can snorkel. Snorkeling equipments and food is included in the tour. But for scuba diving you might need to pay extra. Three companies operate the tours, so read the reviews and choose the one you want.
  3. Mangrove & Limestone Cruise – In this half day tour, you can explore the mangrove forest and limestone rock formations. Some tour operators also include Kayaking along the mangrove forests.
  4. Jet Skiing- Many beach resorts rent out Jet Ski to their guest. But if you are not in one of them, jet skiing in the clear blue waters of Langkawi will be a great experience.
Most of the tour operators provide pick-up and drop off to the hotel. Tours booked through hotel include a commission which is quiet hefty. Hence, it’s a good idea to head to Pantai Cenang and book the tour with the operators.
Cable Car to Mount Gunung
Other Activities:
  1. Cable Car Ride & Hanging Bridge – This location will remind of the climax scene of Shahrukh’s Don (2007). It was shot here.From the Oriental Village, take a ride in the cable car to the top of Gunung Mat Chinchang and walk across the 700m high sky bridge for a spectacular view of the islands and the mountains.
  2. Underwater World: Beautiful indoor aquarium.
Get-out:
  1. Penang which can be reached from Langkawi by ferry is a must see historical town
  2. Kuala Lumpur is a vibrant city. Since many flights transit through Kuala Lumpur its good idea to stop over and visit the Petronas Towers, Bird Park and China Town.

Hong Kong Highlights

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 2:35 PM TOIP
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Hong Kong is a vibrant never-say-sleep city. Neon-lit skyscrapers, tightly packed sidewalk, molasses-slow traffic, steam-filled eat outs identifies this overwhelming harbor city. In addition to the Cantonese Chinese and British influence, one can notice a diverse influence from Vietnam to Vancouver making Hong Kong a unique destination.

Photo Courtesy: http://www.photos4travel.com/
Quick Facts:
Language: Chinese (Cantonese/Mandarin), English
Currency: Hong Kong Dollars (HKD)
Time Difference: 2 ½ hours ahead of IST

Best time to visit:
Oct – Dec: Warm, dry and sunny.
Jan – March: Cool, less humidity

Events:
Chinese New Year in month of February
Hong Kong Arts Festival, a month long festival of international performance, in Feb and March

Get – in:
Visa: Indian Passport holders can get visa on-arrival for a stay not exceeding 14 days
Airport: Hong Kong International Airport/Chek Lap Kok
Flights: ex-Bangalore (Dragonair, Cathay Pacific), ex-Delhi (Air India, Jet Airways, Cathay Pacific, Kingfisher Airlines), ex-Mumbai (Air India, Kingfisher, Jet Airways, Cathay Pacific)
Budget Flights: JetStar Asia (via Singapore), Bangkok Airways (via Bangkok)

Getting around:
Hong Kong is very convenient when it comes to getting around. Whether by taxi, ferry, rail, bus or tram, you can get around easily and catch wonderful glimpses of the city along the way.
For more information
Octopus card is a must if using the public transport. It provides instance electronic access to Hong Kong's public transport system and also in many convenience store and restaurants. Basic Octopus card costs $150 with face value $100 and $50 is refundable deposit.
For more information

Top Attractions:
  • Hong Kong Museum of Art
  • Hong Kong Museum of History
  • Ocean Park
  • Hong Kong Disneyland
  • Victoria Peak
  • Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront
  • Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas
Must-do:
  • Take a gamble in Horse Race
  • Shopping in Street Market
  • Learn Tai Chi in Hong Kong Museum of Art
  • Ride in the Central Mid-level Escalator (World's longest outdoor covered escalator)
  • Sail away in the Star ferry
  • Taste the Hong Kong street food
  • Stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront
Night Life: Lan Kwai Fong

Get out:
Macau, China - the most populous and richest cities in China
Shenzhen, China - the most populous and richest cities in China
Zhuhai, China – nicknamed as City for Lovers and city of a hundred islands

Snow, Ice and Festivals

Wednesday, December 1, 2010 5:59 PM TOIP
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If snow and ice sculptures are your fascination, here is a few snow celebration that you will love:
Sapporo Snow Festival, Sapporo, Japan (Feb 7 '2011 – Feb 13 '2011)
This Japan's largest winter events attracts 2 million people every year. Began in 1950, when the local high school students built 6 snow statues, soon became famous as Japan Self-Defense Force joined them in building the first massive snow sculpture. Expect to see around 400 massive snow sculptures built by participants from various regions of the world.

 
Quebec Winter Carnival, Quebec, Canada (Jan 28' 2011 – Feb 13' 2011)
The history of Quebec Winter Carnival dates back to the time when the inhabitants of Quebec, then New France, had a tradition of getting together before starting to drink, eat and enjoy. Today the carnival is the largest one in the world. The Quebeckers have understood it that it is better to embrace the cold than to fight it. There are loads of exciting activities in the carnival.

