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Sneaky Ways to Enjoy Luxury in a Recession, While On a Tight Budget

Posted on June 16, 2013 ·

Luxury, luxury, luxury. Let’s face it — we’re all looking for a luxurious time. Blame it on Hollywood if that’s what you want to do, but we have a thing for luxury. There’s something to be said about high class hotels, world class restaurants, and all of the activities that seem to be restricted to the jet set — you know, players with money of course. The rest of us have to just cram into a budget friendly hotel and hope for the best, right?

Wrong. This is a recession after all. You see, the hospitality industry as a whole knows that it needs plenty of fresh customers coming back over and over in order to keep the doors open. So they can’t be too picky with price. Sure, there are some super high end establishments that cater to the super rich. We can’t really say much about those at all. The truth is that you have to figure out where to set your limits. Somewhere that entertains rocks tars and royalty isn’t going to be cutting their prices too much. Thankfully, there’s a whole world of other places that will.

Let’s start with airfare. If you aren’t too terribly picky with when you depart and when you arrive, you can save a lot of money. You can save even more if you’re not picky about the day that you leave or arrive. Flexible fares can save you a lot of money, but you do have to be careful — check to make sure that you can still get a place to sleep when you arrive, no matter which day that you select.

fingers squashing a coin

Restaurants are always running specials. Look for a “prixe-fixe” menu — as the name suggests, the prices are fixed. This is a great way to enjoy a sampling of gourmet food without the usual outrageous price tag.

Hotels are really where you’re going to be cleaning up big time. Instead of getting swept away in terms of star ratings, go for occupancy. A hotel that has a bunch of empty rooms isn’t making money that day. Therefore, call them up and see if they can give you a direct deal. Deal sites do help, but they have a markup that has to be passed to the hotel. If you have some negotiating skills in you, you can do the same thing and cut out the middleman. This is a win-win for both parties involved.

If you have a rewards credit card, you need to make sure that you’re putting everything on that card. It’s very easy to skip over this, but you could end up racking up a lot of points. If you have a friend that always seems to be shopping, try to get them to use your code — you might be able to get points for your friends’ purchases on some sites. This can really help you out when you’re trying to add a bit of luxury to your vacation.

Where do you go from here? Well, that’s completely up to you. There’s package holidays, which give you the luxury that you’re looking for without spending a lot of money. There are also last minute deals if you’re really feeling brave. Some people are, but many people prefer to have their trips more scheduled than this. Avoid the last minute stuff if you’re traveling with children, and don’t forget the travel insurance. You just never know when you’re going to need it. Good luck!

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Oh No – Your Holiday Company Cancelled Your Dream Trip – What Now?

Posted on June 2, 2013 ·

Trying to get the perfect holiday adventure can be difficult, but not impossible. Every year, millions of holidaymakers enjoy great vacations without much hassle at all. However, if you are one of the unlucky few that have had problems, you might not know what to do. We got asked by email what to do when the holiday company has actually cancelled your holiday. Aside from crying in the corner, what can you really do? That’s what we’re about to answer for you!

First and foremost, you need to know that if you’re one of the thousands of people who turn to package holidays, you have protected rights. Organizers may have to cancel the holiday, but they have to offer you something. They can either offer a substitute holiday package that’s the exact same or better, a sub package that’s going to be lower (refunding you the difference in price along the way), or they can go ahead and give you a full refund. It’s truly your choice to decide what you would like.

You need to check to make sure that your holiday actually is a package. You can do this online with no problem.

Trip-cancellation

Now, the sticky part comes to whether or not you can claim compensation. If you were informed ahead of time that the trip could be cancelled due to not enough people showing up, you will not be able to get any extra money. In addition, you will not be any to make a claim if the trip was cancelled due to an act of God, such as an earthquake. There’s a lot of ground to cover when it comes to natural disasters, but your organizer will need to make sure that they can safely deliver on their promise.

If you don’t have a package holiday, then you don’t have the same protections in place. However, you will have to look at your contract with the company in order to see what to do next. They usually have this type of thing spelled out, because things happen. Be sure to approach everyone involved with the trip in a very calm voice. Getting angry and losing your temper only makes things drag on and not in your favor.

It’s very stressful to find that your trip has been cancelled. If you need to make a complaint, be sure that you remain as calm yet as detailed as you possibly can be. You never know — a complaint could lead to some compensation, but that’s outside the scope of this guide to speculate. Hope this helps!

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Is Tahiti Really The New Travel Hotspot

Posted on May 24, 2013 ·

Travelers are a funny lot. Whether your home is in the UK or elsewhere, you probably have the itch to spread your wings, check out new travel hotspots, and figure out exactly where you want to go. Now, there’s nothing wrong with visiting a classic at all. You might find that some people are a little skeptical as to how much fun you can honestly have, but you’re not living your life for them. You’re living your life for you, and where you go has to have an effect on your overall sense of happiness and wonder. That’s just the way that it is.

We often look at places in different ways here on this blog, and many people wanted us to check out Tahiti. It’s something that isn’t “new” per se — tourists have been flocking to Tahiti for a while. If you’re out of the loop, we’ll bring you up to speed.

Tahiti is the biggest island of the Society Islands. This is an island chain that includes Bora Bora and Huahine, two other destinations that you’ve probably heard of. This is an incredibly place, where peace, tranquility, relaxation, and friendship are big themes. The Tahitians understand tourism is about service, and they’re a naturally generous people anyway. Don’t be surprised to find that you’ll be welcome with open arms. Aside from the monetary aspect, this is just a culture that’s all about being laid back rather than wound up. Now that’s something that we can all get behind, right?

Tahiti

If you want to know Tahiti, you have to start with the geography. This is an island nation that is dominated by volcanic mountain ranges. It’s in the shape of a turtle, which makes for an interesting landscape. Did we mention the black beaches, amazingly clear water and rich fertile soil? Yeah, it’s all here.

You have two cities on Tahiti that are of major importance. Both of them are pretty hectic. Papeete is the capital, where you will find a lot of your transportation and shopping needs, while Faa’a is where you have the airport. You’ll probably check into Faa’a and then travel elsewhere on the island. This is an island with a population of 127,000 people so things can definitely be busy!

The weather is amazing — a strong tropical climate where it definitely gets hot. The hotels have gotten wise and installed plenty of air conditioning, because it’s hot year round. If you go in the “winter”, that’s May to October. Summer is actually November through April. Either way, you’ll find plenty of adventure and relaxation waiting for you.

You could even start with Tahiti and island hop to where you want to go next. Bora Bora is right around the corner.

Bora Bora

Speaking of transportation, you’ll find that the transportation options are pretty wide. You can get around by bus, which is pretty cheap. You can also go by ferry or catamaran. You can even do it up “big” by looking at the luxury liners. They do week long trips around the Society Island chain as a whole. This is an amazing and incredibly way to see the islands.

English is spoken all over the island where tourism is concerned, but it might not less common in far flung spaces. Most of the signs are in French, but you can always ask someone to translate for you.

There is a lot of stuff to see while you’re on the island. You have to start with the market place in Papeete known as Le Marche. You can get “monoi” at the market, which is an amazing oil that will leave your skin feeling smooth and very soft. You also need to get shell necklaces. These are made directly by the locals, and it’s amazing stuff. You also need a “pareu”, which can be used to lay out on the beach. These are cheap souvenirs that can be taken off the island.

You get to see the Tomb of King Pomare the Fifth, who was the one king Tahiti has ever had. There’s a botanical garden that’s absolutely perfect, and even a gold course that used to be a sugarcane farm. [Read more...]

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Beware of These Pitfalls in the World of Travel Insurance

Posted on May 4, 2013 ·

Travel insurance is designed to help you with a wide variety of services, from getting luggage replaced when lost all the way up to getting you back on a plane that’s been cancelled. It’s all about you and making your travel experience as smooth as possible. Yet if you’re trying to get your travel insurance claimed, you’re going to have to make sure that you handle a few things on your end as well.

First and foremost, you want to make sure that you’re keeping track of all of your receipts. There’s no reason in the world why you shouldn’t hold on to just about everything related to the trip.