 
Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, Harbin, China (Jan 5' 2011 – Feb 25' 2011)
Do you want to see world record sized snow sculptures longer than 1 or 2 football fields..Or be amazed at buildings, palaces, castles and other architecture that are wildly lit up and spectacular and are made entirely of ice. The tallest ice buildings in the last two years were about 50 meters (about 160 feet) tall! Or would you want to see the beautiful and intricately carved ice art of the international ice carving competition? Then come to Harbin during the International Ice and Snow Festival and see them before they melt. 


World Ice Art Championships, Fairbanks, Alaska (Feb 22' 2011 – March 27' 2011)
The world's largest ice art competition is a month long event where more than 100 artist build amazing ice sculptures. Though not a festival, the event is one of the best of its kind.

 
Saint Paul Winter Carnival, St Paul, MN, USA (Jan 27' 2011 – Feb 6' 2011)
Offended by a reporter remark “St Paul is another Siberia, unfit for human habitat in winter”, St Paul Chamber of Commerce commenced the first carnival in 1886. The event featured many activities like bobsledding and ice horse racing.

 

Beach Honeymoon

Thursday, October 28, 2010 12:49 PM TOIP
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Lazying out in the endless coastlines, soaking in the clear turquoise waters and a sunset dinner cruise is your perfect honeymoon destinations, then here are some beaches that will make you so “AWW”.




In no particular order:
  1. Thailand: Thailand has some beautiful sun kissed beaches, serene islands, colorful culture and delicious Thai Cuisine that attract newly wed couples from all over the world. Krabi, Pattaya, Phuket and Kon Samui islands are the major honeymoon places in Thailand

  2. Langkawi, Malaysia: Langkawi is an ideal destination to start your journey. This archipelago is truly marvelous with its stunning landscape and aquatic and adventure sports.

  3. Bali, Indonesia: Bali, a tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago is so picturesque and immaculate it could almost be a painted backdrop. It has rice paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical jungle, long sandy beaches, warm blue water, crashing surf and friendly people who don't just have a culture but actually live it.
     
  4. Mauritius: If you are looking for a vacation in one of the most beautiful places in the world, then your search ends in Mauritius. A small island, Mauritius is situated in the Indian Ocean, approximately 900 km east of Madagascar. Nature has blessed Mauritius with a beautiful countryside, consists of unspoilt beaches, clean aquamarine waters and boundaries of coral reefs.

  5. Maldives: If a honeymoon is meant to be a celebration of love in an intimate,secluded, and most importantly, beautiful setting, then the Maldives is the world’s best backdrop for all these things. There are endless ways to let the magic of the islands dazzle you on your holiday as a couple.
     
  6. Seychelles: Seychelles is a tropical paradise of outstandingly beautiful granite and coral islands fringed by sparkling white sandy beaches and encircled by coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life. In this natural haven, renowned for the friendliness of the people, romance is in the air, making the islands an ideal destination for an unforgettable honeymoon.
     
  7. Santorini Island, Greece: This fabulous island shrouded in myth, is believed by many to be the lost Atlantis and has an exciting history that goes back centuries. Brilliant sunsets and spectacular views of the volcanic islands on the west side, where towering cliffs are crowned by tiny white houses curved into the rock, make it a lover's paradise and a favourite honeymoon destination.
  8. Venice, Italy: From its fabulous setting and architecture to its rich history, art and music, Venice spells romance. You've seen it in films and photos, but the experience of actually being here yourself will exceed your imagination. Its intimate atmosphere, tiny bridges and piazzas, along with the Venetian celebration of love in song, makes this the perfect place to kindle the flame of love and commitment. 
     
  9. Caribbean Islands: The Caribbean, with its perfect beaches and palm trees, has long been a popular honeymoon destination. The azure waters of Barbados, secluded powdery beaches of Aruba, night-life of Jamaica and white sand beaches of Bahamas are the few destinations that will take your breath away.

  10. Goa and Kerela: Our own Goa and Kerala with their beautiful beaches and landscapes, makes your honeymoon not less than any of the above locations.

TOIP Take: Sentosa Island, Singapore

10:11 AM TOIP
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A former fishing village turned into British Military Base, Sentosa was transformed into an island resort, tag lined as “Asia's favorite Playground”. Just minutes away from the city buzz, this fun island is filled with entertainment. Sentosa with variety and versatility, attracts millions of visitors from around the world every year.

About Sentosa: Less than half a kilometer from the mainland Singapore, this slice of paradise has 50+ attractions, beaches, thriving greenery, hotels & spa, dine & shop and an awarding winning golfing arena. Entertainment is endless in this place.