Your travel insurance policy is very literal — you have to make sure that you’ve accounted for that. What does your policy cover and what doesn’t it cover?

For example, you might have your claim denied if it’s based on a pre-existing medical condition. This is definitely not a good thing to find out when you need it most. Reading over your travel insurance guide ahead of time can save you from that, but it’s still going to be tricky to tie everything together. You just have to make sure that you’re thinking ahead of just about everything that could slow you down in any way.

Travel Insurance

There are also exclusions that can keep you out of getting a claim — like not having a police report. If you’re going somewhere that has a not so friendly police force, you might need to keep this in mind as well. There are budget cover policies that have low limits of cover that aren’t clear to you until you need it — causing you a lot of headache.

This is the same with excesses — you have to make sure that you know what you’re paying at all times. A policy with a good premium but a high excess really doesn’t do you any good unless you have a tight savings plan.

It all boils down to the same point — knowing what type of policy you have. With great planning comes great results. Don’t wait till the last minute to try to get travel insurance. Use the Internet to get quotes from multiple travel insurance carriers and read the fine print on each one before you commit to any of them. This will keep you on the right track for good. Good luck!

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Everything You Need To Know About Hot Underwater Vacations

Posted on April 22, 2013 ·

Your vacation should be an adventure – after all, sometimes the best way to relax is to do something exciting. Underwater vacations are exciting, fun, and well-priced for what you receive in return. Underwater vacations bring out the fun for the whole family – with a little pre-planning even children can get in on the adventure!

What types of vacations are available underwater?

The two biggest attractions when it comes to underwater adventures are snorkeling and diving. Snorkeling is great for those that want to explore the deep blue seas without investing time and money into more expensive scuba gear. For those that have to become part of the mighty seas, diving is a great activity. With the aid of an underwater video camera, you can capture moments that very few humans get to see. However, if you want to stay above water while still getting a great underwater vacation, there is always the boating option. Unlike traditional boats, you can have an underwater adventure without getting wet by booking a boating tour on a boat that has a glass bottom. The glass-bottom boat may not bring you as close to the action as snorkeling or diving, but it is an option worth mentioning.

Depending on where you go, there are alternatives to both options. If you are not a certified diver, you can still enjoy the spectacular flora and fauna underwater by taking a semi-submersible coral viewing cruise. This is a little bit different from other glass-bottom boats, mainly due to the size. These semi-submersible boats are much larger, and can carry a lot more people at once. Semi-submersible cruises are great for viewing coral reefs, such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

Underwater Vacations

What should I bring to maximize my underwater vacation?

The best way to prepare for an underwater vacation is to get your travel gear in order. Whether you’re traveling out of the country or sticking within the borders, it is best to pack efficiently in order to avoid delays with airlines. Airline travel gets a bit more complex when sophisticated equipment such as underwater video cameras comes into play. Make sure to pack all expensive equipment into hard cases, and to watch the screening of your luggage carefully. Make sure that your equipment does not fall in the hands of the X-ray machine – ask for it to be hand scanned instead.

In addition, make sure to have a set inventory of what you want to take with you before you actually depart. In case something is lost or stolen, this will make tracking down the item much easier.

For luggage that you cannot take onboard, re-check the claim tags carefully. Your name, address, and phone number should be clearly visible, and accurate. To be safe, it may also be wise to call the airline ahead of time and explain your unique luggage situation.

As far as equipment goes, you have a wide selection of underwater cameras and underwater video cameras to choose from. These devices range in price, but with underwater cameras, you can find inexpensive disposable models to take on your trip. Those that are trying the underwater experience for the first time should opt for an inexpensive camera with a decent underwater housing before purchasing a professional model.

What should I keep in mind when taking underwater pictures?

For optimal performance, you should take your underwater pictures while the sun is high in the sky. This will eliminate some of the darkness underwater. Make sure to get a good underwater camera that has a decent flash – remember that the camera will have to provide its own light to take good pictures. Also, take note of the weather patterns where you’ll be exploring. If there has just been a storm in the area, taking underwater pictures may not be a good idea – there is usually too much sediment tossed up after a storm.

What about those “underwater hotels”?

Underwater hotels and lodges do exist. They can be rented rather inexpensively, and gives the traveler an amazing opportunity to bring their underwater adventure up close and personal. For some underwater hotels, you can stay overnight, or even up to a few days without needing to come up to the surface. For others, a mere overnight stay may be all that you will be able to get. Underwater hotels are often a popular wedding spot for couples looking to find an exotic place to marry. The underwater hotel is set up for your maximum comfort, so if you stay overnight, you should be more than able to sleep.

Underwater vacations are a great opportunity to view the great seas and oceans of our world. Underwater adventures are opportunities to go where few have been. If you plan ahead, and keep respect for the aquatic life under the sea, you’re well on your way to a great vacation that you’ll be talking about for years to come!

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Getting Your First Bikini Wax For the Summer Travel Season

Posted on April 16, 2013 ·

Okay, so this isn’t one of our usual posts. The reality here is that we like to mix things up, and we love answering your questions. Let’s face it — looking good on the beach is something that we all want to do. So if you’re not sure how you’re going to do that, we have a guide for you. There’s nothing to be ashamed about — nobody wants to spend a lot of money on travel, only to find that they’re not quite beach ready.

So let’s get down to business — the first time bikini wax. In some parallel universe, getting your bikini line waxed for the first time has to rank somewhere between public speaking and dancing on stage in terms of fates worse than death. Fortunately, you’re on planet earth and your first time waxing really isn’t that bad.

Trust us here – with a little preparation, you’ll be in, out, and on your way to glittering beaches – or private pools. I’m not picky, and with these tips, you’re going to be fabulous either way!

Summer Travel Season

Here’s a couple of steps to get you started:

1. Stay calm. There’s a lot of horror stories online about bikini waxing gone bad, but that doesn’t mean your first time is going to be an experience you’ll never be able to live down for the rest of your life.

2. Get to know your over-the-counter friends. Nothing too strong, you know – Advil, Tylenol, Aleve, and Aspirin are all good for reducing any pain you might have when you go get your bikini line waxed for the first time.

You want to take the pain medication at least a few hours before you’re scheduled to go into the salon. This way, the medication has had time to take effect. The meds will reduce any swelling, redness, or inflammation you can encounter for your first time.

Make sure you don’t take too many under the impression that you will feel better for it – trust me, you won’t.

3. Go in confident. Yes, the waxer is going to see quite a bit of your body – but it’s really not a big deal. The waxing technician has seen quite a bit in their career – they’re professional about it.

4. Give your body a rest for a few days. Yes, the beach is calling. The sun is shining, the beach is calling, and we haven’t even gotten to the cute guys at the beach yet, have we? After your first bikini wax, you will want to let your body heal from the soreness and redness a few days before hitting the beach.

5. Schedule the next one! – For popular, trendy salons, it can be hard enough to get that first appointment – if you’re trying to become a repeat customer, make sure that you book your next appointment after your first one. This assumes that you are comfortable with your waxing technician, and you want to come back in the first place. Setting an appointment instead of just walking in makes for a smooth experience – you don’t want to be pushed to the back of the line when you’re on a tight timetable.

So that’s it – follow these five steps and you should be well on your way to a great day at the spa, the beach, and beyond!

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Little Travel Tips We Wished We Would Have Listened to Earlier

Posted on March 28, 2013 ·

Travel is something that has a different meaning for just about everyone that you talk to. Some people feel that travel allows them to finally do the things that really make life worth living, while others feel that travel is one of those things that you only do when you absolutely have to. Some people would prefer to remain close to home, while others want to branch out. There’s nothing wrong with that at all — you just need to make sure that you know where you’re going and what you’re honestly going to do when you get there. There’s something special about travel to us, and we have found that there are just a few little things that come up in travel that we wish someone would have told us about sooner.

We can’t be sure or anything, but we would bet that the people who don’t like travel have simply had a few bad experiences along the way. They can’t understand why anyone would want to pick through all of the travel woes to actually do something fun. There’s too many crowds, prices can fluctuate, and what about all of the supposed crime involved with world class travel? It’s time to set the record straight. There’s a few things that you need to know about that only come from traveling around the world a few times.