Getting In: Sentosa Express, Jewel Cable Car Ride, Public Buses, Sentosa Rider, By Taxi and By Car

Getting Around: Sentosa Express, Sentosa Bus (Three colored Shuttle bus services – Yellow, Red and Blue Line connect Imbiah Station to various point on the island) and Beach Tram (Shuttles people between the beaches every 15-20 mins. 2 Services, one between Beach Station – Siloso Beach and another between Beach Station and Palawan and Tanjong Beach)

Visa: Singapore Visa should be arranged prior to travel. No on-arrival visa for Indians.

Attractions:
Imbiah Lookout: Situated near Mount Imbiah on Sentosa, Imbiah Lookout is the latest cluster of new and exciting attractions that will appeal to all. Adventure-seeker, nature lover or history buff, there's always something fun and exhilarating for you!
Activities: Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom, DESPERADO, Images of Singapore, MegaZip Adventure Park, Sentosa 4D Magix, Sentosa CineBlast, Sentosa Nature Discovery, Skyline Luge skyride, The Merlion, Tiger Sky Towers

Beaches: Take your beachfront lifestyle to new heights with Sentosa's beach attractions! Ride roaring waves, master different water sports, be mesmerized by fireworks, lights and water displays, get up-close with friendly animals, or simply stroll along in search of solitude. You'll find it all on Sentosa's 3.2km stretch of sandy white shores – Siloso Beach, Palawan Beach and Tanjong Beach.
Activities: Animal & Bird Encounters, AZZURA Beach Club, Gogreen Cycle & Island Explorer, Gogreen Segway Eco Adventure, MegaZip Adventure Park, Skyline Luge Sentosa, Songs of the Sea, Southernmost Point of Continental Asia, The Flying Trapeze, Wave house Sentosa

Siloso Point: At Siloso Point, you can literally walk through historical forts and dive into incredible underwater experiences. Siloso Point is home to many edutainment attractions that promise to impart knowledge in a fun and engaging way!
Activities: Fort Siloso Tours, Underwater World Singapore and Dolphin Lagoon

Resorts World Sentosa: Resorts World™ Sentosa offers a whole new world of truly rewarding experiences. Worlds apart from anything you’ve ever known yet familiarly Asian at heart, Resorts World Sentosa is the ideal resort destination where everyone can come together for moving experiences and lasting memories.
Activities: FestiveWalk, Marine Life park, Universal Studios Singapore, Voyage de la Vie

Nature: Home to 45 hectares of natural coastal and secondary forests, you can find some 170 species of birds and animals, and a surprising amount of Heritage Trees in Singapore!
Activities: NatureWalk, Mount Imbiah, Sentosa Nature Discovery, Southern Islands

Hotels & Spa: Sentosa's hotels and spas offer something for every budget and traveller. Beachfront romantic resorts, classic modern rooms, and exquisite hotel experiences await you on Sentosa.

Dine & Shop: Sentosa, the ultimate Island Dining Destination, where meals are always served with a splendid view

Golf: Tee-off at a world-class, award-winning golfing arena: Sentosa Golf Club!

TOIP Take:
Though this fun island has so much to offer and a must visit in Singapore, not all the attraction are worth the money. Unless you are in a mood to splurge, Sentosa can be done in a day. The TOIP recommends the following attractions:
  1. Songs of the Sea
  2. Underwater world Singapore and Dolphin Lagoon
  3. Sentosa Luge & sky-ride
  4. Images of Singapore
  5. Universal Studios Singapore
  6. Southernmost point of Continental Asia
  7. Bring your swimming to chill out in the beaches
Source: http://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/

Where to travel in January?

Monday, October 25, 2010 4:23 PM TOIP
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Why January? There are two possible holidays, 14th (Pongal/Lohri) Friday and 26th (Republic day) Wednesday. Lets make the best use of it. Here are few places that is best to travel in January:

Asia-Pacific: Traveling to China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong kong, Macau is ideal as there will be less rain and the temperature is moderate. Also, during the month of January, Chinese New year is celebrated beautifully with fireworks, lamps, dragons in most places and it is a must-see.


Middle East: Dubai Shopping Festival begins in mid-Jan and lasts till mid-Feb. Turkey hosts the famous camel wrestling show in the third Sunday of January. A ideal time to shop your heart out in Dubai or see some of the places listed in “1000 places to see before you die” in Turkey.
Europe: If icy scenery is your cup of tea, head to Europe. The Ski resorts in Europe is busiest in January. In Sweden, Kiruna snow festival is mind blowing with snow sculptures, reindeer racing etc.

Caribbean: During January, the Caribbean islands are lush green post rains. Since there places are very crowded in December, January is ideal to avoid the crowd.

Maldives: Maldives beaches are a bliss in January, but pricey too.

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