Travel Tips

First and foremost, let’s address that crime issue. For many countries, tourism isn’t just something nice to have — it’s an absolute way of life. When tourism is down, the towns that make up the country suffer greatly. This is a major problem around the world. There are many countries in the Caribbean that thrive from tourism. So the governments there have tried to do everything possible to keep the area safe for tourists. If tourists don’t feel safe, they won’t go. The local governments know that this is definitely the case. You will definitely want to make sure that you are trying to do everything you can on your side to stay safe. Even though a country might be a safe place to go, don’t be that tourist that leaves jewelry and other valuables in plain sight. Most people are honest, but that doesn’t mean that you should put temptation right in front of someone.

You also want to make sure that you’re dressing a bit discreetly in public. Trying to show off expensive jewelry is just going to make you look like a good target. Many countries around the world do not have a great quality of life in terms of money, so walking around with a lot of money around your neck (literally) isn’t a good idea.

Legal paperwork is confusing at first, but remember — it doesn’t take all that much to travel. Sure, you might need a visa as well as a passport, but that doesn’t mean that you have to go through a lot of struggles to get both of these things. Giving yourself enough time before you have to travel is a very good idea.

Travel insurance still matters, because you want to make sure that you’re covered in the event of an emergency. You don’t have to think that you have to leave critical medications at home. As long as you get a note from your doctor, you’ll be able to bring it through customs. When in doubt, you can indeed call ahead to get an official answer. It’s going to be up to you to make sure that you really do have everything planned out before you travel. Leave the last minute travel to the people that have experience in that type of thing.

Don’t leave your camera at home. It sounds cliché, but on e of the top things about travel is that you see new horizons. There’s no need to feel like you shouldn’t be looking at just about anything and everything involved — you just need to make sure that you’re looking at just about everything interesting about a location. Taking photos is a great way to show everyone at home how much fun you’re really having.

Why not check it out today for yourself? Start by looking for a destination that’s pretty close to home. You can search for all inclusive resorts that have a fixed price. That lets you let go of the fear that travel is going to be expensive. You get to explore the resort have fun, eat well, and let the stress go. Stress is one of the things that really gets us feeling challenged. You get to do something that leaves you feeling recharged, and that’s always a good thing. Good luck!

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Slip Away to Bali this Winter for a Taste of Real Paradise

Posted on March 22, 2013 ·

It’s been said that paradise starts in the mind…but if it’s cold where you are, you might be too frozen to think about it like that! The Northern Hemisphere is enjoying winter right now, but if the cold temperatures are bringing you down, you might want to make sure that you can get away as much as possible. If you have precious few holiday times to take, you have to think about where you really want to go. Believe it or not, Bali is definitely on the menu in 2013 and beyond. Here’s a few more bits of information that you need to know in order to have a great trip to Bali.

Bali is called the Island of the Gods, and it has a varied landscape that ranges from hills and mountains all the way up to lush rice terraces and even some volcanic hillsides. This is a spiritual land with a rich history. You can go surfing and diving here very easily, or spend your whole vacation looking at cultural and historical attractions. There’s also a ton of other accommodations and attractions. It’s very popular to go to Bali, even though some assume only the rich play here. This isn’t true at all. You can truly get an amazing experience without spending a lot of money. Of course, if you do want a luxury vacation, Bali will have something for you as well.

You have to understand that Bali is actually divided into a lot of different regions. You have South Bali, which is the most visited part of the island. This includes Kuta, Bukit Peninsula, Canggu, Denpasar, Jimbaran, Legian, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Seminyak, and Tanah Lot. There’s also Central Bali, which includes Ubud, Bedugul, and Tabanan. This is considered the cultural heart of Bali, and it also includes the central mountain range.

visit Bali

If you’re looking to get more into nature, you might find yourself in West Bali, which includes Negara, Gilimanuk, Medewi Beach, Pemuteran, and West Bali National Park.

Black sand beaches await you in North Bali, which is just Lovina and Singaraja.

East Bali is very laid back, and perfect for a casual vacation. Don’t expect as much to do here, though. The area includes: Amed, Besakih, Candidasa, Kintamani, Klungkung, Mount Agung, Padang Bai, and Tirta Gangga.

What’s important to understand here is that Bali is just one of more than 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago. The island is home to nearly 4 million people, which means that there is a lot of traffic. You’ll find that the residents of Bali are incredibly friendly and very peaceful.

However, this is an island that runs on tourism, so you need to still keep your guard up. Bali is a great destination that has something for everyone. If you want to get the most authentic experience, then avoiding the southern half of the island is a must. Of course, if you’re a tourist that wants to be in the middle of it all, then you definitely want to hit up the southern part of the island.

If you are trying to go where it’s peaceful, you also want to think about the time of the year. Things get incredibly congested during August and September. Christmas and New Year’s tend to bring in the crowds as well. Australians tend to schedule holidays to Bali in April, June, and late September. Outside of these periods, you’ll find that there aren’t that many tourists around. This also brings the price down considerably to travel during the off peak times.

The culture of Bali is very important to understand. While Indonesia is primarily Muslim, Bali is primarily Hindu. Hindu life permeates every corner of Balinese life, and it’s important to remain as respectful as possible. You will see tiny offerings in every Balinese house as well as in work places, restaurants, souvenir stalls and even at the airport! They are set out with incense sticks burning and sprinkled with holy water. These leaf trays are on the ground and if you step on them — it’s no big thing. Just be careful not to do it on purpose.

Balinese Hinduism differs from what you see in India, so you need to keep this in mind. It’s not quite right to compare the two.

The Balinese are well known for their sculpture work, and there are tons of sculptors all over the place. Dance and music are also popular on the island, and you can see authentic dances at festivals all through the year. [Read more...]

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Convincing Your Spouse to Travel Away From Home For Your Next Holiday

Posted on March 19, 2013 ·

We all love travel, but some of us are a little more hesitant than others. If you are trying to convince your spouse to travel away from home for your next holiday, we totally understand. Usually one spouse or another has reservations with traveling. We tend to see what’s in the news and overreact, worrying that things aren’t going to work out the way we expect them to. As long as you can focus on the bigger picture and not jump to conclusions, you’ll be fine.

What do we mean by conclusions? Well, a lot of people like to just assume that their partners are going to automatically say no, or that they will end up in a big argument. It’s important to practice good listening skills. Have you ever asked your spouse why they don’t want to travel too far from home? If you just had a baby, they probably want to make sure that the child is a little older before you start fluttering all over the world. Or they might have sick relatives and want the peace of mind that comes from only being an hour or so down the road. They can’t get that if they’re halfway around the world.

Travel Away From Home

They might be worried about whether or not the area is truly secure or not. There are just so many different factors that play into someone’s hesitations that you are best asking them personally. Make sure that you do it during a period where they’re not stressed about anything else. If they have work stress on their mind, they’re going to be thinking about politics at work more than your request. If they’re trying to balance the books, then they’re going to be worried about making that connect together more than they will be about anything that you actually have to say. There are a lot of different worries that we all carry around, and a little compassion definitely goes a long way.

Being able to reach out for other people is always a good thing. The more that you can focus on this, the better off you will honestly be. You will have all of the power in the world to get things done the right way, and that’s always a good thing.

Why not set aside time to show them photos from the country that you’re interested in? If they’re worried that they will not be able to integrate into the culture, tell them that’s not what you worry about when you travel.

The truth is that when we travel, we’re going to be outsiders in a way. That’s the whole point. It’s one culture appreciating another. It’s one party appreciating what the other party lives through each and every day.

You don’t have to rush from home to halfway around the world. Start with a trip that’s just a few hours away from home. The point here is to escape our regular reality for a little while. If they seem fine and refreshed, they’re going to want to keep going. If you ease into things, you’ll get a better acceptance than if you were to just plunge into everything without thinking about how your spouse feels.

In fact, you might be surprised to find that this is a big fear with a lot of non travel ready spouses. They worry that they will be forced to go somewhere that they don’t want to go in order to “keep the peace” in a marriage, and that’s just not cool.

As long as you are willing to keep the lines of communication open, you just might find that you’ll get that ultimate holiday that you always wanted!

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